By Guest Blogger, Melissa Cole, IBCLC, RLC,
1. Your goals matter
As a parent, you probably have some thoughts to how you envision feeding your baby. Your goals matter, whatever they may be! If you feel that you feel that lactation or feeding is not going how you envisioned, please reach out for support. There are many ways to love and feed a baby. You deserve personalized care. Whether it be breast/chest, bottle, tube, or beyond…help is available!
2. Pain is not normal
We won’t lie…some parents experience tenderness in the early days but real, toe–curling pain that doesn’t let up is not normal. If you are experiencing breast, chest, or nipple pain with latch, with pumping, or any time really…help is available!
3. Intake and output
Are you worried your baby is not getting enough? Concerned they are getting too much? Struggling to understand how human milk is made or how to make more or less of it? Personalized support, a comprehensive assessment, and an understanding of the root cause of the issue(s) at hand can help you better understand your baby’s intake, growth and nutritional needs. Individualized care can also help you understand how your body makes milk and discuss any related care plan strategies.
4. Fussiness
Sure, baby’s cry sometimes but what’s a parent to do when the fussing seems like too much fussing? Infant fussiness can happen because of many reasons: digestive discomfort, overstimulation, being too tired, reflux, gas, poop issues, and more. With some good support and detective work the cause of the fussiness can usually be sleuthed out and supported…making everyone much happier!
5. Get help asap
Sore? Worried? Uncertain? Consider getting help right away. Not all feeding and lactation support is created equal. An experienced IBCLC (International Board–Certified Lactation Consultant) can help you.
About Melissa Cole
Melissa Cole is a board-certified lactation consultant, neonatal oral-motor assessment professional and clinical herbalist in private practice. Melissa is passionate about providing comprehensive, holistic lactation support and improving the level of clinical lactation skills for health professionals. She enjoys teaching, researching and writing about wellness and lactation-related topics. Her bachelor’s degree is in maternal/child health and lactation and her master’s degree is in therapeutic herbalism. Before pursuing her current path, Melissa’s background was in education and cultural arts, which has served her well in her work as a lactation consultant and healthcare educator. She loves living, working and playing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her 3 children.
