Lactation consultants can help new moms stick with breastfeeding. Here's how it works.

Up to 87% of mothers in the United States breastfeed their babies at some point, but the process isn't always seamless. New moms can face issues with milk supply, pain, soreness and improper latches — and all of those can be difficult to navigate, especially for first-time parents. That's where a lactation consultant comes in.

These certified breastfeeding experts can offer advice on everything from technique to milk supply, with plenty of handholding in between. While you've probably at least heard of a lactation consultant before, it's understandable to be fuzzy about the details of what these professionals do. Three lactation consultants break it all down.

What is a lactation consultant, exactly?

A lactation consultant works with breastfeeding mothers and their babies, Jana Mead, a prenatal educator and certified lactation consultant at Corewell Health, tells Yahoo Life. "A lactation consultant is someone who is specifically trained to be able to educate and support breastfeeding families," she says. "They promote breastfeeding within communities and work to protect families’ breastfeeding goals."

A lactation consultant may work with a new mother in a variety of settings, Kristina Tucker, a certified lactation consultant and assistant clinical director for Women’s Services at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, adds. "Lactation consultants in general provide education and support but can manage complex clinical challenges to a family in a variety of settings," she says. "They can be in a clinic, home or hospital."

What do lactation consultants do?

Lactation consultants do a lot, actually. "Lactation consultants are experts in managing milk production and assisting with infant feedings, both breastfeeding and bottle feeding," Rebekah Huppert, a lactation consultant at the Mayo Clinic, tells Yahoo Life. She breaks down some of the more common things lactation consultants will do for families:

• Teach moms good techniques to help babies latch

• Identify oral abnormalities like tongue tie or inverted nipples that could impact breastfeeding

• Help parents navigate infant feeding challenges

• Help moms with milk production challenges

Some hospitals have lactation consultants on staff who will meet with new parents before they go home to help with any issues and answer questions, Tucker says.

What certification is needed for a lactation consultant?

Huppert admits that certification for lactation consultants is confusing. "There are many types of certifications out there," she says.

A lactation consultant is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC, Huppert says. "This is the highest level of certification and requires college-level education, breastfeeding-specific education and many hours of hands-on breastfeeding experience before you can sit for the exam," she says. "It also requires ongoing education and recertification every five years."

There are different lactation consultant certifications, but they're not usually as challenging to achieve, Huppert says. "Many of the other certifications just require some breastfeeding education and don't ensure the base knowledge of anatomy and physiology or require any experience with breastfeeding before getting certified," she says.

However, some IBCLCs will have other titles too. "Many lactation consultants have additional certifications like registered dietitian [RD], registered nurse [RN] and medical doctor [MD]," Tucker says.

Fast facts on lactation consultants

Here's some quick information on lactation consultants to have in your back pocket:

• Number of lactation consultants in the U.S.: 19,218

• Average cost for a private session: Varies, but experts say it may be between $100 and $200 an hour

• Average cost for a clinical session: May be free with health insurance or just cost your typical co-pay

• Highest certification a lactation consultant can hold: IBCLC

The number of lactation consultants in the U.S. has skyrocketed over the past decade; Tucker says public knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding may have contributed to this.

What impact do lactation consultants have?

Research has found that lactation consultants can increase the odds new mothers will breastfeed their babies and stick with it.

One study published earlier this month found that state laws aimed at encouraging breastfeeding like requiring lactation consultants on staff at medical centers increased the odds by almost 4% that moms would start nursing. The research also found that this increased the odds by as much as 7% that those women would keep breastfeeding through the first year of their child's life.

Another study, this one of 138 women, found that those who met with a lactation consultant six times (both during pregnancy and up to 10 weeks postpartum) were 66% less likely to stop breastfeeding and 54% less likely to stop exclusive breastfeeding during the study period compared with moms who didn't get breastfeeding support.

A meta-analysis of 16 studies that included 5,084 participants also found that working with a lactation consultant increased the odds moms would try breastfeeding and continue the practice. "Most of the evidence would suggest developing and improving postpartum support programs incorporating lactation consultants and lactation counselors," the researchers concluded.

Another small observational study of 210 women in the U.S. found that the majority — 71% — considered their experience with a lactation consultant to be positive.

Despite all that lactation consultants can do, they're not easily accessible to everyone in the country. "Because this certification requires the most preparation, it does make it more difficult to get certified, leading to less IBCLCs than some of the other certifications," Huppert says. "There are less IBCLCs in rural areas and some of the Southern states, so access can be limited."

Health insurance coverage can also be tricky, Huppert adds. As a result, she says it can be "financially difficult" for some families to use a lactation consultant.

What to expect when you see a lactation consultant

Your visit will likely kick off like many other medical appointments in the postpartum period — with questions about your health, pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery, Mead says. "Information on what to expect with infant feeding behaviors and growth is also provided," she says. "Your baby can be weighed before and after a feed to get a sense of how much milk is being transferred. Lactation consultants cannot diagnose certain conditions but can refer clients to other professionals as needed."

Your lactation consultant may ask to observe a pumping session to make sure the pump parts are fitting well and that the setting are correct, Huppert says.

Tucker says she'll often give mothers things to work on at home for a few days, before they move on to the next step. "Bite-size pieces and a very clear plan of care helps move parent and child through their breastfeeding goals," she says. "People can expect support, compassion and a tangible plan. We're here to help."