Many hospitals offer inpatient lactation support for women who have just given birth. Lactation specialists, maternity nurses, and breastfeeding resource nurses are just a few of the different kinds of healthcare professionals that may be on hand in your hospital. Although experience may vary, there are generally experts available to answer any lactation-related questions you may have once Baby arrives.
What happens in the hospital?
Breastfeeding might come naturally to you and Baby, but for many women, it takes some practice and some getting used to. Lactation consultants can help women with the common (and not-so-common) challenges that may accompany breastfeeding.
During your hospital stay, a lactation consultant or maternity nurse will likely visit you in your room to answer any questions or concerns that you have, to show you how to breastfeed Baby and assist you if you need help. If you’re a first-time mom, you’ll likely receive more regular visits and more breastfeeding support during your hospital stay. Sometimes this is done as part of the normal routine, and in other hospitals – it may be something you need to request. If your baby is in the NICU or special care nursery, support should be available right away to help you start pumping and make a feeding plan.
When you’re establishing breastfeeding in the hospital, it’s important to get started in the first hour after birth, when possible, and to continue breastfeeding at least 8 times in 24 hours, Because newborns breastfeed so frequently, there should be plenty of chances to check in with a maternity nurse or lactation consultant to make sure your little one is latching on well. They’ll help you track how often your baby feeds, pees and poops as well as troubleshoot if you have any discomfort or a very sleepy baby.
Since newborns feed around the clock, and prolactin, the hormone that encourages milk production, is highest around 2 am, it’s important to stick with feeds overnight. If allowed, it can be helpful to plan to have a partner, relative, or friend stay the night at the hospital with you, to help soothe the baby between feedings so you can get some sleep. Most hospitals now routinely keep babies and moms together – called “rooming in” – instead of sending babies to a nursery for care.
Why a lactation consultant is so helpful
Lactation consultants are professionals trained to help with breastfeeding, and they generally receive much more training about breastfeeding than other medical professionals. There are many types of lactation consultants who receive different levels of training, so it can be helpful to look into what kinds of lactation consultants work at the hospital you’ve chosen for delivery. Lactation consultants can help with issues like these:
- Education on proper positioning, latching technique, milk expression, milk storage, and more
- Advice on how to prevent potential issues, like nipple pain or engorgement
- When it makes sense to start pumping and basic how-tos
- Education on how to navigate special circumstances, like premature birth or multiples
- Support managing worries or expectations about breastfeeding
How to learn more about your options
Lactation support services do vary by hospital. For this reason, it’s a good idea to talk to your OB provider or ask during a hospital tour about what your options will be when the big day arrives. Once you leave the hospital, you’ll still be able to receive lactation support services. These may be phone support from a hospital lactation consultant, an outpatient program through the hospital, or through independent, local lactation consultants or breastfeeding support groups. Lactation consultant visits by an IBCLC, or International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, may be covered by the Affordable Care Act. Each insurance company has different requirements for coverage, so it can be helpful to check in with your insurance company about their terms ahead of time.Your insurance company will be able to tell you more about how to work with a covered IBCLC or how to get reimbursed. Local breastfeeding support groups can also be great resources. Your hospital’s lactation consultant, your pediatric provider or community members may be able to point you in the direction of local groups or other resources.
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Sources
- The American Academy of Pediatrics. “Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk.” Pediatrics. 129(3). Web. Mar 2012.
- “Breast-feeding.” MayoClinicHealthSystem. Mayo Clinic Health System, 2016. Web.
- “Breastfeeding Support.” StanfordChildrens. Stanford Children’s Health, 2017. Web.
