Lactation Counseling in Birmingham, Alabama

There are many health benefits to be gained for newborns who are breastfed for at least the first six months of their lives. The trouble comes when many women experience difficulties with breastfeeding. Because these complications can be extremely common.

Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology offers lactation consulting to help new mothers navigate the breastfeeding process and get into a routine that works for them as well as their baby. Learn more about lactation counseling and call Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology to schedule your appointment today.

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What Is a Lactation Consultant?

A lactation consultant is a board certified medical professional who is dedicated to providing recommendations and educational resources to new mothers who have questions or problems with breastfeeding. It is the goal of a lactation consultant to work with each patient and find solutions that work for them individually, as every woman’s breastfeeding experience is uniquely different and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this process.

Women may begin working with a lactation consultant even before their baby is born in order to get a clear idea of what to expect once they begin breastfeeding, and begin developing strategies for early implementation and initiation. It is also common for patients to contact Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology to schedule visits with our lactation consultants after the baby has been born and issues start to arise while attempting to breastfeed.

The Effectiveness of Lactation Consulting

Research has shown time and time again that enlisting the help of a certified lactation consultant can considerably improve a mother’s odds of breastfeeding successfully and sticking to breastfeeding her baby for 6 months or longer. It is very common for patients to attempt breastfeeding entirely on their own at first before seeking guidance from a lactation consultant. However, this reactionary response can be incredibly frustrating and difficult for new mothers to accept. The better solution is to be proactive about breastfeeding, which means contacting a specialist right away rather than struggling through days or weeks of bad feedings, sore nipples, and unnecessary stress.

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Common Problems with Breastfeeding

No matter what your particular pain point is with breastfeeding, our lactation consultants are here to help. Some of the most frequent reasons patients reach out to us for assistance with breastfeeding include:

• Infants who refuse to breastfeed
• Poor milk supply
• Problems with correct positioning
• Inability to meet regular weight milestones
• Newborns that fall asleep quickly when breastfeeding
• Babies who struggle to latch onto the nipple
• Marathon breastfeeding sessions
• Emotional and physical struggles while breastfeeding (postpartum depression, pain after childbirth, etc.)

What to Expect During a Consultation

When working with a lactation consultant, it is incredibly important that patients be up-front and completely honest about their issues with breastfeeding. The more information that is shared, the more that individuals can benefit from the advice given to them.

Consultants will typically review the mother’s breastfeeding process to get a sense of the techniques being used, and will be able to adjust that technique accordingly to ensure that the baby is latching, sucking, swallowing, and breathing as they should while breastfeeding. It is important to contact the lactation consultants at Birmingham Obstetrics & Gynecology right away if you continue to have problems during breastfeeding, or if you have any additional questions. The sooner patients reach out for assistance, the sooner they can establish a working breastfeeding routine with their baby.