Lactation Support and Education

After giving birth, one of the first bonding experiences between you and your baby occurs through breastfeeding. If there are any problems, a Lactation Consultant is available to support and help you achieve your success of breastfeeding through education and reassurance.

A Certified Lactation Educator offers the following services:

- Breastfeeding support and education to mothers.
- Work with mothers to prevent and handle breastfeeding problems.
- Help mothers maintain milk supply when separated from their babies.
- Guide mothers who return to work after maternity leave and wish to continue to breastfeed their baby.
- Aid mothers in finding breast pumps and equipment.
- Teach mothers how to use breast pumps.

A Lactation Consultant/Educator, is trained to help mothers with any breastfeeding problems that may arise. Although producing breast milk is a natural occurrence after childbirth, sometimes new mothers and babies need to learn how to breastfeed. And sometimes there are breastfeeding problems after coming home from the hospital. This is where a Lactation Consultant/Educator can be of great service.

When to seek help:

- If your baby does not latch onto your breast.
- If your baby cries all the time.
- If your baby sleeps all the time.
- If you are concerned about your milk supply.
- If you feel your baby is not getting enough milk. - If you have sore or cracked nipples.
- If you dread nursing because your nipples hurt the entire time.
- If engorgement does not occur by the fifth day after birth.
- If you are severely engorged.
- If your baby does not have three or more yellow, runny stools by day six.
- If your baby has not regained birth weight at two weeks.
- If you have any other breastfeeding concerns.

Mothers who can't, or choose not to breastfeed their babies should never feel guilty. Breastfeeding is a very personal decision. Breastfeeding has nothing to do with being an excellent, loving mother.