Why should I see a Lactation Consultant before I have my baby?
“Prepare the umbrella before it rains.” Malay Proverb
What kind of umbrella do you need to help you get a good start to your breastfeeding journey? To be the most prepared you can be, an IBCLC can help you work through questions and considerations that may affect your breastfeeding journey. A prenatal visit with your Lactation Consultant can help you reduce future tears and frustrations as you embrace motherhood with more confidence, knowledge, strategy, and effective support.
A prenatal visit with your IBCLC should include the following things:
1) Discuss and clarify your breastfeeding goals and then help you reach those goals
What are some of the things that might influence your goals? Do you want to follow AAP guidelines to breastfeed exclusively until complementary foods are introduced at about 6 months and then continue until a year or more? How will going back to work affect your goals, and what can you do to prepare for this? What accommodation or management support will there be at work for pumping and storage of milk? What support will you have in place to help you achieve your goals? Talking through these issues will help you make realistic and personal goals that you will be more likely to achieve.
2) Discuss concerns or health issues and make a breastfeeding plan with these in mind
Do you have an underlying health condition? Have you had breast surgery, nipple piercings, or implants? Do you understand the effect they might have on your milk production or postpartum recovery? Are you currently taking medication and think you might not be able to breastfeed? Do you have a high-risk pregnancy, or does your baby have a medical challenge that will require extra support in breastfeeding?
Do you have a history of anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns? Will you have mental health challenges after the baby is born? What else are you juggling in your life with your family situation, and how might this add to your responsibilities and coping skills? Knowledge, understanding, and the right support can help you work with and overcome a lot of these factors. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant can help you understand your limitations and make a plan to succeed.
3) Learn to hand express, when to do it prenatally, and how to feed it to your baby
The early days of your baby’s life can come with unexpected challenges. There are a variety of reasons for both mom and baby that can mean having some expressed colostrum on hand, or knowing how to hand express, could help your baby get the optimal nutrition they need to thrive if you cannot breastfeed straight away.
4) Include your support team in strategies and expectations for baby's first week at home
Having a baby is a family affair, and the more knowledge and understanding your support team has about breastfeeding, the more specific and helpful their encouragement will be. Your Lactation Consultant can help you understand each other’s needs and preferences and how to support each other during this transition time.
“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill
One of those million ways is learning skills and knowledge for your own unique situation in preparation to welcome your child into the world.
A breastfeeding class is so helpful to understand how breastfeeding works and how to get off to a great start, but having an individualized prenatal visit will enable you to go into those first days with a lot more confidence!