Lactation consultants (IBCLCs) working in the community setting provide breastfeeding assistance throughout the lactation journey. They work with families during pregnancy to prepare for their feeding journeys, in the immediate postpartum period, up through the weaning process.

Prenatal breastfeeding education is often overlooked, but preparing for breastfeeding before birth can help avoid common struggles and set the stage for a smoother long-term breastfeeding experience.

A private practice IBCLC provides:

• Personalized Education: Private practice lactation consultants have the opportunity to offer tailored education to each family. During prenatal visits, an IBCLC will review your medical history, past feeding experiences, and any questions or concerns you may have.  This is also a great opportunity to learn about proper positioning/latch techniques, the signs of effective milk transfer, and the supply/demand process of breastfeeding that will help to establish and maintain your milk supply. If you plan to pump, your lactation consultant can measure you for the appropriate flange size, ensuring a comfortable fit and optimal output.
• Identification of Potential Challenges: After obtaining your medical and feeding history, your IBCLC can help identify any potential barriers. This allows you plenty of time to make a plan to address them before your baby arrives, increasing your chances of achieving your breastfeeding goals.
• Birth and Feeding Plan Assistance: An IBCLC can also help families create a birth and breastfeeding plan that reflects their unique values and priorities. This plan can include things like skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth, initiating breastfeeding early, and navigating potential interventions if the mother or baby needs extra support.

Postpartum Support: Navigating the Early Days

The postpartum period is when lactation consultants are most frequently utilized. After the baby is born, the deep breastfeeding work begins, and that’s where an IBCLC’s expertise can make all the difference.

Private practice lactation consultants can:

• Provide In-Home Visits: One of the most beneficial services offered by private practice IBCLCs are in-home visits. This allows them to assess the baby’s latch, your milk supply, and overall breastfeeding dynamics in the comfort and privacy of your home. This is a game changer when mom and baby are recovering from birth and bonding!
• Troubleshoot Common Issues: From sore nipples to engorgement, low milk supply, and breast or bottle preferences, an IBCLC can help identify and solve a wide range of common breastfeeding problems. They provide hands-on guidance, personalized suggestions, and emotional support to make breastfeeding less stressful and more successful.
• Support Milk Supply: Concerns about low milk supply are one of the top reasons parents reach out for help. An IBCLC will assess both the parent and baby’s needs to determine if there is truly a low milk supply concern. If concerns are present, the IBCLC can suggest strategies to increase supply (pumping, frequency of breastfeeding, improved latch, etc), and monitor the baby’s growth to ensure they’re getting enough nourishment. Lactation consultants generally come equipped with the supplies necessary to weigh your baby right at home!
• Emotional Support: Breastfeeding can bring about a range of emotions, from joy and bonding to frustration and even feelings of inadequacy. An IBCLC provides a non-judgmental, empathetic space for parents to express their feelings and work through any challenges, promoting a positive breastfeeding experience. 

Pumping Support: Maximizing Milk Supply

For many moms, pumping is an essential part of their breastfeeding journey. Whether you’re returning to work, occasionally separated from your baby during a feed, or exclusively pumping, understanding how to pump effectively is crucial.

A private practice IBCLC can assist by:

• Providing Pumping Education: An IBCLC will guide moms through choosing the right pump to meet their goals, understanding pump settings, and developing a pumping schedule that aligns with their milk supply and goals. They can also help moms understand how often to pump, how to store milk properly, and how to maintain milk supply while pumping.
• Troubleshooting Pumping Issues: Many moms experience difficulties with pumping, such as low output, discomfort, or issues with their pump. An IBCLC can assess their pumping routine, troubleshoot any issues, and offer solutions to help them reach their pumping goals.
• Building a Milk Supply: Some moms struggle with building or maintaining an adequate milk supply while pumping. An IBCLC can offer strategies to boost supply, such as adjusting pumping frequency, improving pumping techniques, and navigating any barriers that might be interfering with your pumping goals. 

Weaning Support: Transitioning Out of Breastfeeding

Weaning can sometimes be a complicated process, whether it occurs prior to mom/baby being ready, or after a long journey that naturally and gradually comes to an end. Whatever the situation may be, an IBCLC can help families navigate this transition smoothly when the time comes, whether it’s gradually reducing breastfeeding sessions or making the switch to formula or solids.

An IBCLC’s role in weaning may include:

• Gentle Weaning Techniques: Whether it’s for personal, medical, or lifestyle reasons, an IBCLC can guide parents through a gentle weaning process. They provide strategies to reduce discomfort (like engorgement or mastitis) and emotional support for both the parent and baby as they transition away from breastfeeding.
• Addressing Emotional and Physical Changes: Weaning can be an emotional process. Sometimes parents need support to cope with both the physical changes from discontinuing lactation and the emotional connection they may feel to breastfeeding. An IBCLC offers reassurance and resources to work through this transition.

The IBCLC’s Community Impact

The role of a private practice lactation consultant goes far beyond individual support for families—it can also have a lasting impact on the community as a whole. IBCLCs are often engaged in:

• Local Education and Workshops: Many private practice lactation consultants hold community breastfeeding classes or support group meetings. These offer valuable resources and foster a sense of connection among new parents.
  
• Advocacy and Support: Lactation consultants also play an advocacy role, working to raise awareness about breastfeeding rights, promoting workplace accommodations for pumping, and supporting policies that benefit breastfeeding moms and babies.
  
• Collaboration with Healthcare Providers: IBCLCs in the community setting often collaborate with OBGYNs, pediatricians, midwives, doulas, and other healthcare professionals to ensure families receive holistic, well-rounded care throughout their breastfeeding journey.
  

Conclusion

A private practice lactation consultant plays a vital role in supporting families through every stage of their lactation journey—prenatal, postpartum, weaning, and beyond. By offering personalized, compassionate care, IBCLCs ensure that families have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to overcome challenges and enjoy the many benefits of breastfeeding. Whether it’s helping parents prepare for breastfeeding, solving common issues, or offering pumping or weaning support, their expertise is an invaluable resource in the community. Through their work, IBCLCs foster stronger, healthier families, one breastfeeding journey at a time.

Need Lactation Support?

I’d love to help! I offer in-home lactation visits throughout most of Connecticut, as well as virtual lactation visits anywhere!

Check your insurance eligibility for FREE lactation support here:

The Lactation Network: https://go.lactationnetwork.com/Sage&SoulDoulaLLC 

Wildflower Health (Cigna insurance): https://portal.wildflowerhealth.net/affiliate-care/987016c 

Questions?

Email me at sageandsouldoula@gmail.com

Text me at 860-853-8646