Who Are You Gonna Call?
Who Are You Gonna Call?
It's 2 AM. Your baby won't latch, and you're scrolling Facebook groups for answers. Within minutes, you have 47 comments suggesting everything from fenugreek tea to power pumping schedules. But here's the problem - none of these well-meaning strangers have examined you or your baby. How many of those suggestions will cause harm?
The Problem with Social Media Advice
Peer support has become wildly popular and unfortunately inconsistent and sometimes dangerous. We used to share wisdom and understand what we expressed to others, but in a fast-paced world run by TikToks, view counts, and credibility based on followers not evidence, we've lost our way.
A newly postpartum mom is exhausted and overwhelmed, so she takes to Facebook. Rather than using it as a safe place to vent, air out her grievances, and gain wisdom in what to do, she's met with the latest fads. The majority of these fads are not safe or effective, but she unknowingly rushes off to buy whatever food, drink, or pill "fixes" someone else's breastfeeding journey.
When Peer Support Goes Wrong
We don't tell a toddler to just try sticking a fork in an electrical socket, so why would we hand a mom a slice of cheesecake and a broken pump and then tell her to figure it out? It may seem like an overexaggerated extreme, but when we take into account that a helpless baby is relying on being fed and nurtured, this can become a very grave scenario.
Malnourished babies have been at the hands of whatever another mom swears by, all while the baby really needed medical attention and the parents needed support and education from trained professionals.
Who to Actually Call
Rather than sharing opinions, let's share professionals. As a community, we should be encouraging each other with educational information, facts not feelings, and most importantly pointing that person to a trained professional. Here's your go-to list:
• Struggling to feed your baby? Call an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) or CLC (Certified Lactation Counselor)
• Baby has a fever over 100°F? Call the pediatrician or doctor on call
• Mom is suddenly bleeding heavily? Call the OB or midwife
• Need daily postpartum support? Consider hiring a postpartum doula
Finding Qualified Help
When looking for an IBCLC, make sure they have current certification through the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). These professionals have completed extensive training in lactation science, counseling, and clinical management. You can find CLCs in your area through the ALPP (Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice) website.
Building a Real Village
If you have a near and dear family member expecting a baby soon, I'd encourage you to look into some form of gift card or fund for services on their behalf. Introduce them to an IBCLC/CLC, get them a list of pediatricians to interview, offer a postpartum doula to help with things, or even hire a cleaning service for them for a time!
These are things that a village can do for the family of a new baby. That is what a village looks like - not a cookie here and pink drink there. We've all fallen into that rut, but let's move forward and do better.
The Bottom Line
Your baby deserves evidence-based care, and you deserve support from people who actually know what they're talking about. Don't risk someone's journey based on well-meaning but unqualified advice. Provide support and wisdom in who to call - because when it comes to your baby's health and your well being, professional guidance isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. ❤️