Consult a pediatrician or lactation consultant for feeding concerns

If your baby is not gaining weight, seems constantly hungry or unusually disinterested in feeding, or if breastfeeding is painful, consult your pediatrician or a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). These professionals can evaluate latch, assess milk transfer, check for tongue-tie or other anatomical issues, and create a personalized feeding plan.

When to Seek Help

• Baby has not regained birth weight by 2 weeks of age
• Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 4
• Baby is lethargic, difficult to wake for feedings, or feeds for less than 5 minutes consistently
• Persistent painful breastfeeding beyond the first week
• Baby is losing weight or falling off their growth curve at well-child visits
• You suspect a milk supply issue or the baby has difficulty latching

Tips

• IBCLCs are the gold standard for breastfeeding support — look for the IBCLC credential rather than a general breastfeeding counselor for complex issues
• Many hospitals offer free or low-cost lactation consultations in the first weeks postpartum
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) programs provide free breastfeeding support and formula assistance for eligible families
• Pediatricians track growth on WHO charts (birth to 24 months) or CDC charts (2+ years) — ask to see your baby's curve at each visit
• A single low weigh-in is not cause for alarm; the trend over several visits matters more