You may not have known this, but today, March 2, is IBCLC Day! International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) play a critical role for supporting new families in reaching their breastfeeding goals. IBCLCs study and train very hard to become certified, and as a result, they have specialized knowledge about human milk production, breast anatomy and physiology and all things infant feeding (in all it's many forms).

At Emerald Doulas we are proud to offer in-office prenatal consults with Victoria Facelli, our board certified lactation consultant. If you like to plan ahead, this is a great way to get your breastfeeding journey off to a great, solid start.

So, in honor of IBCLC Day, here is Victoria's list of reasons why you should check-in with a lactation consultant before you have your baby.

1.     Get to know your friendly lactation consultant

Going to see the lactation consultant can feel intimidating. While we've worked extra hard to make the Emerald Doula offices a warm and inviting place, taking some time to get comfortable with each other before your baby comes means that we can jump right in when they arrive. 

2.     No one has looked at your breasts yet

One of the things that always astonishes me about breastfeeding is that, while you've possessed breasts your entire life; after having a baby, they become an entirely new organ system that you’ve never used before. Some how, this system goes unchecked before it's "go time". There are lots of little things about your anatomy that we can talk through during pregnancy, rather than be surprised by them postpartum. If your midwife or OBGYN hasn’t offered you a breast assessment, it is a good idea to come in and get one.

3.     Have a chance to talk through how your medical history might impact breastfeeding

Did you know that breast surgery, gestational diabetes or PCOS can affect how you meet our breastfeeding goals? If you have something in your medical history that might impact breastfeeding, give us a call an we can set-up a time to talk it through. By meeting before your baby arrives, we can go through some anticipatory guidance and make a plan based on your personal history.

4.     You didn’t meet your breastfeeding goals with your last baby

If you didn’t meet your breastfeeding goals with your first (or second, or third) baby I can help you try to understand where things got off course. We can process through what happened last time, so that you are free to start fresh this time; or help you develop a plan for alternative feeding choices if that feels more in-line with your goals. With a new plan in place, you can avoid some past pitfalls, avoid common "booby traps" and do what works for you.

5.     You are a non-gestational parent

Did you know that adoptive and non-gestational parents can breastfeed? I love taking time to think about how infant feeding is different in all kinds of families and would love to help you breast/chestfeed, if that is your goal. 

If any of these reasons resonate with you, email us today or call us at (919) 864-8361 to set up a prenatal consult with Victoria. And, if your baby has already joined us Earthside, we offer consultations for you too, as well as free weight checks anytime.