What Is A Prenatal Breastfeeding Consultation?

A prenatal breastfeeding consultation is like your private breastfeeding class with me (I am an experienced IBCLC and Labor Nurse of 20 years), where we will talk specifically about your concerns and help you make a plan for anything that should be done prior to and/or after your baby arrives!

During our first consult (the sooner the better during pregnancy) we will cover anything you would like to discuss.  Here are just a few of the topics many ladies want to know more about:

• Feeding Plan: Coming up with a concrete feeding plan before baby arrives isn’t always possible, but I can work with you to develop a tentative plan and how to notice when changes are needed. 
• Nipple/Breast Tissue Concerns: If you are concerned about your nipple shape (including inverted nipples) or have noticed that your breast tissue has changed or not changed, I can work with you to make a plan with various tools before your baby arrives. 
• Concerns Regarding Past Surgery and/or Trauma to Your Breasts:  I am not just an expert in breastfeeding, but also breasts. If you have had a past surgery to your breasts, we should connect to see how that surgery may or may not impact breastfeeding. 

• General Fear/Anxiety Related To Breastfeeding: I can talk to you about your fears and then how to ease those fears with proper guidance.

• Concerns about low milk supply or not having enough milk.  Many mamas are worried that they will not make enough milk. This could be because a family member didn't, or they have been told they might not make enough, or they just have a fear of low supply.  It is important that we discuss all of the realities of low milk supply during our call.
• Friends and Family Members with strong opinions.  It is important that you feel empowered to make the best decision for you and your baby despite what others may have for an opinion.  We can discuss how to handle these often uncomfortable situations.
• Going back to work and making a plan for pumping while away.  Many ladies will return to work after delivery and need help navigating what that looks like while they are away from baby and how to make sure they can provide enough milk.

Why Is A Prenatal Breastfeeding Consultation Important?

Breastfeeding is really freaking hard.  There's no way to sugar coat it.  It is amazing and wonderful and rewarding and the best possible nutrition for your baby, but that doesn't change the fact that it's incredibly hard work for many mamas. 

Prenatal planning for breastfeeding can alleviate so much stress and build confidence for your success!

Many ladies who have taken my Breastfeeding course "All About Breastfeeding" have gone on to have incredible deliveries and breastfeeding experiences.  Education and support goes a long long way!

While you are pregnant, you have a lot of time to think about your personal feelings about how you are going to breastfeed your baby.  Some of the things you will want to think about and even jot down on a piece of paper or in your notes app are: 

•  How important is it to you to breastfeed?
•  What thoughts do you have about breastfeeding?
•  What appeals to you about breastfeeding?
•  What concerns do you have about your ability to breastfeed?
•  What might increase your confidence level?
•  Can you produce enough milk? What if your breasts are small?
•  How confident are you about meeting your breastfeeding goals?
•  If breastfeeding didn’t go well with your first baby, what can you do to ensure a better experience with your next baby?
•  In what ways do you feel most supported to breastfeed? Least supported?
•  Is there anyone who will discourage you from breastfeeding? Do you understand the reasons why?

When choosing to breastfeed your baby, it is extremely important for the people around you to support you in your decision. This includes your doctor, nurses, employer, partner, other family members, and friends. If you are experiencing any discouragement from your support system, we can meet to talk about how you can work through this challenge.

Sometimes just talking about these concerns with someone else can help provide the clarity you are seeking.

My goal for you is to have an amazing breastfeeding journey where you gain confidence and create lifelong memories that are filled with JOY!  Often there are struggles once baby arrives and I am here to be your confidant and cheerleader - your coach and your #1 advocate.  A healthy, happy breastfeeding journey begins with support and education during pregnancy.

When you set up your 30-minute Telehealth appointment with me you will not just have time to chat with me about any questions or concerns you have, but you will walk away feeling empowered and confident just from that ONE visit!

You will also receive access to my full breastfeeding course which will truly set you up for major success.  Wondering what is inside the on-demand online course?

All About Breastfeeding Course Outline

Once we complete our 30-minute telehealth consult, You Get Full And Immediate Access To:

Lesson One 

What You Need To Know About Breastfeeding Before You Deliver

• In Lesson One you will learn how to prepare for breastfeeding and what items will be essential to your success. 
• You will learn how colostrum works and how breastmilk is produced. 
• We will cover when to expect your milk to come in and how it can be delayed due to various factors, but you will also learn how 'low-supply' can be prevented in **most** cases.  Ensuring a healthy supply of milk is essential to your continued success and breastfeeding journey. 
• We will talk about leaking colostrum during pregnancy and what it may mean for your lactation journey as well as how to collect that liquid gold before delivery and why some mamas may want to start storing it up (learn how to know if you might be one of them). 
• We will also cover how to make a plan for your partner to help with your breastfeeding journey to help it go smoothly.
• Sleep is essential during your recovery and for milk production.  In this lesson, I will talk about safe sleep options for breastfeeding mamas that can help you get a headstart on getting more sleep right away. 
• We will cover what to do if you have flat or inverted nipples, and how you don't need to be worried or plan to use a nipple shield right away just because your nipples may be flat or inverted.
• Finally, we will talk about how to set up your breast pump and size your flanges appropriately to avoid nipple damage and ensure adequate supply.

Lesson Two

The First Two Days

• In Lesson two you will learn how the first 2 hours are important in setting up your supply as well as turning on those milk receptors, but if you are not able to be with babe right away there is something you can do to help your milk come in.
• We will cover hunger cues and feeding on demand and why it is important to help establish your milk supply.
• You will learn all about the best positions to nurse baby and why your latch is super important as well as how to recognize if it is not good and how to fix it.
• You will learn how to wake a sleepy baby because it is the number one reason I am called into a new mama's room to help with breastfeeding - they don't know how to wake that sleepy baby!
• You will learn how to burp your breastfed baby.
• You will learn how to know your baby has had enough to eat and if your supply is ample or if your baby needs supplementation.
• You will learn all about nipple shields and how they can be helpful for some, yet harmful for others.
• You will learn the many reasons pediatricians and others might recommend supplementation and the different ways you can supplement if it is needed.
• You will learn about breastmilk jaundice and how to breastfeed through it.
• You will have an understanding of why you will hear conflicting information from hospital staff members and what to do with the information.
• You will learn why night #2 is the worst night you will have while in the hospital and how to prepare for it so that you will struggle less than many mamas who have gone before you that didn't know ahead of time to make a plan.
• You will learn how to care for cracked or bleeding nipples and how to prevent further damage.

Lesson Three

The First Two Weeks

• In Lesson three you will learn that getting home can feel good, but overwhelming at the same time and how to manage.
• You will learn all about the Haakaa and why I find it a necessary tool.
• You will learn how to know the difference between engorgement, plugged ducts, nipple blebs, and mastitis and how to heal yourself quickly.
• You will learn how to store milk safely.
• You will learn how to wean from a nipple shield if you were sent home with one from the hospital.
• You will learn how to introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby and when the optimal time is to do so.
• You will learn how to increase your supply if you are not making enough milk.
• You will know how to identify if your baby is gassy from your milk or something else.
• You will learn the difference between thrush and 'milk tongue'

Lesson Four

Beyond The First Month

• In Lesson four you will learn how to safely drink alcohol and breastfeed your baby.
• And what to do if you decide to Exclusively Pump
• The following lessons will be added to the course shortly:
  • Cluster Feeding For Older Babies and Spurts
  • Traveling With Pumped Milk
  • Boosting Milk Supply When Pumping
  • Introducing Solids -Baby Led Weaning