Lactation Visits with an IBCLC include:

Assessment

  • Detailed medical, family and personal history of both lactating parent(s) and baby/toddler

  • Physical assessment of chest/breasts to evaluate nipple shape, chest/breast anatomy, nipple damage, etc.

  • Physical assessment of baby’s oral cavity to identify any abnormalities in tongue, palate, suck reflex, etc.

  • Observation of breast/chest or bottle feeding

  • Weight check using a precise neonatal scale designed to weigh premature infants and babies having difficulty gaining weight. I may use this scale if milk transfer is one of the issues you are concerned with as it is extremely helpful in determining milk intake. Its measurement accuracy is 0.1oz up to 12lbs and 0.2oz up to 33lbs.

Management

Address any of the following issues:

  • Positioning (including after a Cesarean birth, how to position twins, etc.)

  • Latch

  • Milk transfer

  • Fast flow

  • Oversupply

  • Undersupply

  • Inadequate weight gain

  • Engorgement

  • Plugged ducts

  • Chest/Breast infection/mastitis

  • Mammary hypoplasia

  • Chest/Breast surgeries and feeding

  • Bottle feeding techniques (paced-bottle feeding, etc.)

  • Nipple yeast

  • Oral thrush in baby

  • Restriction in tongue, such as tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)

  • Hypotonia in baby

  • Torticollis

  • Tandem nursing with an older child

  • Toddler nursing

  • Weaning

  • Pumping (going back to work, scheduling pumping throughout the day)

  • Use of galactagogues

  • Referrals to relevant practitioners if the breast/chest feeding issue presenting is beyond IBCLC scope

Plan

A plan of care will be developed with your input, making sure that the plan suits you and your family’s individual situation.

  • Phone, text, email support available at all times after our first visit and until you feel confident in your chest/breastfeeding relationship or particular situation.

  • Follow-up visits may be necessary for some families. If that is the case, a reduced rate is offered.