Why a Mother Might Need an IBCLC
A Board Certified Lactation Consultant is an invaluable asset to breastfeeding mothers by reassuring them when breastfeeding is going well, and by providing information and support to help her prevent and manage common concerns. IBCLCs help with:
- Prenatal counseling about risk factors that may affect breastfeeding
- Basic position and latch of the infant
- Information about practices that promote successful breastfeeding
- Preventing and managing common concerns such as poor latch, inadequate milk transfer or supply, nipple or breast pain, and calming a fussy baby
- Milk expression and storage for mothers who must be separated from their babies
- Strategies for breastfeeding after returning to work
- Breastfeeding in challenging situations, such as breastfeeding twins or triplets, a premature or sick infant, or infants in special medical situations
International Lactation Consultants’ Association (ILCA)
http://www.ilca.org
What Happens During a Consult?
With Full Circle Lactation Consulting, you can have the comfort, convenience and privacy of an in-home visit. You and your baby can figure out how you fit together, settled on your chairs, your bed, and at your own pace. Some LCs charge an hourly fee, but I feel that with a set fee for an initial visit of 1½ to 2½ hours, we can watch the baby instead of the clock, and take the time we need to observe a full feeding and address all your questions and concerns.
I’ll bring a digital scale, which, along with tracking general weight gain, is precise enough for pre-and-post-feed weighings, to get a snapshot of milk transfer at the observed feeding. After the consult, a short report is faxed to your pediatrician and obstetrician.
We’ll then discuss and agree on an initial care plan. The consult fee includes phone follow-up as we assess and adapt the plan (since the baby has a vote in this too!)
- Initial consult: $185 ($210 for twins)
- Follow-up consults: $145
Geographical range: within 40 minutes driving time of upper Silver Spring, MD (Rte. 198 and New Hampshire Ave.). More distant destinations may entail an additional driving fee of $25.
Payment is due at the time of service, and a detailed superbill receipt will be provided if you plan to seek reimbursement from your insurance company. (You may wish to check with your plan beforehand. Coverage for lactation services is spotty, though a referral from your pediatrician may help with your request.) You can generally use a flexible spending account for medical expenses for lactation visits.
My work as a lactation consultant focuses exclusively on breastfeeding. It is assumed, and stated in the intake form, that the family is communicating with the baby’s and mother’s doctors for all other health concerns.
Breastfeeding Products: As originally designed, breastfeeding only requires breasts and an eager baby. But sometimes while working through breastfeeding challenges, we may need special tools and aids for nipple healing, supplementary feedings and pumping. I will provide information on sources for products. In a cooperative arrangement with the store at the Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington, I carry an inventory of basic breastfeeding aids, and pass along the check/credit card number to the Center for any sales – I make no profit on products.
Call to arrange your in-home consult:
Margaret Sabo Wills, IBCLC
Full Circle Lactation
(301) 384-8649