Take some time to consider what you would like to get out of this consultation. Together, we will tailor your consultation to your specific needs. We can spend the entire session going over breastfeeding positions, working on latching, pumping, or talking through the breastfeeding experience and the emotions that may arise around breastfeeding. Remember, IBCLCs are there to help you. Please feel free to fully express the desired goals of your consultation with me without fear of judgment. I am here to help you meet your needs and your baby’s needs. 

During your intake, it is important to provide me with as much information ahead of time as you can. It is important to include any surgical or medical history. Don’t hold back any past medical history. Even small procedures or hormonal imbalances may impact lactation. Make sure to include information about your social situation and stressors as well. 

We will try to weigh your baby pre- and post-feeding. In an ideal situation, plan to time your breastfeeding or pumping so that the baby is most likely going to be hungry within 30 minutes of my arrival to your home. To achieve this, try your best not to feed your baby within 1 hour of the appointment time. However, I realize this is easier said than done, and I know newborns can’t wait and do not have a predictable schedule. If you need to, feed your baby, but note the time and let me know when I arrive. Likewise, don’t pump an hour or two prior to the consultation. 

Full breasts and a getting-hungry baby are ideal as you begin your meeting with an IBCLC. If your baby is hungry and ready to feed right when we arrive, we will address that first. If not, we will talk first and work on developing a plan first and then get to work on a feeding afterwards. 

Wear comfortable clothing with easy access for nursing. Nursing bras, nursing tanks, pajamas, or button up shirts make for easier feeding, pumping, and skin-to-skin contact. 

Think about where you’ll be most comfortable during your consultation. If you usually nurse in a favorite chair, pump in bed, or breastfeed in a recliner, let me know so that you can receive help in the exact location in your house you prefer. If you use any additional equipment such as nipple shields, supplemental nursing systems, pumps, or bottles, please have that available as well. I often recommend using additional supports like extra pillows, swaddles, or nursing pillows - so if you have those, try to keep them handy as well. I’ll also need a sink, soap, and clean towel to wash my hands and a hard, flat surface near an outlet to plug in the baby scale. 

If you are currently giving your baby any supplementation or have been advised by your pediatrician to do so please let me know and have this available should we need it during our consult.

Try to write down any questions ahead of time, so you don’t forget in the moment. If anything does come up after our consultation, remember that your consultation includes one week of follow up communication via email or text with me - please utilize this resource as needed! You will surely come up with questions that you forgot to ask during your consultation. If it is something that I feel I cannot help you with sufficiently via email or text, I may recommend scheduling another consultation or refer you to another health professional. 

You are welcome to choose who will be in your home and present for your consultation. Keep in mind that anyone present during the consultation may overhear your private medical information and will be present for a breast exam and feeding observation. If you have other children it is best to find someone to care for them during the consultation so we can focus on your needs. If you are unable to arrange childcare, please prepare something quiet for the sibling(s) to do in the room while we are working with you and the baby. 

Though we love all animals, for everyone’s comfort and safety please contain all pets during the consultation. 

Keep in mind that consultations have limitations. If you have several areas of concern, it may take a series of several consultations to get you on the right track. If you have concerns that are out of the IBCLC’s scope of practice, I may refer you to your physician or another healthcare provider. You will receive a care plan shortly after your consultation. Your care plan is a recap of what was covered during your IBCLC consultation as well as any instructions or direction going forward. You also have one week of text/email follow up included with each consultation.

Please prepare:

• Access to a sink, soap, and a clean towel/paper towels so your IBCLC can wash their hands 

• An accessible flat surface near an outlet to set up a feeding scale, if needed

• Wear comfortable clothing with easy nursing access

• An assembled pump, cleaned pump parts, nursing pillows, and any other lactation technology you use (such as nipple shields or a bottle with supplemental feeding) in the area of the meeting 

• Contain all (even friendly) pets