Why a Pediatrician is NOT an Infant Feeding Specialist
Yes I am an IBCLC or Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant. I am also an RN of 22 years, working with birthing and nursing patients, and newborns through infancy my entire career. While I like the term “Lactation Consultant” I think something is lacking. For many clients, they may not realize that I can help with bottles and formulas (often I hear- don’t you only help with breastfeeding?). This is why I wish we were called “Infant Feeding Specialists”.
This name would make it clear what we do- we are educated and experienced at helping infants eat. Pretty clear and basic right? Anyways, the point is that each IBCLC is ready to help ALL babies eat, any way they eat is fine with me!
The problem is most new parents reach out to their Pediatrician to ask about feeding issues- nipple pain, latching trouble, fussy/gassy baby, spitting up, even starting solids. The problem here is Pediatricians are NOT infant feeding specialists!! How do I know this? Well, some might be, but most Pediatricians make it pretty clear that they don’t know much about infant feeding by WHAT THEY SAY. Here, let me give you a few examples:
-it’s normal for breastfeeding to hurt
-your nipples just need to toughen up
-your breastmilk doesn’t have enough calories, add some formula
-just pump instead of direct breastfeeding to see how much you make
-babies spit it, it’s just a laundry problem
-babies get fussy, gassy, colic, they will just grow out of it
-start solids at a certain age
-tongue tie doesn’t affect feeding
-tongue tie is a fad
-don’t worry, your kid will fall and rip their lip tie eventually
-unless it’s to the tip (and even then it’s rarely), tongue tie doesn’t cause any problems
Pediatricians need to know A LOT! They cover 18-ish years of issues, and when things come up they frequently refer out. Does your Pediatrician help if baby has a cardiac defect? Nope, they refer to a Pediatric Cardiologist. What if your baby has an issue with it’s brain and hear? Yup, Pediatric Neurologist. Most primary care providers understand the value of referring out because they can’t possibly do everything! And that’s great! WE all have our special little niches.
So what does an Infant Feeding Specialist do? Assess, treat, make a plan of care of breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, pumping, formula, starting solids, helping with sleep, adjusting to new parenthood, dealing with tongue tie and oral rehabilitation. Basically anything regarding infant feeding, and the first 6-12 months of life is definitely in what we do. From there you will find IBCLC’s become specialists/have niches just like other providers. Some are great for multiples, or inducing lactation.
For me it’s tongue tie/oral rehabilitation, and pumping/bottle feeding. This is what I do most of the time. And I LOVE it. My goal is to support every family I work with, to achieve THEIR goals. My education, experience and commitment to support is what makes me different. So, next time you are thinking about how you need to ask- why baby spits up each feed, how to make more milk, why baby is so fussy, or even about trying to work on sleep training call an IBCLC aka Infant Feeding Specialist. I’d love to work together, reach out today.