You might be curious what a lactation consult looks like at Aloha Nutrition. Well, I offer both virtual consults world wide, and in-home breastfeeding consults to families in Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, Niceville, Valparaiso, Destin, and Navarre, so no matter where you’re located, you can get the help you need. You might have a general idea of what an in-home consult looks like – an IBCLC lactation consultant, comes to your home and helps you with breastfeeding. But what does all that entail? For the most part, private practice IBCLC lactation consultants that do in-home visits, generally have a similar approach. I thought I’d go over a typical in-home lactation consult, that I at Aloha Nutrition do, as well as what a virtual consult looks like.

.

Prior to coming to your house, I ask that you complete my electronic Breastfeeding Consent form and my intake form, which are emailed to you through my HIPAA compliant platform called Practice Better. I use Practice Better for all my scheduling, charting, secure messaging, and payments. HIPAA compliant, means that it meets certain standards for sensitive patient data; all of your information is secure and protected. Any company that deals with patient treatment, must meet HIPAA Compliance.

By signing the Breastfeeding Consent form, you understand that I am a lactation consultant and not a doctor; that my scope of practice does not include diagnosis. You also agree to hold me harmless should anything happen. My Intake Form, gives me a better understanding of what’s going on in your breastfeeding journey and how I can better meet your needs.

You will also be sent an invoice of the appointment charge. I prefer you pay the invoice beforehand to get it out of the way, but you may wait until after the consult should you choose.

.

I prefer you not feed your baby too close to the appointment, because I want your baby to be hungry and get a good feeding while I’m there. However, if your baby is just too fussy and getting “hangry,” then I recommend just giving a small amount to hold him over.

I also do NOT want you cleaning your house for me! The last thing I want to do, is add to your stress.

Once I arrive to your house, I will set up my infant scale. This infant scale measures up to 2grams, so it is great to see how much breastmilk your baby can take in at the breast! In order to see how much your baby takes at the breast, we will weigh your baby before you feed, then after you feed, then calculate the difference.

Once I set the scale up, I will ask you to take your baby’s clothes off except for a clean diaper. After weighing your baby, we will sit down and talk about what’s going on.

.

Typically I like to get a general understanding of exactly what’s going on before we latch your baby to the breast, but if your baby is too hungry or fussy, we will go ahead and latch him on, and then continue discussing. I will ask you about your health history, your pregnancy, your birth story, then the early days along with some other questions.

I like to see what you have been doing with your baby at the breast, and how you latch and hold your baby. If I feel it can be improved, I will give suggestions and tips.

Once your baby finishes on one breast, I will then put on my gloves and take a look at your baby’s anatomical features and look for any misalignment. I will assess the oral cavity and assess your baby’s reflexes. I will see how the tongue functions and assess for anomalies, such as tongue/lip tie, high palate, sensitive gag reflex, etc. We will then offer the second breast to your baby, and once your baby is completely done feeding, we will get his weight and see how much breastmilk he actually took in.

.

If need be, I will go over your pump and check your flange size, and possibly watch you pump and hand express. If you are unsure how to hand express I will teach you.

Towards the end, we will review what we discussed and my observations and we will come up with a game plan. I will write out a care plan, give you names of local health professionals that might be needed such as a speech pathologist to help with suck training, infant chiropractor, pediatric dentists or ENTs, where to rent a hospital grade pump etc. If a follow up appointment is needed, then we can go ahead and schedule that.

.

After the consult, I will email you a Superbill, which is a medical receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. I will also write a report and fax it to the pediatrician, if you give me permission to do so. The reason why I like to send a report to the pediatrician, is because I am part of the healthcare team and when everyone is in the loop of what’s going on, we can better serve you and your baby and get you the help you need.

You will then be added to my private Facebook support group, where you will receive ongoing advice and support from myself and other moms. Depending on what the issue was in the consult, I will check in with you either in 1-3 days or a week after to make sure our game plan is working.

For virtual lactation consults, I use my HIPAA compliant platform. Practice Better, to organize a video conference. These consults are done via video and are for general lactation help. Topics might include returning to work, prenatal education, weaning, how to introduce bottle, balancing baby food and breastfeeding, possibly review low milk supply and anything else that does not require in person assistance.

These consults are generally one hour long. I will send you my intake form, consent form, and invoice prior to our scheduled session. During the session, I will ask you more details about your situation and come up with a plan with you. Afterwards, I will send you a Superbill, and I will add you to my private Facebook group.