2. Lactation Consultation

Lactation Consultation

Breastfeeding does not always go as expected. Whether you are having trouble with latch, experiencing pain, worried about your milk supply, or simply want reassurance that breastfeeding is going well, a lactation consultation can provide personalized support.

At the Lactation Foundation at UTHealth Houston, our board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs) provide individualized, evidence-based breastfeeding support for parents and babies at every stage of the breastfeeding journey.

How Can a Lactation Consultant Help?

Every breastfeeding experience is different. During a lactation consultation, an IBCLC can help you identify challenges, understand what may be contributing to them, and develop a plan based on your goals.

Lactation consultations may help with:

  • Difficulty getting your baby to latch
  • Pain or discomfort during breastfeeding
  • Concerns about milk supply
  • Concerns about your baby’s feeding or milk intake
  • Difficulty with milk transfer
  • Pumping or expressing breast milk
  • Choosing or using a breast pump
  • Combining breastfeeding and pumping
  • Supplementing with breast milk or formula
  • Engorgement or breast fullness
  • Nipple concerns
  • Returning to work while breastfeeding
  • Breastfeeding after a difficult birth or previous breastfeeding experience
  • Feeding premature or medically complex babies
  • Breastfeeding twins or multiples
  • Weaning or changing your feeding plan
  • Questions about your individual breastfeeding goals

You do not have to wait until you are struggling to see a lactation consultant. An IBCLC can also provide reassurance, education, and practical guidance when breastfeeding is going well.

What Happens During a Lactation Consultation?

Your consultation is personalized to you and your baby. Your IBCLC will ask about your breastfeeding experience, your concerns, your baby’s feeding patterns, and your goals.

Depending on your needs, your consultation may include:

Breastfeeding Assessment

Your IBCLC will talk with you about your breastfeeding experience and assess feeding patterns, positioning, latch, and other factors that may affect breastfeeding.

Latch and Positioning Support

If you are having difficulty with latch or breastfeeding is uncomfortable, your IBCLC can help you explore different positions and techniques and work with you to find an approach that works for you and your baby.

Milk Supply Support

If you are concerned that you are not making enough milk—or that you are making more milk than your baby needs—your IBCLC can help you understand factors that may affect milk production and develop an individualized plan.

Pumping Support

If you pump or plan to pump, your IBCLC can help with breast pump use, pumping techniques, flange fit, milk expression, and incorporating pumping into your feeding plan.

Feeding and Milk Transfer

Your IBCLC can help you understand how your baby is feeding and whether there are concerns about milk transfer or feeding effectiveness. When appropriate, your care team may recommend additional evaluation or follow-up.

A Personalized Breastfeeding Plan

Rather than providing a one-size-fits-all approach, your IBCLC will work with you to develop practical recommendations that fit your baby’s needs, your circumstances, and your breastfeeding goals.

When Should I See a Lactation Consultant?

You can schedule a lactation consultation whenever you have questions or concerns about breastfeeding.

Some parents seek help during the first few days or weeks after birth. Others come in later when a problem develops, breastfeeding becomes painful, pumping becomes difficult, or their feeding goals change.

You may want to schedule an appointment if:

  • Breastfeeding is painful
  • Your baby is having difficulty latching
  • You are worried about your milk supply
  • Your baby seems frustrated or unsatisfied after feeds
  • You have questions about pumping
  • You are concerned about your baby’s feeding or weight gain
  • You are supplementing and want to protect or increase milk production
  • You are returning to work or school
  • You are breastfeeding twins or multiples
  • You have experienced breastfeeding difficulties in the past
  • You simply want professional reassurance that breastfeeding is going well

If you are unsure whether an IBCLC can help with your concern, we encourage you to contact us.

Breastfeeding Support That Fits Your Goals

There is no single “right” way to feed your baby.

Some parents want to exclusively breastfeed. Others plan to pump, combination feed, or use formula along with breastfeeding. Your feeding goals may also change as your baby grows or circumstances change.

