San Angelo Lactation Consultation

We Are Available to Answer Your Questions About Breastfeeding

Lactation consultation services are available at Shannon 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The consultants receive special training in breastfeeding and are certified by the International Lactation Consultant Association.

The Breastfeeding Community Gathering is held each Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the Women's & Children's Conference Room, located on the third floor of the Shannon Women's & Children's Hospital.

FAQs

Is it Normal for Breastfeeding to Hurt?

Slight sensitivity with initial latch is normal, but discomfort should completely subside after 15 to 30 seconds of nursing. No pain or discomfort should be felt after that time. If you are experiencing pain, check the infant's mouth for flanged lips and check that most of the areola is in the infant's mouth.

How Do I Know if My Baby Is Getting Anything or Enough to Eat?

We watch the number of wet and dirty diapers and the infant's weight to ensure your infant is eating enough. Most infants will lose some weight in the first few days, and then begin to gain weight, returning to birth weight by two weeks of age.

What Is Considered a “Normal” Number of Minutes for an Infant to Remain at Each Breast?

Feeding times vary greatly from baby to baby.

The best way to ensure your infant is receiving the right amount of foremilk and hind milk and empties your breasts adequately is to:

Latch infant to right breast and allow infant to nurse until they fall off or go to sleep, with no continued nursing with stimulation.
Burp the infant and offer the left breast. The infant may feed less to this side or refuse all together.
With the next feeding, begin with the left breast. If your left breast feels full or is uncomfortable, you may want to pump for comfort and store the milk.

Do Breastfed Infants Need to Be Burped?

Yes! Most breastfed infants have less gas because there is no air inside the breast for them to swallow. However, the infant can swallow air with latching attempts, during crying spells, or because of general swallowing while not at the breast. Burping your baby before, during, and after a feeding is always a good idea.

Classes

We understand the hustle and bustle of your daily routine. In addition to classes at the hospital, our breastfeeding classes are also offered online so you may still enjoy the educational experience from the comfort of your own home. The Gift of Motherhood eLearning Breastfeeding Education Program is a convenient alternative for expectant mothers who cannot attend a conventional breastfeeding class due to bed rest, scheduling conflicts, or time constraints. It is also useful as a refresher course for repeat moms.