What to Expect During a Lactation Consultation
If you’re looking for a lactation consultant, chances are something about breastfeeding doesn’t feel quite right yet. Maybe you’re dealing with nipple pain, your baby seems frustrated at the breast, you’re worried about low milk supply, or you’re simply wondering if things are going the way they should.
A lactation consultation is time set aside just for you and your baby. Our goal is to understand what you’re experiencing and provide the kind of breastfeeding support that helps you feel more confident and comfortable moving forward.
Here’s what typically happens during a visit:
We Start by Talking
When we first sit down together, we talk.
You’ll tell us about your pregnancy, your birth experience, and what the past few days or weeks with your baby have been like. Every family’s story is different, and those details often help explain what might be happening with feeding.
You might share things like:
how often your baby is feeding
whether you’ve noticed nipple pain
how bottle feeding may have been going
whether you’ve been using a breast pump yet
any worries you’ve had about milk supply, etc.
There’s no rush. This conversation helps us understand your goals and what kind of support the two of you may need.
Then We Look at a Feeding Together
One of the most helpful parts of a lactation consultation is simply watching your baby feed.
You’ll settle in the way you normally feed your baby, and I’ll observe things like:
how your baby latches
your positioning
how your baby is swallowing
how milk transfer appears during the feeding
As we watch the feeding together, we’ll also gently make adjustments in real time if something looks like it could be more comfortable or efficient. Sometimes a small shift in positioning or latch can make feeding feel dramatically better.
If your baby is also taking bottles, we can look at that together too. Bottle feeding technique can make a big difference in how smoothly babies move between the breast and bottle, so we may talk about things like pacing, positioning, and bottle flow.
Our goal isn’t to completely change what you’re doing, it’s to help you find what works best for you and your baby.
We Check Baby’s Weight
Many consultations also include a weighted feed. This simply means weighing your baby before and after feeding so we can see how much milk was transferred. (We only recommend doing this with a lactation consultant, not on your own).
For many moms, this answers one of the biggest questions on their mind:
"Is my baby getting enough milk?"
Seeing those numbers can bring a lot of reassurance and peace of mind.
We Talk About Pumping and Breast Pumps
If you’re using a breast pump, or planning to pump in the future, we’ll talk through that as well.
You might have your pump during the visit, and we can look at things like:
flange sizing
pump settings
pumping schedules
building a milk stash if needed
We can also talk about insurance covered breast pumps, which most families are eligible for but may not know how to access.
We Leave With a Plan
Before our visit ends, we’ll put together a clear plan for moving forward.
That might include:
small adjustments to latch or positioning
feeding frequency recommendations
pumping guidance
ways to protect or increase milk supply
strategies to help relieve nipple pain, etc.
Our goal is that you finish the visit feeling calmer, more confident, and with a clear sense of what to do next.
Support Continues After the Visit
After your visit, you won’t be left wondering what to do next. You’ll also have portal access if questions come up as you put the plan into practice at home. Breastfeeding can change quickly in those early weeks, and sometimes you just need a quick question answered or reassurance that things are moving in the right direction.
Having that continued connection allows us to adjust your plan if needed and helps you feel supported as you and your baby settle into feeding together.
Breastfeeding is something both you and your baby are learning together. Sometimes it takes a little time for things to fall into place.
Having the right breastfeeding support during those early weeks can make all the difference.
If you're looking for personalized lactation care in and around Birmingham, you can schedule consultations and breastfeeding classes here👇
