Mothers are not failing. Our medical system is failing mothers.

How do we expect moms to successfully breastfeed when many of our doctors, including OBGYNs, Pediatricians, and Family Medicine physicians are not required to take anything more than the minimum education on breastfeeding (usually 1-3 hours course)?

The breast is a very complicated organ, yet in medical school it is mostly discussed in terms of cancer, not it’s intended biological function. How does that make any sense? There is an important body organ that feeds our young and yet doctors that work closely with breastfeeding dyads, don’t need to know anything about it. Formula companies step in daily bringing doctors food and teaching them all about infant feeding.

Breastfeeding often does not go as expected.

Why does a doctor need to know about breastfeeding when there are lactation consultants?

Physicians need to know the normal function of the breast, so they are able to know when to properly refer to a specialist. I hear way too often that when breastfeeding isn’t going well, many pediatricians are not referring to a lactation consultant, instead they advise women to use formula.

What is an IBCLC?

Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are the experts in breastfeeding. However, most parents don’t know that there are many different “pathways” to becoming and IBCLC and there is no “standard” lactation education. Therefore, some IBCLCs have excellent training and some lack skills and proper education. The minimum training that is needed to take the IBCLC exam is usually not enough to really be of help to parents.

For many, becoming an IBCLC can be challenging from a logistics standpoint. You are required to find a mentor and until very recently, learn from them in person for free, or for a nominal fee, but never paid. This puts the credential out of reach for many interested in becoming board certified lactation consultants, especially to people of color that might not have anyone in their area by which to be mentored or people that may not afford to work for free. As a result, access to an IBCLC becomes very difficult for those that need it most.

IBCLC with oral motor education assessing an infant’s suck.

Barriers that some parents might face when hiring an IBCLC

Difficulty accessing bilingual professionals: In my state of Colorado Latinos make up more than 20% of the state, however, there is only one IBCLC that speaks Spanish. Therefore, these moms are not getting the same level of care as their English-speaking counterparts.

High out-of-pocket costs: Another barrier is that a lactation visit also usually costs between $150-$200 and most often, it doesn’t just take one visit. This financial aspect can mean the end of breastfeeding for many families.

Contradicting points-of-view: In some occasions, IBCLCs find themselves defending they’re practices when doctors go against their professional recommendation. An IBCLC will give one piece of advice, but when the parent tells their doctor that advice, the doctor contradicts it. Therefore, many parents are left not knowing what to do at all.

Lack of evidence-based information: More formal research is needed regarding breastfeeding and all of its benefits. As of now, a lot of information found is based on “experience” vs “evidence”.  

With all of these challenges, it is no wonder many mothers do not breastfeed as long as they would like. Until these barriers are diminished, women need to use their sadness and anger felt and direct it where it belongs: on our health care system that at times fails to care of our most precious commodity; mothers and babies.

Moms do not fail to breastfeed, but many of them are failed every single day.

Have you ever hired an IBCLC? What has been your experience working with physicians and specialists regarding breastfeeding? 

Kelly Euperio, MS, RD, IBCLC, CSOM

I feel so honored that I get to work with families at such an exciting and often trying time in their lives.  I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and am very passionate about helping families meet their breastfeeding goals.  My goal, when working with breastfeeding dyads, is to get to the bottom of what is causing the issues and not just “put a bandaid on it”.  

In addition to being a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, I am also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology (CSOM).  Both help me serve breastfeeding dyads in different ways.  As an RDN, I am also able to help with diet, supplement, and gut recommendations that many breastfeeding moms and babies need.  As a CSOM, I have an extensive knowledge in suck training and relearning to use the tongue and facial muscles after a tongue tie release.

I have two kiddos that I breastfed, but not without struggles.  I understand what it feels like when you thought it would be easy and it’s not.  The lack of help that I received from healthcare professionals during this time is what drives my passion for helping others.  I also believe that the addition of and eventual transition to solid foods is an important and often taken granted part of long-term health. 

www.bvlactation.com

The post No, you did not fail to breastfeed appeared first on Breastfeeding World.

The topic of breastfeeding can be very controversial. It is hard not to rouse strong feelings when discussing baby feeding methods and choices. It almost seems as though the infant feeding industry benefits from the underlying tensions among us. While I try to remain level-headed and not contribute to the so-called “mommy wars”, I am passionate about a particular breastfeeding ailment; pain during breastfeeding. Specifically nipple pain in the first days and weeks. So, I’m going to risk discussing a controversial topic, to clarify some facts about nipple pain.

Why should it hurt to nurse your baby?

There are those who believe that pregnant women should be told that breastfeeding will hurt in order to be prepared and not feel that it is abnormal for nursing to cause them pain. In other words, they should be taught to expect pain. In my opinion, this is a dangerous point of view and, as a woman, I am offended. Why should women expect or accept pain to accompany a normal bodily function? Name one other natural bodily function that is repeated over and over again that is expected to be painful. Ok- childbirth, but we can even argue about that needing to hurt and it doesn’t happen repetitively for months on end.

I’m going to turn the tables here and get real- and a bit graphic. Imagine explaining to a man that there was going to be something that he had to do, about 8-12 times per day, for weeks on end, that was going to cause his penis to hurt- maybe even blister, crack and bleed! And then try to justify it to him as “best” and let him know to expect it! Never happen, right?

Of course infant feeding shouldn’t hurt. Women were designed to give birth and to breastfeed. Infants are born to nurse.
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Of course infant feeding shouldn’t hurt. Women were designed to give birth and to breastfeed. Infants are born to nurse. It is our biologic imperative as mammals. In nature, if mammals do not feed at the breast, the offspring does not survive. This system wouldn’t work if pain was the norm.

But it does hurt, right?

Yes, nursing can be painful- and I believe moms should be told of the possibility. However,  that is different than expecting it to hurt. When breastfeeding hurts, it is an indicator that something isn’t quite right. There are steps to take to make it more comfortable for you and easier for your infant . An important fact to remember is that comfort while feeding is not just for you. If latch hurts, chances are that your baby isn’t nursing effectively and will not get as much milk as he or she should.

 Sharing my experience

As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), I have met so many women who gave up nursing because of nipple pain, infections, blisters, or blebs. I have also met others who have nursed through these conditions, without reaching out for help, thinking that it was “normal” or some kind of right of passage. In my experience, I can confidently say, that in most cases, something can be done to help moms nurse without pain.

I am so committed to helping moms reach their feeding goals and to prevent them from suffering unnecessarily, that I authored a book to share the message. It Shouldn’t Hurt to Nurse Your Baby: Breastfeeding Solutions for the 6 most common causes of painful nipples. In the book, I discuss what can cause nipple pain, how to correct the cause, when to reach out for professional help, and which type professional help would be best, depending on the condition.

My mission

I have found that it is often simple adjustments that make a huge difference in what nursing feels like.  Reaching out to an IBCLC for expert support is recommended if the simple solutions aren’t making things easier. For many women, breastfeeding is a rewarding and empowering experience. I am on a mission to open more women up to that possibility. I want everyone to know that it is possible to nurse comfortably and enjoy this special time. 

Lisa Paladino CNM, IBCLC

http://www.statenislandbreastfeeding.com/

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#BreastfeedingWorld

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A photography project founded in late 2014 by Alexia Garcia, photographer a Alegares Photography. Breastfeeding World aims to promote breastfeeding and encourage new moms to nurse their babies through the art of photography and story telling.

The post It Shouldn’t Hurt To Nurse Your Baby- So Why Does It? By: Lisa Paladino, IBCLC appeared first on Breastfeeding World.