Benefits of Lactation Consulting
Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful way to nourish your baby, but it is not always easy. Many mothers face challenges that can make this journey overwhelming and stressful. This is where lactation support becomes invaluable. Seeking the guidance of a lactation professional, such as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), can make all the difference in fostering a successful breastfeeding experience for both mother and baby. This support starts even before the baby arrives.
Preparing for Breastfeeding before Birth
Prenatal breastfeeding education has been shown to increase success rates, extend the duration of breastfeeding, and enhance the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding. One study (Khan et al., 2017) showed that breastfeeding counseling:
Increased breastfeeding rates by 48% at 4 months
Increased breastfeeding rates by 139% at 6 months
Prenatal lactation education, either in a class or individual setting, improves a mother’s positive attitude towards breastfeeding, aids in establishing realistic expectations, and provides the mother with resources to use as needed throughout her breastfeeding journey. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified breastfeeding education as a core element of health promotion during prenatal visits through peer counseling, lactation consultations, and breastfeeding classes.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the WHO recommend exclusively breastfeeding until 6 months when complementary foods are added. Breastfeeding is encouraged for as long as mother and child desire, up to 2 years and beyond. There are many health benefits for both mother and baby. The degree of benefit and protection a baby receives has been linked to the amount of human milk they consume and the duration of breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months offers enhanced protection.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Baby
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Boosts immunity - reduced rates of ear infections and respiratory infections
Helps build a healthy gut microbiome
Reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Decreased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
Reduced risk of allergies and asthma
Decreased risk of autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis
Reduced risk of childhood leukemia
Protective against childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mom
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Improvement in cardiovascular health
Reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer
Protection against type 2 diabetes
Enhances bonding with baby
Reduced financial and environmental cost compared to formula
Aids with weight loss after pregnancy
Reduced risk of postpartum hemorrhage
Delayed return of fertility
Reduced postpartum depression
Understanding Lactation Support
An IBCLC is a highly trained lactation professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. They have completed rigorous health science and lactation-specific education, 1000+ hours of hands-on lactation-specific experience, and successfully passed a certified board exam. IBCLCs are experts in addressing the diverse needs of breastfeeding families, offering evidence-based support tailored to individual circumstances.
Lactation support is about more than just feeding. It is about ensuring that both mother and baby thrive physically and emotionally. It encompasses guidance, education, and encouragement to help families overcome common breastfeeding hurdles and establish a positive and sustainable breastfeeding relationship.
Reasons for Seeking Lactation Support
Breastfeeding challenges are common, especially in the early days and weeks. New mothers may encounter difficulties such as:
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Latch issues: can lead to pain, frustration, and inadequate milk transfer
Nipple pain
Clogged milk ducts
Engorgement: painful swelling of the breasts that can make latching more difficult
Jaundice: elevated bilirubin levels that can lead to infant lethargy and poor feeding
Poor weight gain
Mastitis: inflammation or infection of the breast
Struggling with fatigue
Managing separation from baby – NICU, returning to work, traveling
Perceived and/or actual low milk supply
Safety concerns when taking maternal medications
Inverted or flat nipples
Confusion related to conflicting advice from peers, family, and friends
Assistance with weaning
Breastfeeding multiples or tandem nursing
Support for feeding a preterm or late-term baby
Lactation support provides mothers with personalized solutions to these common challenges. Through one-on-one consultations, an IBCLC can assess feeding dynamics, offer hands-on assistance, and create a customized care plan. This tailored approach ensures that each mother receives the specific guidance she needs to succeed.
The Importance of Personalized Support
Every breastfeeding journey is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Personalized lactation support addresses individual concerns, helps mothers solve problems as they arise, and can lead to a more positive breastfeeding experience. Receiving personalized lactation support provides the following benefits and more:
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Increases knowledge and skills needed to feel more confident
Addresses specific challenges that the mother-baby dyad is experiencing
Offers emotional support and encouragement to manage individual circumstances
Provides ongoing support for long-term success
Offers tailored advice on maternal nutrition and health for a holistic approach
Allows early detection of potential issues
Helps understand breastfeeding mechanics and positioning techniques
Recognizes baby’s feeding cues
Provides pumping assistance, proper breastmilk storage education, and help with transitioning to bottle feeding or weaning
By working with an IBCLC, mothers gain the confidence to trust their instincts and abilities. This professional guidance can help reduce self-doubt and instill a sense of empowerment that extends beyond breastfeeding into all aspects of parenting. Lactation support is a powerful tool for navigating the breastfeeding journey.
Complimentary Lactation Support at Maternal by Sentido
At Maternal by Sentido, we are passionate about supporting every family's unique breastfeeding journey. That's why we provide complimentary lactation support with each breast pump order. We offer individualized one-on-one lactation consultations with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) via our convenient telehealth platform. Lactation support is available to you during the prenatal period, after delivery, and as needed until mother and baby choose to wean.
How to Get Started
Maternal by Sentido makes the process of ordering a breast pump through insurance, at no cost to you, quick and easy.
The first step to receiving complimentary lactation support is filling out our insurance eligibility form. When you order through Maternal, you are able to receive a pump at little to no cost.
After filling out the form, our team will communicate with your insurance to understand what breast pumps your insurance covers.
We will then contact you about your pump coverage, and if you need help selecting the pump that fits your needs, our team is here to help.
Once your pump is ordered, we will send the pump directly to your home with no shipping cost. You will then be eligible for complimentary lactation support with one of our IBCLC.
Connect with Maternal by Sentido
Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality breast pumps through insurance and getting to know you as a mom and guiding you through your maternal health journey.
Maternal by Sentido has an online community offering informative blogs, downloadable material, and social media that will carry you through your maternal health journey.
A Message from the Author:
Hi! I’m Tara. I am a wife, a mother of two energetic children, a registered dietitian, and a lactation consultant. As a lactation consultant, I specialize in helping mothers and babies navigate feeding and growth challenges. My mission is to foster a successful mother-baby dyad, understanding that every journey is beautifully unique. I am deeply committed to empowering mothers with the guidance, tools, and encouragement they need to thrive in their breastfeeding and parenting goals.
About the Author:
Meet Tara! Tara earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Food and Nutrition with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Houston, followed by a Master of Science in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. With over 17 years of experience in clinical nutrition, Tara has had the privilege of working with both adults and children. For the past six years, she has focused her expertise on pediatric nutrition at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas, where she discovered her deep passion for supporting growing families. During this time, Tara earned her certification as a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and later achieved the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential. She accomplished this after completing over 1,000 hours of lactation-specific education and hands-on experience.
Sources:
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine: Breastfeeding Promotion in the Prenatal Setting
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk
Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding
Journal of Education and Health Promotion: Effectiveness of Breastfeeding Education