More Than Birth Support: What Doulas Need to Know About Lactation Across the Perinatal Journey

Doulas are trusted partners for families, yet their role in lactation support is often underrecognized and insufficiently integrated into systems of care. Drawing from lessons learned through the Mississippi CHAMPS Doula project and the NICU for Families project with University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, this session will explore the lactation knowledge doulas need to better support families from pregnancy through the 4th trimester, including in complex settings such as the NICU. Participants will gain practical insight into preparing families for breastfeeding, supporting early lactation, addressing common problems, recognizing when additional clinical support is needed, and strengthening collaboration with healthcare teams to improve family-centered outcomes.