What can you expect in a consultation?
Check on your baby's appearance, nappy output, and behaviour
Check your breasts and nipples.
Watch your baby breastfeed and offer help with positioning as required.
Explain you how to know that your baby is latched and feeding well.
Show you how to rectify any breastfeeding problems you are having.
Provide you with electronic handouts to assist you after the consultation
Guidance on who and how to call for more help or questions
Discuss with you how to recognise your baby's cues
Put a gloved finger into your baby’s mouth to check your baby’s suck, swallow coordination and oral structures (also called an oral function assessment, to check for any suspected restricted oral tissues)
Check your baby's weight using a digital scale
Check the size of your breast-pump flanges to ensure that you have the right size, and show you how to correctly use the pump and store expressed milk
Refer you to other members of a health care team who may be able to assist you with concerns or questions, you may have that are not within my scope
Only a medical doctor, can diagnose, so therefore please note this is outside of our scope of practice.
Questions you may be asked include:
Your baby's date of birth
Your baby's birth weight, and current weight (having your blue book handy is helpful)
Ascertaining how many wet and dirty nappy's your baby is having
Is there any pain or discomfort you are experiencing?
Are there any concerns you have about your baby?