Breastfeeding help from an IBCLC

A good latch feels like firm tugging, not pinching or burning. When it hurts, it’s usually too shallow. To get a deeper one: wait for a wide, open mouth, then bring baby to you chin-first so they take a big mouthful of breast, not just the nipple. Their lips should flare out like a little fish.

Latch is the thing mamas ask us about most, in about 2 of every 3 visits. If it still hurts after you adjust, that’s your sign to have an IBCLC watch a full feed and fine-tune your hold.

You can’t see ounces, so watch your baby for clues.

1. Count diapers: by day 5, look for about 6 wet and 3 or more dirty a day
2. Listen for soft swallows while baby nurses
3. After most feeds, you’ll see relaxed hands and a calm, milk-drunk baby
4. Check weight at pediatric visits

This is one of the top worries we hear, in about 1 in 4 consults. If the clues don’t add up or weight gain is slow, book a visit. We can do a weighted feed at home, weighing baby before and after nursing to show exactly how much they took.

A pump doesn’t trigger letdown the way your baby does, so a slow start is normal.

To help it along: get warm and comfy, look at a photo or video of your baby, do a minute of hand massage first, and use your pump’s letdown or massage mode. Check your flange size too. The wrong size lowers output and can hurt.

Pumping questions come up in about 1 in 4 consults. If your output stays low or pumping hurts, an IBCLC can fit your flanges and help you dial in your routine.

One side often hurts more because the latch sits a little shallower there, or baby favors the other side. Breasts can also differ in shape, flow, and sensitivity. Start feeds on the side that hurts less, then switch once your milk is flowing.

Pain questions show up in about 1 in 5 consults, and it’s often one-sided. If a side is cracked, burning, or sore, have it checked. The cause is usually a latch issue, a clogged duct, or a tongue tie, and each one has a clear fix.

A tongue or lip tie is tight tissue under the tongue or lip that limits movement. It can make latching, taking milk, and gaining weight harder.

Signs to watch for: a shallow latch that won’t deepen, clicking sounds, lots of gas or spit-up, or feeds that drag on.

Ties come up in about 1 in 8 consults. Many babies have a small tie that never causes trouble, so a tie alone doesn’t always need releasing. An IBCLC can assess the whole picture, and if a release makes sense, point you to trusted providers and guide feeding before and after.

To wean off the shield, latch at the start of a feed while baby is calm and a little hungry, not crying. Hand-express a few drops first so the nipple is easy to find. Some mamas latch with the shield on, then slip it off once baby is going. There’s no rush, and slow days are normal.

Weaning off the shield is a common goal, in about 1 in 12 consults. If baby keeps slipping off or won’t latch without it, a few small tweaks from an IBCLC usually get you there.

Very often, yes. Many insurances cover lactation visits at no cost to you. We work with The Lactation Network, Wildflower Health, and other providers, and we’ll check your coverage for you.

Not covered? We have self-pay options too.

With an in-home visit, we can do everything in the comfort of your own space: assess latch and positioning, do a weighted feed, fit your pump flanges, and work through whatever you bring us. No packing up the baby, no driving.

A virtual consult covers more than you might expect. We can review latch and positioning over video, talk through pumping strategy, help with bottle feeding, and answer prenatal questions. The main thing we can’t do virtually is a weighted feed. For latch and positioning help, having a second person hold the camera makes a big difference.

Still unsure? Call or text us at (801) 210-1969 and we’ll help you choose.