What a visit is like:

Here’s the FIRST thing I want you to know about an in-home visit: PLEASE, DO NOT CLEAN FOR ME! :-) You have enough to do if you are a new parent or are having nursing struggles! I am a mother of 4 living a very real life myself. I understand well that there may be sticky counters, toys around, piles of laundry, and many many water bottles strewn about. (I like to see the water bottles. Hydrate, mama!)

After you book with me I will send you digital in-take forms to complete. Having this done ahead of time will leave plenty of time for working together on the issues concerning you.

When I arrive I will want to meet wherever you have been hanging out and nursing your baby the most. Living room? Bedroom? We will get comfy then will get right into discussing what the issue/issues are that are concerning you.

It is important that I’m able to observe a feed. Just a normal breast-feeding session in the way, place, and conditions you normally nurse your baby in. To this end it’s ideal that your baby be ready to nurse during our consult. But, please don’t “hold off” on nursing your baby if they are very hungry.

There are often latch and positioning fixes that I may recommend. Sometimes this alone can solve the problem!

Every consult looks different because every mother-baby dyad needs something different! We will follow you and your baby’s needs and concerns. No question is wrong and if something I suggest doesn’t sit right; we will try something else!

If you are comfortable with having other family members (dad, grandma, etc) around during the consult then I am completely at ease with that and it often helps to have a few ears listening. If there are toddlers or other children in the home we will probably get more done if someone can take them to the park. :-)

It’s very important to me that you feel comfortable. A lactation consult usually involves me needing to touch your breasts and to touch your baby. I will always ask for consent.

As part of every consult I do an infant weight check and, if indicated, a before and after weight (to see how much milk your baby takes in). I will also perform an oral exam on the baby in most cases.

Before I leave we will agree on a “Way Forward Plan” that includes what we discussed and my recommendations.

I will prepare a report from our consult and send it to you and baby’s care providers.

You will hear from me within the next few days by text or email, just to check-in on how things are going. You are welcome to text or email me after our appointment as needed. Whenever you think you might need it, we will schedule a followup phone conversation.