Support Group or IBCLC: What's the Difference?

When a mom is looking for breastfeeding assistance, it can often be difficult to know where to get this help and from whom.  There are so many options…. Facebook, breastfeeding support groups, lactation consultants… where to go can be confusing, especially if she feels like she needs to get help immediately!

So, what is the difference between the breastfeeding help you will get at a support group and at a private lactation consultant visit?

What you can expect at a breastfeeding support group:

Let me preface this by saying that not all groups are the same and it really depends on the level of expertise of the person running the group and how busy the group is.  There are different levels of experience and training in the field of lactation, depending on how many hours a person has spent in class and in an internship.  The level of expertise are demonstrated by the letters that follow the person’s name (IBCLC, CLC, CLE, etc), which is all explained in this fantastic article, What’s the Difference Between LC, IBCLC, CLE, etc?

At a breastfeeding support group, you will find a leader who is there to offer general breastfeeding assistance and support.  This leader can assist with positioning and latch (although often times this leader will not be able to actually touch you or the baby), basic information about normal breastfeeding/pumping strategies, normal baby feeding patterns, normal baby weight gain, breast and nipple care, and ways to maintain and protect your milk supply.  Often times there is a scale where you can weigh your baby before and after a feeding to see how much your baby is taking in (which is AWESOME!)  Attendance at the support group can range from a few moms to over 20, depending on how big the space is and how well attended the group is.  Support groups are often free, depending on where you live.  Support groups are fantastic for getting basic breastfeeding support, getting help while you wait for an appointment with an IBCLC, meeting other breastfeeding moms in your community, and practicing breastfeeding outside of your home.  

What you will not receive at most breastfeeding support groups is a personalized plan of care for difficult breastfeeding situations.  To create a personalized plan of care, a mother and baby’s medical history need to be discussed, as well as mom and baby both need to be assessed, which requires a consent form.  Therefore, most advice given at a breastfeeding support group is general, not specific for mom and baby’s personal situation.  

What you can expect at a private lactation consultant visit:

If you are meeting with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), you are now moving from general advice to a personalized assessment and plan of care.  The IBCLC should conduct a suck assessment on your baby, collect medical histories of both you and your baby, assess a feeding session, and offer guidance on how to improve your personal breastfeeding experience.  

Reasons you would want to see an IBCLC rather than just attend a support group:

• Cracked, bleeding nipples

• Painful latching that isn’t improved with positional changes

• Baby not gaining weight well

• Mom’s milk has not come in by day 3-5

• You suspect your baby has a tongue tie and/or lip tie

• Baby has signs of colic or reflux

• Mom has a low milk supply/supplementing baby

• Mom has an oversupply

• Premature baby

• Challenges with breastfeeding multiples

Each of these situations requires that someone provides a medical assessment and advice beyond what’s normal or typical with breastfeeding, therefore, it goes beyond what a mom can seek help for at a support group.  These private visits can take place in mom’s home, in the IBCLC’s office, at an outpatient clinic, at a medical practitioner’s office, or similar places.  Most of the time these visits have a fee associated and sometimes insurance will pay for these visits.

Where you can find an IBCLC in your area:

• Ask your friends

• Ask your baby’s pediatrician

• Search for a local breastfeeding coalition

• Call the breastfeeding warm line at the hospital or ask your midwife/OBGYN

• Ask your WIC Peer Counselor

• Search for an IBCLC in your area on the ILCA website

• Google “IBCLC” and the name of your town or city

• Ask for a recommendation on Facebook

• Attend a support group led by an IBCLC

Where have you found breastfeeding support in your neighborhood?  

Was it easy to find this support?

Why Women Should Attend a Breastfeeding Support Group WHILE Pregnant

There are few things that I really focus on when a pregnant mama asks what she should know about breastfeeding before her baby is born.  One, it is incredibly beneficial to take a prenatal breastfeeding class to learn about positioning, latching, following baby’s feeding cues, and how to tell if your baby is getting enough.  Most importantly, though, when it is all whittled down to the core, in my mind what helps a mom reach her breastfeeding goal has all to do with support!  When mamas share with me why they stopped breastfeeding, the most prominent theme is lack of support and assistance when breastfeeding challenges became complicated. 

So here’s the deal - breastfeeding is something you learn on the job.  In really supportive jobs, we usually have professional development at the start, as well as throughout our employment to keep us up to date and provide needed support.  Parenting is definitely a full time job, yet we often have to seek out our own unpaid professional development, to have our questions answered and continue the learning process.  This ‘professional development’ can often be challenging to find, as well as not all support is equally beneficial.

