Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with your baby and provide optimal nutrition… it also have some amazing benefits for you! But it doesn’t always come as easy as you might think and questions or breastfeeding concerns can arise at any time during your breastfeeding relationship. Finding answers or navigating the conflicting advice from well-meaning friends and family can be overwhelming, which is why having a professional Lactation Consultant help you is crucial!

It is our job to help you find the best Lactation Consultant to support you! Whether you’re still pregnant and looking for a breastfeeding class, or you have a brand new baby and are learning the ropes or you are experiencing some hurdles with an older baby, Doulas of Orange County has a team of incredible lactation professionals to care for you and help you along the way.

Why We Encourage You to Take a Prenatal Breastfeeding Class

Just like learning to play the piano, learning to breastfeed takes time, patience, instinct, and guidance. But it also takes realistic expectations and knowledge. We recommend taking a Breastfeeding 101 class so that you go into your breastfeeding experience with the utmost confidence with plenty of information about what to expect once your baby arrives.

A Breastfeeding 101 class should go over:

• The anatomy of the breast and the process of making milk

• How to breastfeed  including various positions for your comfort

• What to expect in the hospital or birth center

• What to expect when you return home

• Colostrum vs. milk and when to expect your milk to come in

• How to tell if your baby is getting to eat

• Maintaining a healthy milk supply

• Avoiding or addressing common breastfeeding hurdles

• When to reach out for help

Won’t I See a Lactation Consultant In the Hospital?

Yes, you likely will. Many hospitals in Orange County and Long Beach have dedicated Lactation Consultants (LCs) to help all new parents in getting baby latched and providing breastfeeding support in the early days. Some hospitals have LCs as a part of a regular rotation of medical professionals, while others require that you specifically request to see a Lactation Consultant. Labor & Delivery Nurses and Postpartum & Baby Nurses also have skills and knowledge to provide you support in the hospital. We recommend calling your hospital to check what their policy is so that you can request the help you need.

An in-hospital Lactation Consultant can help you with your baby’s feedings, provide a breastfeeding "checkup" to make sure all looks well, answer your questions and help you troubleshoot if there are any issues.. If your hospital doesn’t have professional lactation support you can hire a private lactation consultant to visit with you at the hospital as well.

What About After I Leave The Hospital?

We’re grateful that in Orange County there is no lack of lactation support options. Many pediatricians have in-house Lactation Consultants or Counselors, several hospitals have breastfeeding support groups and there are a number of LCs that will come to your home for assessments and lactation visits. In-home visits are especially helpful when you’re recovering from birth, are dealing with your newborn’s slightly erratic schedule, and you’re adjusting to motherhood.

Even if breastfeeding is going really well in the hospital, we highly recommend scheduling an in-home visit with a Lactation Consultant a week or so after you return home. This is a great opportunity to get follow up support once your milk comes in, get encouragement and reassurance, and also get any help if you’re experience pain or struggling with breastfeeding.

What Can I Expect at My Lactation Consultation?

Whether your lactation visits are at a clinic, your pediatrician’s office or in your home, it is important that you feel completely comfortable your visit with a Lactation Consultant. You have the same rights in this visit as you do when visiting a doctor, so the LC should always provide you with a private space to hold the consultation, give you information about what to expect, tell you exactly what she’s doing and ask your permission before touching you and provide evidence based information that best suits your situation.

During a lactation consult you can expect your LC to:

• Check in and get feedback from you about how things are going

• Inquire about any pain or discomfort

• Observe your baby's appearance and behavior

• Examine your breasts and your nipples

• Observe as you breasfeed your baby your baby

• Offer suggestions on you or your baby’s positioning

• Check that your baby is latching, sucking, swallowing, and breathing properly

• Correct any breastfeeding issues that she may find

• Give you written instructions or expectations for the future

• Provide recommendations on helpful products to encourage breastfeeding success

• Explain how and when to contact her with additional questions or concerns

• Schedule a phone follow-up visit

• Provide resources for local breastfeeding support groups

Following Up 

With breastfeeding things can change in an instant. One day things might be going well and the next day you might be struggling. If you are confused, experiencing pain, or have even the smallest question, don’t hesitate to contact your Lactation Consultant. For breastfeeding to be successful and fulfilling long-term, it is important to address any breastfeeding hurdles early on. The sooner you can treat and resolve any breastfeeding issues, the better it will be for your baby and for you.

For Breastfeeding 101 classes and in-home lactation consultations in Orange County, Long Beach, and the surrounding areas, reach out today and we’ll match you with pre-vetted, qualified, certified matches!