Tag: postpartum

Have you ever been told during pregnancy to get to know your lactation support options before baby arrives? It is great advice! Yet, actually doing so can be very confusing. What type of support is needed? Which lactation providers are “best?” Is care available at home, in person, virtually? And how do resources like WIC or support groups fit in?

Listen – we get it! The best thing is to take it step-by-step, so let’s break it all down.

Types of Providers

The “who is who” in lactation and feeding is the most confusing part of this entire discussion. There are many different types of providers, and who you should work with depends on you, your baby(ies), and your individual needs. Instead of viewing lactation providers as a hierarchy, think of them as a spectrum of support – from community-based help to advanced clinical care.

Lactation support generally falls into three main categories that are built upon each other:

• Peer Support
  Great for basic questions, encouragement, and community connection. These providers often have personal experience with breast/chest feeding, a strong passion for supporting others, and may have training focused on basic education, support, and resources.

Examples of peer support:

• • BCBC – Baby Café Breastfeeding Counselor
  • Breastfeeding USA Breastfeeding Counselor
  • LLLI – La Leche League Leader
  • ROSE – Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere
  • WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
  • HealthConnect One Counselor
• Educators & Counselors
  Educating: Proactive teaching about lactation and feeding with little to no training on complexities or “out of norm” care. They typically complete a course on teaching basic lactation.
  Counseling: Education and support for common lactation challenges that are not urgent or of immediate threat to the health and safety of the feeding parent or baby(ies). Typically, providers complete ~40-60 hours of lactation education, pass an exam, and may take additional trainings.

Examples of educators and counselors:

• • BEC – Breastfeeding Educator Certification
  • CBE – Certified Breastfeeding Educator
  • CLE – Certified Lactation Educator
  • CLEC – Certified Lactation Educator
  • LE(C) – Community Lactation Educator
  • BFC – Breastfeeding Counselor
  • CBC – Certified Breastfeeding Counselor
  • CBS– Certified Breastfeeding Specialist
  • CLAAS: Certified Specialist in Advanced Lactation and Safe Infant Feeding
  • CLC– Certified Lactation Counselor
  • CLS – Certified Lactation Specialist
  • IYCFS: Infant and Young Child Feeding Specialist
  • LEC – Lactation Education Counselor
  • MiLC – Military Lactation Counselor
• Clinical consulting
  Provides expert-level clinical assessment, guidance, and solutions and is great for more complex concerns. IBCLCs complete 95 hours of lactation-specific and communication coursework, 300-1000 hours of clinical experience by supporting lactation, 14 health science courses at an accredited higher education institution, and the IBCLC exam.
  Provider:
  • IBCLC – International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

You can learn even more about the types of providers here.

• Do families always need to seek the highest clinical level for basic feeding questions?

No. Most basic feeding education questions can be answered by lactation professionals, such as educators, counselors, or peer support providers.

• Should families stay on any particular step if they feel they are not receiving adequate care?

No. Families deserve and are always able to change or seek additional care and support if it doesn’t feel right.

• Should provider choice solely rely on recommendations from a friend or a clinician?

Recommendations are helpful, but they are not the only considerations.

Other Paired Backgrounds

Many providers may also hold non-lactation certifications or licenses, and/or multiple lactation-specific certifications such as: RN, NP, MD/DO, CNM, Dentist, Chiropractor, SLP, LICSW, and more. These will add to what the provider can offer to you about your lactation support.

Important Note: Unless a provider also holds an accompanying certification or license (paired background noted above) that expands their scope of practice, neither a Lactation Counselor nor an IBCLC can:

• Give medical advice
• Give a medical diagnosis
• Prescribe medication
• Conduct medical treatment

For example, an IBCLC cannot diagnose someone with mastitis or a baby with thrush or a tongue-tie, but can offer anticipatory guidance on how to contact their provider for medical care, as needed. Their role is focused on functional oral assessment, observation of feeding, exploring different causes for feeding issues or concerns, and collaborating with medical providers, as needed. IBCLCs can support families before and after any diagnoses and/or treatments by a medical provider.

Types of Lactation Support

Everyone needs different types of support as they go through the perinatal period: prenatal through postpartum. You may use all these resources below or just one. Many of these are important even if it is not your first pregnancy too! If possible, consider which type(s) of support may apply to you and find out what options you have during pregnancy.

