Lactation Consulting

This service is offered at Maple Shores Health Centre by Emily Gaudreau.

What is a Lactation Consultant?
A lactation consultant helps you navigate the rewarding but often challenging breastfeeding journey. Wondering which breastfeeding position to use? Have nipple pain? Baby struggling to latch? Bring these concerns and more to your lactation consultant. They’ll help you find solutions so you can continue breastfeeding for as long as you choose.

You can visit a lactation consultant while you’re pregnant, right after you give birth or several months into breastfeeding. You might need this support most urgently during the first few weeks of your baby’s life. This is when your baby is learning how to nurse, and both of you may need more support.

Breastfeeding is a personal decision, and doing so offers many benefits to both you and your baby. However, challenges like nipple pain or low milk supply make some people stop breastfeeding. Lactation consultants are trained to work with infants and their parents to address any feeding challenges. Getting lactation support can improve your chances of breastfeeding for as long as you choose.

How can a Lactation Consultant help me?

A lactation consultant is trained and certified to help you with any problems or concerns related to breastfeeding your baby and lactating (including weaning). They can offer reassurance and troubleshoot specific issues with you. Your lactation consultant may encourage you and educate you on how to:

  • Increase, decrease or maintain your milk supply (depending on your individual needs).

  • Recognize your baby’s hunger cues.

  • Develop a feeding schedule.

  • Help your baby latch.

  • Treat sore or cracked nipples.

  • Manage breast engorgement.

  • Find the best breastfeeding position for you and your baby.

  • Check if your baby is gaining weight.

  • Pump or express milk by hand or with a breast pump.

You can expect your lactation consultant to:

  • Review your health history and your baby’s health record.

  • Watch you breastfeed your baby. They’ll pay close attention to how your baby latches on, sucks, swallows and breathes as they feed.

  • Give pointers on positioning and how to become more comfortable breastfeeding.

  • Help you with your breast pump and make sure it fits your breasts and nipples properly.

  • Answer any questions you have and troubleshoot issues unique to you and your baby.

  • Teach you how to know if your baby is getting enough breastmilk and gaining enough weight.

Lactation consultants work best when they can interact with you in person. Your consultant will ask if they can watch as you feed your child, and they’ll also ask for permission to touch you as they offer guidance. They’ll explain exactly what they’re doing and why.

While in-person consultations are the traditional way to get support, some people find success doing virtual consultations.

What topics/concerns can a Lactation Consultant address?

Some areas that a Lactation Consultant can address may include but is not limited to:

  • Breast engorgement

  • Oversupply of milk

  • Low supply of milk

  • Clogged milk ducts

  • Breast inflammation (mastitis)

  • Sore, cracked or painful nipples

  • Latching difficulties, including babies with tongue-tie or cleft lip/cleft palate

  • Challenges with expressing milk by hand or with a breast pump

  • Support for babies with low birth weight or slow weight gain