Becoming a new mom involves a lot of questions and planning. This July, Holly Seibert and her husband will welcome a beautiful baby girl, and after meeting with a lactation consultant at Lane Regional Medical Center, she feels confident and at ease about providing the best for her daughter. “I had so many questions with it all being so very new; I had so much to learn,” says Holly. And learn she did. Holly could not have been more pleased with the information and care she received from her lactation consultant, Kiara. “She was very knowledgeable, went in-depth with everything, she was absolutely wonderful. I told my mom and husband that this was my favorite appointment.”
Making the decision to breastfeed is an important one for an expecting mother. Breast milk provides a special combination of nutrients, antibodies, and immunological components that are vital for infant development and health, making it nature's ideal nourishment for babies. “I knew I wanted to try breastfeeding to give my baby the benefits of my antibodies and everything,” says Holly.
Holly had many questions ranging from pacifiers and pumps to continued support and resources after leaving the hospital. “I wanted to know if I had any questions or problems once I got home if I could reach out, and Kiara said, ‘Absolutely’. Knowing that this safety net is there, and I’m not alone, is a real comfort.” Taking the time to thoroughly answer each and every question and going above and beyond in terms of knowledge and communication made Holly’s experience at Lane a great one. “She truly made me feel prepared for what’s coming,” remarks Holly.
The services of a lactation consultant go far beyond the information and techniques of breastfeeding. Holly truly experienced service and care that went beyond a typical lactation consult. With this being her first child, this extra attention was very helpful. “She talked me through what to expect while in the hospital. She gave me tips on how to prepare our two dogs before bringing the baby home. She asked if I had been to the labor and delivery unit before; I hadn’t, and she took the time to take me on a tour so that I’d be familiar with it. She was truly genuine, a truly amazing person.”
One of the most important results of seeing a lactation specialist is the confidence that it instills. While you learn the science, health, and knowledge behind breastfeeding, understanding what to do, and being confident in doing it can make all the difference. “I feel much more confident. I went from wondering if this is something that I could do to knowing that, yes, I can do this.”
