Breastfeeding
Do you offer free breastfeeding help like La Leche League?
I am open to free breastfeeding meetings where mothers share experiences and help one another, and I can be present to moderate and facilitate. If a mother calls me or emails me I will listen to a summary of the problems and if it an easy solution then I am also able to help without charge.
What kind of Breastfeeding classes do you offer?
Taking the initiative to breastfeed is a healthy choice that not only benefits the new baby but the postpartum mother, as well. I offer customized classes both privately and for small groups. Classes cover the many benefits of breastfeeding. Mothers learn several practical and comfortable nursing positions and receive recommendations on how to avoid breastfeeding difficulties. Mothers will also learn the mechanics of manual expression, and milk storage. Additionally, information on how to enhance milk production with the use of herbs and relaxation techniques, will be provided.
What is the difference between a home visit and phone consultation?
I prefer offering and encouraging the home visit because it ensures you do not get charge for multiple phone consultations. For a home visit there is a flat fee for the problem at hand. There is one home visit and unlimited phone support following in regards to that issue. Some mother’s feel they only need on phone call and so I offer the other option. But sometimes a mother thinks a 90 minute phone call is all she needs but she finds herself with more questions and concerns regarding the issue a few days later. I prefer to play it safe and do home visits, especially with complicated issues such as low milk supply and a baby fussy at the breast. For some issues such as re-lactation and latching on problems I may only be able to offer a home visit. If problems persist you will be referred to a lactation consultant.
How do you bill?
For phone consultations I will send you an invoice by mail or email after our conversation and the payment is due within one week of services received. For home visits I expect payment immediately following the consultation that day. I will work with families if they need to make payments over time but at this time I do not accept credit cards.
What about repeat phone consultations?
If you have a problem or question that I feel cannot be fully addressed in one phone call, I will recommend you pay for a home visit. If this is not your choice and you opt for a phone consultation then any questions down the road about the same, or a different, problem will be charged as another phone consultation. Some things can easily be addressed and fixed in a good length phone consultation (weaning advice perhaps) but other things (such a baby refusing the breast) may be an on going issue and should be address through a home visit or with the assistance of a Lactation Consultant.
How is a phone conversation scheduled?
After identifying your concerns and problems as well as gathering your contact information we will set up a time to talk, when both of us can most likely be uninterrupted. I try to make this happen within that very day. This will be your appointment time. I save it for you, schedule around it for you, adjust my schedule to it for you. It requires 6 hours notice to cancel. If the phone call does not take place at the allotted time (because you do not call, or I cannot get an answer, etc) then you will still be billed in full. After the appointment time I will mail a bill out to you.
I am surprised you charge for phone calls, isn’t that usually a volunteer job?
In most areas of the US there are organizations that have volunteer peer counselors like your local WIC office. The counselors with groups like that are other mothers that have gone through a peer training program and offer their help to other nursing mothers as they can with a limited scope of practice. I have a more extensive level of experience and education that allows me to work Breastfeeding Assistance into my Doula business and do things differently. I may get many calls per week from nursing mothers asking for free phone support. I myself have a young family and cannot take the time to help them all on a volunteer basis. This is one reason, though, why I am open to offering the nursing mother’s meetings. I value a mother being able to find free mother to mother support and my meetings make that possible.
What is your experience with Breastfeeding?
I have successfully breastfed my two children, of which I am still nursing my 2 year old providing me with four years of firsthand experience. I have been a passionate supporter of breastfeeding even prior to becoming a mother, and am an active La Leche League member. I am also a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor which means that I have participated in a 20-hour training workshop that includes breastfeeding basics, and counseling skills, as well as passed a two part exam, including a practical. I inspired many women to begin breastfeeding and have helped others to successfully breastfeed. Due to my commitment to breastfeeding I make every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date information. Referrals will be made to a Lactation Consultant for circumstances outside the realm of normal breastfeeding.
What is your scope of practice?
I can not prescribe medications. I cannot tell you what medications or herbals are safe to take. I can however empower you to find out on you own what is safe to take by providing the latest research findings, citing sections from my resources and encouraging you to speak to your doctor armed with that information. I can often help you come to your own decision based on the research and medical findings that I give you. I am not an RN and do not prefer medical tasks like taking temperatures or checking blood pressures. I can however help with a mother and baby’s nutritional needs as well as assessing proper weight and weight gain for baby. I can also tell you when a situation is out of my scope of practice and can refer you to the proper medical professional.
What can you help with?
Pumping, sore nipples, engorgement, going back to work, combination, weaning, re-lactation, a baby that won’t latch, low milk supply, over supply, leaking milk, tandem nursing, the first few days, sleeping, babies the are fussy at breast, teething and biting, and many, many more concerns!
