Why should I have a prenatal Lactation Consultation?



Mom's, I have a question for you: Do you ever remember receiving a full breast exam during your pregnancy? I mean not just feeling for lumps, but a full breast examination? With a breastfeeding professional who knows what questions to ask that help identify roadblocks that you will likely need help navigating to be successful in breastfeeding. 

I’ve learned in the last 22 years as an RN and 11 years as an IBCLC is that all women’s breasts and nipple are uniquely different. Large—small—soft—firm—flat nipples—inverted nipples—everted nipples—large areola—small areola—nipples point straight ahead, to the side, straight down toward the floor...okay, enough said! 

But why even talk about this, or have a professional breastfeeding expert to look for breastfeeding “roadblocks” like truly flat nipples... well, in this particular case, and depending on the consistency of your entire breast tissue, if a newborn cannot feel their mothers nipple in his mouth, it will be more difficult (but not impossible) to latch. In my opinion, right at that magical moment that your baby is born, and placed on your chest—skin to skin—And you look at him, really look at him for the first time.  Oh!!! he is so beautiful 😍 Then the nurse asks if you want to try to breastfeed him? Well, Of course! You pull down one side of your hospital gown, and then you hear a small gasp...only to look over at your delivery nurse making 😲😳😔😦 these shocking faces as she realizes, and then exclaims “Oh dear, your nipples are flaaaattt! (flat)  😐😐  "Well, she says...you'll have to use a nipple shield.” Although you are so happy to see your new baby, at the very same time you’re horrified that you have flat nipples...😳😳     ”What in the world does that mean? I’ve never really compared my nipples with others??”...."Will I be able to breastfeed?"

 Okay, so the moral of this story is kind of old on this blog: Be prepared! I have lots of tips and tricks for moms with short, less everted or flat nipples....let’s just be prepared, to feel confident, resourceful, and content! For more information about having a prenatal breastfeeding consultation. If you’re in. Utah County, it just an $85/home visit. (385)-325-1950

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some Common and Not So Common Causes of Low Milk Supply (with solutions that may be helpful)

Image
By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC Is your milk supply really low? First of all, is your milk supply really low? Often, mothers think that their milk supply is low when it really isn't. If your baby is gaining weight well on breast milk alone, then you do not have a problem with milk supply. It's important to note that the feel of the breast, the behavior of your baby, the frequency of nursing, the sensation of let-down, or the amount you pump are not valid ways to determine if you have enough milk for your baby. What if you're not quite sure about baby's current weight gain (perhaps baby hasn't had a weight check lately)? If baby is having an adequate number of wet and dirty diapers then the following things do NOT mean that you have a low milk supply: Your baby nurses frequently . Breastmilk is digested quickly (usually in 1.5-2 hours), so breastfed babies need to eat more often than formula-fed babies. Many babies have a strong need to suck. Als
Read more

"They told me I needed to start giving formula to my exclusively breastfed baby ??"

Image
Lately, I've been hearing a common theme from my  clients. They contact me frustrated and heartbroken because they were told during a well-child check that their exclusively breastfed baby was not gaining weight as is expected. And rather than referring the mother and baby to a Board Certified Lactation Consultant or "breastfeeding expert," their  pediatrician/NP/or family physicians   were recommending that these exclusively breastfed infants should be started on formula supplementation. Although these babies were petite, they were gaining weight at the typical rate of an exclusively breastfed baby. After my assessment of an entire feeding in their home, and assessment of each baby's developmental milestones (which were both excellent) I determined that we could help these babies gain a slightly higher percentage of weight, without the use of artificial baby milk (formula.) With some very minor changes in how these moms feed (maybe even a fun little trick or two that
Read more