Lactation consulting

Breastfeeding doesn’t come easily to everyone who is nursing their baby. And being told that breastfeeding is the most natural thing for you and your baby just adds to the frustration.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our board-certified lactation consultants understand the challenges that can come with trying to breastfeed your baby. We offer the strategies and nonjudgemental support you need to be successful.

What is lactation consulting?

Board-certified lactation consultants have extensive training and education in breastfeeding support. They are qualified to help with everything from basic breastfeeding tips to helping manage complex situations, such as feeding a baby in the NICU.

Lactation consultants work with people during their pregnancies and after birth to provide support and guidance on how to best feed their baby.

Types of lactation consulting

Working with a lactation consultant can be helpful at many points along your pregnancy and postpartum journey. They can also be helpful when you encounter specific breastfeeding issues.

Lactation consulting starts with pre-birth preparation while you’re still pregnant. If you have a job outside the home, your lactation consulting can extend to help with pumping and feeding as you return to work.

Other services may include:

• Comfort management (including breastfeeding positions and breast care
• Instruction on expressing breast milk and using a breast pump
• Prevention of engorgement and other complications
• Support for premature infant feeding
• Strategies for increasing milk supply
• Technique support

How breastfeeding helps you and your baby

Although breastfeeding is not the only way to feed your baby, there are many reasons why it’s a healthy choice. Benefits of breastfeeding include:

• Antibodies that pass from your body to your baby help boost their developing immune system
• Easily digested milk, which means there’s less stomach upset, constipation or diarrhea
• Ideal nutrition because breast milk is constantly evolving to provide exactly what baby needs at every stage
• Less risk of health problems, including ear infections, urinary tract infections and allergies
• Lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Protection for mom against breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure

What to expect from lactation consulting

Your lactation consultant will start your first meeting by going over your medical history, pregnancy, labor and delivery. This gives your consultant important background information. A history of infertility, health issues during pregnancy, C-section delivery and premature birth can all affect your ability to breastfeed.

You’ll bring your baby to each appointment with your lactation consultant. The consultant will watch you breastfeed. Then they ‘ll provide tips for better positioning, how to help your baby latch and other ways to improve breastfeeding success.

A lactation consultant can address any concerns you have about your baby’s feeding and weight gain. They’ll work with you to make sure your baby is receiving the nutrition they need to thrive.

If your baby is in the NICU, you may not be able to breastfeed them right away. A lactation consultant can help you pump milk that can be fed to your baby via a bottle or tube.