Why Seeing a Lactation Counselor in the First Few Days Will Likely Save Your Breastfeeding Journey

Your baby sees a pediatrician within the first few days of life, but that’s not the only appointment you’ll likely need to have booked. 

For 9 months, you carried your bundle (or bundles) of joy, went to doctor’s appointments, maybe even a birthing class. You scouted pediatricians in your neighborhood and set up your newborns first appointment to see them. Along the way, you grew more sure of your decision to breastfeed. Maybe you browsed some websites or books on the subject. Maybe you’ve heard the term CLC before, which is short for Certified Lactation Counselor, but you’re unsure if you need to see one. 

I’m here to tell you, even if you think you’ve got it covered— book the CLC appointment!

Ideally, a lactation counselor will come to you right before baby is due to feed so they can observe and assess. They will help you identify feeding cues, initiate skin to skin, conduct a weighted feed—to ensure there is an appropriate milk transfer happening— and also make sure the latch is comfortable. FYI— there should be no pain when you are nursing baby, not even in the beginning. If there is pain, something needs to be adjusted.

Studies show that seeing a lactation counselor within the first 24 to 72 hours drastically improves the outcome of breastfeeding and maintain for 6 months. On the flip side, studies also show that those who experienced issues but not see a lactation counselorwithin the first 3-7 days have a higher percentage of quitting; the fastest drop off is in the first 10-days following discharge from the hospital. 

Even scheduling an appointment with a prenatal lactation counselor can assist in solidifying birth and feeding plans, answer any questions, and manage expectations. Due to the overload of information on the internet, it can be very easy to stumble upon information that is incorrect or outdated. A lactation counselor will help you get all the information you need to make informed decisions. 

I’m also here to tell you it’s okay to shop around for a lactation counselor to find the right fit. At the end of the day, this person is a counselor that will be there to help navigate your emotional, mental and physical needs as it pertains to your postpartum experience and lovely new baby. Having the information of at least two counselors with their availability will be useful so you aren’t struggling to find someone last minute when you are in urgent need of one. 

Each pregnancy, delivery and postpartum is different. So even if this is your second or third baby, having a lactation counselor come to chat, evaluate baby’s feeds, latch and address any questions or concerns is incredibly important to meet the needs of this baby and this experience for you both. 

Don’t throw out their number with yesterday’s newspaper either! You will likely need to meet with the lactation counselor again if any of the following arise: pain or clogged ducts, mastitis, baby is losing weight, navigate pumping, or when weaning baby enters the chat. 

Hiring a professional lactation counselor is a great way to optimize your breastfeeding experience, and something you won’t regret.