Who Provides Lactation Support?
We can recommend trained lactation support specialists who can offer care and advice on everything related to breastfeeding.
There are many reasons to seek our lactation support, including reasons like:
- Low milk supply in the breast
- Sore, cracked, and painful nipples
- Engorged breasts
- Plugged milk ducts or infections
Your lactation support specialist can help make breastfeeding a more comfortable experience for you and your baby.
What a Lactation Support Specialist Can Teach You
Lactation specialists have extensive knowledge about breastfeeding, reducing discomfort, and baby behaviors. When you work with a lactation support specialist, you can learn helpful tips like:
- Creating a feeding schedule for you and your baby
- Recognizing when your baby is hungry
- How to use a breast pump
- Tracking your baby’s weight gain to ensure they are developing at the proper rate
- Healthy eating for healthier breast milk
Your lactation support specialist can also help you prepare for returning to work when your baby is still breastfeeding. You can learn to store milk and pump properly at the office. This may include how to discuss accommodations at work to take time to pump or navigate the challenges that come with being away from your child for the first time.
What Happens at a Lactation Support Appointment
Lactation support appointments will focus on helping you with your specific breastfeeding challenges. Everyone’s struggles are different, and your provider will focus on what you need help with based on your concerns, medical history, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences.
In general, lactation support appointments happen within a few days of giving birth, although you can schedule an appointment whenever you need the extra support. If you have questions about lactation, bring those with you. Your provider will take the time to answer them and ensure that you feel more comfortable with breastfeeding.
Bring your baby with you to your appointment. Your lactation support specialist will walk you through evaluating how your baby latches, get a sense of their health and development, and see how you usually breastfeed. This information can help identify problems so your specialist can create solutions that address your and your baby’s needs.
Learn More About Lactation Support
As part of our pregnancy and postpartum care services, your Genesis OBGYN provider can help you connect with a lactation consultant. Schedule an appointment today to learn more about your lactation support options.
