Ep.3/ Why Private Practice Lactation Visits
Private Practice IBCLCs are worth their weight in gold. “ liquid gold”!
Many parents who need help navigating breastfeeding, do not get the help they need in the days or months after the birth of their child. Many mothers do not realize that they have access to a private practice IBCLC. In this blog, I will discuss the reasons why hiring a private practice lactation consultant can be so important.
1) We can spend a lot of time with you.
I’ve been working as a hospital based IBCLC for several years now. In the hospital, we have between 5 and 20 consults a day. We have many responsibilities, including charting , staff education, and returning phone calls. We would love to spend time getting to know you and your little one but we run out of time. As a private practice IBCLC, we make the time to spend with you. An average appointment takes 1.5-2 hours. We are better able to get the big picture and formulate a plan that is specialized to you.
2) We do consults in the comfort of your home.
Everyone has their own routines and positions that make them feel comfortable. When you leave the home and go into another environment, sometimes it is difficult to replicate what is done at home. When a lactation consultant comes into your home, we can see how you feed in a normal situation. We can better assess the situation. It is difficult to leave the house with a newborn, so let the lactation consultant come to you.
3) We know the breastfeeding community in your area well.
Its difficult to navigate who your resources are when it comes to breastfeeding. Your lactation consultant knows the birth community well. We get to know the local midwives, pediatric dentists, chiropractors, and pediatricians. We know the best resources for referrals. We know how to get a pump if needed in an emergency. We can provide the information that each provider may need. Let us do the research for you so you can relax.
4) We know that sometimes we are needed urgently.
Private practice lactation consultants can make time for you easily. We are available for phone consultations as needed. Many times we can see you the same day you request assistance. Many IBCLCs will see clients on the weekends or holidays if needed.
5) It is more cost effective than you may think.
Most private insurance companies will cover lactation consults. I am pairing with the lactation network. If you provide them with your insurance information. They will reach out to your insurance company. Most insurance companies will pay for up to six lactation consults with no copay. One of these consults could be a prenatal breastfeeding class or a private prenatal visit to prepare you for breastfeeding.
6) Lactation consultants are the experts on lactation and breastfeeding.
In nursing school and medical school, very little is taught about breastfeeding. IBCLC’s have a background education of anatomy and physiology. We are required to have a minimum of 300 hours of hands on clinical practice. We had to get a minimum of 95 lactation specific education hours before applying to get our IBCLC. Then we take our boards and must recertify every 5 years. Most IBCLCs, then become specialized in specific aspects of lactation such as pumping or oral dysfunction. We are a reliable source of information on the newest research in breastfeeding.
Feel free to reach out to an IBCLC to get the support that you and your family deserve.
