Preparing for Your First Lactation Consultation: Patient Checklist

The first days of breastfeeding can bring excitement, questions, and unexpected challenges. A lactation consultation creates space to learn what works best for you and your baby with hands-on support from experienced professionals. At Omaha Childrens Clinic in Omaha, NE, Dr. Tricia Schmit, Dr. Rachel Schlueter, Nicholle Bruhn, APRN, and Susan Connelly, APRN work with new mothers to help make feeding more comfortable, effective, and stress-free. Preparing for this first visit helps you get the most out of your time together.

What to Bring With You

To help your provider understand how feeding is going at home, bring a few useful items to the visit. This includes your baby’s birth information and any feeding logs you use to track nursing or bottle-feeding times. It can also help to write down questions ahead of time so you can easily refer to them during your appointment. If you use a breast pump, bring the pump details, flange sizes, and the settings you have tried. Supplements, medications, instructions you received before this visit, and recent weight measurements from your pediatrician can also give your provider helpful context.

Questions You May Want to Ask

A consultation is your chance to openly discuss what feels challenging and where you need support. Many mothers have questions about latch positioning, breast or nipple pain, milk supply, or how to pump effectively. You may also want to talk about how often to feed, what signs of hunger look like, or whether tongue or lip ties could affect feeding. Asking these questions early can make it easier to work through the emotions that naturally come with feeding a newborn as they grow and change. If something feels unclear or uncomfortable, share it with your provider so you can work together toward a plan that feels right for you and your baby.

What Happens During the Visit

A lactation consultation focuses on what you need most. Your provider will review your health history, discuss your goals, and observe a feeding session if you’re comfortable. This allows real-time guidance on positioning and latch adjustments that support both comfort and efficiency. A gentle assessment of infant mouth anatomy and swallowing patterns may be included to understand how feeding mechanics are working. Together, you and your provider will create practical steps to improve comfort and support a steady feeding routine.

Support Between Visits

Your questions do not end the moment you leave the office. Early parenthood can change day by day, so ongoing communication plays an important role in feeding success. The team at Omaha Childrens Clinic encourages parents to reach out when concerns arise, whether it’s a sudden change in feeding patterns or difficulty with pumping. Follow-up visits or weight checks may be recommended to support steady growth and help you feel confident in your feeding plan.

Schedule Your Consultation in Omaha, NE

Support makes a meaningful difference during your newborn’s earliest days. To schedule a lactation consultation with Dr. Tricia Schmit, Dr. Rachel Schlueter, Nicholle Bruhn, APRN, or Susan Connelly, APRN, contact Omaha Childrens Clinic at 402-330-5690. The team is here to guide, encourage, and help you build a feeding routine that works for your family.