Enhancing Pediatric Care: The Vital Role of a Lactation Consultant

If you’re the mother of a newborn and have questions about breastfeeding, it’s time to consult a lactation consultant. A pediatrician can help you with many issues concerning your child, but finding one who employs a lactation consultant is the best option for lactation matters.

Here are some times when you should see a lactation consultant.

Your Nipples Are Sore

While breastfeeding has health benefits for mothers and babies, one reason some breastfeeding mothers stop doing so is soreness in their nipples. Some discomfort when breastfeeding for the first time is normal. But it shouldn’t persist. If it does, there’s a deeper problem requiring medical attention. That’s one reason to see a lactation consultant. 

Whether the problem relates to cracked nipples or an improper feeding technique, you should speak to a lactation consultant for help.

You Have Multiple Babies

It can be challenging enough to breastfeed one child — especially if the child demands nourishment in the early hours of the morning. But it can be even more challenging if you have twins or triplets or simply have multiple babies who are of breastfeeding age. 

Learning how to breastfeed multiple babies is vital, and a lactation consultant can be a valuable resource. The medical professional can answer your questions, explain best practices, and show you how to breastfeed so the experience is good for you and your babies.

Whether you need help learning how to hold your breastfeeding babies or how to have two babies breastfeed simultaneously, you can get help learning how to do it properly.

You Don’t Understand the Benefits of Breastfeeding (Or the Risks of Not Breastfeeding)

One reason some mothers choose to feed their babies formula rather than breastfeed them is they’re unaware of the health benefits breastfeeding affords mothers and their babies. They also don’t know the potential negative consequences of choosing baby formula over breast milk.

Breastfeeding can, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, safeguard babies against type one diabetes, asthma, obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome. And breastfed babies have lower instances of stomach bugs and ear infections.

The benefits for moms are also considerable since women who breastfeed their kids have lower risks of high blood pressure, ovarian cancer, and other serious health issues. So, going with baby formula over breast milk is short-sighted if the focus is on the best interests of the mother and baby. It’s also cheaper to go with breast milk over buying baby formula that’s inferior to breast milk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests exclusive breastfeeding for around half a year before continuing to breastfeed while incorporating suitable foods until children are at least two years old. 

You Want Ongoing Support

Another reason to seek a lactation consultant is if you want support during the breastfeeding process. You may have questions at different stages along the way and want to speak to a professional if something happens that you’re unsure about. Or you may get instructions, forget one or two details, and require further clarification so you know you’re doing things correctly.

You’re Confused by Conflicting Information Online

The internet offers a great deal of information. But while much of it is helpful, that doesn’t mean you can take everything you read as gospel truth. In fact, some unsubstantiated breastfeeding resources can steer you in the wrong direction. 

For instance, any resource telling you that baby formula is equal to or superior to breast milk is wrong. It’s not just misleading — it’s blatantly incorrect. So, if information online confuses you, speak with a lactation consultant for the truth.

You alone can choose whether or not to breastfeed your baby. That said, research overwhelmingly shows that breastfeeding is better for children than baby formula. Before you decide which route to take, ensure you learn about the pros and cons of each and then decide.