The Top 4 Ways a Lactation Consultant Can Make Your Life Easier
Making the decision to breastfeed your new baby can be exciting and scary all at the same time. Hopefully, if you have made this choice, you also know that you have resources available to you to make this new experience easier.
A lactation consultant is one resource you can use if you are new to breastfeeding or want to add a breastfeeding expert to help make breastfeeding more enjoyable and enriching for you and baby.
What is a lactation consultant?
A lactation consultant or lactation specialist is basically, a breastfeeding expert. Sometimes an LC will be a nurse, doula, or midwife but that is not necessary so long as they receive accreditation from the ICLCE (see our article here about why you need a breastfeeding expert who is an IBCLC or certified lactation consultant).
What does a lactation consultant do?
A lactation consultant is a breastfeeding expert who can provide education and assistance before your baby arrives so you can feel secure and knowledgeable from day one.
Lactation consultants also help provide hands-on assistance with breastfeeding and even learning how to use a breast pump should that be something you want or need to do. Just as with anything, pumping--while overwhelming at first--becomes easier with time and experience. This experience is much easier to get with knowledgeable and helpful assistance.
If you are having issues with breastfeeding, such as latching issues or sore nipples, a lactation consultant is also very helpful in these areas. Most often, an experienced lactation specialist can help identify what is going wrong and the right steps to take to fix it.
Finally, if there is an issue that requires further medical or expert attention, a lactation consultant can help you there as well. Most lactation specialists know who and where to turn for additional breastfeeding assistance to help you get on the right path ASAP!
