Lactation Consultants are a vital part of the healthcare system.
Together with your baby's doctor and your own obstetrician/gynecologist
or general practitioner, they ensure that your's and your baby's care
as a breastfeeding couple is complete.
Lactation Consultants who carry the credentials, IBCLC, behind their
names are specially trained and qualified to assist with every aspect
of breastfeeding. The International Board Certified Lactation
Consultant represents the "gold standard" in lactation consultant
credentialing. Look for this credential when seeking the assistance of
a lactation consultant in order to ensure the highest level of
training, experience, and expertise.
Lactation consultants can assist you in preparation for
breastfeeding before baby arrives through the time you or your baby
choose to wean. Many times they serve as simply a source of
information, encouragement, and reassurance that all is well. At other
times, their in-depth knowledge and hands-on assistance may be
necessary to address a particular problem or difficulty you may be
having. The following are situations where you might find a lactation
consultant's expertise especially helpful:
When you begin to think about weaning and how to do it safely and make it as easy on yourself and baby as possible.
This list could go on and on, but hopefully you get the idea!
Do lactation consultants charge for their services?
The answer to this question is most always, yes. Remember that
lactation consultants are healthcare professionals who must maintain a
certain level of training and expertise. This requires them to
continually participate in continuing education experiences, purchase
the most up-to-date professional texts, purchase malpractice insurance,
and renew their certification at least every 5 years. Many lactation
consultants are also self-employed or in private practice. While these
type of lactation consultants many times are more readily available and
able to practice without constraints which might limit their ability to
practice freely, they also must self-support their practices.
Lactation Consultant fees vary, but the average rate in the
United States is between $65-$80 an hour. This often includes follow-up
telephone and/or follow-up visits at no extra charge, but is not
guaranteed. Some lactation consultants provide home visits while others
can only see you in their offices. Others provide services during the
evening, on weekends, and on holidays.
Is is worth the money to hire a lactation consultant?
This is a question that only you can answer. But consider a few
things. The average cost of formula in the powdered form - the least
expensive - is now more than $1200 dollars a year. Of course,
concentrated or ready-made formulas, as well as special hypoallergenic
formulas required by some babies, are even more expensive. Research and
and anecdotal experience show that formula-fed babies are much more
likely to be ill and require medical care more often than their
breastfeeding counterparts. Mothers who formula-feed tend to miss work
more often due to having ill children than mothers who breastfeed,
resulting in lost pay at times. Most breastfeeding challenges can be
resolved with one or two visits with a lactation consultant. At the
upper rate of $80 per hour, figuring 2 hours per two consults, your
total investment in lactation consultant fees would still only be $320
at the upper end. Compare this to the cost of formula for a year, the
potentially higher medical costs and possible lost days at work, and
the lost benefits of breastfeeding for both you and your baby that no
dollar amount can be placed upon! Many moms say that the simple peace
of mind and self-confidence that a lactation consultant provides makes
the consult well worth the money!
If the cost of hiring a lactation consultant is a concern for
you, consider asking for a consult as a shower gift, or use the money
from all those duplicate baby gifts you have to return and put it
toward a visit with a lactation consultant.
Does insurance pay for a lactation consultant's services?
Unfortunately, most of the time it does not. However, lactation
consultants can provide you with insurance codes to submit to your
insurance company. These service/equipment- specific codes make it much
more likely that your claim will be approved. Some lactation
consultants will even provide you with insurance forms - super bills -
to submit to your insurance provider while still others may even submit
the claim for you. It is sometimes helpful to obtain a physician's
letter or prescription for a lactation consultant services and/or
breastfeeding equipment and submit this with your claim.
Where can I find a lactation consultant?
The Internation Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, the
board which certifies lactation consultants with the credential of
IBCLC, maintains a directory of currently-certified lactation
consultants. You can access it by clicking here
Medela, Inc. also maintains a Breastfeeding National Network where you
can obtain the names of practicing breastfeeding specialists in your
area. You can reach that service by calling 1-800-TELL-YOU or by
accessing Medela's website.
Breastfeeding.com maintains a listing of lactation consultants by state.
And finally, you might check in your local yellow pages under
"breastfeeding" or contact your local hospital or doctor's office for a
referral. Often friends or relatives who have previously breastfed will
know the name of a good lactation consultant, too.
If you happen to live in the Northeast Tennesse, Southwest
Virginia area, lactation specialist, Katherine Wilson-Thompson, owner
of Breastfeeding Essentials LLC, may be able to assist you . Learn
more about her services here.
Written by: Becky Flora, BSed, IBCLC
Last revision: May 27, 2002
