[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/what-is-a-lactation-consultant\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/what-is-a-lactation-consultant\/","headline":"What Is a Lactation Consultant, and How Do I See One?","name":"What Is a Lactation Consultant, and How Do I See One?","description":"A lactation consultant is a trained professional specialized in breastfeeding. Learn more about the benefits of working with a lactation consultant.","datePublished":"2017-08-15","dateModified":"2023-12-19","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/082017BLG_LACTATIONCONSULTANT.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/082017BLG_LACTATIONCONSULTANT.jpg","height":327,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/what-is-a-lactation-consultant\/","about":["Family Health","Pediatrics","Pregnancy and Childbirth","Women's Health"],"wordCount":867,"keywords":["baby nutrition","breastfeed","breastfeeding","feed baby","feeding baby","Lactation","lactation consultant","Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC","new baby","nursing","postpartum","womens health"],"articleBody":"As natural as\u00a0breastfeeding\u00a0may be, it is also something both mother and baby need to learn. When nursing is a challenge, hungry babies and tired moms need somewhere to turn for encouragement, education, assistance, and support. It\u2019s time to bring in a lactation consultant.But what\u00a0is\u00a0a lactation consultant?What Is a Lactation Consultant?A lactation consultant is a trained professional who specializes in breastfeeding. They earn certification through the\u00a0International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants. They can answer your questions, teach you new techniques, encourage you when you\u2019re having a tough time, and help you tackle all of your breastfeeding issues.Your lactation consultant will work in conjunction with your health care team.The best part? They can start helping you before challenges even arise.Meeting Your Lactation ConsultantLactation consultants are professionals who work side-by-side with your postpartum care nurses in recovery. Your lactation consultant will listen, watch, inform, and reassure you on your\u00a0breastfeeding journey.Many new moms meet their lactation consultant right after labor and delivery. Your doctor, however, can help you find a lactation specialist before your baby even arrives.Reach out to\u00a0our supportive caregivers at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital\u00a0to connect with a lactation professional.When meeting with your lactation consultant, expect them to:Examine your breasts and nipples.Examine your baby and your baby\u2019s health.Watch you breastfeed your baby to assist with positioning.Help you understand when your baby is latched and feeding properly.Put their finger in your baby\u2019s mouth to judge their suck strength and mouth structure.Give you resources for local support groups for nursing mothers.Show you how to pump your breasts after feeding to understand your body\u2019s milk production amount.Plan for Possibilities: Creating Your Lactation PlanBefore birth, a lactation consultant can help you develop your breastfeeding plan.This plan outlines your intentions for feeding your newborn. It includes your flexible expectations and lists breastfeeding support phone numbers.Labor can be both exhausting and exhilarating. Having a plan ensures your care team can best support your intentions.For first time mothers, breastfeeding can seem overwhelming. A lactation consultant takes the mystery out of the learning process. The result is often a boost in confidence and a smoother transition home with your baby.The lactation plan might include to-do ideas, such as:Identifying your nutritional risks or deficiencies.Creating a meal plan to best balance your nutrition for breastfeeding.Identifying supplements to bolster your nutritional needs.Scheduling follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.Reach out to\u00a0our supportive caregivers at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital\u00a0to connect with lactation professionals.Call for Help: When to Call Your Lactation ConsultantEnvision the day after your baby\u2019s arrival. If that thought makes you panic, a breastfeeding consultant is only a phone call away.How do you know when to contact a lactation consultant? Start with a self-check. Some key concerns include:Breast pain and\/or tenderness.Damaged or sore nipples.Low milk supply.Ineffective latching.Inadequate infant weight gain.Infant fussy at the breast.Breastfeeding consultants also can assist with special conditions, such nursing with inverted nipples, feeding premature babies, nursing after breast surgery, or needing to re-initiate lactation.What Will I Learn from a Lactation Consultant?It\u2019s important to deal with breastfeeding obstacles quickly \u2013 both for your needs and the nutritional needs of your baby.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 81% of babies start out being breastfed, but only 22% are still exclusively breastfed at 6 months of age.The key to successful nursing is the\u00a0support a nursing mom receives.A lactation consultant can support you by teaching you how to:Create a feeding schedule.Find the best positioning for feeding your baby.Recognize when your baby is hungry.Properly check if your baby is gaining weight.Increase or maintain your milk production and supply.Use a breast pump.Ensure your baby is latching properly.Treat nipple soreness and breast engorgement.Sustain breastfeeding as your baby grows.A recent study published in the\u00a0American Journal of Public Health\u00a0documented that access to a lactation consultant increases long-term breastfeeding success.Having a knowledgeable, supportive advocate can make all the difference.How to Become a Lactation Consultant?Nurses, midwives, doulas, and other physicians have training in breastfeeding and can offer advice and counsel before and after your baby is born. A lactation consultant, however, is certified from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). This designation means that your lactation consultant has completed several requirements to achieve the certification, including:Loggin 1,000 hours of lactation-specific clinical experience.Passing a demanding exam.Knowing education specific to breast anatomy, breastfeeding, and how to develop good milk nutrition.Continuing education and training every year.Testing for recertification every five years.A lactation consultant may have IBCLC or RLC after their name to show their certification standing. The IBLCE has nearly 36,000 certified nurses in 131 countries around the world. The IBLCE has been educating and certifying nurses and practitioners since 1985, and their mission of advancing the professional practice in lactation through support and credentialing continues today. Editor's Note: This article was originally published on August 15, 2017, and was last reviewed on December 19, 2023."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is a Lactation Consultant, and How Do I See One?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/08\/what-is-a-lactation-consultant\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]