This leads into why I think it is a fabulous idea for women to attend a breastfeeding support group while they are still pregnant.  Still pregnant, you may ask… why not wait until after the baby is born?  Great question, my friend, and here are the reasons why.

Why women should attend a breastfeeding support group WHILE pregnant:

1. Make it a familiar place.  There is nothing scarier than going to an unfamiliar place with a brand new baby.  I didn’t get on the freeway for 4 weeks after Ben was born and I definitely didn’t want to go someplace I had never been before.  What if the people were weird?  What if Ben started screaming and I couldn’t calm him down?  What if I couldn’t find parking?  That’s the perk of finding a breastfeeding support group while pregnant…..no baby in tow.  Now, you can find where to park your car or stroller, at your own pace.  You can check out the setting and the flow of the group without feeling like you have to stay the entire time.  You can try out the seating situation and make note of where everyone puts their enormous diaper bags.  You just turned an unfamiliar place into one where you will hopefully feel comfortable returning to once your little one is born.  Doesn’t that sound less stressful?

2. Meet the facilitator.  At work, every professional development facilitator has her/his own style and tone.  It is the same way with support group leaders.  You get to be choosy while pregnant.  Maybe the first group seemed too crowded or the facilitator didn’t jive with you.  Go check out another one!  No need to settle.  Find one that appeals to you and makes you want to return as soon as you have your baby.

3. Witness a live baby latch onto a real breast.  This many sound funny, but how many of you have really ever seen a live baby wiggle and shift and slide down a mother’s torso to latch onto her breast?  Maybe in a breastfeeding class video, but that’s not LIVE.  Be a lurker…you’re pregnant…no one will mind J  When I interviewed Ina May Gaskin for The Boob Group in 2012, this was one of her main recommendations.  Surround yourself with breastfeeding mothers.  Watch them and learn from them.  It’s amazing how much you will learn from just observing a few different mothers at a group.  Quickly you will realize that there are MANY ways to position and latch a baby….there really doesn’t need to be so many rules about it.

4. Chat with some new mothers who are going through exactly what you will be going through in a few weeks.  New moms love to talk about their experiences.  It’s like starting a new job that you are totally obsessed with and want to share as much as you can IMMEDIATELY!  Participate in their conversations.  Learn from their experiences.  Ask a bunch of questions.  They have gained so much knowledge in their few weeks/months as mothers…. Soak it up!

5. Learn where to find support and assistance if you need it or where all the cool breastfeeding moms hang out.  You never know if you will need some extra breastfeeding assistance, so preparation is the key.  Not all situations can be resolved at a support group (which is why I also highly recommend finding a lactation consultant before you have your baby, as well…just in case), but it is often a great place to start!  One thing I’d also like to point out - not all of the mothers who attend a breastfeeding support group are having breastfeeding challenges, which is awesome!  Many just come for the conversation and to have a place where they know their kiddos can be fed easily.  Sit next to one of them and feel the breastfeeding love!  They might even ask you to join them for lunch after the meeting! 

Help a Mama Out: Surviving the First Few Weeks of Breastfeeding

What tips do you have for surviving the first few weeks of breastfeeding?

Maren: Lots of skin to skin to get those endorphins going so you can take advantage of all that delicious oxytocin (which will make you want to keep breastfeeding, even with things might be tough!)  Take advantage of all of the support you can – it will help normalize the experience so that you feel totally confident in your decision to breastfeed.  And know ahead of time that there is definitely a learning curve, but it only gets better and better, so hang in there!

Amanda: Make sure to talk to your partner about how you need him/her to support breastfeeding and encourage you, even when you get discouraged and feel like giving up!

Jamie: Get the latch correct right away!  Take advantage of the lactation consultants at the hospital and ask for a referral even if you don’t think you will need one.

Andrea: Trust your body!  Skin to skin, lots of water, and lots of rest.

Heather: Surround yourself with at least one supportive person.  I would never have made it through those weeks without the support of my husband.

Alicia: Hire a postpartum doula.

Juli: Surround yourself with women (and men!) who support breastfeeding.  It gets easier – it is definitely worth pushing through the tough parts in the beginning!

Billie: Make really good friends with the lactation consultant and local breastfeeding support group before delivery.  They will be able to offer so much support in those first few weeks.  Trust your supply.  Make sure you are comfortable!

