The shortage of infant formula put the practice of breastfeeding in the spotlight. Kristen Hill who’s a peer counselor with the Louisiana Department of Health said when they promoted their breastfeeding program more WIC mothers signed up for guidance.
“My caseload has doubled since they know who we are and what we do and they’re really appreciative, they really love it,” said Hill.
The use of breastfeeding peer counselors at WIC clinics increased 30 percent from August of last year.
Hill said breastfeeding isn’t as easy as it sounds, especially when you don’t have a support system and/or proper instruction. If done incorrectly it can be harmful.
“Their latch could be bad, and it could cause damage to mom, the wrong size with the breast pump, everything that into being successful with breastfeeding, you have to help them, and you have to kind of walk them through it,” said Hill.
Hill said even mothers with their second child are learning the benefits of breastfeeding. She said some of her clients are the first in their family to ever breastfeed and they just need proper guidance and support.
“It doesn’t come naturally, it does but it doesn’t. It’s a learning curve for you and baby, for mom and baby,”
In addition to learning breastfeeding techniques for those mothers who return to work, they are also educated on how to pump breast milk. August is National Breastfeeding Month.
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