can anyone recommend a good lactation consultant? I just had my baby last Friday and I am having significant problems with breastfeeding. My milk still hasn't entirely come in (although I have a lot more than I did a couple days ago) and my son is not latching properly. I am going to call the lactation resource center at the hospital where I delivered (Sinai) but I'm also open to using a private lactation consultant. I really do not want to give up on breastfeeding so any resources you could direct me to would be appreciated. Thanks!


Re: lactation consultants
Not sure where you're located, but we used Kathleen Stahl https://www.annapolisbreastfeedingcare.com/1401.html
and I cannot express what a great experience we had with her. She has such a calm and soothing personality (which is great for a frazzled mom), made me feel sooooo comfortable and was available 24/7. Our son was born 12/23, we went home on xmas day and started having latching problems and she came the next day. She seriously saved BFing for me, and I was able to continue until about 10 months. Oh, and she does house calls, came to our house which made it so much more relaxing.
I know this isn't going to help a lot but there is a store in Towson that has LC and mom's groups and you can go and weigh your child whenever they are open. BUT I can't think of the name. Its on Pennsylvania Ave and its on the east side of York, a few blocks away.
If I remember it, it was a nice place. I think I found it though a website looking for retail stores of nursing bras, I wanted to try the bra on before I bought it.
As a childbirth educator I get this question A LOT. Here is the list I send to my doula clients and students. This has a lot of great options and should help get you started on your way.
Good luck,
Danielle
Good luck and stay strong - the beginning was the hardest for me too! I really liked the LC at GBMC she is very dedicated to BF mommies.
GBMC Warmline (443-849-3428)
Happy Birthday, little man. We love you so much!
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I can't express how wonderful Ann Faust is! She helped me IMMENSELY!!! She came to my house over Labor Day weekend and was such a wonderful, calming, helpful presence. I also really liked that if you are having the same problem that she will come back out to your house for free w/in two weeks of her initial visit.
The leaders for the Northern Anne Arundel County groups are fantastic and I know for a fact that at least Monique checks her email frequently.
I just wanted to second or third this. It does get sooo much better! I had a lot of problems as well. Since I don't know the specifics of your problems just thought I would throw somethings out there:
* Make sure that you are getting enough to eat and that you are drinking enough water as this can affect your milk supply. Also, make sure that you are getting enough rest. The house, the laundry, the whatever you want to call it can wait. Your job is to take care of yourself and your baby for the first few weeks. Dh, friends and family are supposed to take care of the rest!
* To help problems with latch have you considered using a nipple shield at least temporarily? I believe that you can pick them up at Target as well as BRU. Also, you might want to try the "nipple sandwich." Basically you just compress your breast and tease your lo with your nipple to try and encourage them to open wide. (If you google it you might find a better description than what I provided). Then once your lo is latched you can gently pull down on their chin to encourage them to take more of your breast.
* Also, you can strip your LO down to their diaper and be completely topless. There is something about skin-to-skin contact that helps newborns with breastfeeding.
That's all I can think of at the moment. Hang in there and congratulations on your LO!
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