What is a Lactation Consultant?

A lactation consultant is someone who is specially trained to assist breastfeeding mothers. She may or may not be certified and her qualifications, experience and training may vary. However, those who work in hospitals or birthing centers are typically Licensed Practical Nurses, or LPNs, professionals who have completed nurse training and are licensed to help mothers breastfeed (under the care of a registered nurse or physician). If you’re having milk supply issues and need some breastfeeding advice, you should definitely contact a Lactation Consultant. She can provide you with proven tips and techniques to get your milk flowing freely. We’ll now discuss 7 ways a lactation consultant can help you increase your milk supply:

1.She can give you much needed emotional support. Breastfeeding in itself can be challenging, and when these issues are coupled with milk supply issues, you need even more support. A qualified lactation consultant can help you through these difficult times by offering you emotional support and advice on how to get your milk flowing freely.

2.She can help you determine if your baby is nursing effectively. If baby is not, your body will likely make less milk as it mistakenly believes that there is not enough demand for the produced milk. By making sure that your baby is latching on properly, you can demonstrate to your body that more milk is needed.

3.She will advise you to breastfeed more often, and as often as you can, to increase your milk supply. She may even suggest that you take your baby to bed with you for a few days to get your milk flowing.

4.She may advise you on various techniques to increase your supply. For instance, she may advise you to either switch which breast you feed from each feeding time, or to feed from both breasts, switching back and forth, during each feeding time.

5.She may advise you to not supplement with formula or give baby a pacifier, insisting that you exclusively breastfeed in order to establish a healthy milk supply.

6.She may suggest that you use a breast pump in order to increase your milk supply when your baby is not feeding.

7.She may suggest utilizing supplements like Milk Thistle or Fenugreek, or suggest that you seek the aid of Galactogogues (medications that are used to induce, augment, or maintain lactation).

In conclusion, a lactation consultant can help you increase your milk supply. She will not only offer emotional support, but will give you proven tips and techniques that you can use right away. If you truly want to succeed at breastfeeding, enlist the help of a lactation consultant. You and baby will be glad you did.

Kristi Patrice Carter is a proud mother and professional author. She created http://www.breastfeedingfenugreek.com to provide mothers with quality information and tips on how to successfully increase their milk supply. Learn more about Breast Feeding Fenugreek