Monica: I went to classes and read books, which helped, but nothing prepares you for the real thing.  Get help early, if you need it.  Hiring a lactation consultant was the best thing I did.  Keep telling yourself you will try it for one more day and one day it will become second nature.  Coconut oil worked wonders on sore nipples.

Christine: OMG… best advice I got was to rub breastmilk around your nipples after every nursing session!  My cracked tatas healed within 2 days of doing that!

Chelle: If it hurts and you are dreading the next nursing session, don’t just tough it out!  Get help ASAP before it gets worse or turns into an issue that makes you quit! Take a prenatal class.  Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean you will naturally know what to do.

Sarah: Don’t expect anything else from yourself.  Set up what you can ahead of time and find someone else to do everything else that needs to be done.  Establishing your breastfeeding relationship is your job.

Jen: Get a Netflix subscription and ignore the dirty dishes!

Danielle: Don’t do anything but rest, breastfeed, nap, and eat.  Nothing else matters right now.

Abbey: Celebrate every success, no matter how small it seems!

Desiree: Find support!  And be patient…it’s not always easy, but it’s most certainly worth it! 

Sofia: Learn the basics!  Before birth is possible!  Proper latch, how milk supply works, most common myths about breastfeeding, how to know if your baby is getting enough, why it is REALLY important to feed on cue rather than a schedule, why baby doesn’t need ANYTHING else but your breastmilk, etc.

Amanda: Don’t give up! Get help and support!  Spend as much time as you can with your baby (in bed if you can.)

Priscilla: Relax.  Don’t listen to anyone that’s not helpful. Determine your own needs for comfort.

Joanna: Expect to care for your baby and get others to help with meals and housework.

Thanks to everyone who responded to our questions on our San Diego Breastfeeding Center and The Boob Group Facebook pages.  Check back every Tuesday for a new Help a Mama Out tip!

To find an international board certified lactation consultant, visit www.ilca.org

Here are a few more articles on our website, specifically dealing with breastfeeding a newborn:

Advice for a Newly Breastfeeding Mama’s Partner

Breastfeeding Expectations for the First Month

Newborn Hands: Why are they always in the way while breastfeeding?

Advice for the New Breastfeeding Mom

What Advice Do You Wish You Had Heard Before You Started Breastfeeding?

This is a question I hear quite often, so I thought I would share my favorite tips, as well as share the amazing comments we received from our Facebook page when we asked our fellow breastfeeding mamas!

My Top 5 Pieces of Advice Every Woman Should Have Before She Breastfeeds:

1. Find a lactation consultant in your area before you have your baby. 

No one should have to google this information at 3:30 in the morning when you feel like your nipples are going to fall off.  Instead, spend a few minutes on the computer, in between your stroller and diaper research, to find an international board certified lactation consultant who seems like a really great person. Check out her Yelp reviews and ask your friends who they would recommend. 

2. Take a quality breastfeeding class so that you know what the ‘norm’ should look like. 

 This will help you to discern when you may need extra support from a lactation consultant or support group.  As new parents, we have no idea how often our baby should be peeing/pooping during those first few weeks and what a comfortable latch feels like.  A prenatal breastfeeding class should give you the basics and a nice foundation for what breastfeeding should look like for you.  It should get you EXCITED about breastfeeding, not fuel your fears.

3. Find a breastfeeding support group in your neighborhood and check it out before having your baby. 

 Find out where to park and what the flow is of the group.  Do these women look like ones you want to hang out with?  Does the support group leader seem friendly and non-judgmental?  In those first few weeks after having my son, I remember feeling quite anxious about bringing him to an unfamiliar place.  I wish I had stopped by my local breastfeeding support group, while pregnant, so that I would have been less timid to stop by when we were having breastfeeding challenges. 

4. Plan to spend time figuring out your breastfeeding rhythm with your little one.   

 Which position is most comfortable for the two of you? How long does it take your baby to have a good feeding session?  How often does your baby like to feed?  Every mother/baby pair is unique and it is important for you to figure out what works for the two of you.  Plus, there is a reason that babies breastfeed for about 45 minutes per feeding session in those first few weeks…. It is nature’s way of helping mom slow down, relax, and enjoy her baby.  When else have you had the opportunity to slow down your pace of life and be completely present?  It’s a gift!

