The life of a Hospital Lactation Consultant
The life of a Hospital Lactation Consultant
The life of a hospital lactation consultant can be often misunderstood, very busy, demanding, hectic, enriching and rewarding. Hospital Lactation Consultants are skilled health care professionals that assist in teaching mothers how to feed their babies in the hospital setting. Most new mothers will go home with their babies within 24-48hrs of having a vaginal delivery, while those having cesarean section deliveries will go home between 48-72 hours on average. Some may even be separated with baby going to NICU due to unforeseen medical issues. So much can happen the first days of life, and our first goal is to empower mothers in feeling confident and competent in feeding their babies before hospital discharge.
Assessment of the mother-baby “dyad,” mother's history and anatomy, labor and delivery process all impact the breastfeeding process. Hospital lactation consultants must quickly assess, educate, assist and intervene with each couplet in a timely manner in order to assist as many mothers and babies as possible in their day. In the hospital setting our goal is to make contact with every mother who delivers- at least once during their hospital stay.
The lactation consultant provides the majority of breastfeeding education during the postpartum period. Education topics we generally cover in the short interactions include: safe skin to skin, normal newborn behavior, feeding cues, hand expression, milk supply & demand, engorgement, prevention of mastitis, and possibly breast pump use are topics covered in the hospital.
An important intervention that we encourage in the hospital setting is skin to skin- as that is a great way to start in your breastfeeding journey. Within the first minutes after birth, babies crave their mothers, and they need that contact for many reasons. This is a great way to bond, keep baby warm, regulate their vital signs and give signs of when baby needs to breastfeed. Babies are most awake the first few hours after delivery, so practice with latching your baby onto your breast in labor and delivery is crucial. Colostrum is the first milk and is there until the milk volume increases or “comes in” between days 3-5.
We also educate that when babies become sleepy between approximately hours 6-36, it is important to continue to try and attempt feeding your baby. All attempts count as long as mother is hand expressing into baby's mouth. You will be given a feeding log and will document all attempts on the breast and pee/poo diapers. Babies will then begin to cluster feed around the 2nd night to get mother's milk to come in. It's very primal in nature, and baby will do this during every growth spurt.
A lactation consultant provides breastfeeding support, assists with lactation care, and educates patients to overcome obstacles and concerns with breastfeeding. Painful nursing due to poor latch, decreased milk production from lack of stimulation, weight loss from inability to transfer milk, low blood sugars, jaundice and separation are many breastfeeding issues hospital lactation consultants specialize in. Protection of the mother's milk supply is paramount when there are challenges. Hand expression and pumping are interventions that can assist in protection of the milk supply. If a medical indication of formula is needed, we will advise on paced bottle feeding, safe home formula supplementation and protection of milk supply. Alternate feeding methods may be used by hospital lactation consultants. Home breast pumps and follow-up community resources are also important education that we provide to our families. We also ensure that each family is following up with their pediatrician within the first few days of life to make sure baby is adjusting well at home.
Your hospital lactation consultant is there to help. Please share any concerns with your nurses and other healthcare providers on admission to the hospital. We want your experience to be excellent with all of your feeding goals to be met. Our passion is helping new mothers become successful in feeding their babies.
What Mothers are Saying
Brandy B.
Months ago
Highly recommended! Autumn was an amazing help to me and my baby's journey together. I was a momma who was dealing with multiple instances of mastitis the first 3 months postpartum. She helped me in my pumping journey and getting my baby latched back on to me after a month of not being able to breastfeed her because of healing. She gave me wonderful guidance about my health pertaining to my diet and stress from everything and returning back to work. She helped me find the balance. The office is beautiful, comfy, and relaxing. Thank you Autumn for all that you do for us mommas struggling to stay whole for ourselves and our babies!
Leslie
2 Months ago
I am so thankful I found Autumn. I saw Advanced Breast Feeding Support with both of my sons two years apart. Anyone who is breastfeeding would benefit from her services. She is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate. Breastfeeding seems like it should come naturally, but it can be very challenging and emotional. Autumn listened, reassured, and coached me through many concerns. She is quick to respond with text and email, and it was very easy to schedule appointments. I highly recommend Autumn if you have any questions or concerns about breastfeeding.
Marie S.
2 years ago
Working with Autumn was truly amazing. I came to her and I was extremely defeated. I was ready to give up on breast-feeding altogether - she helped me through a virtual visit on the first visit and we met in person various other times. As a first time mom on my motherhood journey I felt so lost and she was so kind, caring, and compassionate to what I was going through. I truly couldn’t have done what I am doing now without her help and support - all of her tips and tricks and wealth of knowledge. I would highly recommend her to anyone that is needing assistance with their baby!!! She is the best and you can tell that she cares for her clients.
Tina T.
Rancho Oakey, Las Vegas, NV
Feb 1, 2026
"I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from Autumn. After experiencing misdirection early in the postpartum period and struggling for seven weeks to get my son to latch, I was feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Her guidance was truly transformative.
She provided clear, evidence-based support that not only helped my son successfully latch but also helped me increase my milk supply. She took the time to thoroughly assess our situation, explain what was happening, and offer practical, achievable strategies that led to real progress.
What truly distinguishes her is the breadth of her knowledge and care. In addition to breastfeeding support, she offered invaluable guidance on newborn/early infant care that extended well beyond lactation alone. Her approach was thoughtful, patient, and deeply supportive, and she consistently made me feel heard.
Thanks to her expertise and dedication, I was able to continue breastfeeding when I was close to giving up. I highly recommend her to any parent seeking knowledgeable, compassionate, and comprehensive lactation support!"
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