7 Pumping Mistakes That Could Hurt Your Milk Supply
If you're pregnant or have just welcomed your baby into the world, you've probably heard countless pieces of advice about feeding. Some of it's helpful. Some of it's outdated. And much of it can leave you feeling confused or overwhelmed.
Here's what we want you to know: the support you receive in those early days and weeks matters more than you might think.
Why the First Few Weeks of Breastfeeding Are Critical
The first few weeks of your baby's life are a critical window for establishing feeding. Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, combo feeding, or formula feeding. This is when you and your baby are learning together, building patterns that will shape the months ahead.
When you have the right support early on, you're not just solving immediate challenges. You're setting the foundation for:
Proper oral function that impacts feeding efficiency and comfort
Healthy weight gain and growth patterns
Your milk supply (if breastfeeding or pumping)
Your confidence as a parent
Prevention of complications like painful latching, low supply, or recurrent clogs and mastitis
The Benefits of Early Lactation Consultant Support
We've worked with hundreds of families, and we can tell you this with certainty: the families who reach out for support early—even before problems arise—have smoother journeys.
Think about it this way: if your baby has a tongue tie that's affecting their ability to transfer milk effectively, every day that goes by without addressing it means:
More pain for you
More frustration for your baby
Potential impact on your milk supply
Compounding stress for your whole family
But when do we catch these issues early? We can create a care plan, address the root cause, and get you both back on track before small challenges become big ones.
What to Expect from an IBCLC Consultation
Early feeding support isn't just about fixing problems. It's about preventing them and empowering you with knowledge.
When you work with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) early on, you get:
A comprehensive assessment of your baby's oral function, latch, and feeding patterns
Evidence-based guidance tailored to your specific situation (not generic advice from the internet)
A personalized care plan that evolves with you and your baby
Someone in your corner who understands the physiology, the research, and the emotional reality of feeding a newborn
IBCLC vs Pediatrician: Understanding Different Types of Infant Feeding Support
Here's something that might surprise you: pediatricians and IBCLCs receive vastly different training when it comes to infant feeding.
Pediatricians are incredible at monitoring your baby's overall health, growth, and development. But their training in lactation and the mechanics of infant feeding is often minimal. Sometimes just a few hours during their entire medical education.
IBCLCs, on the other hand, complete extensive clinical hours specifically focused on lactation, infant feeding, oral function, and family support. We study the research, understand the nuances, and specialize in this one critical area.
This isn't about one provider being "better" than another. It's about recognizing that different experts bring different knowledge to the table. Your pediatrician and your IBCLC should be working together to support your family.
Why We're Passionate About Breastfeeding Support in Kansas City
Our founder, Sarah, became an IBCLC because she didn't have this support when she needed it most.
When her son was born, she was struggling by day three. Experiencing cracked, bleeding nipples, pain with every latch. She developed thrush. She was told to use nipple shields. But no one helped her understand why these problems were happening or how to fix the underlying issue.
It wasn't until a La Leche League leader suggested her son might have a tongue tie that things started to make sense. But by then, she'd already been through weeks of unnecessary pain and frustration.
That experience changed the trajectory of her life. She went back to school, sat for her IBCLC exam in 2020, and opened our practice in 2021. Because she believes every family deserves the support she didn't have—right from the start.
When to Contact a Lactation Consultant: Timing Matters
The short answer? As early as possible.
You don't need to wait until you're in crisis mode. In fact, we encourage you to reach out:
During pregnancy to learn what to expect and set yourself up for success
In the first few days, if anything feels off. Even if you're not sure it's a "real" problem
Before you return to work to develop a pumping and feeding strategy
Anytime you have questions about supply, pumping, bottle feeding, or introducing solids
Remember: perceived low supply is different from actual low supply. Breast pain doesn't have to be "normal." And if your gut tells you something isn't right, trust yourself.
Get Professional Breastfeeding Help in Kansas City
Early feeding support isn't a luxury. It's an investment in your baby's health, your wellbeing, and your family's journey together.
Whether you're navigating your first baby or your third, whether you plan to breastfeed for two months or two years, whether you're exclusively nursing or combination feeding, you deserve to have someone knowledgeable walking this path with you.
Because when feeding goes well, everything else gets a little bit easier.
If you're pregnant or newly postpartum and want to set yourself up for success, we'd love to support you. You can reach us through our website's contact form, use our online booking link, or call us directly. We'll begin with a comprehensive intake, develop a personalized care plan, and tailor our support to meet your specific needs.
You don't have to figure this out alone.