It can be easy to feel like breastfeeding is rough in the early weeks for everyone, or that it's not that bad, but we truly want more for you. Once a mama has decided that things can be bettered and she's made the call... well, what next? Here are our suggestions for what to do (and not do) before a lactation appointment.
1) Take lots of notes before your appointment. A lactation professional is going to be best able to help you get to where you want to be if she knows where you are today. Jot down some information about baby's feeds, sleeps, weights, medical events, pumping sessions, and supplements. Knowing how many diapers you have changed in the 24 or 48 hours before your appointment is also helpful.
2) Don't clean your house! Seriously, we've seen it all. If you are scheduling a home visit for lactation, nine times out of ten you are in crisis mode and we want you to be spending those precious moments with your baby or recharging your own batteries.
3) Don't change your feeding routine. Not just yet! Wait until after we have a chance to discuss the situation as it stands before starting an elimination diet, new formula, or supplement etc.
4) "Should I hold off on feeding her before the appointment time?" is actually the number one question we get after an appointment is scheduled! DO feed your baby whenever she or he cues you before the appointment. There is no need to worry about the baby being "full" when we arrive. We like to do LONG appointments for several reasons, but one of those is being sure of catching a complete feeding cycle, sometimes two. So if you are expecting us in half an hour and baby is starting to squirm, nurse away!
5) Do schedule your appointment during a time that is the most challenging part of the day for you. For example, if your baby rejects the breast every morning, schedule a morning appointment. And if latch is hardest in the evenings, have us come at that time. We want to see how things are going at their worst so that we can properly assess.
So, what other tips would you add to this list?
As always, if you have any other questions, feel free to send them our way.
2) Don't clean your house! Seriously, we've seen it all. If you are scheduling a home visit for lactation, nine times out of ten you are in crisis mode and we want you to be spending those precious moments with your baby or recharging your own batteries.
3) Don't change your feeding routine. Not just yet! Wait until after we have a chance to discuss the situation as it stands before starting an elimination diet, new formula, or supplement etc.
4) "Should I hold off on feeding her before the appointment time?" is actually the number one question we get after an appointment is scheduled! DO feed your baby whenever she or he cues you before the appointment. There is no need to worry about the baby being "full" when we arrive. We like to do LONG appointments for several reasons, but one of those is being sure of catching a complete feeding cycle, sometimes two. So if you are expecting us in half an hour and baby is starting to squirm, nurse away!
5) Do schedule your appointment during a time that is the most challenging part of the day for you. For example, if your baby rejects the breast every morning, schedule a morning appointment. And if latch is hardest in the evenings, have us come at that time. We want to see how things are going at their worst so that we can properly assess.
So, what other tips would you add to this list?
As always, if you have any other questions, feel free to send them our way.
1 comment:
Excellent!
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