Having questions is normal. Here are a few common ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are you protecting your patients against COVID-19 and other illnesses?
Between each visit, I take the time to sanitize equipment with which a parent or baby comes into contact. Due to the ever-changing pandemic, masks are currently optional; though this may change.
What if I can’t afford a visit with you?
Everyone deserves affordable lactation care. If insurance coverage or private pay is not an option, check out the ‘resources’ tab for ways to access care in a way that does not compromise your financial stability.
If you are insured, don’t forget to check with The Lactation Network to verify eligibility.
Why do I need to see a lactation consultant before and after oral tether releases?
If your baby has been seen by a qualified provider who can assess for tongue, lip, and/or cheek ties, they will likely recommend seeing a lactation consultant or speech therapist to prepare. This is to ensure readiness for releases and to determine whether a release is necessary.
Following release(s), parents will see a lactation consultant or speech therapist to assess the wound(s) for healing and determine whether the stretches given have been done properly, then adjust those stretches based on the baby’s needs.
What should I expect at my appointment?
I strive to make the parents I work with feel cared for and relaxed. Before you arrive, try to ensure your baby is ready for a feeding. I will weigh your baby before and after feeding to measure intake, watch the feeding and assist with positioning and latch, and perform an oral assessment on baby. The visit will last up to an hour and a half.
How many visits will I need?
This is one of the frequently asked questions we receive. To answer, there is a different answer for every parent! Some parents need help with positioning and latching, and things get better. However, as a lactation consultant, I see a wide range of conditions with a wide range of treatment options. I will make a care plan tailored to your needs. On average, we see you 3-6 times.
Why are you qualified to assess me and my baby?
I am an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), which is considered the “gold standard” in lactation care. Before taking a 175-question exam, I was required to obtain several hundred clinical hours at minimum, complete 90 hours of breastfeeding-related education, and complete 14 college-level science courses. I have since been in practice in the hospital, a pediatric office, and private practice for several hundred more hours of direct patient care. I have also completed outside trainings on oral/motor function and many other lactation topics.
What’s a lactation home visit?
This is a great option for parents who fear having their babies around several others at a physician’s office. It’s also a great option for parents of newborns, because we all know how hard it is to get out of the house with a baby. Not to mention parents who have multiple children, as getting out of the house is nearly impossible with more than a couple of kids (if you know, you know).
Of course, there are parents who are afraid of what someone else will think of their living space, but I can let you in on a little secret we have: We don’t mind. Most of us have been there. Some of us (like myself) are still there. Having little ones, sometimes pets, while keeping a house ‘guest-ready,’ all while taking care of yourself postpartum feels daunting. You don’t have to do anything special for us. We do ask that you keep your pets in a separate space during the visit, because sometimes they love all that attention from a new person (again, we know, we have them, too). Toddlers and older kids love to help us, and we love it too!
During a home visit, you’re allowing us into the most vulnerable of spaces and times. We are grateful for you and your family for allowing us into your world, regardless of where we visit with you.
If you have questions, or want to schedule a home visit with me, please visit ashleeibclc.com/scheduling to learn more
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