What to expect at your first lactation consult

Our first visit will include going over your history and baby’s history, observing a feeding, examining you and your baby, weighing your baby before and after feeding, and creating a detailed plan to address your specific needs. This visit typically takes 1.5 – 2 hours, or longer if you have multiples. Some things to consider:

• Please wear something comfortable for breastfeeding.
• Please feed your baby 2-2.5 hours prior to your appointment so he/she is hungry but not frantic.
• If someone (dad, partner, grandma) is supplementing baby with a bottle, it is helpful to have this person attend with you as we will discuss techniques they will need to employ to support your breastfeeding goals. Please also bring the bottles you are using.
• It is helpful if you have a list of the questions and concerns you want addressed so we don’t miss anything.
• If you have questions about your pump, please remember to have it available for your appointment and plan for some extra time to address that.

Each consult includes one week of post-consult email or text support.  I’m available to you for updates, additional questions, or to adjust instructions as needed.  I love hearing your successes and welcome your questions.  I’m happy to clarify instructions, support you as you work with your baby’s care provider, and give additional suggestions as you and your baby progress.

Follow Up Consults

Follow up can be important for your ongoing success as you overcome challenges in your breastfeeding relationship.  Depending on your and your baby’s needs, you may opt to come to Elevations Health for a 60 minute follow up consult, or you may decide that what best serves you is for me to come to your home for follow up.  These visits are billed at $100/hr and there is no travel charge for office consults.

Depending on your and your baby’s needs, I may also recommend breastfeeding support group (I facilitate one at Elevations Health in Denver and one at Mountain Midwifery Center in Englewood).

Lactation Emergencies

Sometimes you need to be seen immediately, even if it’s a weekend, after hours, or when no appointments seem to be available.  Examples of lactation emergencies:

• You become engorged to the point where you cannot feed or pump
• Your newborn has not fed for many hours (more than 6) and won’t latch
• Anytime you’re having a crisis that you feel cannot wait

If this happens to you, please call me at 720-394-6995 and leave a detailed message if you don’t reach me right away.  I will get back to you as soon as possible.  I may be able to see you the same evening,  I may give you detailed instructions to get you through the night and set up a time to come see you early the next day, or I may be able to refer you to a trusted colleague who can see you right away.