yoUR GUide To bReasTfeedinG sUCCess / by Kate Thomas

Your Guide to Breastfeeding Success

A lactation consultant answers your questions

by Kate t homas

Robin Hollen, R.N., I.B.C.L.C, has been a board-certified lactation consultant for more than 20 years. She is a lactation consultant at Renown Regional Medical Center, the sole proprietor of Starfish Lactation and is cochair of the Northern Nevada Breastfeeding Coalition (NBFC), a partnership with the Maternal Child Health Coalition. Hollen, mother of three boys and one girl, spoke to us about breastfeeding benefits, complications, and where new moms can find support in the Reno area.

Why breastfeed?

Medical entities worldwide recommend breastfeeding because of the health benefits for the babies and moms, such as breast cancer prevention. Nonetheless, it is a choice. Like any recommendation—we should exercise, we should eat certain foods—it is a recommendation, and women make their own personal choice. Over 80 percent of women breastfeed, some longer than others. The interest in breastfeeding exists because women are aware pf the benefits and want those benefits for themselves and their baby.

Is it hard to start breastfeeding?

It depends on who you ask. Sometimes getting started goes very smoothly and sometimes not. Approximately 80% of women who want to breastfeed, have never seen anyone breastfeed so it may not feel like the obvious choice. Hospitals in the United States, and I would say especially locally in Reno, encourage moms to do what we call “skin to skin” holding their babies on their chest, which is conducive to breastfeeding.

What are some common problems moms have when breastfeeding?

A common problem is that the baby does not latch on correctly. Latching on refers to how the baby’s mouth grasps the nipple. Improper latch often results in sore nipples. Another situation is that the baby does not gain enough weight, possibly indicating the baby is not getting enough milk. In most cases, poor latch is the case.