Love a Lactation Consultant!
Our two lactation consultants at Babies in Bloom were feeling the love on yesterday when we celebrated International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Day – a special day to let them know just how treasured they are in the lives of so many local families.
We all hear a lot about how wonderful breastfeeding is. While it’s easy to talk about the pros, from unbeatable health benefits to bonding, the truth is, breastfeeding can be anything but easy. Even if it all goes to plan, it’s still intense, time consuming and plain old exhausting.
When it doesn’t go to plan, it can be complex, daunting, frustrating, stressful, even heart breaking. To many new moms it can be the defining marker of their success (or perceived failure) as a parent.
When breastfeeding issues arise, the right support, encouragement and guidance is EVERYTHING.
It takes a very special person to be a lactation consultant. They often walk in to a new mom’s life when mom is at their most vulnerable. They have to quickly earn that person’s trust in order to enter the most intimate of special relationships. They have to make mom believe in themselves – make them believe that they CAN do this. That it is still possible to try and meet their breastfeeding goals. They also importantly have to ensure the partner is fully entwined, and not isolated, in this challenging experience by showing them the valuable and supportive role they can play.
Juggling that many emotions takes a big heart, steady hands and a calm mind. We are so grateful to our consultants for doing it with such grace, compassion and sensitivity. We are grateful for their expert knowledge, their perseverance and their strength at a time when it is most needed. They work tirelessly to transform families’ lives and set them on the path they so desire in this crazy ride called parenthood.
We know how much our consultants love their job, but do they know how much we love them? How big an impact they truly have on a family home?
IBCLC Day might be over, but it’s never too late to spread the word. If you have ever worked with a consultant, let everyone know what their support meant to you and your family. Because somewhere, out there, another new mom might be sitting there struggling, doubting herself and in need of some reassurance. She needs to know that while breastfeeding is natural, it doesn’t always come naturally without some loving guidance. She needs to know that even though she is struggling, she is still a great mum, and that help is always at hand.
For information on Babies in Bloom’s Lactation Consultation visit here.
