What Exactly Do Lactation Consultants Do?
When I first became a mom, I thought breastfeeding would be easy – after all, it’s natural, right? I honestly didn’t even give it much thought. But let me tell you, I quickly learned that natural doesn’t always mean intuitive. I had sore nipples, a fussy baby, and a million questions swirling in my sleep-deprived brain. I remember thinking, Is this supposed to be this hard?
Somehow I stumbled through and breastfed that child for several years – and then I had my second baby, and everything was so. much. worse. Fortunately, I had my first (mostly successful) breastfeeding under my belt, which helped me to be better advocate for myself and breastfeed that child for almost 3 years.
Fast forward to today, and I’m an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) myself. I know firsthand how overwhelming the early days of breastfeeding can be, and I love helping parents navigate this journey with more confidence and less stress. It’s a sacred space to be in, and I’m so grateful to be able to help new moms navigate those often dark-feeling weeks.
But what exactly do lactation consultants do? If you’ve ever wondered if all we do is just push a baby on the breast and tell you “best is breast”, let me break it down for you. We do a lot more!
Keep in mind that while IBCLCs all should have the basic level of training, not all are specialized in the same things. If there is a specific concern you have – make sure you do your research before booking!
We Help You Get a Good Latch (Because Ouch, It Shouldn’t Hurt!)
One of the biggest reasons people come to a lactation consultant is because breastfeeding is painful. A deep, effective latch is key to comfortable and efficient feeding, but getting there isn’t always straightforward. As an IBCLC, I assess how your baby latches, look for any anatomical issues (like tongue ties – though we cannot diagnose), and teach positioning tricks to make things easier.
Sometimes, just the most minor tweak – like adjusting your baby’s chin or changing their angle – can make a world of difference.
We Troubleshoot Milk Supply Worries
Some moms worry they aren’t making enough milk. Others feel like they have too much. (Yep, oversupply can be just as challenging as low supply!) I help moms figure out what’s really going on with their milk supply by looking at things like baby’s weight gain, feeding frequency, and diaper output. I also teach ways to increase supply if needed – whether it’s through more frequent nursing, power pumping, or even dietary tweaks.
We Support Pumping and Bottle-Feeding Moms, Too
Breastfeeding isn’t just about nursing. Many moms pump, whether they’re going back to work, exclusively pumping, or supplementing with bottles. I help parents:
- Find the right pump and flange size (because a bad fit can wreck your supply!)
- Create a pumping schedule that keeps their milk supply strong
- Safely store and prepare breast milk
- Navigate bottle feeding so baby still prefers the breast
- Help with bottle refusal
Basically, if it involves getting milk from breast to baby, we help with it.
We Help With Special Circumstances
Every breastfeeding journey is unique, and some parents face extra challenges. As an IBCLC, I’ve worked with:
- Preemie parents whose babies are in the NICU
- Moms with medical conditions (like PCOS or thyroid issues) that affect milk supply
- Babies with tongue/lip ties who struggle to latch
- Parents of multiples figuring out tandem feeding
- Adoptive or non-birthing parents who want to induce lactation
No matter the situation, our job is to find a plan that works for you and your baby.
We Provide Emotional Support (Because Breastfeeding Is a Whole Journey)
Yes, lactation consultants focus on the technical aspects of breastfeeding, but we also know that feeding your baby is so much more than mechanics. It’s emotional. It’s exhausting. And sometimes, it’s downright frustrating.
I always tell parents, You’re not failing if you need help. You’re just learning. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
When Should You See a Lactation Consultant?
If you’re struggling with breastfeeding, pumping, or bottle feeding, reach out. But honestly? You don’t have to wait until there’s a problem. A prenatal consult can help you get ahead of the game, and even a quick check-in postpartum can prevent small issues from turning into big frustrations.
At the end of the day, my job isn’t to push breastfeeding on anyone—it’s to help you feed your baby in a way that works for your family. Whether that’s nursing, pumping, combo feeding, or something in between, you deserve support.
So, if you’ve been wondering, Do lactation consultants actually help? The answer is a resounding yes.
And if this sounds like something YOU want to do, it’s a wonderful field that always needs more caring practitioners. Be sure to grab one of our free guides to get started:
