Breastfeeding is very often described as natural, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it comes naturally or easily from the beginning. Feeding is a skill that both you and your baby learn, and every breastfeeding journey is different.
Some parents find feeding settles into a comfortable rhythm relatively quickly. Others experience painful nipples, difficulties with attachment, concerns about milk supply, an unsettled baby or simply the feeling that something isn't quite right. This is where a lactation consultant can help. Professional lactation support can provide personalised guidance, help identify potential feeding difficulties and give you practical strategies based on your individual circumstances. Importantly, you don't need to wait until breastfeeding becomes overwhelming before asking for support. So, when should you see a lactation consultant? Here are 10 common signs that it may be worth seeking professional breastfeeding support. 1. Breastfeeding Is Painful Some nipple sensitivity can occur when you first begin breastfeeding, but ongoing or significant pain shouldn't simply be accepted as an unavoidable part of feeding. Pain may occur because your baby isn't attaching deeply or effectively to the breast. Other factors can also contribute, which is why an individual assessment can be valuable. Healthdirect notes that breastfeeding shouldn't be painful when your baby sucks and recommends speaking with a health professional if breastfeeding is continuously painful. A lactation consultant can observe a feed, assess positioning and attachment, and suggest adjustments that may make breastfeeding more comfortable. Getting support early can also help prevent nipple damage from becoming more severe. 2. Your Nipples Are Cracked, Bleeding or Damaged Sore or damaged nipples are another reason to seek breastfeeding support. Cracked nipples are commonly associated with attachment difficulties. Rather than simply trying to tolerate the discomfort, it is important to investigate why the damage is occurring. A lactation consultant can assess how your baby attaches and feeds and work with you on positioning techniques that may improve milk transfer while reducing pressure on the nipple. Addressing the underlying issue is particularly important because nipple damage can make every feed stressful and painful. Breastfeeding shouldn't have to become something you dread. 3. Your Baby Has Difficulty Attaching Effective attachment — often called a good "latch" — plays an important role in breastfeeding. Signs that your baby may be having difficulty attaching can include repeatedly coming on and off the breast, struggling to maintain attachment, appearing frustrated during feeds or causing significant nipple pain. Sometimes changing the feeding position can make a considerable difference. In other situations, there may be additional factors affecting how effectively your baby feeds. Watching a baby breastfeed gives a lactation consultant valuable information that cannot always be obtained from a description of the problem alone. They can assess positioning and attachment and suggest techniques tailored to you and your baby. 4. You're Worried About Your Milk Supply "Am I making enough milk?" is one of the most common concerns among breastfeeding parents. Frequent feeding doesn't automatically mean that your supply is low. Young babies commonly breastfeed very frequently, and cluster feeding — periods when a baby wants several feeds close together — can also be completely normal. Breasts becoming softer after the early weeks doesn't necessarily indicate falling milk production either. Rather than judging supply based on breast fullness or how frequently your baby asks to feed, health professionals consider factors such as your baby's growth, feeding effectiveness, nappies and general wellbeing. The Australian Breastfeeding Association advises that by around five days old, an exclusively breastfed baby would generally be expected to have at least five heavily wet disposable nappies or six very wet cloth nappies during a 24-hour period. If you're concerned about your milk production, a lactation consultant can help assess the whole picture rather than focusing on a single sign. 5. Your Baby Isn't Gaining Weight as Expected Growth is another important indicator of how feeding is progressing. It is normal for newborn babies to lose some weight following birth before beginning to gain again. However, concerns about ongoing weight gain should be discussed with an appropriate health professional. If your baby's weight isn't progressing as expected, breastfeeding assessment may form part of investigating what is happening. A lactation consultant can look at factors including feeding frequency, attachment and how effectively your baby appears to transfer milk. They may also work alongside your GP, paediatrician, midwife or child and family health nurse when additional medical assessment is required. The goal isn't simply to "feed more". It's to understand what may be happening and establish an appropriate feeding plan for you and your baby. 6. Your Baby Is Very Sleepy During Feeds Newborns sleep a lot, and some babies naturally become sleepy while feeding. However, a baby who repeatedly falls asleep before feeding effectively or is difficult to wake for feeds may need additional assessment. There are many reasons babies can be sleepy. The Australian Breastfeeding Association notes that medical factors such as jaundice or infection can sometimes contribute to excessive sleepiness, which is why concerning changes in a baby's behaviour should be discussed with a doctor or other appropriate health professional. A lactation consultant can help assess the breastfeeding component and suggest practical techniques for encouraging effective feeding. If there is concern about your baby's health, however, medical assessment should not be delayed. 7. Your Baby Seems Constantly Unsettled After Feeding Babies cry and become unsettled for many reasons, and an unsettled baby doesn't automatically mean there is a breastfeeding problem. Your baby might be tired, overstimulated, uncomfortable or simply looking for closeness. Frequent feeding can also be normal. Cluster feeding is particularly common during the early stages of breastfeeding and periods of rapid growth. However, if your baby consistently appears distressed during or after feeds, repeatedly struggles at the breast or you are worried they aren't feeding effectively, seeking support can provide reassurance and help identify possible feeding issues. A lactation consultant can look at the overall feeding pattern rather than focusing only on how frequently your baby feeds. Sometimes reassurance that your baby's behaviour falls within a normal range is just as valuable as identifying a problem. 8. You're Experiencing Engorgement, Blocked Areas or Breast Inflammation Breasts can become very full when milk production increases during the first few days after birth. Some parents also experience ongoing problems with breast inflammation or mastitis. Mastitis can cause breast pain, redness and swelling as well as flu-like symptoms and feeling generally unwell. This is an area where knowing when to seek medical attention is particularly important. Healthdirect recommends seeing a doctor if you think you have mastitis and the breast isn't beginning to improve within 12–24 hours, or earlier if you feel unwell. Untreated mastitis can sometimes lead to complications such as a breast abscess. A lactation consultant may provide breastfeeding support alongside appropriate medical care, including assessing attachment and feeding patterns. However, lactation support isn't a substitute for medical treatment when you are unwell or infection is suspected. 9. You're Introducing Bottles, Expressing or Returning to Work Lactation consultants aren't only there when something has gone wrong. They can also help during breastfeeding transitions. You may want guidance when:
Planning before the transition can make the process feel much more manageable. 10. You Simply Feel That Something Isn't Right You don't need to have a clearly defined breastfeeding "problem" before contacting a lactation consultant. Sometimes parents simply have questions. You might wonder whether your baby is feeding too frequently, whether your attachment looks right, whether your supply is adequate or whether certain behaviours are normal. You might also be breastfeeding successfully but finding the experience exhausting or confusing. Seeking professional support isn't an indication that you have failed at breastfeeding. Often, a consultation is about understanding what is happening, discussing your concerns and developing strategies that work for your individual family. What Does a Lactation Consultant Do? A lactation consultant provides specialised breastfeeding and lactation support. Depending on your circumstances, a consultation may involve discussing your baby's feeding history, observing a breastfeed, assessing positioning and attachment, talking about feeding patterns and discussing milk supply concerns. The Australian Breastfeeding Association explains that International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) hold a specialist lactation qualification and may work in hospitals, child health services or private practice. Importantly, breastfeeding support should be individualised. There isn't one feeding position, routine or strategy that works perfectly for every parent and baby. Professional support allows recommendations to be based on what's actually happening for you. When Should You Seek Medical Help? A lactation consultant can be an important part of your breastfeeding support network, but some situations also require medical assessment. Seek advice from an appropriate medical professional if you are concerned about your baby's health, hydration, alertness or growth, or if your baby appears unusually unwell. Likewise, seek medical advice if you are experiencing symptoms of mastitis, fever, significant breast redness or swelling, or you are otherwise feeling unwell. Your GP, midwife, paediatrician, child and family health nurse and lactation consultant can all play different but complementary roles in supporting you and your baby. You Don't Have to Wait Until Breastfeeding Feels Impossible One of the most useful times to see a lactation consultant is often before a small feeding concern develops into a much bigger one. Breastfeeding is something you and your baby learn together. Challenges don't mean you're doing anything wrong, and needing additional information or hands-on support is common. Whether you're experiencing painful feeding, attachment difficulties, concerns about milk supply or simply want reassurance that breastfeeding is progressing well, professional lactation support can help you better understand what's happening and determine your next steps. At Mamma's Milk, support is centred around the individual needs of parents and babies. If breastfeeding isn't going as you expected — or you'd simply like some guidance and reassurance — reaching out for lactation support can help you move forward with greater confidence.
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 Nipple Thrush As a lactation consultant one of the more tricky questions to answer is “do I have thrush?” “Why?” you may well ask. Normally thrush presents as a white, furry coating that bleeds when rubbed. You’d think it would be easy to see - in fact it sounds hard to miss! However position it with nipples and the story changes. Breastmilk contains many properties that fight bacterial, fungal and other pathogens. “Lactoferrin present in human milk can inhibit growth of Candida albicans, thereby limiting the ability to detect yeast infections.” This can mean that the thick white coating isn’t visible and the other symptoms could also be because of something else. Thrush is a fungal infection. Our bodies house thrush, or candida albicans, to give it it’s proper name, on our skin, in our mouths, digestive systems and vaginas. Like most things, the problems arise when we get too much of a good thing. When certain conditions present these fungi can multiply and cause us problems. An overgrowth of thrush can occur when there is already damage to the skin of the nipple itself, if the mother or baby have had a recent course of antibiotics or the mother is on oral contraception or steroids. Babies that use dummies and bottles also show an increased likelihood of thrush. Both mother and baby can have thrush and even if only one is presenting with symptoms it is recommended that both are treated. In the mother thrush may present with
Your baby may have one or more of the following symptoms:
Seeing your IBCLC can help rule out some of the other things that could be the cause of pain and poor feeding . Such things could be latching and positioning issues, vasospasm, or tongue mobility issues for the baby. It is always best to work through a feed in its entirety with your lactation consultant. Seeing your GP to rule out eczema, psoriasis, or other skin issues and the possibility of a subacute mastitis is also advisable. Diabetes or anaemia could be contributing to the problem and your doctor will advise if this is so. If thrush is the culprit what next?? Both mum and bub need to have treatment. Thrush loves a wet and moist environment, so consider areas such as under the arms, under the breast or any of the creases in your babies neck, arms, between fingers and toes, and the groin etc as potential sites for an overgrowth of yeast. Medical treatment is always best discussed with your doctor. They may use a combination of oral medication for your baby such as daktarin gel or nilstat drops. It may be advised that mother use a topical anti-fungal ointment or cream on her nipple and areola. Preparations such as miconazole and clotrimazole also inhibit some bacterial growth as well. Sometimes an oral tablet may be prescribed. Continuing the medical treatment for 10-14 days past the last signs of thrush is recommended. However the indiscriminate use of treatments is contributing to a build up of resistance to effective and current medical treatment, hence the need for an informed diagnosis. Other helpful things to try include:
Pain can impact on the mother's enjoyment of the feed. Ideally make sure that the baby has optimal positioning at the breast and a deep latch. Taking over the counter pain medication as directed may help with pain. Using ice pre-feeds to help numb the sore nipples may also help. Decreasing the likelihood of getting thrush is possible. Aiming for a nutritious diet, adequate rest, avoiding if possible, dummies and bottles, working towards a comfortable and deep latch when baby is feeding can all help, Get help early.  How to handle the summer heatToday in my neck of the woods, records might be broken. The heatwave prediction is for the temperature to rise above 4o degrees! It is important to stay hydrated and whilst for us that might mean frequent drinks of cold water, many mums wonder about how to ensure their babies are well hydrated. Thankfully our breastmilk is still the perfect balance of water and nutrients for our children. For babies under 6 months, exclusive breastfeeding is still the recommended way to ensure babies receive what they need. If your baby is older, then in addition to more breastfeeds water can be offered from a cup.
You may notice that your baby asks to feed more frequently but for a shorter duration when the weather is hot. Breastmilk is always changing to suit the baby's needs. When your baby begins their feed the milk available is less fat rich and is more watery which quenches your baby's thirst. As the feed progresses the fat content naturally increases. If your baby is having quick frequent feeds, they are more likely to be getting the lower fat milk, thus quenching their thirst. A reassuring indication of a well hydrated baby can be summed up by saying, "what goes in, must come out."
When the mercury soars the idea of snuggling up on the sofa with our little ones may feel less than appealing. Here are some tips to help beat the heat:
"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability" - Sam Keen  Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth Margaret Attwood Our babies crave touch. It’s not a want. It is a need. Without touch, babies don’t thrive. Babies that don’t receive enough loving touch are at a higher risk for behavioural, emotional and social problems as they grow up. Yet how often do we hear, “Put the baby down”, “You’ll spoil the baby”, “You’re making a rod for your own back”. All too often we are bombarded with baby paraphernalia that encourages us to put our babies elsewhere: car-seat, pram, swing, bassinet, or the cot, and yet from a baby’s perspective being separated from its mother is life-threatening. Babies need to be touched. Despite knowing this throughout time, the Victorian era saw families move away from this. The invention of the pram, the idea that children should be seen and not heard and the outsourcing of baby feeding through the growth of the formula industry have had a lasting impact that continues even today. It took some rather distressing studies by Harlow in the 1930s for the tide to slowly begin to change. By all means follow the link to read about the studies, but I shall summarise the results here by saying that Harlow found there was far more to the mother-infant bond than an exchange of milk. He found that it was the physical contact that was needed for the optimal psychological development of baby monkeys. Harlow concluded that “nursing strengthened the mother–child bond because of the intimate body contact that it provided” and the hormonal cascade it initiated. “Touch was more important than food to motherless monkeys!” Researchers Drs Mason and Berkson in their monkey studies, demonstrated that touch and movement were both required for normal brain and social development. They demonstrated that only the monkeys who were raised with both touch and motion had normal brain development, demonstrating the importance of maternal holding and carrying throughout infancy for ongoing brain development. A 2017 study also looked at the effects of a ‘nurturing touch’ on a baby’s development. The type of touch that this encompasses may include massage, stroking, holding, carrying and skin-to-skin contact. Breastfeeding fulfils many of these roles. Dr Maitre showed that an ‘intentional supportive touch’ is “absolutely crucial to babies’ developing brains.” Ideally, positive, nurturing touch begins after birth when a baby is placed skin against skin with the mother. This becomes the catalyst for a hormonal dance that mammals have perfected over millennia. Hormones known to influence attachment behaviours are increased by skin-to-skin contact. Babies in contact with their mothers are assisted in regulating their heart and with the mother’s body warming in response to a baby that is cool and falling as the baby’s temperature rises. This in turn helps a baby maintain its blood sugar level as the mother’s body continues to assist the baby with these functions meaning that calories can be used for growth instead. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends skin-to-skin contact should continue for at least the first three months and even beyond. They suggest snuggling for around 60 mins at a time. So cuddle, love and hold your babies. Maybe at times it will feel that they will never be happy anywhere else. Don’t despair, as Dr Maitre says, “Gentle touch, especially skin on skin, is just one of the most important things parents can do for their babies.” “A touch communicates what can't be said.” Marty Rubin  The birth of a baby is a joyous event. Everyone wants to hold the baby. Family and friends arrive with gifts, love and that double-edged sword known as "advice". Babies are allowed to be babies. We acknowledge that they are learning new skills and that to meet their potential, an environment infused with love and acceptance is key. We don't judge them for not knowing how to breastfeed perfectly in the days after birth. We don't gossip about their need for nappies and inability to dress themselves. We gently step in, aiming to anticipate their needs based on our growing understanding of their every squirm and squeak.
Well every baby's birthday is also the birth of a new mother. As our babies are born, we too a born into our new role, our new purpose our very new raison d'etre. The psychiatrist and author, Daniel Stern explains it by saying "Giving birth to a new identity can be as demanding as giving birth to a baby." However all too often women feel underprepared. The structure of our society means that for most women the peccadillos of a new baby are unknown. This can leave women feeling unsure of themselves, lost amongst the clamour of cooing baby-focused relatives. All too often once the novelty of the birth has worn off, and partners are back at work and family and friends have resumed their own busy lives, who is left to mother the mother? Where is her environment of love and acceptance, her cocoon of safety and support while she practises her skills and builds her confidence? What can we do to help mother the mother? Two researchers, Luthar and Ciciolla say unconditional acceptance by friends, feeling comforted when needed, friendship satisfaction and authenticity in relationships play essential roles in keeping mum happy, and thus grounded in her tasks with child rearing and development. Not surprisingly women need to feel seen and loved for themselves not for the tasks they do or the job title they hold, even if that title for now is predominantly, MOTHER. It isn't surprising to read that according to their research, Luthar and Ciciolla found that, "just as unconditional acceptance is critical for children, so it is critical for mothers who must provide it. Mothers, like children, benefit greatly when they know they have reliable sources of comfort when in distress." In other words, New-born mothers need exactly what their newborn babies need, love, acceptance and a safe and non-judgemental space to be imperfect. So in addition to meals, company, help with chores and older children, excitement and a dozen new baby outfits, mothers need warm and loving arms to hold them whilst they grow into their new role as mothers.  We often hear that breastfeeding is "natural". And perhaps in days gone by women did find adjusting to feeding a new baby easier. So why does it seem so hard for us? "Why is it so hard for me? "
Well the world we live in has changed. No longer are we living in close communities where we are participating in the raising of children from a young age. We don't see other women feeding their babies. These days there is a whole movement intent on having mothers stay hidden in case a breast or nipple is seen out in public with a hungry baby trying to feed. But that is a discussion for another day. The learning that once took place throughout our lives is suddenly thrown at us once the baby is placed on our chests after birth. The pressure to have breastfeeding sorted before discharge anywhere from 4 hours to maybe 4 days post delivery is daunting to say the least. Learning about breastfeeding before your baby is born, without the stress of a crying infant and a sleep deprived brain can set you up for a better and more enjoyable breastfeeding experience. Information
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