Breastfeeding Help

Where to Start

by Susan Miller, BScN

Many thanks to Swati Scott, RD, a local community dietician, breastfeeding advocate and prenatal breastfeeding instructor for providing the following summary of support and resources for breastfeeding families.

There is no disputing that human milk is the best milk for the human baby. Today’s parents want what is best for their babies but in modern society much of the knowledge and skills around breastfeeding have been lost. We have a long way to go to create a cultural norm that supports and encourages breastfeeding. The good news is that there has been a resurgence in the recognition of the importance of breastfeeding—with recent scientific research confirming the health and other benefits that traditional breastfeeding knowledge has asserted for a long time.

With the proliferation of information in the electronic age there are a wealth of resources available to both parents and professionals. Recently, a Google search for “breastfeeding” yielded more than 13,800,000 possible hits in 0.25 seconds! There are also many books, magazines, DVDs, and other resources available. Even with all of this information, there is still so much well-meaning but misinformed advice passed on to breastfeeding families. Parents often report that they receive different or conflicting advice about breastfeeding with every new care provider that they encounter. Health care professionals in particular have a responsibility to refresh and upgrade their knowledge and skills in the area of breastfeeding.

For many families breastfeeding does not come easily, especially in the vulnerable early days. Nursing your baby is an investment of time, patience, and focus. One of the most important elements for a successful outcome is seeking timely and appropriate help when you are starting out. So, what are parents to do? Where do you start?

Parents need to know where to go and who to call when they need help. Here are some of the individuals in our communities who can provide breastfeeding information and support.

Community Resources for Breastfeeding Families

Prenatal classes offer some great information on breastfeeding, but content can vary from program to program. Information on breastfeeding may be covered in as little as half an hour or up to two or more hours. The depth of information presented depends on the amount of time allotted, and the instructor’s knowledge, skills and background. Prenatal class information on breastfeeding provides a beginning knowledge of “best practice” to build on once your baby is born.

La Leche League International (LLL) is a volunteer, non-profit, non-sectarian organization established more than 50 years ago. Leaders are all mothers who have breastfed their infants and have participated in an extensive accreditation process to certify them as LLL leaders. They support mothers, fathers and families worldwide by holding free, informal discussion groups where new parents will actually see babies being breastfed. LLL leaders also provide telephone and online information to breastfeeding families, and have access to up-to-date, evidence-based research materials. With accurate information and appropriate support, families can make more informed decisions around their breastfeeding questions and challenges. Other types of informal support come through friends, family and others who have a commitment to helping breastfeeding families.

Health care professionals serve our community in a variety of settings: in hospitals, clinics, public health units, breastfeeding clinics and in private practice. It is natural to assume that all health care professionals are experts regarding all and anything related to mothers and babies. However, as with so many other areas of health care, there are many levels of knowledge and training that various professionals may have attained. General training covers the basics of infant nutrition and feeding methods but does not usually address the complexities of breastfeeding. Professionals who work extensively with mothers and babies have usually completed further specialized training in breastfeeding support, examples of which include:

• the Douglas College Breastfeeding Counsellor Certificate program (offered throughout B.C.),

• the World Health Organization course Breastfeeding Counselling: A Training Course (designed to provide health workers throughout the world with the basic skills needed to support mothers and their children to breastfeed optimally)

• select special degree programs in breastfeeding offered in some USA colleges or universities

• breastfeeding/perinatal conferences

• other self-learning opportunities.

You cannot assume that any and all health care professionals will know how to help you with breastfeeding challenges especially if these problems escalate or become serious.

Lactation consultants are the breastfeeding professionals. They may or may not be a health care professional but all have achieved the  International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) designation. These are the true experts who are trained and skilled to assist mothers and babies with breastfeeding issues. To earn the IBCLC designation, there are stringent requirements (including many practicum hours and a seven-hour exam). Lactation consultants must maintain their certification by attending ongoing professional education and by re-taking the exam every 10 years. The term “Lactation Consultant” is a protected term that can be used only by those who have met all the IBCLC examiners’ requirements. Upon meeting these requirements, all lactation consultants are issued a license number. Because of their specialized level of skill and knowledge, lactation consultants are who you want by your side when you are dealing with challenges such as: twins or triplets, complicated birth, previous breast surgery, infections, infant physical anomalies, mother’s breast and nipple shape or size issues, and mental health issues.

Some providers use the title lactation counsellor; this is not the same as a lactation consultant, so check and ask for credentials.

If You Need Help, Don’t Delay

Nursing your baby is a journey; with appropriate time, guidance and tools, success eventually comes. Most mothers have some challenges with early breastfeeding and can easily fall off the track. For most, some early extra guidance helps to set things right. Some mothers have more serious difficulties that require specialized help. It is hard to predict how your breastfeeding will go. All parents and babies deserve the best care to help them get breastfeeding off to a great start. It makes good sense to learn as much as you can and to find out who provides specialized services in your area. This can make the breastfeeding journey easier, more pleasant and successful.

Susan Miller, R.N. BScN, is a Perinatal Educator and Certified Breastfeeding Counsellor and has worked with pre and post-natal families in Greater Victoria for 30 years. She and her husband have just welcomed a second granddaughter born to their son and his wife in Calgary.