5 Reasons to Consider Professional Lactation Support

Breastfeeding comes with many benefits but can be a challenge especially at the beginning. Read on to learn more about the ways a lactation consultant can make the transition easier for both you and your baby.

Women have breastfed for centuries, but that doesn't mean it always comes easily. The good news is that a professional lactation consultant can help set you up for success.

At The Breast Place in North Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Jennifer Beatty and our top-notch staff provide comprehensive care for breast issues ranging from lactation to cancer and aesthetic treatments that help you look and feel your best.

Benefits of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding comes with a number of benefits for your baby, including a reduced risk of illnesses like ear infections and stomach bugs in the short term and larger health problems like asthma, obesity, and more over time.

Not only that, but it can also help keep you healthy as well, by decreasing the chances of breast and ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Lactation consultants

While many women recognize the benefits of breastfeeding, they may become discouraged due to a variety of issues that can arise. A lactation consultant can help provide the knowledge, technical assistance, and emotional support necessary to start you and your baby on a successful path.

Reasons to seek professional help include:

Tracking your baby's weight

Babies often lose weight in the first few days after they're born, with exclusively breastfed newborns losing up to 10%. Your baby usually regains the weight within two weeks; by one month of age, most babies have gained a pound. A lactation consultant can help make sure your baby's weight is on target.

Helping with mechanics

Breastfeeding can come with a surprising learning curve as you and your baby figure out the process together. A lactation consultant can help you try multiple nursing positions to find out what works best for you.

Aiding with milk supply problems

Having enough milk is crucial to your baby's growth, but some women struggle with this. Supply is related to demand, so it could be your baby isn’t nursing frequently enough (or falling asleep while nursing) or they’re not latching on correctly. A lactation expert can review your feeding schedule and watch the baby attach to your breast to help determine the issue.

Treating common problems

A lactation consultant can also help with common issues like teaching you how to clear a clogged milk duct, offering recommendations on how to treat cracked or bleeding nipples, and aiding in the diagnosis of health concerns like thrush, a fungal infection, or mastitis, an inflammation of the breast tissue.

Teaching you how to pump

There are many questions when it comes to breast pumps, from what kind to buy to how often to do it. A lactation consultant can answer these queries as well as offer tips on the process of pumping. They can also advise about how to continue pumping when you plan to transition back to work.

If you're pregnant and want to learn more about breastfeeding or you’ve already had your baby and need lactation advice, we can help. Click here to book an appointment at The Breast Place, or call the office today at 843-797-1941.