What Does a Lactation Consultant Do? A Complete Guide for New Parents.

With lactation and infant feeding specialist, Alicia Cerda

What Does a Lactation Consultant Actually Help With?

If you had asked me this a few years ago, I would have said: breastfeeding positions and latch. Even as a dietitian who had breastfeeding classes in school, that was my understanding. I thought a lactation consultant was someone you saw if your baby wouldn’t latch, or maybe to learn how to hold your baby at the breast. It wasn’t until I went through my own first breastfeeding journey, a difficult one, that I realized how much more support families actually need and how much more this field truly offers. Lactation support is not just about breastfeeding. It is about feeding, comfort, confidence, guidance, and helping families find what works for them.

When Should You See a Lactation Consultant?

You might benefit from working with a lactation consultant or IBCLC if:

• You are preparing for baby and want to feel confident about feeding

• Feeding feels painful or uncomfortable

• Your baby has difficulty latching or staying latched

• You are unsure if your baby is getting enough milk

• Feeds feel long, frequent, or exhausting

• Your baby seems fussy, gassy, or unsettled during or after feeds

• You are pumping and not sure about flange size, output, or schedule

• You are bottle feeding and want help with bottle selection or paced feeding techniques

• Your baby is refusing the breast or bottle

• You are supplementing and want to transition feeding

• You are thinking about weaning and want a gentle plan

  
  

One of the biggest misconceptions is that lactation consultants only help with breastfeeding. In reality, we support both breast and bottle feeding, and often a combination of both.

Types of Lactation Support Available

Depending on your stage, support can look different. This may include prenatal consultations, early postpartum support at home or in clinic, pumping guidance, bottle feeding support, and help with challenges such as feeding refusal (breast or bottle), low milk supply, or discomfort.

What Happens During a Lactation Consultation?

During a consultation, we start by understanding your history and your feeding goals. From there, we assess your baby’s oral function and reflexes, observe a feeding (breast or bottle), and support you with positioning, latch, or bottle techniques. If you are pumping, we also help with flange fitting and pump settings. Most importantly, you leave with a personalized plan that fits your baby, your body, and your life, with clear next steps.

You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

Feeding is something most parents think about all day. It can bring up questions, stress, and sometimes doubt. With the right support, feeding can feel more manageable, more comfortable, and more aligned with your goals.

Alicia Cerda, IBCLC