Breastfeeding Isn’t Going Your Way. Now What?

by Megan Reilley, IBCLC

Many parents find themselves struggling with unanticipated breastfeeding challenges in the early days. Added to postpartum hormones, lack of sleep, and stress from a variety of sources, and a breastfeeding problem can often be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Something’s got to give, and all too often, it’s breastfeeding that takes the hit.

So what’s a new mom to do when breastfeeding isn’t going her way? For starters, get help! Help can come in a variety of ways, so let’s take a look at the options.

A Breastfeeding Buddy

One of your co-workers had a baby a few months before you, and you know she is breastfeeding. Call her/text her/friend her! Don’t be shy, breastfeeding brings moms together. Invite her over for a “playdate” and talk shop…how did she deal with her sore nipples? Did she bed-share? How did her partner help with breastfeeding? Did her baby wake all night to feed? Talking with other moms can help you learn what is normal newborn behavior and what might be an actual problem, and best of all, it lets you know you’re not alone. Sometimes, a friendly, experienced ear is all a parent needs to gain confidence in breastfeeding.

A Breastfeeding Support Group

You were in Target registering for baby gear and saw a notice about a local breastfeeding support group. But you don’t remember the details. I’m here to tell you that our area offers many breastfeeding support groups to support all lifestyles and schedules. The transition to online support that occurred during the COVID years has meant increased access to support groups that were once held only in person. Google will usually turn up several options; Facebook is home to many informal breastfeeding groups and is also where you’ll find the online space for some well-established local support groups.

A Volunteer Peer Supporter

La Leche League. La Leche League is a mother-to-mother breastfeeding support organization founded in the 1950s. The organization continues to evolve and change to meet today’s mothers wherever they may be in their breastfeeding journey. Some La Leche League Leaders offer free home visits to help tired new moms gain confidence with breastfeeding. La Leche League Leaders are trained to support moms with common breastfeeding challenges and to educate about normal breastfed baby behavior. La Leche League Leaders know when to refer to a higher level of care.

WIC Peer Counselors. The WIC Peer Counseling program is alive and well in State College, PA, and many other cities in the region. WIC Peer Counselors are trained to help moms with routine breastfeeding issues and to provide basic education about normal breastfed baby behavior. WIC Peer Counselors will call breastfeeding moms who are enrolled in the WIC program to check in on how things are going, but if you’re a WIC mom, you can also speak to a Peer Counselor anytime you have a breastfeeding question or problem. Peer Counselors know when to refer a mom to a higher level of breastfeeding care.

An IBCLC

There are a lot of “lactation consultants” out there, and an internet search can yield a confusing alphabet soup of credentials. Not all credentials are the same, so know who you are hiring and what their education and training are. The highest level of lactation credential is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). IBCLCs are the breast and breastfeeding experts and are highly skilled members of the healthcare team. Their services are often reimbursable by insurance or by flexible spending or health savings accounts. IBCLCs are bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect your privacy, and they communicate securely with your and your baby’s healthcare providers to ensure a continuity of care for your family.

Some breastfeeding challenges are easily addressed with subtle positioning changes, additional education for mom, or simple tricks to improve baby’s latch. Other challenges are not so simply fixed, and may be part of a larger issue that only an IBCLC will have the experience and education to evaluate and assess.