The wait is over, your new baby is HERE and your breastfeeding journey has begun! Perhaps breastfeeding started off good and your baby was able to nurse soon after delivery. She latched on like a champ and you felt relieved, but since leaving the hospital, the baby is refusing to nurse or chomping on the nipple. Or perhaps breastfeeding didn’t get off to the best start due to complications with labor and delivery. Now, you are beginning to have doubts about your ability to breastfeed and are experiencing pain while nursing, are worried your baby isn’t getting enough to eat, or she simply won’t latch. How do you know what’s “normal” and when it’s a good idea to call for help?
When you should call for breastfeeding backup will depend on the challenges you are experiencing and how urgent your concerns are. Generally speaking though, it’s always best to call for professional help with breastfeeding at the first sign of trouble. Breastfeeding challenges can quickly “snowball” and many mothers give up on their breastfeeding goals because they are unsure where to turn for help or whether their problems can even be “fixed.”
Help IS out there! Breastfeeding mothers need not suffer or give up hope if breastfeeding isn’t going well. Calling a lactation professional for support can save the breastfeeding relationship in most instances. While breastfeeding is the normal and natural way to feed babies, more than half of new mothers will experience trouble with breastfeeding and can greatly benefit from personal, individualized assistance.
When is a call to a lactation professional warranted?
- Mom is experiencing pain while breastfeeding
- Mom is struggling with positioning
- Baby is not latching correctly
- Baby is not staying awake to take a full feeding
- Mom is concerned about her milk supply
- Mom has questions about how often or how long to breastfeed
- Mom is experiencing flu like symptoms in addition to breast soreness and fatigue
- Baby has lost more than 10% of their birth weight
- Baby is not having enough wet or dirty diapers
- Baby has not regained their birth weight by 2 weeks
- Mom is being encouraged to supplement
- Baby is refusing to nurse (either on one side or both)
- Mom is concerned about pump output
- Mom has noticed her nipples are misshapen or very sensitive after breastfeeding
- Baby is having excessive gas or spit up
- Mom is breastfeeding with a nipple shield and needs help weaning from the shield
- Mom is supplementing and needs help weaning from supplements
- Mom is experiencing engorgement lasting more than 2 days
- Mom is struggling emotionally and feels discouraged
Lactation consultants and counselors are a breastfeeding-mother’s BEST hope for solving issues with breastfeeding, regaining hope and confidence, and successfully reaching the breastfeeding goals she has set for herself. Lactation professionals are specialists in troubleshooting problems with breastfeeding, optimal infant nutrition, and counseling breastfeeding mothers. We do this work because we LOVE moms and babies and want nothing more than to see every mother succeed in reaching her OWN breastfeeding goals. A lactation consultant should never make a mother feel “silly,” judged or misunderstood.
The providers at Lactation Consultants of Central FL are committed to compassionate, evidence-based breastfeeding care. If you are struggling with breastfeeding and are unsure if an in-home visit would be helpful, or if your issues are worth a consultation know that EVERY mother and baby deserve a beautiful and enjoyable breastfeeding journey! Help is here – we are here for you.
Lactation counselors are available 7 days a week to assist new and expectant moms over the phone, in-person, and through email and live chat. Lactation visits can be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you, in the privacy of your own home (Greater Orlando area only). Breastfeeding help with one of our friendly, knowledgeable, and compassionate lactation specialists is available in the following Central Florida counties and cities:
Orange County: Orlando, Maitland, Windermere, Apopka, Winter Park, Winter Garden, Ocoee, and Lake Buena Vista, FL.
Seminole County: Sanford, Lake Mary, Casselberry, Wekiva Springs, Oviedo, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, and Winter Springs, FL.
Lake County: Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares, Zellwood, Clermont, Lady Lake, Montverde, Astatula, Leesburg, Groveland, Umatilla, and Tangerine, FL.
Volusia County: Daytona Beach, Deland, New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Deltona, Orange City, Holly Hill, Debary, Edgewater, and Ponce Inlet, FL.
Osceola County: Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Buenaventura Lakes, Lake Buena Vista, Reunion, Celebration, and Harmony, FL.
Polk County: Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Bartow, Lake Wales, Davenport, Highland Park, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, and Dundee, FL.
We’re open nights, weekends, and holidays because we all know, BREASTFEEDING CAN’T WAIT!
Have a few questions, but are not in need of a face-to-face visit? Please call our breastfeeding warm line or email us today!
Breastfeeding warm line: (407) 595-5054 open 7 days/week 8am-7pm
Email: [email protected]