For many mothers, the decision to breast-feed their infants is very satisfying and rewarding. The time spent skin-to-skin feels very special and it is a wonderful bonding experience. Providing the sole nutrient source for the baby is quite an undertaking. But things don’t always go smoothly. Nipples crack and bleed, the baby’s latch may be quite painful, there can be many sleepless nights, and milk production may be diminished.
Providing holistic lactation support for our breast-feeding moms means that although giving a bottle of formula may be the easiest thing to do in these situations, it may not be the best overall for the mother and baby. We are fortunate to have our own IBCLC certified Nurse Practitioner, Ali Settles, in our office four days per week. In addition, we work with a network of certified lactation consultants who have “seen it all, heard it all, and have done it all” when it comes to lactation issues. We necessary, we refer to local experts to correct lip ties, tongue ties, and cheek ties when they are having a negative impact on breastfeeding.