1. Your presence in the early hours and days postpartum puts you in an important position to support nursing.
By learning all you can about breastfeeding and baby feeding, you can help parents and babies get off to a good start.
“Doulas must understand that they can help clients reach their breastfeeding goals by ensuring that babies feed 10 to 12 times every 24 hours, avoiding supplements (unless medically indicated that’s necessary), and keeping baby close to avoid missing feeding cues,” says Christy Jo Hendricks, IBCLC, CLE, CCCE, Doula.
Jodi Utter, CLD, CPD, CBE, LE, NCS adds “I am often the first person to recognize breastfeeding concerns. I can help with education and support of proper positioning and latching, but find many clients who need evaluation to an IBCLC. I did not hesitate to refer for further evaluation and guidance to keep the breastfeeding relationship strong.
“One of my favorite things is being present at an IBCLC visit. Not only does the client learn, but I learn as well, and I am able to reinforce what is being advised on an ongoing basis. My relationship with local IBCLCs has not only benefited with my postpartum clients, it also helped me identify problems and refer more quickly.”
2. Knowing when to consult an IBCLC is key, and time is of the essence.
By having IBCLCs you work with and trust, you can quickly connect your clients with the help they need. Nipple or breast pain, concerns about baby weight loss or slow weight gain, milk production issues, parents adding when they don’t want to, and plugged ducts are all immediate concerns. who need a quick referral.
Laurel Wilson, IBCLC says, “Doulas must be familiar with the effects of early breast birth/breastfeeding, as well as the long-term potential effects. Many things during labor and delivery can really change how a parent responds. and baby to each other, on an emotional and hormonal level, as well as a physical response.Everything from baby’s position in utero (think breech position, shoulder dystocia, baby’s head bruising), to baby’s stimulation at birth (bright lights, isolation, painful procedures, rushing the first feeding), medications and type of delivery (epidural, narcotics, cesarean birth). These situations can have a complex effect on the breast/chestfeeding couplet .Lactation and breast/chestfeeding can be a multi-year event so it is important for doulas to think about how their support will influence lactation and to the infant’s long-term health.
3. Providing unbiased support is key.
“I wish all doulas know you’re not going to want it more than the client wants–or it’s seen as judgmental, even with the best technique,” advises Kimberly Bepler, IBCLC, CPD, CLE, CNPE.
“Doulas must learn the many benefits of breastfeeding to both parent and baby, so they understand why so many of their clients are passionate about this feeding decision,” adds Christy Jo Hendricks.
4. Stick to your scope and be clear with clients about your limitations.
Parents are often confused by the various certifications related to breastfeeding; help them know what you can and cannot do.
“Recognize when something is outside of a doula’s scope and refer early. It can complicate a situation if a referral is made too late,” says Christy Jo Hendricks.
Jodi Utter added, “I believe there is a high level of trust between postpartum doulas and the IBCLC. As a doula, I trust that the IBCLC knows that I have done everything within my scope to help, no matter what present. I am grateful to have a network of IBCLCs that offer the professional, compassionate care that my postpartum clients need.”
5. Just as you don’t undermine your clients’ trust in their doctor or midwife, please support their IBCLC.
If your clients have questions about breastfeeding, encourage them to speak with their IBCLC. Parents can be frustrated by conflicting breastfeeding advice.
Kimberly Bepler explains, “Although doulas may have experience or opinions about how breastfeeding should go with their client, the lactation consultant creates the plan and doulas put their feet on it. However, doulas can provide valuable insight into the mother-baby dynamic that can help the IBCLC customize a plan.”
6. Doulas benefit when they work with IBCLCs.
Aleca Murphy, certified newborn care specialist and certified postpartum doula, shares, “I think the relationship of working with an IBCLC as a postpartum doula has helped build my confidence in breastfeeding and informs me of current feeding practices. .So much has changed since my postpartum training.Having a personal relationship with an IBCLC has given me a place to ask questions where I am not judged.
“One of the best ways I have grown my business and offered excellent lactation care for my clients is by working with a local IBCLC that I can reach out to for immediate help with clients, ” says Katie Nyberg, CLD, CPD , CLE, CNPE. “Finding a good IBCLC means you can confidently refer your clients to excellent care, which also reflects your professionalism!”
About the Author
Julie Brill, IBCLC, CCCE, CLD is a lactation consultant in private practice, working with families throughout the US and beyond. For the past twenty years, Julie has trained childbirth educators and doulas for CAPPA. She teaches doulas and educators a virtual, three-hour workshop to help perinatal professionals stay current in the ever-changing world of lactation, with the goal of providing consistent feeding advice to all working professionals of new families. Julie is the author of Round the Circle: Doulas Share Their Experiences and the mother of two grown children.
