Prenatal Breastfeeding Consultation
Preparing to breastfeed? A prenatal breastfeeding consultation with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can help you feel more confident and prepared before your baby arrives.
The Lactation Foundation at UTHealth Houston offers personalized prenatal breastfeeding consultations for expectant parents. During your consultation, an IBCLC will answer your questions, discuss your breastfeeding goals, identify factors that may affect breastfeeding, and help you develop a plan for getting breastfeeding off to a strong start.
Why Meet With a Lactation Consultant Before Your Baby Arrives?
Breastfeeding is natural, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally. Learning what to expect before delivery can make it easier to recognize what is normal, know when to ask for help, and feel prepared for the early days with your newborn.
A prenatal consultation can be especially helpful if you:
- Are pregnant with your first baby and want to learn what to expect
- Had difficulty breastfeeding a previous baby
- Experienced low milk supply or concerns about milk production
- Have had breast or nipple surgery
- Are expecting twins or multiples
- Are expecting a premature or medically complex baby
- Have a medical condition or take medications that may affect breastfeeding
- Have questions about pumping or using a breast pump
- Want to learn about combination feeding or supplementation
- Have questions or concerns about your ability to breastfeed
- Simply want personalized, evidence-based breastfeeding education before your baby arrives
You don’t need to be experiencing a problem to meet with a lactation consultant. Prenatal education can help you prepare for breastfeeding before you need support.
What Happens During a Prenatal Breastfeeding Consultation?
Your prenatal consultation is personalized to your needs, questions, and breastfeeding goals. Your IBCLC may discuss:
What to Expect in the First Days
Learn what typically happens during the first hours and days after birth, including when and how often newborns feed, how milk production develops, and what you can expect as your mature milk comes in.
Positioning and Latch
Learn the basics of comfortable positioning and an effective latch. Understanding these concepts before delivery can make it easier to recognize when your baby is feeding well and when you may need additional help.
Milk Supply
Learn how milk production works, what helps establish a healthy milk supply, and how frequent feeding and effective milk removal affect milk production.
Hand Expression and Pumping
Your IBCLC can introduce you to hand expression and discuss when pumping may be useful. If you plan to pump, you can also learn about choosing and using a breast pump and how pumping may fit into your feeding plan.
Feeding Your Baby
Discuss how to recognize your baby’s feeding cues and signs that your baby is getting enough milk. Your IBCLC can also answer questions about supplementation, bottle feeding, combination feeding, and other feeding options.
Common Breastfeeding Challenges
Knowing what to expect can help you recognize potential problems early. We can discuss common concerns such as painful breastfeeding, difficulty with latch, low milk supply, engorgement, nipple damage, and concerns about your baby’s weight gain.
Your Individual Breastfeeding Goals
Every family is different. Your IBCLC will work with you to develop a plan that fits your goals, circumstances, and preferences. Whether your goal is exclusive breastfeeding, pumping, combination feeding, or another approach, our goal is to provide evidence-based information and support your informed decisions.
When Should I Schedule a Prenatal Consultation?
You can schedule a prenatal breastfeeding consultation at any point during pregnancy. Many families find it helpful to meet with an IBCLC during the third trimester, but there is no need to wait until a particular week of pregnancy.
If you have specific concerns or factors that could affect breastfeeding, you may benefit from meeting with an IBCLC earlier in pregnancy.
What If I’ve Had Breastfeeding Problems Before?
A prenatal consultation can be especially valuable if breastfeeding was difficult with a previous baby.
Together, you and your IBCLC can talk through what happened previously, identify factors that may have contributed to the challenges, and develop a plan for your next breastfeeding experience.
Previous breastfeeding difficulties do not mean that you will have the same experience again.
Breastfeeding Education for Partners and Support People
Breastfeeding support doesn’t have to come only from the person who is breastfeeding.
Partners and other support people are welcome to participate in prenatal education. Learning how to recognize feeding cues, support comfortable feeding, help with pumping, and provide practical and emotional support can make a meaningful difference during the early weeks.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes
In addition to individual prenatal consultations, the Lactation Foundation offers breastfeeding education through classes and online resources.
Our Breastfeeding Basics online class provides free, self-paced education for families who want to learn more about breastfeeding before their baby arrives.
Learn more about our breastfeeding classes and online education.
Why Choose the Lactation Foundation?
The Lactation Foundation at UTHealth Houston provides evidence-based breastfeeding education and clinical lactation care through a team of board-certified IBCLCs and breastfeeding healthcare professionals.
Our goal is to help families make informed decisions about infant feeding and feel supported throughout their breastfeeding journey.
Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or hoping for a different experience after previous breastfeeding challenges, we’re here to help you prepare.
Ready to Prepare for Breastfeeding?
A prenatal breastfeeding consultation gives you an opportunity to ask questions, learn what to expect, and develop a plan before your baby arrives.
Schedule a prenatal consultation with a board-certified lactation consultant.
[Schedule an Appointment →]
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have a breastfeeding problem to see an IBCLC during pregnancy?
No. Prenatal lactation consultations are designed to help expectant parents prepare for breastfeeding, ask questions, and learn what to expect. You don’t have to wait until you experience a problem to seek support.
When is the best time during pregnancy to see a lactation consultant?
You can schedule a prenatal consultation at any point during pregnancy. Many parents choose to meet with an IBCLC during the third trimester, but those with specific concerns may benefit from an earlier consultation.
Can my partner attend the prenatal consultation?
Yes. Partners and other support people can participate in prenatal breastfeeding education and learn ways to support breastfeeding after the baby arrives.
Can an IBCLC help me if I had low milk supply with a previous baby?
Yes. A prenatal consultation can provide an opportunity to discuss your previous breastfeeding experience, identify possible contributing factors, and develop a plan for your next baby.
Can I learn about pumping before my baby is born?
Yes. Your IBCLC can discuss pumping, hand expression, breast pumps, milk removal, and how pumping may fit into your individual feeding goals.
Can I get help if I plan to combination feed?
Yes. Breastfeeding support should be individualized to your goals. An IBCLC can provide evidence-based information about breastfeeding, pumping, supplementation, and combination feeding.
Is prenatal breastfeeding education only for first-time parents?
No. Parents who have breastfed before can benefit from prenatal education, particularly if they experienced challenges previously or have questions about breastfeeding a new baby.