L is for Lactation
Let’s talk about breastfeeding… a topic near and dear to my heart.
When I became pregnant with my son, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. What I didn’t know, though, was just how difficult that would be.
I can still remember the feeling of leaving my body on the operating room table, after 4 hours of pushing my labor ended up in a Cesarean section. I can remember the feeling of otherworldly exhaustion… like every last drop of my energy had been sucked dry in the process of giving birth. And then they placed this little baby on my chest.
He was teeny, perfect, better than I had ever imagined, but I had nothing left to give. Not one iota. So the nurses did it for me… they hand expressed, tried to get him to latch, tried to give me that “golden hour”. All I remember is wondering how I was supposed to take care of a little human after the most excruciating and exhausting experience of my life.
I continued to feel that feeling long after I stopped bleeding- was anyone coming to save me? Or was it just me and this little baby now? I so wanted to breastfeed, but trying to pump while he was in the NICU was another level of sadness and frustration. It just seemed like I was hitting every roadblock.
Somehow, some way, with the support of my husband, the hospital lactation consultants, and the NICU staff, I did get onto a pumping schedule, and I did learn to latch my baby. But it took a village, and I remember wishing I had some clue beforehand of what a job it would be.
Breastfeeding is amazing for so many reasons. It’s like saying sunsets are beautiful. I mean - a human mother makes milk from her own blood and sustains her new baby? How freaking cool is that?! It releases oxytocin for mom, helps with bonding, reduces risk of ovarian cancer, and acts as the baby's first course of orthodontics by promoting jaw and muscle development. Just because it’s amazing and natural does not mean it’s easy, by any means. As a result of my own difficult experience, I’ve had this desire to help other moms achieve their own goals.
L is for lactation. If you are pregnant and would like to breastfeed, I would recommend scheduling a prenatal consultation with an internationally board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). I know many in the area if you need a recommendation. If you are a new mom and struggling to breastfeed, also see an IBCLC. There are sometimes structural reasons you may be struggling; we call these oral restrictions. If your baby has been struggling to latch, if your nipples are cracked or bleeding, or if feeding just feels harder than it should be, it warrants an evaluation by an IBCLC and/or dentist or ENT who is trained in this area. (Quick disclaimer - tongue and lip ties should not be diagnosed by photo or visual exam only, we look at function.)
At Soleil, we intentionally built the practice around moms. We have a separate room for infant evaluations, where you can comfortably feed your baby. We have a state of the art CO2 laser that allows us to release tethered oral tissues in the safest and quickest way, returning your baby to you just minutes afterwards. We will never rush you towards a procedure or a decision; we genuinely want what’s best for you and your baby and are here to be part of your village.
Breastfeeding has long deserved a place in the dental world. As dentists we should be educating parents on the benefits and pointing people in the direction they need to get the support to achieve their breastfeeding goals. I am so proud of the practice we are building and thankful for the moms who have already trusted us. We are on a mission to create and sustain generational health.
If you would like local IBCLC recommendations or resources, send me a message. If you think your baby needs to be evaluated for oral restrictions, call us anytime at 860-436-5330. And to all the pregnant and new mamas, congratulations!
