What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants function and contribute as members of the maternal-child health team. They provide care in a variety of settings while making appropriate referrals to other health professionals and community support resources. Working together with mothers, families, policymakers, and society, IBCLC certificants provide expert breastfeeding and lactation care, promote changes that support breastfeeding and help reduce the risks of not breastfeeding. International Board of Lactation Examiners (IBLCE)
Will my insurance cover the costs?
The health care law requires all new health plans to cover “comprehensive prenatal and postnatal lactation support [and] counseling.” I can provide you with the documents you need for reimbursement. However, Bethpage Lactation cannot guarantee any outcome. The best way to find out if you will be reimbursed for services is to call the member service department of your insurance provider and ask about lactation or breastfeeding help coverage. Learn more about your rights under the Affordable Care Act here.
I am in-network with Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO, Anthem PPO, Cigna PPO, Multiplan, and PNOA through The Lactation Network. You can check for coverage here.
I am also directly in-network with Aetna and United Healthcare/Oxford - go here to schedule your initial consultation. Some plans will have co-pays and cost-sharing.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding or feeding my baby breastmilk?
BENEFITS FOR INFANTS
Infants who are breastfed have reduced risks of:
• Asthma
• Obesity
• Type 1 diabetes
• Severe lower respiratory disease
• Acute otitis media (ear infections)
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting)
• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) for preterm infants
BENEFITS FOR MOTHERS
Breastfeeding can help lower a mother’s risk of:
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Ovarian cancer
• Breast cancer
What can I expect during my initial lactation consult?
Review your medical intake form
Address your breastfeeding issues and concerns
Perform a physical or visual exam of the mother's breasts
Perform an oral exam of the baby
Observe the baby nursing and possibly bottle-feeding
Weigh the baby before and after a feed to assess intake
Develop a care plan based on our work together. This plan may include links, videos, follow-up visit plans, and referrals to specialists as needed.
What happens after our visit?
You will have access to your care plan within 24 hours through the MilkNotes parent portal; I can also provide a copy to your pediatrician and any other healthcare providers you would like me to at your request.
ALL consults with me include 2 weeks of email, secure messaging, or text support. I expect to hear from you, and you are NOT bothering me!
How can I schedule an appointment with you?
All scheduling is done online - you can choose the time that works best for you.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR LACTATION CONSULT.
I believe all parents should have access to quality lactation support. An appointment with me costs way less than the option of NOT breastfeeding. In addition, babies who are not breastfed are associated with an increased incidence of infectious morbidity, including otitis media, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, elevated risks of childhood obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
For mothers, failure to breastfeed is associated with an increased incidence of premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer, retained gestational weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes.
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When should I schedule my initial lactation consultation?
As soon as you can! Breastfeeding difficulties are best addressed as quickly as possible.
If you are exploring the thought of breastfeeding your baby and are visiting my site during pregnancy - schedule your prenatal consult - this will help you have the best possible start. The best time to schedule your initial lactation consult is between 26- 36 weeks gestation.
Do I need help from a lactation consultant?
If you are experiencing any of the following, you will benefit from the help of a lactation consultant
Painful or difficulty latching
Low milk supply
Too much milk supply
Infant weight loss (higher than 10% loss from the birth weight) or insufficient weight gain two weeks after birth
Fussiness at the breast
Nursing refusal
Transitioning from bottle to breast or vice-versa
Breast or nipple pain
Infants with special feeding needs, including premature infants
Infant dribbling milk from sides of lips with breast or bottle
Preparing to go back to work
General breastfeeding education