Useful FAQ’s

Qualifying as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant holds enormous weight and prestige both locally and internationally.  It is recognized as the premium qualification in lactation.  The IBCLCE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners) headquarters are based in Virginia, Washington DC for the USA and South Africa falls under the regional office of Australia. Experience has shown that IBCLC’s contribute to improved breastfeeding practices and success rates in both hospitals and private one-on-one consultations.  In the interest of the lactation consulting profession and the public it serves, all IBCLC’s are governed by the IBCLCE (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners) Code of Ethics and scope of practice.  As with most Health Professionals, re-certification is essential to remain licenced and current.

No, so breastmilk is unique and bespoke to every mother and baby environment. Whatever a lactating mother is exposed to in her surroundings, her Breastmilk will change and adapt to exactly what her baby needs. Breastmilk changes daily and it’s potential is unlimited.

Yes, this is normal and the body’s beautiful way of helping the mothers uterus to return to its pre-pregnant size. Having a baby suckle at the breast helps trigger the uterus to contract and promote healing in the mother post birth.

The answer is yes!! I like to advise these mothers to reach out to an experienced Lactation Consultant for a more specific Lactation Management Plan.

No, this is not a problem. We know that during pregnancy the breasts develop and grow to make milk and this process of lactogenesis continues until after baby is born. Again, I like to say seek support and expertise from an experienced Lactation Consultant.

It must be noted that when a newborn latches onto the breast for the first few latches, there is a slight initial pain for about a minute. This is because the nipple and aerola stretch two to three times their resting state to form a beautiful fit between the junction of the hard and soft palate of the newborn mouth. If the pain is sharp, stabbing and intense, please call me for an assessment of your latch ASAP. The importance of a deep latch is essential in stimulating the nerves to trigger the establishment of a great milk supply.

Please never forget that each mum and baby relationship is unique. This also applies to each mother’s breastmilk storage capacities. This means that some mother’s have more breast tissue and thus breastmilk in a breast and some mothers have less. So please follow your baby and certainly in the beginning practice breastfeeding on both breasts for between 10-20 minutes a side in the “center Venter to Burp” and then feeding on the second side. We need to build breastmilk volumes in the first 6 weeks of a newborns life. We also need to keep an eye on baby’s wet and dirty nappies. I can’t wait to show you my fun Poo chart!

Again we say Yes, but I would definitely emphasize meeting with me from 27 weeks antenatally to revise your feeding programme. These clients definitely need more specialist support.

Yes, they are and I recommend have some tea, get back to basics and do skin on skin with baby.

The bottom line is to try and drink to thirst and eat regularly between 2-3 hourly to maintain a mother’s blood sugar levels. It is essential that all new mothers try to rest and sleep as much as possible. Sleep allows the body to heal and relax and this all works together to create plentiful milk volumes. We do know that omega rich foods help to enhance the fat values in milk. I like to encourage my clients to continue on their daily vitamins and omega supplements for up to a year post delivery.  Breastfeeding and expressing is all about balance and my job is to assist each of my clients with their own bespoke eating plans.

These are foods and/ or medicines that can enhance milk volumes. Some lactating mothers who have pre-existing medical conditions can benefit from both natural or medically prescribed medication. However, if a mother latches within an hour of birth, eats and drinks water frequently, rests and has a deep latch from day 1, she will make adequate milk volumes.

I am not against formula but I think it must be noted that formula was initially created in a lab for emergency situations. It is made from cow’s milk and has been so well marketed to seem like an equivalent to breastmilk when in fact it is not. I believe the “Brilliance Of Breastmilk” and the experience of breastfeeding has been given a bad sell. This has been further compromised because the health providers whom new parents look to for support give such conflicting and suboptimal advice. I have observed that most medical schools, nursing colleges and institutions are too theoretical. I am working on changing this!

Hiccups are normal and the best way to overcome this is by putting baby back to the breast – 87.5% of breastmilk is H2O.