ORANGEVALE, CA (MPG) - We all know how important it is to have a healthy immune system, so how important is it for infants to get a good start from the beginning? Those early days can be challenging for new moms, but thanks to Jessica Hopp, the owner of Infant Instincts in Orangevale, soon-to-be moms and new moms can rest assured that there is an expert who can help them with their prenatal breastfeeding education and postnatal challenges too!

“Growing up, I always loved babies,” said Jessica Hopp, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, “I was a nanny for over 12 years and after hearing all about breastfeeding challenges, I wanted to know more, which is what prompted me to change my major in college and pursue becoming a specialist in lactation education. It’s my passion!”

After working as an outpatient lactation consultant for UC Davis, Jessica wanted to go out on her own and provide a broader range of services, including holistic approaches to many of the issues facing mothers. She wanted to focus on “adding the nurturing touch to the clinical services”, via natural remedies. Her dream was to live and work in her community and fill the void, helping moms with their new infant care needs.

“It was important to me to do this in my community and offer services to help all moms who need support. I wanted them to feel that they are not alone,” Jessica shared, “Having problems after childbirth can be so stressful and intensified due to hormones making the situation seem worse. I want to be there for them, with tried-and-true solutions to their postnatal problems. They need to know that there is someone to help with their fears and concerns.”

The methods that Jessica uses are clinically-tested, and she’s had fantastic results helping moms with adjustments that make a big difference. One of her most gratifying moments is when she fixes a problem like “latching on correctly,” and the mom breathes a sigh of relief and says, “Oh, this is how it’s supposed to feel!”

Part of Jessica’s success is that she can spend the amount of time needed to address each individual’s situation. Typically, an appointment with her is about 90 minutes long"'in comparison to just a few minutes working with a nurse after delivery.

For those out of the loop on what’s “in” these days, the CDC and WHO recommend breastfeeding beyond the early weeks and urge exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months and then up to 12 months. The good news is that thanks to the Affordable Care Act of 2012, insurance companies are now required to cover lactation support including supplying a breast pump, providing lactation consultations, and prenatal education. This includes Jessica’s services!

“I help working moms by discussing their goals and making a plan,” said Jessica, “Returning to work can be a stressful thing. I try to break it down and make it achievable.”

Some of the most common problems new moms experience are stress, anxiety, and pain. “There shouldn’t be pain when nursing,” Jessica shared, “The two most common causes are a shallow latch or infant oral issues like tongue ties or suck coordination.”

Another common issue is the infant having tension or stress, which can be relieved with techniques as simple as infant massage and stretches.

“I get a good mix of first-time moms who don’t know what to expect. I also get moms who have had a difficult time previously and want to get ahead of the curve on their next pregnancy,” Jessica said, “Although you may be successful with one baby, each birth and nursing situation is different and that’s where I come in to help.”

In addition to lactation consultation, Jessica also sells home grown organic baby food, offers breastfeeding support groups and is planning future education classes. For more information about all the services offered at Infant Instincts, go to www.infantinsctincts.com or call 916.827.5571.