Supporting Infant Feeding Through Connection and Care
By Marketing Specialist Stephanie Smith
From first latch to returning to work, Southcentral Foundation lactation consultants provide breastfeeding support to help families navigate each stage of the feeding journey.
August is National Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of early nourishment and the care that supports families as they build a strong start during a baby’s first months of life.
Breastfeeding is a learning experience shared by both parent and baby. While breastfeeding is a natural process, it does not always come naturally. With time, encouragement, and the right support, families can develop a rhythm that works for them. Southcentral Foundation lactation consultants guide families through each stage of the journey, offering support with latching, positioning, and milk supply. Lactation consultants also help create personalized feeding plans that align with the family’s evolving goals.
Breast milk is the ideal first food, uniquely designed to meet a baby’s changing nutritional demands. Breast milk contains the right balance of nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes, and it can shift throughout the day and even during a single feeding to support immune health and development. Whether provided for a short time or many months, any amount of breast milk contributes meaningful health benefits for baby. Lactation consultants support all feeding journeys, including exclusive breastfeeding, combination feeding, and gradual weaning.
Support makes a difference. Lactation consultants begin working with families in labor and delivery and continue care through follow-up appointments in primary care. They are part of an integrated care team that works closely with midwives and primary care providers at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center and Benteh Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center to support families.
Returning to work after having a baby can be a significant transition, especially for families that wish to continue breastfeeding. Lactation consultants help ease this adjustment by offering guidance on pumping schedules, milk storage, and how to maintain a milk supply while away from baby.
Families benefit most when support starts early. Education before birth, skin-to-skin contact immediately after delivery, and early latch assistance contribute to long-term feeding success. Lactation consultants offer care that is consistent, compassionate, and personalized helping families feel informed and confident as they navigate each stage of infant feeding.
Feeding is more than nutrition, it is connection, comfort, and care.
For more information about infant feeding, returning to work, or to schedule an appointment with a lactation consultant, contact your primary care team directly. To view additional resources, visit here.
