A lactation consultation may be helpful if:

 

• Your breasts or nipples hurt during or after breastfeeding.

• Your baby seems hungry after feeding.

• Your baby is wetting fewer than one diaper per each day-of-age up to five days (one on day 1, two on day 2, three on day 3, etc.), and then 6-8 per day from day five on; OR is pooping less than 3-5 times a day in the first 6 weeks.

• Your baby is slow to gain weight.

• Your new baby is jaundiced.

• You have had breast surgery.

• You or your baby have a special health care need.

• Feeding is frustrating for you or your baby.

• Your baby is premature, hospitalized, or has a birth defect.

• You need to increase your milk supply or your baby's weight gain.

• You are planning to return to employment or school.

• You would like coaching to understand normal breastfeeding behavior.