Something many new parents aren’t always aware of is that their chosen pediatric provider can impact their breastfeeding journey. Choosing a breastfeeding friendly provider can help parents have a more positive breastfeeding journey.
Pediatricians, family physicians, and nurse practitioners play a significant role in shaping feeding guidance during the early weeks and months of life
As a CBC, you are not choosing providers for families. However, you can encourage expecting parents to thoughtfully select a pediatric practice whose philosophy aligns with their feeding goals.
Encourage Parents to Meet Providers Before Birth
Many families do not realize they can schedule a prenatal “meet and greet” with a pediatric provider. Encouraging parents to ask questions ahead of time allows them to better understand the practice’s approach to newborn care, feeding, and family communication.
While it is hard to know for sure how a pediatrician will handle situations until baby arrives, getting a sense of their bedside manner and feeding approaches is helpful. A new parent does not want to meet a doctor for the first time only to find out they are very unsupportive of breastfeeding.
Educate Parents About Questions to Ask
There are a million and one questions parents could ask providers. When choosing a breastfeeding friendly pediatrician, there are some questions that can help parents gauge if they truly support breastfeeding or not.
Many providers say, and may believe, they are a breastfeeding friendly provider. However, they might be giving outdated information which can negatively impact the breastfeeding relationship.
Some questions parents might want to ask:
- Are you board certified, and are you affiliated with professional organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics?
- How do you stay current with updated clinical guidelines?
- What is your general approach to newborn feeding in the first weeks of life?
- How do you support families who are breastfeeding?
- Do you recommend feeding on demand or on a schedule?
- When do you typically recommend introducing solid foods?
- How are feeding or weight-gain concerns handled?
- Are there separate spaces for sick and well visits?
- How are after-hours concerns managed?
How providers respond to these questions can help parents learn if they will really support breastfeeding. If providers are suggesting solids before 4-6 months, suggest rigid feeding schedules, or encourage early night weaning, they may not be equipped to truly support parents with meeting their breastfeeding goals.
Does The Practice Work With an IBCLC or CBC?
It can also be very helpful for families to ask whether lactation support is available within the practice. Some offices have an IBCLC or lactation-trained nurse on staff, while others refer out to community lactation consultants. Knowing this ahead of time helps families understand what level of feeding support they can expect if challenges arise.
Not only does in practice lactation support increase the likelihood of providers being breastfeeding friendly, it’s very practical. New parents have a lot of appointments, they’re tired, they’re healing, and getting out the door isn’t always easy.
If they can meet with lactation support after a weight check, that’s one less appointment to navigate.
Support Clients With Minimal Choice in Providers
It’s important we recognize that access varies widely. In some communities, particularly rural areas, families may not have multiple pediatric practices to choose from.
In those situations, the goal shifts from “finding the perfect fit” to building collaborative relationships, identifying local lactation resources, and helping families prepare to advocate for their feeding goals within the options available.
The purpose of these questions is not to challenge or “test” a provider, but to ensure alignment. A provider who understands normal newborn feeding patterns and breastfeeding management can reinforce a family’s confidence. This leads to meeting breastfeeding goals.
Conversely, outdated or overly rigid feeding recommendations can unintentionally undermine breastfeeding goals.
Not feeling equipped to support parents in navigating early lactation and provider choice? Become a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor, get started now!