What is prenatal care and why is it vital to breastfeeding success?
Prenatal care is more than just a box to check — it’s a lifeline that every parent deserves, especially when it comes to breastfeeding. The Lactation Network (TLN) exists because we know the start to a successful breastfeeding journey begins before birth — and that accessible, prenatal lactation care is how we get there. Everyone should have the comprehensive, insurance-covered care they need to succeed in breastfeeding and beyond.
Together with our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), we’re committed to making prenatal care an essential part of every parent’s journey. Prenatal care plays a vital role in helping breastfeeding parents feel more confident, healthy, and prepared by providing the support and knowledge they need before their baby arrives. Working with IBCLCs ensures parents receive expert guidance on lactation and breastfeeding, as these specialists are uniquely qualified to offer clinical care alongside other professionals in the birthing community and medical field. TLN exclusively partners with IBCLCs because of their advanced clinical lactation expertise, ensuring every parent gets the highest standard of clinical lactation care during this critical time.
What is prenatal care?
Prenatal care is more than a biological process. It’s how parents prepare to bring a new life into the world — and it requires unique, thoughtful support every step of the way. It includes regular check-ups with a healthcare provider, usually starting in the first trimester and continuing throughout the pregnancy. These visits may involve routine tests like ultrasounds, blood tests, and screenings. They allow doctors or midwives to monitor the baby’s growth, check your health, and identify any potential issues early on.
Essentially, prenatal care is an all-in-one guide to a healthy, empowered pregnancy. It’s not just about doctor visits — think of it as a personal roadmap, covering everything from nutrition and exercise to what’s coming next as the pregnancy progresses. And if breastfeeding is on the table, prenatal care is where the real prep begins, providing the knowledge and support needed to hit the ground running once the baby arrives. Studies show that parents who receive comprehensive prenatal care are more likely to initiate breastfeeding and continue it long-term. More specifically, those who attended prenatal breastfeeding classes had a significantly higher rate of breastfeeding at six months postpartum.
But prenatal care isn’t just about the physical aspect of pregnancy. It’s also a safe space to ask all those burning questions, get solid answers, and receive the emotional support every parent needs. By staying informed and taking advantage of this expert care, parents are setting themselves and their baby up for a strong, healthy start.
Why insurance-covered prenatal support is vital
Without insurance-covered prenatal care, parent’s can’t receive the full clinical and educational breastfeeding support they are entitled to by law.
When parents have coverage, they can attend prenatal visits, receive routine tests, and access International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) without financial strain. This level of care is essential; skipping visits over financial worries can mean missing out on valuable breastfeeding guidance or important help when issues first come up.
And insurance works both ways! For example, when a parent connects with an IBCLC covered by insurance, the benefits extend far beyond a single rushed session. There is no cramming months of breastfeeding education into one 90-minute appointment or making due with quick, bedside advice right after birth. Instead, insurance-covered IBCLC care helps build ongoing, supportive relationships over time. This long-term care helps new parents feel more confident in their breastfeeding journey and better able to address challenges as they arise — and potentially come back to a trusted provider to help with future babies if they choose to. Families who work with IBCLCs in the prenatal stage are statistically more likely to breastfeed longer.
By covering prenatal and breastfeeding care, insurance companies can directly contribute to better health outcomes for entire communities. They also reduce the financial barriers that can prevent parents from accessing the care they deserve.
Prenatal care and breastfeeding
We often hear that many parents assume breastfeeding will come naturally or that a family member will show them the ropes after the baby arrives. But pregnancy is actually a crucial time for parents to start thinking about how to nourish their child. Prenatal care is key to setting the stage for a successful breastfeeding journey. It’s a chance to get the education, resources, and support needed before the baby arrives. It not only helps parents take their first step toward breastfeeding — it also helps them sustain it. By intervening early and providing ongoing support, prenatal care ensures parents have the confidence and support to enjoy a successful breastfeeding experience.
Connect with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to start your prenatal care journey and get insurance-covered breastfeeding support from one of The Lactation Network’s expert IBCLCs.
We’re here for you, every step of the way. We work with your insurance to provide in-home, in-office, or telehealth visits with an IBCLC.