• WIC

WIC offers peer-to-peer support and education through Peer Counselors, and some states also have IBCLCs available that can provide additional guidance, as needed. You may be eligible if you:

• • Have a nutritional need (WIC staff can help you determine this)
  • Are a new mom, a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, or have a child under 5
  • Have a family income less than WIC guidelines

• Support Groups

Conversation-style groups offer basic breastfeeding support, answer questions, and create a space to lean on & learn from others in a similar season of life. They are often run by IBCLCs, but may also include breastfeeding educators and/or counselors.

Example: Newborn to 6 months support group held weekly at your local hospital.

• 1-on-1 Lactation Consultations
  • Typically, 30, 60, or 90 minutes
  • May be over-the-phone, in-person, or virtual
  • Often paid out of pocket, but some can be covered by insurance benefits. To find out what type of benefits you are eligible to receive through your insurance, reach out to your insurance provider directly.
  • Can be offered by IBCLCs or educators/counselors and what support can be offered depends on who the consultation is with (see Types of Providers above).

• Education classes
  • Can be offered prenatally or postpartum
  • May be in-person or virtual (live or pre-recorded/self-paced)
  • Can be offered as group classes or one-to-one
  • Can be offered by educators, counselors, or consultants (see Types of Providers above)
  • Often paid out of pocket, but some can be covered with insurance benefits. To find out what type of benefits you are eligible to receive through your insurance, reach out to your insurance provider directly.

Locations for Lactation Support

Lactation support can be accessed in a variety of settings, allowing families to choose what feels most comfortable and practical for them.

• In home
• Virtual
• Social media
• Meeting platforms like Zoom or Teams
  • Some offer texting/messaging
  • Should be HIPAA compliant
• Hospital-based (immediate postpartum or outpatient support)
• Private office spaces (IBCLC private practices)
• Public support spaces (support groups in libraries, community centers)

The Acelleron Example: How Our Team Supports You

Education and support through Acelleron aims to support lactating individuals within our areas of expertise and primarily focuses on lactation and its relation to pumping.

Pump Experts (Peer Support)

Our team members, who are especially enthusiastic about the products we carry, have in-depth knowledge of each breast pump model. They can help with:

• General product questions
• Basic troubleshooting
• Basic use, function, and care
• Refer up to our CLCs, CBSs, and IBCLCs, as needed

CLCs & CBSs (Education and Counseling)

Many on our team have chosen to further their education by certifying as a CLC or CBS, and some of the topics they can help with include:

• Basic lactation education and support
• Pumping schedules
• Different pumping options (e.g. power pumping)
• Planning for return to work
• Refer up to our IBCLCs for higher-level questions or significant concerns for the mother or baby (e.g. weight gain, certain medical diagnosis)

IBCLCs (Clinical Consulting)

Our IBCLCs have completed extensive education, clinical practice, and passed the IBCLC exam. They provide clinical lactation support and collaborate with medical providers when more specialized care is needed.

Acelleron is here to support you along your lactation journey, especially if your journey includes pumping! We recognize the importance of referring families to providers outside of our organization when needed. Patients, families, and providers can feel confident that we always have mom and baby’s best interest at the forefront of all education and support we provide.

Where to Start

Start your search by focusing on what you need.

• Reassurance? ➝ peer support
• Education and planning ➝ educator/counselor (CLC, CBS)
• Clinical-level help? ➝ IBCLC

Your needs may evolve overtime, and your support should evolve with you.

The holidays have a way of bringing both joy and pressure at the same time. And when you’ve just welcomed a new baby or are days or weeks away from giving birth, the season can take on a whole new meaning. The pace is different. Your body is healing. Your emotions may be tender. And the things that once felt simple may now feel heavy or overwhelming.

This isn’t a “get everything done” season. It’s a “go at the pace that feels safe for you and your baby” season. And that’s more than enough.

Setting Boundaries with Love

The holidays often come with expectations – visitors, invitations, and longstanding traditions can bring pressure during the postpartum season. But postpartum requires gentleness, rest, and space to bond. It’s okay to create a smaller, quieter version of the holidays this year.

