What is a lactation consultant?

Breastfeeding offers many benefits for moms and babies. That’s why many major health authorities recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

Many families need lactation support to achieve their feeding goals – even if they have breastfed before. That’s why Children's Health℠ offers guidance and resources to help families who want to breastfeed. Bethany Stokes, BSN, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant at the Children’s Health Plano Milk Lab, shares breastfeeding tips, benefits of breastfeeding and how lactation consultants help families navigate common challenges.

“Breastfeeding is a learned skill, which is why I’m here to help,” Stokes says. “It can take time to get the hang of it. But oftentimes it develops into this really sweet relationship and has many benefits for mom and baby.”

What is a lactation consultant?

Lactation consultants are health professionals with specialized training in helping families breastfeed. They can help with:

• Educating you about feeding before the baby is born

• Getting the baby to latch properly onto the breast

• Finding comfortable feeding positions

• Managing common challenges like levels of milk supply, nipple pain or a poor latch

• Using breast pumps

• Milk collection and storage

• Creating a breastfeeding plan and feeding schedule

• Pumping and breastfeeding when returning to work

• Helping families breastfeed when they’re in the NICU or receiving other medical care

Benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for six months

Health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend “exclusive breastfeeding” (breastfeeding only, no formula or other foods) for the first six months, because it offers so many health benefits.

Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition possible. Breastmilk changes as a baby’s needs change. For babies, breastfeeding also:

• Helps build a strong immune system

• Supports a healthy digestive system

• Reduces the likelihood of recurrent hospitalizations, obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health conditions

• Lowers the chances of serious infections, asthma and allergies

For moms, breastfeeding:

• Helps strengthen your bond with your baby

• Reduces the risk of many health conditions including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure

After the first six months, the AAP and WHO recommend continuing to breastfeed alongside other solid foods for up to two years, or as long as it still feels right for you and your baby.

Common breastfeeding challenges

Many people experience challenges while breastfeeding, especially in the early days. Common concerns include:

• Sore or tender nipples

• Damaged nipples

• Worries about low milk supply and if their baby is getting enough to eat

• Engorged breasts

• Plugged ducts and breast infections

“A lot of people think nipple pain is normal. But if you’re experiencing persistent pain or damage to the nipples, it usually means something needs to be adjusted,” Stokes says.

Each person is different, and the best way to overcome breastfeeding challenges will depend on you and your baby. Meeting with a lactation consultant can help understand what’s causing these challenges and identify solutions, which could include:

• Trying different breastfeeding positions

• Making sure your baby is latching correctly

• Adjusting your feeding schedule

• Applying warm or cold compresses

• Understanding any medical conditions or medications that might impact breastfeeding and milk supply

Related podcast
Tune in to this episode of Children’s Health Checkup for tips on overcoming common breastfeeding challenges and finding support.

Tips for maintaining breastfeeding

Six months of exclusive breastfeeding can offer big health benefits. But that doesn’t mean it's easy or feasible for everyone. Many factors make it difficult to maintain breastfeeding, including going back to work, challenges with pumping and feeding schedules and overwhelm that can come with parenting.

“Families have diverse goals and realities when it comes to feeding their infant, and exclusive breastfeeding isn’t always achievable or desired,” Stokes says. “We are here to support families towards their breastfeeding goals and help them feel proud of every drop of breastmilk they are able to provide.”

If you're finding breastfeeding difficult, you might consider:

• Setting short-term goals. This could be committing to breastfeeding for one week at a time. If the thought of pumping for 20 minutes feels overwhelming, set a goal for 5 minutes for that pump session and try for 20 minutes at the next. Any breast stimulation is better than none.

• Make time for yourself. Even just 10 minutes can make a difference. Ask a loved one to hold the baby while you shower, stretch or take a walk. Research tells us that self-care cannot be overlooked and that sleep is very important.

• Connect with a lactation consultant. They can offer support, problem-solving and reassurance tailored to your situation.

“While breastfeeding is natural, it is learned. And as with any learned skill, it gets easier with time and practice,” Stokes says. “I’ve had parents tell me the first 2-6 weeks are typically the most challenging but after that breastfeeding was not only easier but also a sweet bonding experience for them and their baby.”

How to support someone who is breastfeeding

Having a strong support system goes a long way in helping people maintain breastfeeding.

“As with every part of raising a child, it takes a village,” Stokes says. “Emotional and social support are some of the biggest predictors of breastfeeding success.”

You can support a loved one who is breastfeeding by:

• Asking how they’re doing. Listening without judgment or trying to fix any problems can go a long way.

• Being present and supportive during feedings. Sit with them so they don’t feel alone. Ask if they’d like water, a snack or pillows.

• Telling them that their efforts matter. Breastfeeding can be exhausting. Remind them that their time and energy are appreciated.

• Taking other tasks off their plate. Take the lead on dishes, doing laundry and diaper changing.

“As people who are breastfeeding return to work, support from employers and colleagues can go a long way,” Stokes says. “When I went back to work after my first baby, I remember how helpful it was when my coworkers would say, ‘I’ll take care of this, so you have time to pump.’ It made a huge difference.”

Breastfeeding support for babies in the hospital

Stokes is a specialized type of lactation consultant who supports families who wish to breastfeed while their baby is in the hospital for a medical condition.

“Families often come in with an existing breastfeeding plan and sometimes this looks different when a child is hospitalized,” Stokes says. “We work together to figure out what is feasible and realistic. That might be finding opportunities to breastfeed in the hospital or pumping to maintain milk supply.”

Her team asks open-ended questions to understand each family's priorities, goals and cultural background. Together, they come up with a plan to move forward.

“While breastfeeding is an enjoyable experience for many families, if a mother is feeling overwhelmed, speaking to a lactation consultant can be helpful,” Stokes says. “Some parents really want to feed in the hospital because it is a way they can contribute to their baby’s health and care, and is something only they can provide. We do everything we can to meet families where they're at and come up with the best solution for their unique needs.”

Resources to support breastfeeding

• Prenatal breastfeeding classes at hospitals and birth centers. These classes help you learn about breastfeeding early on and help set you up for success.

• New parent support groups in your community.

• The Mothers Milk Bank of North Texas offers resources and a support group for breastfeeding parents each month.

• Texas Women Infant Children (WIC) offers resources and programming over the phone, online and at various locations across Texas.

At Children’s Health, our lactation consultants are International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), a credential that requires more than 1,000 hours of training. Many insurances cover visits with lactation consultants at any point during breastfeeding.

Learn more

Find more tips for keeping your baby healthy and happy at childrens.com/newborn.