5. Know that while breastfeeding is natural and normal, there can be some hiccups along the way, as with anything having to do with raising a child. 

Surround yourself with supportive people who can cheerlead you through the difficult times and celebrate your successes.  A challenge does not equal a failure.  It just means that we need some support to meet our goal.

Here are the tips that were shared on our Facebook page:

Gina: Drink things other than water, like coconut water

Krystyn: It will get easier

Brittany: I knew hardly anything about breastfeeding before I gave birth.  My mom and my husband’s mom didn’t breastfeed.  I just wish I would’ve had someone with any kind of experience to help me.  I had flat nipples and a lip-tied baby.  I needed the support!

Erin: I was in shock that I was so tender at first.  That would have been great to know… then I wouldn’t have assumed that I was doing something wrong and freaked out.

Kelli: It’s natural, but isn’t always easy for everyone.  It gets better with time, patience and support!

Rena: Best advice I ever got: The two of you have to learn one another.  It’s a learning process for both of you, so go easy on yourself.

Kim: Don’t watch the clock…watch the baby and go by his/her cues.

Lynz: I wish I had known how hard it was going to be (tongue-tied, nursing strikes, overactive letdown, reflux, etc.), but with perseverance and a lot of support (from Robin and The Boob Group) it DOES get easier!

Janine: Hang in there!  After about 2 weeks, it gets SO MUCH BETTER!

Ashley: Ask for help when you need it.  No use trying to figure this out all on your own.

Liesal: Trust your body and your baby.  I was so worried that I was doing something wrong and that he wasn’t getting enough.  Babies know when they are hungry and will tell you about it until they get enough.  The best advice I got was that it gets so much easier once he can help you.  Each monthe does get easier and easier.

Shawni: Any amount of breastmilk you can give your baby is a good thing, so don’t feel guilty if you have to supplement.  Also, their bellies are the size of their fists.

Jeannine: Go with the flow!  If your milk doesn’t come in fast, don’t worry about it.  The baby is fine with colostrum (for the first few days.) 

Kelly: Not to worry about how long I feed and watch the baby to show he/she is full.  Also, that I could have encouraged my milk to not ‘dry up’ by diet and other things.

Mary: I wish I had read this to know about the first few days of breastfeeding:http://theleakyboob.com/2011/08/baby-explains-normal-newborn-behavior/

Alye: It’s may be hard for the first few months, but it’s all worth it.

Hillary: Have the number of a lactation consultant before the baby is born.

Ashley: Don’t let all of the advice and directions confuse you.  Do what works best for the both of you, as long as it’s safe and effective.

Erin: It’s gets easier!

Laura: Not all advice is GOOD advice – do a little research before the baby is born so that you know what’s true and what is not!

Veronica: Take a class! 

Katie: Don’t let your boobs get hard! Pump and feed often!  The Nursing Mothers Companion book helped me tremendously as well.

Super Cool Kids: I wish I would have started a stash right away.

Natalie: Breastfeeding should never hurt!

Allison: Listen to your baby and your intuition.

Stephanie: Research a correct latch.  Feed as often as possible in the beginning.

Joann: Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt!

Kristine: Not every breastfeeding relationship looks the same.  You and your baby have to get to know one another and figure out what works best for you.  It’s not a textbook kind of thing.

Renee: Don’t let the nurses in the hospital discourage you.  Ask for a lactation consultant if you need help.

Suzanne: If you are not sure how much your baby is getting, you can rent a scale or stop by a support group.  If you are having a problem with let down, find a quiet place with no interruptions and relax!

Vanessa: I wish someone had told me that the amount that breastfed babies take doesn’t really increase the way that it does with formula fed babies.  I worries for a while that my son wasn’t getting enough.

Teresa: Have a lot of one-handed food on hand in the beginning because you will only have the use of one hand for a while. 

Monica: Use a wrap (like Moby) anytime/anywhere.  I didn’t know how easy breastfeeding could be with her strapped to my body.

Mei: My husband helped to make sure that I had water, snacks, and my phone nearby. 

Catalina: Persevere!

Here are a few more articles on our website, specifically dealing with breastfeeding a newborn:

Why is my newborn so sleepy?

Newborn hands: why are they always in the way while breastfeeding? 

