Lactation consultants: What they do and how they can help
Lactation consultants are professionally trained breastfeeding specialists.
What does a lactation consultant do?
They assist women who are not producing enough milk and women with general breastfeeding problems as well. Breastfeeding can be a very stressful time for some women and these trained consultants help lift as much stress as they can off your shoulders.
They ensure you when everything is going very well and they also help you with the tough obstacles that come along with breastfeeding. Many women struggle with latching and lactation consultants will show you techniques and what to do in order to get your baby to latch on properly.
If a woman chooses to breastfeed after giving birth, doctors recommend that they visit a lactation consultant before they begin breastfeeding or when they run into problems or questions. “Researchers in a 1999 study at the University of California at Davis provided lactation consultants to every study subject who needed one, the overwhelming majority of participants' breast-feeding problems were resolved successfully.” Some hospitals have free lactation consultants and there are private lactation consultants that you can visit or they will even drive to your home to help you. Depending on the location, consultants charge either 50 to 100 dollars per visit. Most women believe that one visit to their local lactation consultant was enough to assist and help them with their breastfeeding consultants. The consultants will also reassure you and tell you that everything you are experiencing is completely normal.
Some women just need that extra boost of confidence and support that lactation consultants are able to give to them!! Don’t stress even more than you have too, Find a lactation consultant in your area!