What to Expect at a Lactation Consultation

As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), the Gold Standard in lactation care, Melissa has over twenty years of experience supporting families with infant feeding.  Whether you elect to see your lactation consultant for breastfeeding help at a Clinic or your home, you can expect your lactation consultant to offer a full breastfeeding assessment pertinent to your situation.  This assessment might include evaluation the following:

Mother With Newborn Baby Talking With Health Visitor At Home

Mother

• Full health, lifestyle, pregnancy, and birth history as it pertains to lactation.
• Breast and nipple examination to assess structure and functionality, including glandular abnormalities, breast lumps, infections, engorgement, etc. (as needed), and nipple measurements for flange fitting while pumping.
• Identification of breast or nipple conditions that might affect breastfeeding, such as flat or inverted nipples, cracked nipples, blisters, scar tissue from piercings or surgery, etc.
• Milk assessment relative to your stage of lactation (colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk), including volume assessment and transfer to your baby.

Infant

• A complete oral examination to assess development, anatomy, and suckling ability, reflexes, including signs and symptoms of tongue tie and related conditions.
• Diaper movement assessment.
• Feeding history and assessment.
• Weight checks, including pre- and post-feeding test weights (as necessary).
• Oral habilitation/suck training and body movement recommendations to support effective feeding and related behaviors.

Feeding

• A complete feeding assessment.
• Positioning counseling and guidance.
• Milk transfer measurement and daily milk volume requirements.
• Bottle feeding, at-body supplementing (SNS), finger feeding, cup feeding, etc., support, as needed.
• Education for the family and other infant caregivers, as needed.

Follow Up

• You will receive a comprehensive care plan and supporting documentation specific to your breastfeeding concerns.
• You are welcome to contact us at any time to discuss how your care plan is working for you and for minor alterations to the plan.
• Some breastfeeding situations require multiple visits and additional consultations might be suggested.
• Documentation will be sent to your healthcare provider as needed.
• For home and community-based consults, you will receive a Lactation Visit Receipt (LVR) and supporting documents to file with your health insurance company for reimbursement.
• Participation in Breastfeeding Support Groups is highly recommended.