Prenatal Lactation Support and OT

Lactation support is imperative in the prenatal phase of development. Learning how to chest feed is not as intuitive as society would lead us to believe. Feeding takes practice, like riding a new bike, or learning how to walk. We didn’t do it the first time we tried it.

We had to figure out our body mechanics, position/posture, balance, and all the steps needed to actually glide and pedal for the first time. Learning can happen quickly, but in most cases multiple trials and support from others is necessary to really get the hang of it.

When I had my first, I felt like I was wrong because I couldn’t get him to latch. But, it turned out, anatomically I was having an issue that I could have addressed in the prenatal phase to support an easier latch those first weeks.

Not to mention, I had set up this perfect setting for an infant, but didn’t think about myself in the environment. I didn’t think about what stressed out Johanna would want. I set up the environment completely for me the second go around and even though my daughter had a tongue tie, I nursed happily and had a much easier mental health journey.

As an OT I can address anatomical differences and also support set up of an environment that will be conducive to a stressed out parenting attempting to feed a tiny human. I will help you consider what you prefer when you are in stress, because having a baby is one of the most stressful events we go through as a human. Even exciting and happy moments are processed in the body the same as stress.

I believe the more prepared your body and space are for a change, the easier it is to go through the change. This is true even if the familial change is fostering or adoption.