Preparing for your consult

Hi! Thank you for choosing East Tennessee Lactation to support you in meeting your breastfeeding and breastmilk feeding goals! 

A lot of our families wonder what to expect when they plan to meet with a private practice lactation consultant. The information below should help you feel more prepared and at ease before your appointment.

Before your consult, you will fill out a personal history for yourself and for your baby so that we can best assess your unique situation and develop a care plan that works for both of you. We will also ask that your baby is ready to eat shortly after we arrive (this means feeding baby about 1 -2 hours before your scheduled consult).

At your consult, we will discuss any concerns you may have about breastfeeding or pumping. Your lactation consultant will also want to know all about your feeding goals. So many of the families that we work with have different hopes and plans for feeding their babies, and we want to make sure to help you feed your baby exactly the way you'd like to.

Next up - feeding baby! At your consult, you will feed your baby. Depending upon your circumstances, this may be breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or both! We may weigh your baby before and after feedings so that we may have a snapshot of what this particular feeding looks like.

Your lactation consultant will never touch you or your baby without your permission. We may ask to examine your breasts and your baby’s oral functions as they relate to breastfeeding.

Every step of the way, we will explain to you what we are observing and what we are looking for. Your lactation consultant will also ask along the way if you have any questions about what she is explaining. We want to make sure you have a clear picture about how breastfeeding is going for you and that you feel confident with how we move forward.

Within 24 hours following your appointment, your lactation consultant will provide you with a detailed care plan specific to your needs. This will include everything you talked about during your visit. Your lactation consultant will also check to make sure you feel good about your feeding plan and that you feel supported.
 
If you are a self-pay client, we will provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance if you have a plan that qualifies for reimbursement.

Finally, feeding babies is sometimes a process (and hard work!). There are often ups and downs when it comes to breastfeeding or pumping. Some issues may not be fixed right away, and we want to make sure you have support and information while we work on improving how your baby is feeding. Included with your visit, you will have one week of email and phone support. We may also schedule a follow up visit in order to adjust your feeding plan or to make sure feeding is going well.
 

Want more info? Here are some other things that can be super helpful when we schedule an in-home lactation consult:
​
DO:

• Make sure your baby will be ready to feed during the consult. You might consider feeding your baby about 1 - 2 hours before our appointment time.  

• Arrange for a support person or helper to be with you if you have older children or pets who need attention.

• Have the breastfeeding supplies that you use nearby, if you have any - this includes any creams, pumps, shields, etc. 

• Make a list of any questions you may have.

• Have a record of your baby's feeding times, diaper output, and weight history.​

• Show me the place in your home where you are most comfortable feeding your baby.

DO NOT:

• Worry about tidying up in preparation for my visit (No, really, please don't!). I assure you my house has been filled with newborns and messes and dishes and laundry, and I would love for you to just spend your time resting and bonding with your baby.