Lactation Counsultation
Lactation care is supportive care focused on the feeding relationship between a nursing parent and their nursling(s).
The goal is to help a client identify their feeding goals and create a plan to meet them. This can include exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding, or supplemental feeding with formula or donor milk. Sometimes the goal of lactation care is to identify and resolve a specific problem, like a poor latch or challenges with milk supply. Lactation care can also be useful in anticipate and creating plans for changes like return to work or a subsequent pregnancy. Some people choose to establish a relationship with a lactation consultant before they give birth to assure that they have in place all the support they need when a baby arrives.
Lactation consultation services include:
Clinical evaluation of the feeding relationship
Development of feeding goals and plans
Ongoing assessment and modification of feeling plan to meet goals
Identification of issues contributing to feeding challenges
Assessment of newborn growth and development as it relates to feeding
Support implementing alternative and supplemental feeding methods when appropriate
Referrals for additional care when appropriate
What is an IBCLC?
An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is a healthcare provider that specializes in the clinical management and support of breastfeeding. I work with clients expecting babies to address potential breastfeeding issues like history of breast surgery and inverted nipples. I also work with babies and their nursing parents to address issues like poor latch, breast infection or plugged ducts, sore nipples, low- or over-milk supply, poor weight gain, supplementation, returning to work, and weening. Sometimes a parents would like to nurse a child, but is not pregnant either because they are planning adoption, surrogacy, or their partner is carrying the pregnancy. I work with people in these situations to create a plan to induce lactation. While IBCLCs support breastfeeding, my most important work is to support clients in identifying and achieving their infant feeding goals. For some that is exclusive, long-term breast-feeding. For some that is tandem nursing. For others that includes supplementation and partial breastfeeding.
How soon can you help?
In most cases a visit can be scheduled in 24-48 hours. If there is an urgent lactation concern often a phone visit or televisit can be scheduled sooner if necessary.
What training is required to be a lactation consultant?
There are many different credentials related to lactation care. I have chosen to be an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, or IBCLC. The IBCLC is the most extensive lactation credential available and requires didactic and clinical training in lactation as well as a certifying exam. More information about the IBCLC credential is available here.
Can you do lactation care by phone?
Yes. Depending up on the nature of the issues, it may be possible to do lactation consultations by phone or televisit. Some issues require physical assessment and are not effectively assessed or managed remotely. Please contact me for more information.
Will insurance pay for lactation counseling?
Whether or not an insurance company will pay for lactation counseling services depends on your individual plan. If a plan complies with the ACA (Affordable Care Act) it should cover, at no cost to the client, lactation counseling. However, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, and other health insurance policies make it difficult to predict coverage. I work with an insurance biller to file claims for lactations counseling visits. If you are expecting to need prolonged or extensive lactation support I recommend a verification of benefits to determine what your insurance company is likely to cover before you receive care. In most cases clients pay for care out-of-pocket and are reimbursed by their insurance company after the claim is filed if their insurance pays the claim.
How much does lactation care cost?
Initial lactation consultations are 90-minutes long and include a physical assessment and evaluation of feeding mechanics. The cost of an initial consultation is $175. Follow-up lactation visits are 60-minutes long, and are $135. Home visits are available. The cost of phone and televisits vary based on the length. Lactation packages are also available that offer varying levels of support. Packages are very helpful for people with a history of feeding challenges, those with complex needs requiring follow up, or those that are reassured by having preemptive support in place. Contact me fore more information.
Where is your office and how far will you travel?
My office is located at 1518 Castine Road in Penobscot on the Blue Hill Peninsula. Drive time is approximately 10 minutes to Route One and Bucksport, 15 minutes to Blue Hill, 35 minutes to Belfast, one hour to Camden, 45 minutes to Bangor, 25 minutes to Ellsworth, and 50 minutes to Mount Desert Island. Generally, I provide home-based care within a one-hour drive of my office.