If you are pregnant and would like to breastfeed your baby or if you know of someone who does, PYAM is pleased to announce that Caylynn Wallace-Marcelle A.R.N.P. has expanded her training to become a Lactation Specialist.
Besides the recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics, there are many excellent reasons for mothers to nurse their infants: Human milk is designed for human infants; nursing stimulates mild contractions that help shrink the uterus to pre-pregnancy size; milk production burns calories; and mothers’ bodies make milk free of charge. But for many mothers it’s the quiet moments they share with their baby that matter most.
While breastfeeding is the most natural method of feeding an infant, mothers today face some challenges that can make it difficult. Many women have not been exposed to breastfeeding before they become mothers themselves, and don’t know who to approach for advice. Mothers who want to successfully nurse their infants shouldn’t rely on old wives tales and hearsay. While books and Internet sites can offer excellent information it is just not the same as being able to sit down and talk to a knowledgeable and caring professional.
A Lactation Specialist can begin advising moms before delivery, then, after birth, answer questions and give mothers down-to-earth solutions for any problems they encounter. In the early days of breastfeeding mothers need to acquire some ‘technical’ skills like helping baby latch on and off; they might have concerns that baby is getting enough milk; and they will want to learn the proper way to pump and store their milk.
Later, when many moms return to work, a Lactation Specialist can make the transition smoother for everyone whether a woman decides to continue nursing or chooses to wean the baby to formula. Having a Lactation Specialist available and on the PYAM staff is an exciting opportunity and valuable resource for new mothers.