Written by: Courtney Miller, RN, BSN, IBCLC
When you’re navigating the early days of breastfeeding, a lactation consultation can be a game-changer, offering personalized support tailored to your unique needs. Whether you opt for an in-home visit, office consultation, or virtual session, our team is here to help you and your baby thrive. Here’s a detailed look at what happens during each type of consult and how we work to support you on your breastfeeding journey.
In-Home Lactation Consultation
Our in-home consultations are 60-90 minutes long, giving us plenty of time to thoroughly address any concerns. Here’s what you can expect:
Comprehensive Assessment:
We collect a detailed intake form before the consultation to gather your breastfeeding history, current concerns, and any challenges you’ve faced. This allows us to review everything in advance, so we can focus on addressing your specific needs and concerns during the consult.
Latching and Positioning Support:
We work closely with you to ensure your baby has a deep, comfortable latch. We’ll demonstrate different breastfeeding positions (e.g., cradle, cross cradle, football hold, side-lying, laid back) and help you find the best position for you and your baby.
Observing a Feed:
One of the most important parts of the consult is observing a feeding session. We watch your baby nurse, looking for signs of effective milk transfer, proper latch, and any issues that might be causing discomfort.
Weighted Feed:
We bring a neonatal scale for in-home visits, allowing us to conduct a weighted feed. This involves weighing your baby before and after breastfeeding to measure how much milk your baby has consumed. It’s especially helpful if there are concerns about weight gain or milk intake.
Full Oral Assessment of Baby:
We perform a thorough oral assessment of your baby to check for issues like tongue-tie, lip-tie, or other factors that might affect feeding. We assess your baby’s sucking reflex, tongue movement, and overall oral anatomy to identify any potential concerns.
Breast Assessment and Flange Sizing for Pumping:
We also assess your breasts, checking for any signs of blocked ducts, mastitis, or other issues that could affect breastfeeding. If you plan to pump, we’ll help you determine the correct flange size to ensure comfort and efficient milk expression.
Follow-Up Support:
After the visit, you’ll receive up to two weeks of follow-up messaging, where you can ask questions and get continued support as you implement what you’ve learned.
Office Lactation Consultation
Our office visits are similar in length and structure to in-home consultations, typically lasting 60-90 minutes. Here’s what you can expect during an office visit:
Personalized Support in a Comfortable Setting:
You’ll receive the same comprehensive care, including latching assistance, positioning support, and feeding observation, but in the comfort of our office space in downtown Raleigh.
Weighted Feed:
We offer a neonatal scale at our office, so you can still take advantage of a weighted feed to measure milk transfer if needed.
Full Oral and Breast Assessment:
We conduct the same thorough oral assessment of your baby and breast examination as we do during in-home visits, ensuring we identify any issues affecting breastfeeding.
Convenience of Location:
Our office is located at 5 W Hargett Street, Suite 1012, on the 10th floor of the Raleigh Building, right next to Raleigh Raw. This central location makes it convenient for families who prefer an office setting.
Ongoing Support:
Just like with in-home visits, you’ll receive up to two weeks of follow-up messaging for continued guidance.
Virtual Lactation Consultation
Our virtual consultations offer flexibility and convenience, especially if you can’t meet in person. While we can’t physically be with you, our team has extensive experience in providing virtual support, and we’ve developed creative ways to assess and educate from a distance.
Detailed History and Q&A:
Just like the in person consults, we gather a thorough intake form before the consultation to review your breastfeeding experience and concerns in advance. This helps us maximize our time together. During the consult, we may ask you to demonstrate a feed via video, allowing us to observe and provide personalized feedback.
Latching and Positioning Guidance:
We guide you through latching techniques and positioning adjustments using visual demonstrations and clear instructions. Although we can’t physically assist, we offer tips and tricks to help you achieve a good latch.
Oral and Breast Assessment (Adapted for Virtual):
We walk you through an oral assessment of your baby and help you identify any potential issues. While we can’t perform a physical exam, we guide you on what to look for and what to discuss with your pediatrician if needed.
We also help you assess your breasts and determine the appropriate flange size for pumping, using visual cues and guidance.
Education and Troubleshooting:
We provide tailored education based on your specific needs and help troubleshoot common breastfeeding challenges. Whether you’re dealing with low supply, nipple pain, or pumping questions, we offer practical solutions.
Follow-Up Support:
Just like our in-person consultations, virtual visits include two weeks of follow-up messaging, so you can continue to ask questions and receive support as you implement the advice given.
Insurance and Billing
We accept most major insurance plans, many of which cover up to 6 free lactation consultations. If your insurance doesn’t provide coverage, we’ll issue a superbill that you can submit for potential reimbursement. The superbill includes all necessary codes for the level of service provided. We recommend contacting your insurance provider beforehand to confirm coverage and to ask about any differences between in-home and virtual visits, as these are often coded differently.
Final Thoughts
No matter which type of consult you choose, our goal is to provide personalized, compassionate support tailored to your needs. We’re here to help you navigate the ups and downs of breastfeeding, answer your questions, and give you the tools you need to succeed. Whether it’s in the comfort of your home, our welcoming office, or through a virtual visit, we’re dedicated to helping you and your baby thrive on your breastfeeding journey.
If you’re ready to book your consult or have any questions, please reach out—we’d love to support you!
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