Frequently Asked Questions

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Setting my rates has been the hardest part of opening my private practice. I searched the web to see what other IBCLCs typically charge, and I chose to stay on the low end of the scale. In transparency, while it may appear that my rate of $200 for an initial consult would be $100/hour it is truly far from that. Prior to your appointment I will carefully review you and your baby(ies) health history and prepare accordingly for our visit together. I then allow 45 minutes of travel one way, will spend 2 hours together with you, and then an additional hour or more of behind-the-scenes paperwork. On average, I'll spend 5-6 hours per consult, making my "hourly rate" around $35 an hour before accounting for taxes and all other overhead business expenses. In the future I plan to set up a donation pool which will cover expenses for those who cannot afford to pay for lactation care out of pocket. 

During your consult we'll review your health history together. I will assess your baby's reflexes and oral anatomy. I may also ask consent to assess your breast(s)- especially so if there is nipple pain or damage. We will weigh your baby and may do pre and post feed weights if applicable. I'll observe a full feeding from start to finish and give guidance where appropriate to improve the feeding experience for both you and your little. If pumping is part of your equation, we may also look for ways to optimize your pumping experience.  I'll address any questions and concerns you may have- writing a list beforehand is very helpful! We will then work together to create a plan of care that is unique to you and your family's needs and goals. Two weeks of follow-up related to the care plan and the initial visit concerns is included in your visit. An additional 4 weeks of chat/phone support can be added on in the services menu. 

Of course, mother and baby(ies) should attend, but I also love to see partners or other support persons there as well. It's often difficult to retain all of the information you may receive in your consultation, and while I will prepare a detailed written care plan, it's nice to have an extra set of ears to hear the information as well. There is also a lot of literature regarding increased breastfeeding rates when the partner is on board and the mother is well supported.