You can say:

• “Short visits work better for us right now.”
• “We’re keeping things calm so we can rest.”
• “We’ll let you know when we’re ready for visitors.”
• “We’re skipping events this year to focus on healing.”

Boundaries aren’t about pushing people away. They’re about protecting the healing and bonding time you and your baby need.

Preparing for Visitors

New babies naturally bring excitement, but you’re allowed to guide how and when people visit. Keeping visits short, choosing specific times, or setting health expectations can make things feel more manageable. When people ask how they can help, let them. A meal drop-off or a quick hand with chores can make your day easier and give you more time to rest and recover.

Common boundaries that help:

• Visits during certain times
• No surprise drop-ins
• Hand washing upon entering or before holding baby
• Limiting how many people hold the baby (or at all!)
• Ending visits early if you’re getting tired

Choosing what feels right for you helps create a calmer and healthier environment for you and your baby.

Feeding or Pumping Through the Holidays

No matter how you’re feeding your baby – breastfeeding, bottle feeding, pumping, or a combination – feeding adds another layer to the holiday season. Schedules may shift, routines may feel less predictable, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to keep things perfect, but to keep them manageable.

A few gentle reminders that can help:

• Feeding routines don’t have to look the same every day to be effective
• Shorter or slightly adjusted sessions still count
• It’s okay to step away from gatherings to feed or pump when you need to
• Having supplies organized ahead of time can make things feel less stressful

If you’re pumping, keeping a small pump kit ready can be especially helpful for outings or visits away from home. And if travel is part of your holiday plans, our blog Nailing Pumping on the Go During Holiday Travel shares practical tips for staying on track while away, including packing, storage, and keeping your routine flexible.

However you’re feeding your baby this season, give yourself permission to follow a rhythm that works for you. Feeding doesn’t need to fit into the holidays; the holidays can adjust around feeding.

Going Out, Staying In, or Something in Between

For many new families, staying home during the holidays feels safest and most restful. Others might choose a short visit with loved ones, or a brief outing just to get some fresh air. There’s no right or wrong way to approach this, only what feels manageable and supports your recovery. This season is all about giving yourself permission to move at a slower pace than usual.

No matter what you choose, staying in, stepping out briefly, or taking a trip, let it be centered on what feels right for your family in this moment.

Simple, Meaningful Traditions That Don’t Add Pressure

This year doesn’t need to be filled with big celebrations. Your holiday traditions can be small, gentle, and just for your little family:

• Cozy pajamas all day
• A quiet family photo
• Reading a short holiday book
• A candle, a prayer, or a moment of gratitude at night
• A keepsake ornament for baby’s first holiday
• A slow morning with cozy blankets and warm drinks

These memories often become the ones that matter most.

Supporting Your Mental and Emotional Health

Postpartum emotions can feel unpredictable, especially during the holidays. Some days may feel light and joyful, and others might feel foggy, overwhelming, or nothing like you expected. This is incredibly common in the early weeks.

Many moms experience what’s known as the “baby blues,” a short period of mood swings, tearfulness, sensitivity, and feeling easily overwhelmed. It usually shows up within the first few days after birth and often improves on its own within a few weeks. These shifts are brought on by major hormone changes, interrupted sleep, and the physical and emotional adjustment of becoming a parent.

If these feelings become stronger, last longer than a few weeks, or start making it hard to function day to day, you may be experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety. That doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. It simply means you need support.

Reaching out to your OB-GYN, midwife, primary care provider, or a therapist can make a meaningful difference. You can also find trusted resources, support lines, and provider directories through Postpartum Support International. The holidays can heighten emotions, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Asking for help is a healthy, strong step. Not a sign that you’re failing.

Support can also come from the people around you. Partners and trusted support people can help by checking in often, helping with day-to-day tasks, supporting feeding and pumping routines, and creating space for rest. Sometimes, just having someone notice when you’re overwhelmed and step in can make a meaningful difference.

A Final Word for This Season

You’re navigating healing, feeding, emotions, expectations, and a newborn all during one of the busiest times of year. That is a lot. And you’re doing it with more strength and tenderness than you probably realize.

This holiday season doesn’t need to look perfect. It just needs to feel safe, supportive, and right for your family. However you choose to spend it – at home, with loved ones, or in quiet moments – may it bring rest, connection, and grace for this new chapter you’re stepping into.