What to Expect at a Gulf Coast Lactation Consultation

Scotty, founder and IBCLC, helping a mom and baby at a private lactation consultation.

If you've never worked with a lactation consultant before, it's natural to wonder what an appointment actually looks like. Here's a walk-through of our services and what to expect at each stage.

Our Consultation Services at a Glance

We offer private in-person consultations (60–90 minutes), video consultations (30–90 minutes), prenatal breastfeeding consultations (30–90 minutes), and group support. Most of our services are covered by insurance. If you have questions about your specific coverage, just reach out, and we're happy to walk through it with you.

Prenatal Appointments

What your prenatal appointment looks like depends partly on whether you've attended our breastfeeding class. If you haven't, the appointment typically runs about 90 minutes and covers breast anatomy, how often and how long your baby will likely feed, how to latch, what a good latch looks like, and positioning specific to your breast shape and size. We also cover pumping: when to pump, what flange size you likely need, and how to use both wearable and wall pumps.

We recommend scheduling a prenatal appointment between 28 and 36 weeks. That said, we've done these appointments the day before an induction. If you haven't delivered yet and want to be seen, reach out, and we'll do everything we can to get you in before your baby arrives.

Part of this appointment includes a breast exam, so plan to wear a nursing bra or something easy to adjust. We're checking things like nipple shape (erect, flat, or inverted) so we can give you accurate guidance, including whether you might need a nipple shield or a supplemental nursing system. We also take a full medical history, including any breast surgery, diabetes, weight-loss surgery, anemia, or PCOS, since all of these can affect supply. With proper management, most women can maximize what their body is able to produce, though not everyone is guaranteed to make 100% of what their baby needs. Whatever you decide about breastfeeding, we're a no-judgment zone. Our goal is simply to make sure you have the full picture so you can make an informed decision.

Right After Birth

If you've had a prenatal appointment with us, we ask that you let us know once you deliver so we can schedule a follow-up within that first week. A lot happens in those early days. We're assessing latch, checking milk supply, helping you through the engorgement that typically hits between day three and day eight, and making sure your baby is gaining weight appropriately.

Postpartum appointments include a full feeding session. We'll help get baby latched, observe how much they're transferring, and do a weighted feed (weighing baby before and after) to see exactly how much they took in. We look at both weight gain and weight loss patterns, compare them to what's expected, and coordinate with your pediatrician to make sure your baby is thriving.

We also recheck your pump fit at this visit. The flange size that worked during pregnancy may not be right anymore. Your breasts and nipples can change size after delivery, and a flange that looks like the right fit isn't always producing the milk it should. If that's the case, we'll try a different size and see if output improves.

Going Back to Work

If you're planning to return to work, we schedule a dedicated appointment to map that out: pump schedule before and after work, how to introduce frozen milk, how many ounces you'll want banked in the freezer, and whether or how to introduce formula if your stash runs short. You don't have to figure this out alone.

Exclusive Pumping

Some moms decide latching isn't the right fit for them but still want to provide breastmilk. That's exclusive pumping, and it's its own method with its own logistics, different from either latching or combo feeding. Pump frequency varies quite a bit by person. Some women need to pump 8–9 times a day, others 5–6, depending on breast shape, size, and storage capacity. We help figure out your baby's needs, how much to put in a bottle, and when to adjust volumes or stretch feedings.

Wearable Pumps

If you're trying to decide which wearable pump might work for you, that's worth its own appointment. Wearable pumps often require a different flange fit than wall pumps, even from the same manufacturer, so it's worth getting checked specifically for that device.

When Something Feels Off

If your baby has colic, or you're noticing blood in the stool, please come see us. We may not have every answer, but we can help provide guidance and communicate with your providers to build a more sustainable plan for you and your baby.

Virtual Appointments

If you can't get to us in person, we offer telehealth appointments, and we've helped many moms successfully learn to latch their babies over video. It can be a little more challenging without hands-on support, but we guide you through it. We can also help with pumping and flange fit virtually, and weaning support is available either by telehealth or in person. We've worked with families out of state and even internationally. No distance is too far for a video appointment.

Milkie Way Café — Group Support

Group care through Milkie Way Café is a great option for follow-ups or ongoing support, whether that's a quick weight check or just connecting with other moms. If you'd prefer a private setting, a one-on-one appointment is always an option; if you're looking to get out of the house and connect with other moms for your own mental health, Milkie Way Café is a wonderful place for that. Feel free to bring someone with you: a friend, sister, mom, or grandmother. It's often a two-way education: grandmothers who didn't have much breastfeeding support themselves decades ago are often eager to learn alongside their daughters and granddaughters. That doesn't mean they don't want to help; it just means they may not have the answers yet, and we're happy to bring them into the conversation.

We are Here for You

Being prepared and educated is the first step in learning any new skill, and breastfeeding is no exception. Gulf Coast Lactation has multiple ways to support you, and if we can't meet a specific need ourselves, we'll do our best to connect you with someone who can.

As one example: we regularly work with formula-feeding babies who are struggling with bottles and waiting on a feeding therapy referral. We're happy to sit down, try different bottle types, assess your baby's suck, and help troubleshoot choking, coughing, or low intake while you wait for that appointment. Whatever your situation, you don't have to figure it out by yourself. We're here to help.