whatilearned
Read more: https://www.babycenter.com/baby/breastfeeding/lactation-consultant_40008000#:~:text=A%20lactation%20consultant%20is%20a,position%2C%20and%20manage%20breastfeeding%20pain.
TIL about the job of lactation consultant, which is responsible for assessment of common and serious breast feeding problems, increasing milk supply and reduction of breast feeding pain
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Unsung hero’s if you ask me.. Many men would be surprised, as I was, to learn that kiddos don’t just automatically do it. Moms and kids need to learn
Breastfeeding isn’t always easy. The baby instinctively wants to feed, but the position of the breast and the baby’s mouth must be in the right position or it can cause pain, clogged milk ducts, blisters, and lots of problems that makes it painful and difficult to breastfeed. I think it’s a misconception that it comes natural and a lot of new moms feel defeated when it doesn’t happen easily. No shame on calling that lactation consultant for help, most hospitals have one there everyday.
A few years ago I’d just come in from a long run in the rain. I didn’t notice any problem until I was in the shower and the water hit my nipples. I screamed out in agony, looked down, and sure enough, they’d chafed to the point of bleeding.
My wife heard, and came running in to see what was going on.
When I explained, she started laughing, and said, “now you know how it felt to breastfeed your son!”
She put up with that pain multiple times a day for a couple of weeks, it would have gone on longer had she not had the help of that consultant.
Runners — protect your nipples!
Dads — be grateful you’re not moms!
Moms — you’re fucking warriors!
The Office (US) anyone?
Definitely a must. Our hospital had one and she was a life saver.
We had amazing support in the nicu when our second child was born with an undiagnosed heart condition. He was feeding and eating before they found it and then they wanted to stop letting him breastfeeding till after procedures and even then they were sure it’d be pumped only. The lactation specialist advocated for our son and was a great source of support for my wife that I just couldn’t be or do. Lil fella took to the eating and breastfeeding post haste, really made a difference in his life and ours as well.
Can be a great assistance, though the one that came in to check how my wife was doing with our second child was very aggressive and pushy, made my wife really uncomfortable.
When we had our first kid, before we left the hospital, we had a brief class with a lactation consultant and about four other couples, she just went over common issues, and so on, just so people who never did it before might know what to expect and how to resolve common problems. She gave out her card and people could hire her for private consultations. It can be quite concerning if you don’t think your baby is feeding enough or properly.
Important position that unfortunately attracts some zealots who make women feel like losers if they don’t toe the line on 100% breastfeeding (and often for a loooooong time)
The USA and many other places in the world tended to lose a lot of institutional knowledge when the marketing of baby formula told mothers that they were ruining their kids by breastfeeding. Mom could no longer help her daughters when they had kids because she never breastfed. Gerber et al told a couple of generations of Moms it was disgusting and unhealthy to breastfeed.
So yes, sometimes you need someone with a little experience to help you through the rough spots and let you know that it doesn’t always work easily— and that having a few problems is not a failure. Most people have a few glitches before breastfeeding becomes “easy” (or as easy as it’s going to get).