Breastfeeding - The Most Unnatural "Natural" Thing

If you are struggling with lactation, know that you aren’t alone. In fact, if breastfeeding came easily to you, you’d be part of a very small, minority of people

Only 1-5% of women have a medical issue that prevents breastfeeding though

Three different colored, overlapping circles with white text inside each circle. Circle 1 says, "92% of women have difficulties breastfeeding." Circle 2 says, "More than 50% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intended to." Circle 3 says, "Less than 25% of women exclusively breastfeed for the 1st 6 months."

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Breastfeeding -
The Most Unnatural “Natural” Thing

Three different colored, overlapping circles with white text inside each circle. Circle 1 says, "92% of women have difficulties breastfeeding." Circle 2 says, "More than 50% of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intended to." Circle 3 says, "Less than 25% of women exclusively breastfeed for the 1st 6 months."

If you are struggling with lactation, know that you aren’t alone. In fact, if breastfeeding came easily to you, you’d be part of a very small, minority of people

Only 1-5% of women have a medical issue that prevents breastfeeding though

The Importance of Getting Lactation Support

Woman wearing a hijab, white long-sleeved shirt, and jeans sitting on the floor with her legs crossed while her baby also wearing a hijab, long-sleeved shirt, and blue jeans is nursing while laying on its back on the mother's lap.

These stats are not intended to make parents feel inadequate. They are to acknowledge that breastfeeding is often difficult and requires hard work, persistence, the development of consistent habits, and extra support!

We often hire a physical trainer to help us set exercise goals and keep us on-track. Why don’t we do the same for achieving our lactation goals?

Lactation Consultants can help you troubleshoot any existing issues or just provide supportive advice as you navigate this new journey. Some of the more common topics that are discussed include:
– Latching issues, cracked nipples, slow weight gain, overactive let-down reflex, low milk supply, clogged ducts, engorgement and mastitis, baby falling asleep at breast, inverted nipples, navigating prior breast surgeries (e.g. breast augmentation), pumping, weaning, and returning to work tips

But, the #1 reason families struggle with breastfeeding is the lack of a supportive environment

“[Researchers at UC Davis Medical Center] think the biggest reason that women struggled is that once they left the hospital they lacked access to lactation counselors in that critical first week”
-American Academy of Pediatrics Journal

Find The Perfect Lactation Consultant For You

Available for FREE on IOS and Android

The Importance of Getting Lactation Support

These stats are not intended to make parents feel inadequate. They are to acknowledge that breastfeeding is often difficult and requires hard work, persistence, the development of consistent habits, and extra support!

Woman wearing a hijab, white long-sleeved shirt, and jeans sitting on the floor with her legs crossed while her baby also wearing a hijab, long-sleeved shirt, and blue jeans is nursing while laying on its back on the mother's lap.

We often hire a physical trainer to help us set exercise goals and keep us on-track. Why don’t we do the same for achieving our lactation goals?

Lactation Consultants can help you troubleshoot any existing issues or just provide supportive advice as you navigate this new journey. Some of the more common topics that are discussed include:
– Latching issues, cracked nipples, slow weight gain, overactive let-down reflex, low milk supply, clogged ducts, engorgement and mastitis, baby falling asleep at breast, inverted nipples, navigating prior breast surgeries (e.g. breast augmentation), pumping, weaning, and returning to work tips

But, the #1 reason families struggle with breastfeeding is the lack of a supportive environment

“[Researchers at UC Davis Medical Center] think the biggest reason that women struggled is that once they left the hospital they lacked access to lactation counselors in that critical first week”
-American Academy of Pediatrics Journal

Medical Benefits & Financial Advantages of Lactation

If still not convinced of the importance of receiving lactation support, let’s discuss the:
– Countless medical benefits,
– Lucrative cost savings, and
– Fact that lactation support is 100% fully-covered by most commercial health insurance plans

Lactation Consultant Certifications

We mentioned a type of certification before in the insurance coverage section: International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
– The IBCLC qualification is considered the “gold standard” when it comes to lactation consultant training & education

While there are numerous types of lactation certifications, usually only one certification qualifies for health insurance coverage:
– The IBCLC

If obtaining insurance coverage is important to you, make sure that the Lactation Consultant lists an IBCLC certificate in their profile. If not, then qualifying for insurance reimbursement is unlikely

To better understand the various lactation certificates a Lactation Consultant might possess, we have compiled an informational overview to assist you

Find An IBCLC

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