Your feeding journey: What you need to know about the challenges of lactation
The time after the birth of your new baby can be a whirlwind. Along with the miracle of a new member of your family, there are countless adjustments to be made. Many new moms expect lactation to be easy and natural—but it’s not always easy, and that’s okay.
“I think it’s important to acknowledge that breastfeeding can be challenging,” says Jamie Hendrix, certified lactation consultant at the Welia Health Birth Center. “Your baby is brand new, and you’re learning something brand new. And we have people available to help, because to have that support and guidance through it is really important.”
You’re not alone as you take the first steps in your baby’s new life. Hear from our lactation consultants about the most common challenges new moms face, best practices for how to deal with them, and how Welia Health can help.
Meet our certified lactation consultants
Several obstetrics (OB) nurses at the Welia Health Birth Center are trained as certified lactation consultants. In addition to their nursing qualifications, they have undergone serious training and testing in order to provide the best quality of care to new mothers and their babies. Lactation consultants go through more than 40 hours of classroom work, in addition to studying and prep, and finally qualify through a practical test on handling a variety of breastfeeding situations.
At the Birth Center, we provide round-the-clock lactation support. Our certified lactation consultants work rotating shifts, including overnights and weekends, to help ensure that someone is always on hand to help. And we continue to build our resources. Two additional clinic nurses recently completed the certification, and even nurses who don’t serve as lactation specialists receive training and education on providing breastfeeding support.
In the OB department, our lactation consultants provide support in the first 48 hours after birth, while mom and baby are getting used to breastfeeding for the first time. At the clinic, they meet with new parents at scheduled lactation appointments in the months and years following. Together, we help new parents handle the challenges that can come with breastfeeding, from pumping, latch issues, bottle feeding, the transition back to work, and more.
Your lactation appointment: What to expect
When you come to the Birth Center for a lactation appointment, you and your baby will meet directly with a certified lactation consultant. First, the nurse will sit down with you and talk about your experience with labor and delivery, including medications, induced birth, timeline, and complications.
The nurse will also discuss details about the growing newborn, including how old the baby is, how feeding has been going at home, and any issues that have come up. “At this point, Mom is going to be the one who knows the baby best,” nurse Jamie says. “Mom knows the baby’s routine.” The nurse will also speak to the parent about their comfort level and any anxiety or stress breastfeeding may be causing. This background information helps the nurse build a full picture of what support you and your baby may need.
From here, the nurse will usually watch a feeding session. They can work with the mother to pick up on small details that may be causing problems. During this process, nurse consultants aren’t trying to make big changes in the process. Rather, they’re looking for one or two tips that can make things easier for parents. “Those little tricks help,” Jamie says. “Moms try to be Wonder Woman and do it all—it’s okay to have a little support.”
Finally, the nurses weigh the babies at every visit. With bottle feeding, it’s straightforward to keep track of what nutrition babies are getting—but breastfeeding is harder to track. Weighing the babies helps clinic staff and new parents keep track of how they’re doing. This isn’t just useful medical important—it’s also important to “celebrate all those victories, so that parents can see just how great they really are doing,” Jamie says.
These lactation appointments are a process of working together. Our staff helps new parents with advice that they can take home and then works to schedule additional appointments to handle any new issues that come up.
Baby steps to breastfeeding
Every feeding journey is different. But many new parents struggle with a few common issues—and with support, all of these issues can be overcome.
Getting the proper latch. The biggest challenge that the certified lactation consultants see is issues with the baby’s latch onto the nipple. Latch problems can cause nipple pain, cracked or sore nipples, tender breasts, and more. In lactation appointments, the nurse will help moms find out what might be causing an issue with the latch.
One trick that Jamie often shares with her parents: line the baby up with their nose to the nipple. That way, when the baby begins to nurse, the nipple will be pushed to the roof of the mouth instead of rubbing on the rough tongue. This is the most common advice Jamie gives in her day-to-day work—and that small change can make a huge difference.
Positioning. Lactation consultants will work with the nursing parent to help them find a position that’s comfortable. Especially in situations like a recent C-section, it may be difficult to nurse in a traditional position. The consultant can help them try out other options—such as the football hold or side-lying position—that may work better.

New mom learning proper hold for breastfeeding her baby
Perceived hunger. Many parents worry about milk supply and whether or not their child is getting enough to eat. In the early days after birth, moms are mostly producing “colostrum,” a thicker substance that’s produced in lighter quantities than transitional and mature milk. This helps the baby get more nutrition out of less milk—but can cause worries for new parents.
Weighing the baby at every appointment can help reassure parents that the baby is growing as they should. And if there are issues with supply, the OB department can help parents create a plan to move forward.
Back to work and beyond. The Birth Center also helps parents with the many transitions that occur as their baby gets older. Pumping is a common topic of lactation consultations—nurses can walk parents through how to use the equipment, learn the ins and outs of proper milk storage, and ease common fears. Some babies may also be reluctant to switch to bottles when they’re used to breastfeeding (in these situations, it can be helpful for someone other than the breastfeeding parents to give them the bottle). Teething and going back to work are other frequent topics of discussion—and in these areas and beyond, our nurses are trained to help you handle every twist and turn of your baby’s growth.
A fed baby is a happy baby
At Welia Health, we believe that a fed baby is a happy baby—and we’re here to help on every feeding journey. Our Birth Center staff provide extensive education on bottle feeding as well as lactation. Whether you plan to bottle feed from the beginning, switch to bottle feeding after returning to work, or exclusively breastfeed, we’re here to support you.
“We don’t want people to ever feel bad about it. Everybody’s feeding journey is different, and we want to support everyone through it. Whatever the mom’s desired birth and lactation is, we want to help them,” says Jamie. The Birth Center staff is trained to give the support bottle feeding moms need and answer questions that come up, from getting the proper mix of nutrition and preparing formula to making sure that the temperature is safe for your baby.
A reliable resource, close to home
“No journey looks the same,” Jamie says. “Everyone’s feeding journey with their baby is different, and you’re going to have to pick what works best for you.” At Welia Health, we believe that new parents know their baby best, and we’re here to provide the information and support you need—in your community.
Welia Health is proud to serve Pine County, Kanabec County, and beyond. Part of our mission is making sure patients receive quality healthcare close to home. “You’re living in the country for a reason,” Jamie says. “We want to provide these services closer to home, in an environment that’s cohesive with your lifestyle.”
Questions about breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or taking care of a new baby? Talk to a certified lactation consultant at the Welia Health Birth Center at 320.225.3525 or schedule an appointment at weliahealth.org/services/birth-center.