When to call a lactation specialist

Arrange for an immediate visit by a lactation specialist or health care provider educated in breastfeeding for any of the following concerns:

• Your baby has not nursed in the first 12 hours of life

• You are unable to position your baby for nursing

• After the first day of life, your baby nurses fewer than 8 times in a 24 hour period or cannot be awakened to nurse at least every 3 hours

• Your baby seems hungry but nurses at your breast for only a minute or two

• Your breasts continue to be engorged throughout a feeding

• Your nipples are painful, cracked, blistered, or bleeding

• You are tempted to supplement feedings with formula because you fear you do not have enough milk

• Your baby's weight gain is poor (fewer than 4 ounces a week; counting from your baby's lowest weight -- not his birth weight.

• Breastfeeding your baby feels too stressful

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