The Value of Prenatal Breastfeeding Consultations
Did you realize that you can get a lactation consultation before having your baby? These meetings with a lactation counselor, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), or Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine Physician can be invaluable in setting the course for successful breastfeeding. Many find that these prenatal visits are included in their insurance coverage.
Why Consider a Prenatal Consultation?
Pregnancy is a journey filled with preparation and learning, but often, the topic of breastfeeding is not thoroughly covered during regular prenatal visits. If feeding your baby human milk is in your care plan for your family, it can be very helpful to receive assistance BEFORE there are problems. Many healthcare providers, despite their best intentions, do not have the time or specialized training to dive deep into the nuances of breastfeeding. Unfortunately, we often have detailed visions of how birth and breastfeeding will look for us, and it's important to have realistic expectations (that it may turn out to go completely the opposite of what you expected) going into these experiences to prepare ourselves mentally for a variety of possibilities.
Birth and breastfeeding trauma can be the direct result of the experience not living up to expectations. Prenatal consultations may not prevent all breastfeeding difficulties, but they can help women feel empowered through education and less helpless through the process. In this way, prenatal consults may actually prevent perinatal mental health complications.
The Benefits of Being Prepared
Understanding what to expect in the first days of breastfeeding can profoundly impact your experience. A prenatal breastfeeding consultation offers a dedicated time to learn about the early stages of breastfeeding, how to prepare, and what is normal and what isn’t. This knowledge is empowering and can set the stage for a smoother, more fulfilling breastfeeding journey.
Prenatal education can come in many forms. Many lactation consultants, breastfeeding medicine clinics, birth centers, and hospitals offer group prenatal breastfeeding classes. One-on-one prenatal visits with a lactation consultant or breastfeeding medicine specialist can be done via virtual consultation or in person.
Who Should Specifically Consider a Consultation?
While I believe everyone can benefit from a prenatal consultation, it is particularly crucial for those with certain risk factors.
Previous Breastfeeding Challenges for a Breastfeeding Dyad: If you've encountered issues such as low milk production, recurrent mastitis, breast abscess, persistent nipple pain, or any other difficulties during previous breastfeeding experiences, a consultation can help address these past challenges and strategize for a better outcome.
Medical Conditions: Maternal conditions such as diabetes (gestational or otherwise), hypertension, or any chronic illness can influence breastfeeding. On the other end, babies can have medical conditions that can affect their feeding abilities (cleft lip or palate, Down Syndrome, prematurity, to name a few). A specialist can provide tailored advice and support.
Age Considerations: Mothers over the age of 35 might face different challenges compared to their younger counterparts, even if they had a positive experience previously.
Anatomical Variations: If you’ve been told that your breast shape is atypical, or if you have had breast surgery, these factors can affect breastfeeding, and specialized guidance can be very helpful.
History of Infertility: If you have undergone infertility treatments, a consultation can optimize your breastfeeding plan to align with your health and reproductive history. For various (some unknown) reasons, people with infertility can have breastfeeding problems like low milk supply, and it can be helpful to be aware of that and receive guidance preemptively.
First baby or first time wanting to breastfeed as part of your baby feeding goals: There are numerous risk factors for having breastfeeding issues, so a personal consultation can be helpful to identify your risks. A Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician can look at your health history through a physician lens.
Reach Out for Support
If you identify with any of the scenarios mentioned, or if you simply wish to be as informed and prepared as possible, I encourage you to consider a prenatal breastfeeding consultation. People with risk factors such as those listed above should consider meeting with a Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician. If you are located in Illinois, I offer in-person (locally) or virtual prenatal visits as part of my clinical practice, and would be happy to help. Breastfeeding families will find non-judgmental support for any challenges of breastfeeding or of the 4th Trimester.
For help finding a Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine physician in other parts of the world, check out the LactMap to find someone near you.