Online Lactation Support - How Does It Work?

We get lots of questions asking how a lactation consultant (LC) could possibly offer support via telehealth? It can be hard to imagine how a consultation might work without having your LC right there in the room with you, but (thanks COVID), now we have all gotten more accustomed to working online, booking an online session can be a game-changer if you don’t have local access to quality care, or want to enjoy the convenience of getting breastfeeding support without leaving home.

Here are some of the most ways a LC can work with you online:

• Prenatal breastfeeding education

• Help with latching and positioning

• Increasing milk transfer for sleepy babies

• Working through possible causes of nipple pain and solutions

• Treatment for engorgement, blocked ducts, mastitis

• Assessing whether overactive letdown and oversupply vs undersupply

• Creating a plan to increase milk supply

• Exclusive pumping and increasing output

• Storing & handling breast milk

• Bottle feeding the breastfed infant

• Exploring other feeding supplementation options (lactation aid, finger-feeding)

• Safe formula preparation

• Re-lactation

• Mother-led and infant-led weaning

Online Video consults must be done using secure software to protect your information and the LC should be working from a professional and private location (such as an office) to maintain your privacy (we don’t need someone walking by to be able to see or hear the consultation!) Access to telehealth means that your LC can work with you in the very initial days postpartum and help with many different breastfeeding challenges.  They use critical thinking and assessment skills while observing your baby’s latch and milk transfer during a feed, to create a plan of care consistent with your feeding goals.

If you don’t want to breastfeed bottle-feeding techniques can also be explained online through guidance and modelling. 

Breastfeeding is complex and really requires a full assessment to get to the root of the problem, regardless of whether the consult is in-person or online. The LC should be fully invested in your situation and spend time assessing your history as well as observing what is happening during a feed.

Unfortunately, LCs can’t magically make all breastfeeding challenges disappear in an instant. It can take time to overcome problems, and it is really important that you have someone you trust to go back to, ask more questions. or vent your frustrations.

Here are some practical considerations when you book a virtual lactation consult.

1.       Lactation consultants cannot complete a full infant oral assessment during an online consult. In some circumstances your LC may need to refer to an in-person practitioner who can assess the baby’s sucking and gag reflexes, palate, tongue/ lip movements, and facial/ jaw symmetry. 

2.     Online lactation consults cannot weigh your baby on a scale. This may seem obvious, but if your baby has had faltering weight gain and needs to be weighed regularly, they may need to work with a local practitioner.

3.     Online consults require a stable internet connection. This goes without saying, but the quality of the consult is dependent on the quality of your internet connection, adequate lighting, and the ability to manoeuvre your device you’re working on. It is super helpful to have a support person to help you with these things.

Remember, not all LCs are the same. When it comes to your and your baby’s health, investing in high quality care will save you time, money and frustration long-term. These are our top tips for choosing an online lactation consultant.

An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is an expert in infant feeding. IBCLC’s are registered health professionals, and must complete hundreds of hours of breastfeeding support experience and specialised breastfeeding education. To achieve IBCLC certification, they must pass a rigorous 4-hour exam then maintain continuing education to remain certified. 

We recommend that your LC also has Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) certification. NDC is based on 20 years research in lactation science, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, sleep science, attachment psychology and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The NDC model of lactation care means that NDC LCs work differently, and offer different suggestions to other LCs, but the strategies are based on the most up to date research on what is best for you, your baby (and your breasts!)