Most health professionals agree that breastfeeding is one of the best ways to give newborn babies a healthy start to life.

However, it can be more challenging than expected for some parents.

In some cases, it can be painful.

In others, your baby has trouble latching.

Premature babies face their own lactation issues as well.

What seems like the simplest, most natural process in the world might seem stressful and daunting. And in your postpartum days, it can become overwhelming.

That’s where a certified lactation consultant comes in.

Here at District Speech and Language Therapy, we offer certified lactation consulting services. Read on to find out how a certified lactation consultant can help you.


What Is A Certified Lactation Consultant

A certified lactation consultant is a healthcare professional who is trained in how to deal with a wide range of different lactation issues.

The “certified” part of certified lactation consultant comes from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, who regulates and certifies the profession.

A certified lactation consultant can help with a wide range of different issues related to lactation and breastfeeding. They also provide education for expecting couples to help them prepare for breastfeeding and anticipate any issues that may arise.

Below you’ll find some of the specific issues they can help with.

Are you or your partner pregnant, or planning to become pregnant?

If so, speak with our certified lactation consultant today

Certified Lactation Consultant For Pumping

Some parents choose to pump breast milk for bottle feeding.

For some, the process of breastfeeding is painful.

Some use it as a supplement to breastfeeding so their partner can have a turn with feeding the new baby, or so they have better control over their schedule.

Still others have babies with trouble latching, which can be the case for babies with cleft lip or cleft palate or tongue thrust.

Whatever your reason for pumping, a lactation consultant can help.

Pumping breast milk can lead to clogged milk ducts and significant discomfort if you don’t do it properly. Your lactation consultant will teach you how to pump in a way that eases your discomfort while still giving baby the nutrients they need.

Certified Lactation Consultant For Bottle Feeding

Breastfeeding is usually done right from the breast, hence the name.

However, there are cases where you may need to use bottle feeding to supplement or even replace your breastfeeding.

There are certain health conditions that can make it difficult to breastfeed. These include:

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Mastectomy
  • Insufficient breast tissue
  • Certain prescription drugs, like some hormonal birth control

These are rare, but they can make it difficult for your body to produce the amount of milk your baby needs.

In other cases, you might find it necessary to halt breastfeeding, either temporarily or permanently. For example, new parents who face complications from their pregnancy and need to seek surgical care may not be able to breastfeed.

Some health conditions can spread to your baby via breast milk as well, including HIV, herpes located on the breast, or a tuberculosis infection.

Finally, you may be perfectly fine with the production of breast milk, but you find it easier to pump it and keep it stored for later so another one of baby’s caregivers can pitch in.

Regardless, a certified lactation consultant can help.

We’ll work with you to understand yours and your baby’s needs, and put together a plan designed to keep your baby happy and nourished.

Certified Lactation Consultant For Premature Babies

Premature babies come with their own set of challenges. Having left your womb earlier than expected, however, they need breast milk even more than the average infant.

When your baby is born premature, certain nutrients, antibodies, and other substances they normally get via your placenta are missing. Nature, though, steps in, filling your breast milk with these missing substances so your baby can get what they need.

However, some premature babies have trouble with breastfeeding.

In some cases, they have difficulty latching. In others, especially for babies born very prematurely, they may need to spend time in a neonatal intensive care unit.

But even if they don’t have trouble with breastfeeding, you may need to add extra nutrients to your breast milk to make sure they get what they need to thrive.

In cases like these, your certified lactation consultant can help you understand what to do.

Certified Lactation Consultant For Weaning

Eventually, breastfeeding has to come to an end. After spending countless hours breastfeeding, there will be a day where you feed your child this way for the last time.

What’s the best way to do it, though?

In some cases, your child will wean themselves, preferring solid food.

In others, you may feel the need to wean your baby as you need to return to work.

Or you may simply feel overwhelmed by the entire experience, struggling with postpartum depression or breast pain and need to wean your child sooner.

Whatever the reason, there’s a process you should follow to make sure your weaning is as healthy as possible for both you and your baby. Done poorly, this experience can be shocking for your baby, and can cause infections in your milk ducts.

A lactation consultant can help. By providing you with a schedule, monitoring the progress of both you and baby, and communicating with you openly along the way, you can wean your child in a way that preserves the closeness the two of you have built during these critical formative years.

Certified Lactation Consultant For Other Issues

Other issues a certified lactation consultant can help with include:

  • Latching
  • Breast pain
  • Engorged breasts
  • Nipple pain
  • Low milk supply
  • Breastfeeding for twins
  • Breastfeeding for triplets or more

When Should You See A Certified Lactation Consultant?

The best time to speak with a certified lactation consultant is during your pregnancy but before birth. This is because your lactation consultant can help you prepare for breastfeeding and all the potential complications that may come with it.

Postpartum can often be a chaotic time, where your emotions run high and your body is recovering. As a result, you’re likely to be more receptive to your lactation consultant during pregnancy where things are relatively calmer.


Book Your Lactation Consultation With District Speech Today

Are you or your partner pregnant, or planning to become pregnant?

If so, breastfeeding can be more complicated than you might think.

However, we’re here to help.

Contact District Speech to book an appointment with a certified lactation consultant today.

Breastfeeding can be more complicated than you might think.

However, we’re here to help. Book a consultation today.