What is Integrative Lactation Care?
Integrative lactation care is a holistic and collaborative approach to infant feeding support that considers the client’s entire well-being, including physical, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It works to integrate various appropriate therapeutic approaches and professional disciplines to support the family's feeding goals. Integrative lactation care emphasizes the client-practitioner relationship and relies on evidence-based practices from all appropriate therapies and professions.
It extends beyond the physical act of feeding to address the root causes of challenges.
It’s More Than Milk is well known for offering personalized, non-judgmental support for all feeding choices, whether that's exclusive breast or chest feeding, pumping, formula feeding, or some combination of all of them.
Key Aspects of Integrative Lactation Care:
Holistic View:
It looks beyond the breast/chest and infant's mouth to consider the broader picture, including the parent's health history, environment, and lifestyle.
Personalized Plans:
Instead of a one-size-fits-all method, it creates individualized plans based on the family's specific needs and goals.
Collaborative Approach:
Practitioners work with other healthcare professionals, such as OBs, midwives, feeding therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists, and integrate evidence-based therapeutic approaches from various disciplines.
Focus on Root Causes:
The care goes deeper to understand and address the underlying issues contributing to feeding difficulties, rather than just managing symptoms.
Inclusivity and Choice:
It is non-judgmental and supportive of all feeding methods and choices, aligning with the family's values and preferences.
Comprehensive Scope:
Support covers a wide range of infant feeding, including complex challenges like reflux, oral ties, food allergies, colic, as well as prenatal lactation education, pumping, starting solids, and weaning.
Emotional and Practical Support:
It provides not only information about milk production and techniques, but also emotional support to build confidence and alleviate anxiety.