Avoiding pushy hospital lactation consultant?

[Anonymous]

LCs also advise about using a pump, FYI.

[Anonymous]

I know it seems like we are all being pushy LCs here but I am another one who EP'd with my first because he could not latch (we tried for weeks!) and breastfed my second. I hated pumping so much. I told DH, if DD could not latch, we would just do formula and he was 100% on board with that. Fortunately, she nursed like a champ and it was great. I also want to say before my first pregnancy, I said I would never breastfeed. I thought it was gross. I changed my mind over the course of the pregnancy and then I was sad when DS could not just nurse. It is so much more work. It is so amazing to just have baby's food ready to go anywhere any time! As someone else said, especially in the middle of the night!!! Anyway, I wish you luck in whatever you do. I cannot speak to the pushiness of the hospital LC because while she did not seem pushy to me AT ALL, I wanted to BF so I cannot know what it would have been like if I said I did not want to. Good luck on the rest of your pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it possible to avoid a pushy lactation consultant when giving birth in a hospital? I’m a first-time mom but have heard an unsettling story from my SIL about the lactation consultant at the hospital she delivered in (granted, this did happen in another state - South Dakota). My SIL had made it clear that she would not be breastfeeding, but the LC (who was also a nurse at the hospital) still came into the room not long after birth and basically tried forcing it. (SIL did say that the LC was nice and friendly but still heavily tacked on the guilt and pressure.)

I plan to exclusively pump. I’m open to the plan changing (if I find that pumping isn’t working out), but I’m certain that I do not want someone grabbing my breasts right after I’ve given birth and will realistically be exhausted. I’m typically a very passive person and people pleaser, so I know that it will be challenging for me to communicate my wishes in this situation. Respectfully, I really don’t want this thread to be derailed by turning into a debate on breastfeeding vs. formula feeding. I respect everyone’s personal choice.

Tell her to leave you alone.

[Anonymous]

The lactation consultant can also help you with pumping, OP. Pumping IS still lactation. You will probably still need help learning how to use the pump. My LC helped me with my pump, as well (I had to pump because my baby wasn't getting enough milk from nursing. In hindsight, I wish I had just supplemented with formula. I wasted SO MUCH time pumping when I could have been enjoying my baby and/or getting some rest).

I would love to hear why you want to EP because, girl, pumping is HARD and TIME CONSUMING and personally, I would just formula feed if I couldn't breastfeed.

[Anonymous]

What in the pregnancy hormone hell….