How to prepare:
Please read here to learn more about our Health Policies.
As soon as your consultation day/time is approved, you will be emailed a consent/HIPAA form, an intake form, and a health screening form. These forms will be submitted through a secure, online system and should take 10-15 minutes. If these forms are not completed at least 24 hours before the time of your consultation, it may be canceled. If you have BCBS, Cigna, or Anthem PPO, pre-approval must be obtained online through the form at Lactation Network . You will receive an email (often within a few hours) letting you know if you are eligible for coverage.
Timing:
Our waiting room is not staffed. When entering, if the office door is closed, we will be with you shortly. Please arrive promptly for your consultation to maximize the use of your appointment time. Late arrivals will lose the time that has elapsed. If you are more than 30 minutes late, your consultation will be canceled and you may be assessed a $50 fee to the card on file. Initial consultations last around 90 minutes. Follow-up consultations are typically 30-60 minutes. We have a clean restroom and diaper changing area.
Steps to take:
1.) MAKE SURE YOUR BABY IS FED: Please don’t feel you have to make your baby wait to eat! Babies who are hungry tend to be stressed and do not latch or feed well. If your baby is hungry soon before we meet, offer them a “snack” to tide them over.
2.) HAVE A SUPPORT PERSON PRESENT: If possible, we encourage you to have a support person present during your consultation. Although you will receive a written care plan, it always helps to have a second set of eyes and ears. Support is an essential part of breastfeeding success!
3.) PREPARE SUPPLIES: If you have questions regarding your pump or any other equipment, bring them along-clean and ready to use.
4.) CHECK YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE: If you have questions about insurance coverage, contact your insurer before we meet. This blog post has thorough information. For clients with in-network insurance plans, please you have your card ready so we can photograph it. For clients with out-of-network coverage, we accept check, cash, credit card, and HSA/FSA cards. Payment will be collected at the end of the consultation if you have not already paid online or set up a payment plan with us. You will then receive a superbill to submit for reimbursement. If your consultation has been approved through WIC, they will be billed directly.
5.) RELAX!: Even if you don’t have time to do anything to prepare, we commend you for reaching out for support! Our goal is to leave you with a care plan that helps you feel confident in working toward your feeding goals, enjoying parenting, and forming a healthy relationship with your baby!
What to expect:
Most consultations include an assessment of the parent’s breast anatomy. We do not touch without a specific reason and will always ask permission. We will assess your baby’s oral and structural anatomy. With permission, we may take photographs of your baby so we can view them together, and send them to your health care provider.
At least one feeding will be observed. The non-latching baby will be assisted to breastfeed, and/or pumping will be evaluated. Education and resources will be provided based on our findings, and referrals will be given as necessary.
There will be plenty of time for questions. The evening of the consultation, each family will receive a written, customized plan of care. Reports will also be sent to the parent and infant health care providers within 5 business days or less.
The majority of breastfeeding problems cannot be solved immediately and take practice, hard work, and the “tincture of time” to resolve. Often follow-up consultations are needed. You will have unlimited phone and messaging support from us between visits. Please take advantage of this. If we don’t hear from you, we can only assume everything is going well. We care deeply about our work and our clients and want to do everything we can to help you feel supported and successful as a parent!
Please click below to schedule your office consultation today.