Lactation care can range from a local mother’s group all the way to a doctor with specialty breastfeeding certification. When breastfeeding is challenging, it’s often helpful to see a certified lactation counselor (CLC) or an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). IBCLCs have advanced training and certification that is appropriate for even the most complicated situations. In this article, we loosely refer to these professionals as LCs.
Phase 1: The Logistics
- Travel: Many LCs offer home visits, which can be invaluable in the early days of breastfeeding. Options may also include virtual, in-office or in-hospital.
- In-Network: Not all LCs take insurance, and typically only IBCLCs are eligible for insurance reimbursement. Contact your insurance company to see if you have coverage for lactation visits or if they have a list of any in-network providers. Some IBCLCs will provide you with a bill you can submit to insurance after the visit to attempt to get reimbursed.
- Options: Many lower cost options exist for care depending on your area and what you may qualify for: WIC offices offer lactation support, some hospitals offer postpartum support to those who have given birth there, some pediatric offices offer LC support, and community support groups may have a volunteer LC. If cost is a barrier, always ask if there is a sliding scale option for payment. LCs may have information about low cost services in their area.
*See our links at the end of this article for more
Phase 2: What Makes You Feel Comfortable?
We all have different needs when it comes to feeling comfortable with a provider. Before you book, consider:
- Communication: Did the initial contact feel supportive and clear?
- Availability: Were you able to get an appointment when you needed it and book easily?
- Cultural Fit: It may be a priority for you to look for a LC who shares your background or gender identity – feeling understood is a huge part of good care.
Phase 3: Know Your Red Flags
Trust your gut! You might want to keep looking if:
- The Brush-Off: They dismiss your concerns (pain, poor latch, not enough weight gain) as normal without offering additional information, work arounds or a timeline for follow-up.
- The Communication Gap: You don’t understand your care plan, and aren’t given a clear way to follow-up with questions. They don’t have answers to your questions about pumps, products or options like physical therapy.
- Outdated: Their information is outdated or pushy. Instead of helping you meet your feeding goals, they pressure you or offer information that is no longer current.
- Same Old: When one strategy doesn’t work, they struggle to offer more options or new ideas. They don’t offer connections to other forms of support that may help you or your baby.
Pro Tip: Get Prepared
- Taking a breastfeeding class: This not only helps you be prepared for what’s to come, but it also gets you insider information on LCs and support groups in your area.
- Meet and Greet: Almost all LCs are happy to do a prenatal visit. You can see if they are a good fit personally, and go over any specific concerns you may already have about breastfeeding.
Learn more
Choosing your prenatal provider
Search Resources
https://uslca.org/resources/find-an-ibclc/
https://portal.ilca.org/i4a/memberDirectory/index.cfm?directory_id=19&pageID=4356
https://portal.alpp.org/search/
https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/get-support-wic
https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/for-parents/find-a-baby-friendly-facility/
