Laura Spitzfaden, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, provides in-home visits for breastfeeding support in Lansing, Michigan and surrounding communities. A home visit by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is the most effective support for overcoming breastfeeding difficulties.
To prepare for a home visit, it is best for your baby to not be too hungry or too full. Please ensure that your baby will want to have a typical feed within 1/2 hour of arrival. If your baby is very hungry within 1/2 hour before the scheduled consult, feel free to offer a partial feed. Also, be sure that you are well fed and well hydrated and are as well rested as possible. Plan to have snacks and drinks available for yourself if needed.
I am accustomed to working with pets and siblings present and feel it is important to work with you in your natural environment. However, please consider your own learning style in deciding if siblings should be present or pets should be restricted from your space during the consult. I want you to experience your own best learning environment.
Please do not concern yourself with cleaning your home before the consult. I do not expect parents of young children to have a tidy home. I do ask you to avoid lighting scented candles or using plug-in scents while I am visiting unless they are important for your own comfort.
If your baby is currently supplemented with expressed breastmilk or formula, please have a small amount of supplement available during the consult. If using formula, please have ready-to-feed (not powdered) infant formula available.
If you want assistance with milk expression, please have your equipment available.
The Lactation Consult home visit lasts about 2-3 hours and includes
- Assembling a thorough pregnancy, health, and breastfeeding history about you and your baby
- Listening to your concerns about breastfeeding
- Assistance in supportive techniques that help the non-latching infant to latch and breastfeed
- A pre and post-feed weighing to determine intake
- A physical assessment, of you and your baby, that focuses on any issues that may affect breastfeeding
- Observation of a complete feed or two and if needed, demonstration of supplementation techniques such as at-breast supplementation or supportive bottle-feeding techniques
- Instruction on latch, positioning, hand expression, electric pump use, and milk storage if needed
- Provision of printed handouts that address breastfeeding issues
- Development of a care plan designed to meet your personal breastfeeding goals—I will help you to develop an individualized plan that works for your specific needs and lifestyle
- A comprehensive report that will be sent to your health care provider
- Follow-up phone, text, or e-mail consultations (included in initial fee) or return visits (extra fees) if necessary
- A commitment to continued follow-up until you are satisfied with your breastfeeding relationship
Prices
$170 for initial home visit and follow-up*. $255 for twins. Discounts and payment plans provided for parents with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level. If the cost of a consult is prohibitive for your family, please contact me for a payment plan.
Travel fees may apply if the consult takes place more than 30 miles from my home.
*Ongoing phone and e-mail follow-up is included in the initial fee. In person follow-up visits are $120 and $180 for twins.
I accept payment at the time of service. I provide a superbill to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
The cost of a lactation consultant is minimal when compared with the cost of artificial feeding.
