Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding offers endless health and relationship benefits to both the mom and baby. It is no wonder so many women plan to breastfeed their babies. Unfortunately, without education and support, many women find themselves frustrated, overwhelmed, or even in pain. Rachel PA-C, a breastfeeding mother and Certified Clinical Lactationist, understands these struggles and is dedicated to providing timely, compassionate care to new mothers throughout Iowa. For personalized breastfeeding support, schedule a consultation with Rachel at VirtualMed Iowa by calling or booking online.

Why do some moms have problems with breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding is such a natural role that it can be distressing to find you’re struggling, but it’s quite normal to have a few issues at first. Both you and your baby are learning something new – they’re learning how to latch on to your nipple correctly, and you’re finding out how to ensure they get it right.

If your nipple, including most of the areola, isn’t wholly inside your baby’s mouth, you could find breastfeeding uncomfortable and have sharp pains in your nipples. They’re also likely to get sore and cracked. To make matters worse, your baby gets frustrated because they won’t get a good milk flow unless they latch correctly.

What are some common breastfeeding concerns?

The breastfeeding concerns Rachel encounters most frequently include:

• Engorgement (overfull breasts)
• Low milk supply
• Mastitis (breast infection)
• Clogged ducts
• Painful nipples
• Yeast infection

Some moms may decide to pump to store milk. There can be various methods and devices to assist with this process. Rachel has found many moms do not fully understand the "when and how" with pumping which can lead to engorgement or even mastitis. Schedule to discuss your unique situation and we can help formulate a plan.

Returning to work can be stressful for moms. Ensuring your babe can feed from a bottle, having enough milk stored, and creating a pumping plan can be overwhelming. Book an appointment to create your "back to work" plan so that you can continue providing for your baby.

Should I persist with breastfeeding if I have concerns?

Many new moms have problems when they start breastfeeding, but most often, these issues can be overcome. Breastmilk offers significant benefits for your baby, including enhanced immune system function, digestibility, and nutritional value, and it also provides substantial benefits to you, too. These include:

• Quicker recovery after childbirth
• Reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer
• Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
• Convenient for you and your baby

Breast milk is free, whereas formula can be expensive, and you don’t have the hassle of sterilizing bottles and heating milk every feed time.

In addition to the practical benefits, when you breastfeed, your body releases the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. They’re relaxing and make you feel full of love, helping you bond with your baby.

The decision to breastfeed is yours, so choose what’s right for you. If you want to continue breastfeeding despite your concerns, Rachel can offer plenty of advice and support to help you until breastfeeding becomes second nature.

Call VirtualMed Iowa or book a telehealth appointment online today to enjoy the extraordinary experience of nursing your baby.