Breastfeeding FAQs
I’m planning to breastfeed my new baby. For how long should I breast feed?
There is no single answer to the question of breastfeeding duration. Both breastmilk and formula are appropriate for your baby. How long or if you choose to breastfeed is up to you. The World Health Organization recommends six months of exclusive breastmilk for babies.
Our Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) will talk with you about your individual situation and expectations, and come up with a realistic plan that works for you and your family. We measure success and make plans for breastfeeding based on your expectations. Whether it be no breastfeeding, or you plan to breastfeed for 6 weeks, 6 months, a year and beyond, we will help you find a feeding plan that is right for you. Our CLC’s goal is to help you set and reach your goal.
My baby is not sleeping through the night as well as I expected. What’s going on?
Babies don’t always sleep as well or as long as we would like. Part of this is by design. Newborn babies need to sleep a lot, and they also need to eat frequently. This pattern of activity doesn’t always mesh well with an adult schedule and can be frustrating. The first thing we need to do is talk about daily routines, feeding and elimination habits, sleep habits, etc. Often we find that nighttime problems have daytime solutions; that if we change some of our patterns of activity during the day, we can get different results at night. Often we find that minor adjustments lead to major changes.
Doula FAQs
What is a doula and what makes Teton tlc’s doula services unique?
According to webMD, “A doula is a person who provides emotional and physical support to you during your pregnancy and childbirth. Doulas are not medical professionals. They don’t deliver babies or provide medical care. A certified doula has taken a training program and passed an exam in how to help pregnant women and their families during this exciting but challenging experience.”
What makes Teton tlc unique is that your doula is a medical professional, a Registered Nurse with extensive prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum experience in a hospital. Your doula is also a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). This means that, in addition to having an experienced and empathic birth coach, you get an extra medical professional in your corner for your birth experience. We are there with you, exclusively you, for the whole time. Medical terminology and interventions are explained thoroughly and all your questions patiently answered, without interruption.
Postpartum Depression FAQs
I’ve never had depression before. Should I even have to worry about postpartum depression?
We do not ever want you to “worry” about anything. Our goal at Teton tlc is to educate you and, by giving you the knowledge and tools to be successful, empower you to be in charge of your own care. Childbirth is, even when everything goes perfectly, a traumatic event. As many as 9% of mom’s who go through childbirth meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD. (Healthy Children’s Project) A much greater number demonstrate at least one of the signs or symptoms for PTSD. When you have a postpartum visit from our Registered Nurse and Certified Lactation Counselor, we will use a Postpartum Depression screening tool. More than that, we’ll spend time talking with you about every aspect of your postpartum experience. Our trained professionals will help you identify when you need a little extra tlc and, if needed, refer you to a mental health professional specializing in postpartum issues. With empathy and compassion, we will help you thrive in your postpartum experience.
At Teton tlc, we also believe in an ounce of prevention. When we are able to work with you before, during, and after delivery, we can really get to know you, your individual needs, and make your experience as happy and stress free as possible. When we arm you with knowledge and realistic, achievable expectations, we empower you to have the experience you want and deserve.