Working with an infant means feeding them every few hours. Even if you’re not a parent, you can probably see the value in this. Lactation consultants can assist new or expectant parents by supporting them through the challenges of feeding their baby. Working with a lactation consultant is beneficial for new as well as experienced parents. Working closely with your child and other family members, a lactation consultant can ensure that you breastfeed effectively and safely while avoiding any potential pitfalls along the way. Here are some of the benefits of working with a lactation consultant.
Improves Breastfeeding Rates
For new or experienced parents, breastfeeding is one of the most important things you can do for your baby. It’s also one of the most challenging, as many women find breastfeeding challenging or even inappropriate for years after birth. Having a lactation consultant on-call can help you and your baby succeed at breastfeeding, reducing the risk of bottle-feeding and formula use, and increasing your odds of seeing gains in length and weight. There are many factors that can impact breastfeeding success, including your own readiness to lactate, your baby’s age, health, and diet, as well as your partner’s support and commitment. A lactation consultant can provide support and guidance to help you understand these factors and the best way to address them. Working with a lactation consultant can also help you figure out how much breast milk you should be producing, allowing you to avoid issues such as overproduction or undernutrition.
Promotes Self-Care for New Mothers
A key part of postpartum recovery is getting your body ready to feed your baby. As a new mother, you may be sleep deprived and overwhelmed with the demands of caring for a newborn. Working with a lactation consultant can help you identify sources of stress and manage them. This may include ensuring you have the rest you need, eating nutritious, balanced meals, and getting some physical activity. A lactation consultant can also provide support and guidance to help you understand how your body is responding to the demands of breastfeeding, what your baby’s needs are, and how to respond appropriately.
Helps Maternity Caregivers Transition Back to Work
When you’re working with a lactation consultant, you don’t have to do it all. You can focus on being a parent while your consultant handles the rest. When you’re working with a consultant, you can stop worrying about how to cope with your baby’s needs while you work. Your consultant will help you figure out how often and how much to breastfeed your baby, using the correct technique, while they’re also there to help you recognize when it’s time to take a break, eat a nutritious meal, or take some time for yourself. Working with a lactation consultant can help care providers who wish to return to work. Maternity leave must be balanced with work responsibilities and your own personal needs. Working with a lactation consultant can help you navigate these challenges, reducing the risk of burnout, while also ensuring your baby receives adequate nutrition.
Assists with Comfort Measures for Newborns and Infants
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or need support with your breastfeeding efforts, a lactation consultant can help. Working with a lactation consultant can also help you address any concerns you or your baby may have with regard to comfort measures. This may include using a breast pump or expressing your milk manually. While working with a lactation consultant, you can trust that they’ll keep any information you provide confidential, allowing you to address concerns or seek assistance without fear of judgment or embarrassment. Working with a lactation consultant can also help you recognize when it’s time to seek help, such as when your comfort measures are negatively impacting your baby’s nutrition.
Supports Parents with Special Needs
Working with a lactation consultant can help you address any concerns you or your baby may have regarding your baby’s nutrition or health. Additionally, a lactation consultant may be able to help you navigate issues related to your family’s health history and do a home visit. A lactation consultant home visit involves a lactation consultant visiting a mother in her home to provide breastfeeding support and education. During the visit, the consultant will observe the mother and baby breastfeeding, provide guidance and tips for achieving a proper latch, and help the mother to identify and address any breastfeeding challenges she may be experiencing.
The consultant may also provide information on breastfeeding positions, milk production, and the baby’s weight gain. They may also discuss breastfeeding equipment such as breast pumps and troubleshoot any issues related to it. Home visits by lactation consultants can be especially helpful for mothers who are experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding and may not be able to attend in-person appointments or support groups. Lastly, working with a lactation consultant can also make it easier for you to approach nutrition and health issues with your baby’s doctor.
Encourages Moms to Stay at Home While Nursing
Many women want to return to work after a baby, but struggle to reconcile breastfeeding with their responsibilities at work. Working with a lactation consultant can help you balance work and breastfeeding obligations. A lactation consultant can talk you through the challenges of maintaining a work schedule while breastfeeding, help you identify the best work-life balance for your family, and help you to navigate the challenges of balancing work and breastfeeding. Working with a lactation consultant can help you to understand how your body is responding to breastfeeding and identify any gaps in your feeding knowledge that may be hindering your efforts to succeed.
Conclusion
Working with a lactation consultant can help you address any challenges you may face as a new or experienced parent, as well as improve your chances of successfully breastfeeding your baby. Lactation consultants can provide support and guidance related to your health, including diet and exercise, as well as your baby’s needs. Working with a lactation consultant can also help you to better understand your body, including how often to feed your baby, what your baby’s needs are, and how to appropriately respond.