For those struggling with breastfeeding, registered nurse and lactation consultant Melanie Pinet wants women to know they have a local option for help.
“I think the last thing women should be doing when they have a newborn is packing up and travelling to get help, I think it is a big obstacle,” Pinet explained. “Not only do I see moms in town but I go visit them in home and provide the follow-ups they need. They can be comfortable in their homes, in their pyjamas and they don’t have to travel anywhere.”
Pinet has been a registered lactation consultant for the last five years and been officially up and running in Cochrane since last September. Working as a nurse for 13 years, the consultant explained the majority of her nursing background has been in labour, delivery and postpartum.
“Moms and babies have always been something that I was really passionate about,” Pinet said. “Breastfeeding is something very natural in concept and I thought the same to myself, and then once you have that baby in your arms, you realize there is so much more to this than just putting the baby on the breast and go.”
The consultant and mother of three said she understands how hard it is for moms to admit they are struggling when “the media makes it look so easy.” Pinet assured mothers of newborns that it is common for moms to experience difficulties with breastfeeding. Pinet’s consultation business, Love n’ Snuggles, offers two different types of packages for mothers – a prenatal support package that includes one prenatal visit and two follow-up visits, and a postpartum package that includes two visits, all visits at the mother’s home.
Although, Pinet strongly suggests women start the home visits prenatally.
“The more information the mothers have, the more success,” Pinet said. “If I see the mothers prenatally, then usually after the first follow-up visit they are fine because they knew what to expect – the biggest (myth) for sure, is how ‘easy’ breastfeeding is.”
Pinet offers consults on an individual basis – and wants to stress to current and future clients that anyone can call for help when they feel they need it. The mom of three also offers mother and/or baby massages and prenatal yoga at a local yoga studio.
“Everyone so far has just loved it – they say they would rather pay to have me come to them than travel. They love that I can see them at home,” Pinet said. “I don’t tell mothers that they need to do ‘this and this and that.’ I ask what will work for them because they are the moms that are moms for 24 hours and they need it to be accessible to them.”
For those confused on what becoming a lactation consultant consists of, Pinet explained it is a lot harder than people realize. To qualify to write the registered exam, a person needs 1,000 practice hours sitting with moms and babies, 90 education hours, either online or in-person, then those who qualify have to write a six-hour exam that is offered once a year. After becoming a registered lactation consultant, the individual also must recertify every five years by retaking the exam or with practice hours.
“I think it takes a village to raise a child and I think we’ve really lost that,” Pinet said. “It can be quite difficult, and knowing when to ask for help is the key. It is more important to focus on the family, I am not on a crusade to normalize breastfeeding, I just want women to have the support they need.”
For more information on Pinet’s consultations, go to lovensnuggles.com
