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Lactation consultant: Once your body (and your baby) gets used to breast-feeding, you may find it the most relaxing activity in the world. But what few people tell you is that you may have to suffer through a week or two of absolute hell to get there. That’s where a professional lactation consultant comes in: She’ll watch your fumbling attempts at feeding your baby and then help you get the correct latch-on, give strategies for producing more milk and figure out why it feels like a metal clamp is bearing down on your nipple every time the baby takes a sip.
The details: Expect to pay $150 to $250 for an initial consultation plus phone and e-mail follow-ups with a board-certified lactation consultant (for referrals, go to ilca.org). The La Leche League (212-569-6036) can point you in the direction of free support groups or experienced breast-feeders who’ve been trained to help new moms. For additional lactation consultants (and other resources), check out New York University Medical Center’s helpful online guide (nyubaby.org/parents/support.html). And speaking of hospitals, most offer nursing hotlines where you can get on-the-fly advice or referrals to breast-feeding support groups.