Our lactation consultants can help you make informed decisions and develop a feeding plan that supports your goals.

What If I Need Medical Care?

Some breastfeeding concerns require more than lactation support.

If your symptoms or concerns may require medical evaluation, you may benefit from a breastfeeding medicine provider in addition to an IBCLC. Breastfeeding medicine providers can evaluate and treat medical conditions related to breastfeeding and lactation when appropriate.

The Lactation Foundation offers access to both lactation expertise and breastfeeding medicine services, helping connect families with the level of care they need.

Learn more about Breastfeeding Medicine.

Why Choose the Lactation Foundation?

The Lactation Foundation at UTHealth Houston provides breastfeeding and lactation support within an academic medical center.

Our team includes board-certified lactation consultants and breastfeeding medicine providers who provide evidence-based care and education.

Families choose the Lactation Foundation for:

  • Personalized lactation consultations
  • Board-certified International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)
  • Evidence-based breastfeeding support
  • Lactation and breastfeeding medicine expertise
  • Support for a wide range of breastfeeding concerns
  • Care within the UTHealth Houston and McGovern Medical School community
  • Educational resources and classes for breastfeeding families

Our goal is to help you feel informed, supported, and confident in your feeding decisions.

Lactation Consultation in Houston

If you are looking for a lactation consultant in Houston, the Lactation Foundation can help you get the personalized breastfeeding support you need.

Whether you are preparing for breastfeeding, working through a specific challenge, or simply looking for reassurance, an IBCLC can help you understand what is happening and identify practical next steps.

Ready to get breastfeeding support?

Schedule a lactation consultation with the Lactation Foundation at UTHealth Houston.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be having problems to see a lactation consultant?

No. Many parents see an IBCLC for reassurance, education, or help preparing for a change in their feeding routine. You can schedule a consultation even if breastfeeding is going well.

When should I see a lactation consultant after having my baby?

You can see an IBCLC whenever you have questions or concerns. Some families schedule a consultation soon after birth, while others seek help weeks or months later.

Can a lactation consultant help if my baby will not latch?

Yes. Difficulty with latch is a common reason families seek lactation support. An IBCLC can assess feeding, positioning, and latch and help you explore strategies that may improve breastfeeding.

Can an IBCLC help with low milk supply?

Yes. Your IBCLC can help assess your breastfeeding and pumping patterns and identify factors that may be affecting milk production. If a medical issue may be contributing to low milk supply, additional evaluation may be appropriate.

Can a lactation consultant help with pumping?

Yes. Lactation consultants can provide guidance about breast pumps, pumping techniques, flange fit, milk expression, and creating a pumping routine that fits your circumstances.

Can I see an IBCLC if I am combination feeding?

Absolutely. Lactation support can be helpful whether you exclusively breastfeed, exclusively pump, combination feed, or use both breast milk and formula.

What if breastfeeding is painful?

Breastfeeding should not be persistently painful. An IBCLC can help evaluate factors such as positioning, latch, and other aspects of feeding. If your pain may have a medical cause, a breastfeeding medicine provider may also be appropriate.

Can I see a lactation consultant if my baby is older?

Yes. Lactation support is not limited to the first days or weeks after birth. Families may benefit from lactation consultation at many different points during the breastfeeding journey.

What is the difference between an IBCLC and a breastfeeding medicine provider?

An IBCLC specializes in lactation and breastfeeding support, including feeding assessment, latch, positioning, pumping, and milk supply. A breastfeeding medicine provider is a medical clinician who can evaluate and treat medical conditions related to breastfeeding and lactation.

Some families benefit from seeing both.

Get Personalized Breastfeeding Support

You do not have to figure out breastfeeding challenges on your own.

The Lactation Foundation at UTHealth Houston provides personalized lactation consultations from experienced, board-certified IBCLCs who can help you understand your options and develop a plan that works for you and your baby.

Schedule a lactation consultation today.