The Boob Group podcast's monthly series: Breastfeeding Expectations

How to Prepare for Breastfeeding Before Your Baby is Born

Dear SDBFC,

What should a first-time expectant mother who wants to breastfeed expect at the (big, traditional) hospital in the way of breastfeeding support? It would be nice to know what we're allowed to expect/ ask for. Should the hospital lactation consultants be sufficient or should we plan on working with an independent LC right away? Is there anything we can do before birth to help ensure smoother breastfeeding?

Sincerely,

Jenny

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Dear Jenny,

That is an excellent question, and to be honest very difficult to answer.  The type of breastfeeding support you will find at a hospital will vary greatly depending on which part of the United States you live in, whether the hospital is Baby-Friendly, its yearly breastfeeding rates, if they have certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) on staff, and if their postpartum nurses have had recent breastfeeding training.  One hopes that the hospital lactation consultants will be fabulous, but that may not always be the case.  Also, a new mom typically won’t even see a lactation consultant in the hospital unless she is high-risk for breastfeeding challenges or she asks for one directly.

Since much of this may feel like it is not under your control, there are many steps YOU CAN make to ensure that breastfeeding gets off to a great start, regardless of the breastfeeding savviness of your hospital.

Here are my top 10 tips to prepare for breastfeeding before your baby is born:

1. Have a long chat with your partner.  Take turns discussing each person’s goals for breastfeeding and what type of support you may need from one another as a new parent.  Our article Partner Support: Can it make or break your breastfeeding experience shares different ways a partner can support a breastfeeding mom.

2. Take a fantastic breastfeeding class!  Don’t settle for the status quo.  Search for a class that not only covers the basics (latching, common concerns, how to know that your baby is getting enough), but also discusses local resources and is taught by a dynamic teacher with a background in lactation.  My favorite comment I saw on an evaluation of a breastfeeding class was, “the teacher even made my husband wish he could breastfeed!”  Now that’s a great class to attend!

3. Do some research about which hospital/newborn procedures are necessary during and after a birth.  Some hospital procedures are protocol, yet are not medically necessary for every baby, and can often negatively impact breastfeeding. 

4. Read an informative and fun breastfeeding book, such as Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage. (Written by our very own, Robin Kaplan!)

5. Attend a breastfeeding support group, prenatally!  First, you can see the lay of the land (where to park your car, where the group is located, and if the women seem like the type of ladies you would want to hang out with.)  Secondly, you can see women breastfeeding in their ‘natural habitat’….meaning, baby on boob, minus the cover, without feeling the need to cover up.  Thirdly, you can sit next to a woman who has a newborn and ask her all of those questions about being a new mom that you have been dying to ask someone.  Last, but not least, you will feel an abundance of support for your desire to breastfeed and know that this is a safe and fun place to return to after your baby is born.

6. Come up with a ‘Visitor Policy’.  Those first few days after your baby is born are critical in establishing your milk supply and helping your baby become a successful breastfeeder.   When the entire family and neighborhood are camping out in your hospital room, it might be difficult to feel entirely comfortable taking your top off and letting your baby find his/her way to your breast.  This is YOUR time to figure out breastfeeding, not to practice breastfeeding in front of an audience.  So, decide on a policy with your partner and stick to it.  Remember, your friends should understand that this is your time to get to know your baby and that they can all come and see you once you get home.

7. Choose a breastfeeding-friendly pediatrician.  The is most likely a physician you will see more in these next few year than any other you have ever seen before.  Make sure that the pediatrician is supportive and knowledgeable about breastfeeding.   Ask to interview him/her BEFORE your baby is born so that you can make an informed decision.

8. Create a hospital-plan that will optimize your breastfeeding success.  Items to include are: rooming in, no pacifier or bottles, no formula unless medically necessary, limiting visitors, delaying your baby’s bath, and keeping your baby skin to skin as much as possible.

9. Ask for assistance from a certified lactation consultant, or a well-trained postpartum nurse, while at the hospital.  Have her check positioning and your baby’s latch.  You are paying for these services, so  take advantage of them!

10. Look for a local lactation consultant while you are still pregnant.  Spend time perusing the Internet to find a local IBCLC that seems like a good fit for you.  Attach her name and contact information to your fridge, so you can find it quickly if you need it.  This way you aren’t calling the first person you find, out of desperation, after the baby is born.

*** I know I said Top 10, but I couldn't forget to include this tip.... Hire a birth doula.  The easier your birth is and the fewer birth interventions you encounter can definitely get breastfeeding off to a great start.  Doulas can make this happen:)

Thanks for your question, Jenny!  Hope this helps!

Warmly,

SDBFC