FAQ

I love helping moms and babies work through issues in their breastfeeding relationship! A consult happens in a lovely, peaceful environment where we can spend time answering all your questions as well as caring for YOU, the new mom, as a person, and loving on your sweet baby.

We will first meet 30-60 minutes virtually, where we will go over the intake you have filled out, and we will talk about your health, your birth, and your baby’s health. Next, we discuss what you are currently doing for feedings, struggles you are having, and I may talk you through an oral exam, watch your baby feed, and check your pump flange size (depending on time.)

Next, we will schedule and office visit (or may continue with virtual visits, depending on need.) We are currently doing temperature checks, asking covid questions, and requiring everyone to wear masks. Please feel free to bring one support person, but no other children. We are doing cleaning and changing scrubs between appointments to provide as safe and clean an environment as we can. If you are ill, please reschedule or change to a virtual appointment!

An office visit is 60 minutes. We will review changes since our last appointment. Then, before the baby feeds, I assess the baby’s mouth and suck, weight, and assess the breasts. During the feeding, we will address problems and work together to find solutions to meet your breastfeeding goals. After the feeding we will do another weight to see how much baby transferred. Then we will come up with a plan. My goal is that you will leave with a workable plan and confidence to move forward! We will schedule follow up visits or phone calls as you need them.

What is an IBCLC? How are IBCLCs different from other Lactation Consultants?

IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. This is the gold standard for lactation consultants. To acquire this certification, I spent a lot of time (1000 hours) working under experienced IBCLCs, took 75 hours of courses in human lactation, and then studied for and passed the IBCLC exam. I initially took and passed the exam in 2011. Every five years, an IBCLC has to recertify; I recertified in 2016 with 75 hours of continuing lactation education.

What makes an IBCLC different from other lactation consultants? A Certified Lactation Counselor, or CLC, has taken a short (usually 40 hours) class and passed a written test; there is no required hands on component. Don’t misunderstand: there are many experienced Lactation Counselors out there who can offer valuable assistance! But do ask what kind of experience the person you are seeing has. You want someone helping you who has both book knowledge and supervised hands on experience.

I was a CLC on my journey to becoming an IBCLC. I currently have more than 16 years of experience caring for breastfeeding mothers, along with my certifications. I would love to work with you and your baby to help you reach your breastfeeding goals.

Find out more about how to become an IBCLC from IBLCE.