CHOOSING YOUR BABY’S LACTATION-FRIENDLY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER

How to find a lactation-friendly doctor or NP to support you and your baby.

Welcome Baby KC wholeheartedly supports however you need or want to feed your baby! Successful baby feeding looks different for every family. Lactation-friendly does not mean anti-formula. You’ll not hear us preach Breast Is Best or Fed Is Best. We’re not here to decide what’s best for you--only you can do that. We’re here to equip you to make informed decisions for yourself and your family so you can meet your unique goals.

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“Looking for a pediatrician. Who do you recommend? I want someone who’s breastfeeding-friendly.” I see this question all the time. On social media, from my clients, in my personal circles. And if you ask the Internet, you’ll probably get a variety of recommendations because everybody wants to be helpful and thinks highly of the provider they selected for their baby.

But all of those recommendations can get confusing and might not answer YOUR questions. Who’s going to support me and my baby with feeding? What if breastfeeding/chestfeeding is hard and I need help? How do I know which doctor is the best for us? Keep reading to learn what defines “lactation-friendly” and to learn how to ask the right questions to get the answers you want.

Let’s unpack what lactation-friendly care looks like at the pediatrician’s or family doctor’s office:

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So how do you put that all together to find the provider of your dreams? Identify 3-5 providers close to your home who take your insurance or are within your budget. Schedule a prenatal consultation with them, and come prepared with your questions. Well, what questions should I ask? Choose some or all of the following to ask to gather more information about your selected providers:

At the end of each consultation, jot down what you liked, what you didn’t like, and any new questions you might have. Once you’ve finished interviewing your selected providers, compare your notes and then choose one! If at any time you disagree with your baby’s provider or feel uncomfortable with a recommendation, it’s okay to suggest an alternative course of action, to ask more questions, or to ask for a referral to see an IBCLC or other specialist. It’s also okay to try out a completely new pediatric care provider. With these tools in hand, you’re well on your way to meeting your feeding goals!

A gift from us to you.

Please enjoy this Welcome Baby KC Postpartum Affirmations MP3. Really! No strings attached. Enjoy these words of encouragement and truth, straight from our hearts to yours.

WELCOME BABY KC 2024