Lactation Consultant

When my son was 2 months old, some friends brought over dinner. This welcomed gesture was a much needed distraction from the fact that I was nursing every two hours and my thrush infection made every suckle hurt like hell. As we scarfed down our food, my husband mentioned how amazing our lactation consultant had been. One of the friends (single, no children) was startled to discover that such a profession existed. “I mean, isn’t it just natural? The baby is born and he gets on there and eats?” Had I not been so sleep deprived, I might have smacked him, but being new to breastfeeding myself, I understood where he was coming from. Before Dominic was born, I had a simplistic view of what nursing would entail. I’m now 9 months into it and have learned that this natural and intimate relationship with your child is one that takes patience, support from your non-lactating partner, perserverance, and a good lactation consultant.

I like the description that babycenter.com gives of what a lactation consultant does. They are professionals (most often registered nurses) that teach women how to perfect the art of feeding their baby. LC’s can help you overcome obstacles and become succesfull with nursing. They can help with issues like pain, rejection of the breast, low milk supply, and using a pump as you transition back to the workplace. At a recent meeting of the Next Months group I attend in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle, I met a woman that worked with an LC to help her induce lactation in anticipation of the arrival of a newly adopted baby. She was able to successfully breastfeed without giving birth!

If you have any issues or concerns about breastfeeding you shouldn’t hesitate to find a lactation consultant. Most hospitals have several LC’s on staff or your pediatrician can refer you to a lactation clinic for services. Many insurance plans will cover lactation consultant visits so be sure to call ahead and ask about how to file a claim. Ask around too (I found my gynecologist by asking a female barista at the Starbuck’s drive thru window!) and get some names before an issue arises. Most even make house-calls which is fabulous when the thought of putting your sore breasts into a bra seems torturous. I’m telling you that a good LC is worth their weight in gold. I wouldn’t have kept up nursing past the first month without Marie! Below is a link to her bio and the website at Gracewinds Perinatal Clinic in Seattle.

http://www.gracewindsperinatal.com/bios/#witherell