Covid-19 Pandemic
This is a new and unusual time. Shops are closed, people are home, shelter-in-place for weeks (maybe months???). Hospitals have cancelled all classes and some aren’t allowing ANY visitors, including the support person to a laboring mom. How long this will last we don’t know.
What does this mean if you are an expectant or new parent? Well, one thing it means is to check in with your doctor and hospital regularly to see how policies have changed. If expecting, I recommend a prenatal breastfeeding class- two options are online and virtual. Online means you are watching a recorded breastfeeding class. Virtual means you are interacting and seeing a live, but remote, class. Virtual gives you the opportunity to ask questions and have your specific needs addressed. Definitely a better option when you can find it.
As for breastfeeding support once you have the baby, virtual visits are the safest option. This way you aren’t exposing yourself or your baby to anyone else’s germs. Virtual visits might sound limiting- the IBCLC won’t be there to show you how to latch the baby or weigh the baby. But the reality is much better than you might expect. In a virtual visit with an experienced IBCLC you learn how to latch your baby by doing it. The IBCLC will talk you through how to do things, but you are doing all the movements and actions. This is great! A virtual visit can actually help you learn the techniques even better.
During a virtual visit the IBCLC will probably walk through with you how to tell if baby is getting enough. Counting diapers, paying attention to how your breasts feel before, during and after a feeding are ways to evaluate how much baby is getting. Knowing when baby is swallowing is also an important skill to learn. You can watch videos (I have a link on my online resources page to Jack Newman, MD, IBCLC’s page) and then practice with your baby.
Sheltering in your home, away from friends and family is a good decision. It does NOT need to mean less support. Virtual visits are a great way to get the breastfeeding support and assistance you need. Your baby needs your breastmilk more today than ever before. Protect your baby with the wonderful antibodies and properties of your breastmilk today!