Lactation Consultants, what’s the story there?

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I am extremely confused by this profession. Quick backstory….

My wife and I just had our first child a few weeks ago. When reading up on what to expect in the hospital, I saw a lot of talk about how the worst part of the hospital is the Lactation Consultant. I read they are very pushy and hard to deal with.

Side note: I happen to know an LC actually. She is young and extremely good looking, but she also has a very pushy personality, she can bit “out there” too, kind of a hippy’ish girl.

Anyways, when my wife and I were in the hospital the LC came in and she was, in fact, a bit shady and way over the top. She was loud and obnoxious and just a bit weird. She kept telling us to have some thing in our baby’s mouth “clipped” so he would latch better or something. She recommended two doctors to do it, and she kept talking about the two doctors like she had just “heard great things” about them, then coincidentally all of their info was on the back of her pamphlet. Clearly she had a partnership with them, but was trying to act like she had just heard they were great, almost like a sales tactic to get us to use them. Our pediatrician (who we love) since then does not have nice things to say about LC’s in general.

So what’s the story with this profession? Are they not actually part of the medical field but just kind of pose like they are? Is it just like a third party money grab?

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Sounds like she's trying to milk the situation.

 

[GAVol]

Sounds like she's trying to milk the situation.

Got to nip that in the bud.

 

[Firebirdparts]

I don't think being obnoxious is a job requirement. I think that's just yours. They're just there because young mothers don't have any experience.

 

[davethevol]

I don't think being obnoxious is a job requirement. I think that's just yours. They're just there because young mothers don't have any experience.

I remember them being less than friendly, which just adds to the stress.

 

[Otis1105]

I’ve met several, they are all very weird, earthy/granola-y people. As I understand it, you have to be in the medical field to be one, but you don’t have to be a nurse to be one. If you’re a PT you can take a class or test and become a lactation specialist. It’s just a field that attracts the odd balls. Ours in the hospital bragged to us about how her grandson is like 5 and asks for “mommies milk that tastes like cookies and ice cream” she left and I looked at my wife and was like she said he was 5 right?

 

[GVF]

I am extremely confused by this profession. Quick backstory….

My wife and I just had our first child a few weeks ago. When reading up on what to expect in the hospital, I saw a lot of talk about how the worst part of the hospital is the Lactation Consultant. I read they are very pushy and hard to deal with.

Side note: I happen to know an LC actually. She is young and extremely good looking, but she also has a very pushy personality, she can bit “out there” too, kind of a hippy’ish girl.

Anyways, when my wife and I were in the hospital the LC came in and she was, in fact, a bit shady and way over the top. She was loud an obnoxious and just a bit weird. She kept telling us to have some thing in our baby’s mouth “clipped” so he would latch better or something. She recommended two doctors to do it, and she kept talking about the two doctors like she had just “heard great things” about them, then coincidentally all of their info was on the back of her pamphlet. Clearly she had a partnership with them, but was trying to act like she had just heard they were great, almost like a sales tactic to get us to use them. Our pediatrician (who we love) since then does not have nice things to say about LC’s in general.

So what’s the story with this profession? Are they not actually part of the medical field but just kind of pose like they are? Is it just like a third party money grab?

I'd dang sure check the itemized bill. Something you didn't request is gonna have a nice charge in there. Besides how do you consult with a newborn about how to latch on? Latching on is one of the events that got my wife pregnant in the first place. Don't need no stinkin LC. And the only thing in a babies mouth that might need snipping is if they're tongue tied. It will affect their speech a little later to varying degrees. It needs to be done young, but not new born.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

Luckily my wife was already set on breastfeeding. There was actually a thread on them on 247 where people were exchanging horror stories, and apparently if you tell them you are not breastfeeding and instead are electing to pump/use formula it’s a nightmare, just based on what they were saying.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I don't think being obnoxious is a job requirement. I think that's just yours. They're just there because young mothers don't have any experience.

Being obnoxious is my job requirement? Can you elaborate on that a bit?

 

[utvolpj]

It was great to have for my first child as my wife struggled a bit and was frustrated (combo that with hormones and it was rough). Took a couple of sessions but she finally got it going

 

[Plano Vol]

My buddy's wife is a LC in JC. She is a sweetie pie. I can't imagine her being pushy. She works with a OB/GYN group and seems to do quite well. She gets invited to give lectures all over the country.

 

[sona]

The nipple is literally the world's most intuitive device.

 

[kiddiedoc]

They can be pushy, but that's usually a good thing. We want babies to breastfeed.

Two potential issues that your pediatrician can evaluate: tongue tie (tight lingual frenulum) and lip tie (labial frenulum). A few of us will take care of those in the office, but most pediatricians refer to ENT.

Ask your doc to check the upper lip and tongue, and ask if they are comfortable evaluating the baby's latch during your first visit. Should be an easy question.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

I expected this to be about people who find shoot locations for film makers. I know a guy who does that. His sister has an Oscar for best actress.

 

[Hurley Mooncalf]

How many of us scanned this thread hoping for pics?

 

[tbh]

How many of us scanned this thread hoping for pics?

The nipple is literally the world's most intuitive device.

Next thing ya know, they'll be recommending instructions be tattooed onto the equipment.

When I hear "lactation consultant", I envision a prototypical 80s-era retirement plan salesman in suspenders, power tie, slicked back hair, etc.

"C'mon in and sit down, let's talk lactation. Other consultants will have you fighting for the hind teat in terms of service but here in this office the information is free-flowing and we offer individualized service. We never pump our clients to extract extra handling either."

 

[Plano Vol]

Another member of the gang's wife was a member of the La Leche League. I was over to the house sitting in the living room holding the new addition to the family and the five year old decided it was snack time. Just flipped Mom's sweater up and got a drink. I told the baby that big brother was already stealing his food.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

I’ve met several, they are all very weird, earthy/granola-y people. As I understand it, you have to be in the medical field to be one, but you don’t have to be a nurse to be one. If you’re a PT you can take a class or test and become a lactation specialist. It’s just a field that attracts the odd balls. Ours in the hospital bragged to us about how her grandson is like 5 and asks for “mommies milk that tastes like cookies and ice cream” she left and I looked at my wife and was like she said he was 5 right?

I swear, I thought there was a post here in VN where somebody was talking about 8 or10 year olds breast feeding. I can't find it though.