Lactation Support

Written by Candace Inge

When you are pregnant and preparing to breastfeed, or even after your baby has arrived, you will hear so many breastfeeding terms thrown around and you may not know what they mean. That is okay, Mama! We are here to help! Below are some commonly used terms in the breastfeeding world and where you may find these people or things should you need them.

Latch- How your baby fastens to your breast while feeding. A good latch means a better milk flow and low to no discomfort for mom. A poor latch means a lower milk flow and can result in discomfort and even sore or cracked nipples.

Colostrum- This is your super milk and is often referred to as first milk.There is only a small amount of colostrum each woman produces, drops per feeding in fact. This first milk is chalked full of immunity building nutrients and helps to establish healthy intestines with bifidus bacteria. Bifidus bacteria is what regulates our digestive system and can be found in foods like yogurt which obviously, we are not feeding our newborn babies.

Colostrum is also full of antioxidants such as Vitamins A and E which is why you may notice a yellowish tint to your breast milk at first. This yellowish tint, will fade over the next week or so. As you begin to produce a more mature breast milk supply, you will notice your supply will increase. Some women may not notice as big of an increase but do not panic. Your pediatrician will monitor your babies weight gain, and encourage you to be tracking your babies wet and dirty diapers to ensure adequate feeding is taking place. 

Breast Pump- This is a device that can be manual or electric. A breast pump helps expel milk by the use of suction. Many women pump because they know they are going back to work. Many women pump to have a storage reserve. Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days with ideally clean conditions or in the freezer for up to 12 months. Once your baby has put his or her mouth on a bottle containing breast milk, it is no longer considered safe to store what may be leftover, therefore, many moms choose to store only a few ounces in each bottle or pouch. 

Whatever your reason for wanting or needing to pump, be sure to check with your insurance provider before making the investment. Many insurance companies provide a free breast pump or offer a rental program. Many hospitals also offer rental programs if you are not ready to buy a breast pump quite yet. 

Postpartum Doula- A postpartum doula offers physical and emotional support from as early as a few days postpartum to a few weeks or months out. Postpartum doulas possess basic, evidence based knowledge for breastfeeding and bottle feeding support but also know who to recommend in their immediate area should a mom need more support than he or she can offer. 

Postpartum doulas are also skilled in basic newborn care, birth recovery, and mother-baby bonding methods. Doulas are not health care providers and cannot provide medical advice but can direct you to whom you should see and often has phone numbers and addresses available. 

A good place to find a postpartum doula is to ask around at local moms groups or search on the web. Doulamatch.net is a great way to look through multiple doulas in your area at once. Most doulas offer free consultations so do not hesitate to contact a few and see who you like. 

Lactation Consultant- Often times, if having a hospital birth, a lactation consultant may come by your room to see if you need assistance breastfeeding. The good thing is, help early on, the bad thing is, he or she does not go home with you while you embark on this journey. You may need to seek a lactation consultant through your pediatrician, Midwife, or OBGYN. 

A lactation consultant is a health professional who is highly skilled in breastfeeding management. They provide physical and emotional support. A lactation consultant may be recommended if your baby is having trouble latching, breastfeeding is painful, you have a low milk production, or your baby has a low weight. These are all things a lactation consultant can help you with. 

Happy Breastfeeding Everyone!!!