What is a Lactation Consultant?

A lactation consultant is a professional whose main goal is to facilitate the breastfeeding process for both the mother and her baby. Therefore, the lactation consultant plays a welcoming role for women, aiming to guide them in the best possible way so that they can successfully breastfeed.
According to recent research, it is estimated that 80% of women experience some type of difficulty during breastfeeding. In this context, the demand for specialized assistance has been increasing in recent years among expectant mothers. Therefore, breastfeeding consulting is an area that is also constantly growing.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have a background in healthcare to become a breastfeeding consultant; you just need to be committed to supporting and preparing other women to go through the breastfeeding process more smoothly. It’s a field that requires study, dedication, and preparation; after all, you’re dealing with the health of mothers and babies.
What are the duties of a breastfeeding consultant?
A trained consultant offers mothers the following support:
- Informative: providing a range of information about breast milk and its composition, the benefits and importance of breastfeeding, the best ways to breastfeed a baby, among other things;
- Educational: teaching mothers correctly about the breastfeeding process and everything it involves, as well as the main problems that may arise;
- Emotional/psychological: preparing women emotionally for this moment, which is often difficult and delicate. The consultant listens to the mother’s feelings, expectations, and desires, working with them to ensure successful breastfeeding;
- Physiological: explaining the body’s adaptations and changes for the lactation process, as well as the complications that may arise.
Therefore, the breastfeeding consultant accompanies the mother from pregnancy, clarifying initial doubts and preparing her for breastfeeding after childbirth. All of her work is based on scientific evidence from leading health organizations and is recommended for women who wish to breastfeed their children in the best possible way.
0 Comments