Breastfeeding Consultations

Do I need a Lactation Consultant?

There are many situations in which families can benefit from a private, professional lactation consultation. Some reasons to seek assistance from a international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) include but are not limited to:

Mother issues:

• Supply concerns - low milk supply, oversupply, weaning support
• Pain concerns - nipple/breast pain, mastitis, engorgement, plugged ducts, thrush, latch problems, not enjoying feedings
• Health history concerns - fertility issues, breast surgeries, prior breastfeeding issues, breast health concerns
• Work/pumping concerns - pump comfort/fit issues, supply maintenance, support through a transitional phase
• Special concerns - adoptive/induced lactation, lactation after infant loss, tandem nursing

• Weight concerns - slow weight gain, poor growth, supplemental feeds
• Latch concerns - non-latching baby, suck dysfunction, oral motor issues, tongue/lip tie, structural concerns
• Feeding tools - support regarding tools such as: bottles, nipples shields, at-breast supplementation, specialized feeding tools
• Digestive concerns - colic, reflux, food allergies/sensitivities, unresolved fussiness
• Special concerns - prematurity, multiples, traumatic birth, medical/anatomical issues, adoption
• Older baby/child concerns - starting solids, nutrition/growth concerns, sleep concerns

Read more below on what to expect at a consultation and how to schedule or book now:  

            "I wish I had met with Melissa before going into labor. I may have been more prepared. Thanks for all you do. My whole family appreciates your professionalism, knowledge, quick response, thoroughness, and willingness to be honest and challenge us. We could not be exclusively breast feeding without you and on our way to long term breast feeding! Thank you!"

What happens at a consultation?

• All consultations through Luna Lactation are provided by our board certified lactation consultant, Melissa Cole. Each initial consultation begins with getting to know each other a bit. We will review your pregnancy/birth, breastfeeding and health history and explore the current issues you are experiencing. Depending on the issue at hand, the lactation consultant will gently examine you and/or your baby. You will be invited to feed your baby during the appointment so that, together, we can see what is happening.

  During the initial visit we will spend about two hours together. Consultation fees are per appointment, not based on an hourly fee, so we will never be rushed.  After we assess and explore the situation, w e will develop a written care plan with suggestions for improving whatever breastfeeding issues you may be having. You are encouraged to ask questions and share concerns.  I will provide you with  referrals to other health care providers if neccessary.  A full report and copy of the care plan will be sent to the baby's and/or your health care providers. 

  Follow up support is by phone/email unless another visit is necessary.  Follow up visits are shorter and cost less than the initial consultation.  You will be given a Lactation Visit Receipt to send in for possible reimbursement from your insurance provider .  I strongly encourage all my clients to keep in touch with me until they feel fully confident that their problems are resolved and they are enjoying breastfeeding!

  "I could tell right away that this consultation would be different from those I had in the past. Melissa went out of her way to make sure that we were both comfortable and relaxed. She really took the time to evaluate my son in detail....I attribute all of our success to Melissa. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who's struggling with breastfeeding to meet with her. Don't assume that if you've already met with a Lactation Consultant, that you wouldn't benefit from meeting with her. For me it was a night and day difference." - D.P - Portland, OR

   

   
  What do I bring to my appointment?

  • You and your baby (of course!), your partner or support person if desired, your list of questions and concerns,  your already filled-out intake form if ready, any breastfeeding tools, pumps or gadgets you are using or want to use, any supplemental infant food/fortifier if using, a sling or wrap for babywearing if desired, any feeding/diaper diaries you have been keeping track of. You can also pre-fill our our intake forms if possible:

  • New Patient Intake Forms
  • Adoptive Intake Forms

  • Have more questions? Visit our  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section 

    "I would recommend Luna Lactation to any pregnant/breastfeeding mother. The support and help I recieved from Melissa was phenomenal. Before seeing Melissa, I was at my wit's end and afraid for the health/growth of my baby. After our first meeting I felt I had a plan of action that I could follow and she encouraged frequent follow ups by phone, email and in person so I felt assured that the situation would be resolved."        

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     Fees and Payment Info

    Initial Consultation

    The initial one-on-one consultation usually runs about 2 hours. An in-depth breastfeeding history will be taken, a comprehensive assessment will be done and a care plan will be provided. Phone/email follow up is included and encouraged.
    $145 in-office, $165 in-home (*see note below)

  • Follow-up consultations

    Follow-up appointments generally run 1+ hour. We review how your care plan is working for your family and re-assess any breastfeeding concerns that you may have. Phone/email follow up is included and encouraged.  $85 in-office, $105 in-home (*see note below)

  • *Home visits - an extra travel fee for home visits may apply if you are beyond our service area (our area is generally a 10 mile radius from our office location and we typically charge $1/per mile beyond the 10 mile radius). In addition, sometimes it can be faster to be seen in the office so please ask us if home visit is an appropriate option in the event your feeding concern is time sensitive .

  • Note- Luna Lactation tries to hold one low-cost follow up clinic day per month.

    Phone/email/Skype  appointments

     In general breastfeeding support is best done in person, where a visual assessment can be done. However, at times, phone/email/Skype support may suffice, especially is cases where distance is a barrier to families being seen in person. The regular consultation fees apply, $145 initial consult, $85 follow up.

    SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

    Scheduling an appointment with Luna Lactation is a wonderful way to get efficient, loving support as you work towards your breastfeeding goals. Working with families is such a joy; we would be honored to assist yours!

    To learn more about our home visits and office location, click here .

    To schedule an appointment:

  • Book online at:  http://luna-lactation.genbook.com  

  • Or call: 360.830.MILK (6455) or email: support@lunalactation.com

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    For your convenience, our intake forms can be downloaded here and filled out before your appointment:

  • Client Info and Consent Form

  • Lactation Consultation Intake Form

  • HIPPA policy

    A note to our clients: We realize how critical timely and nurturing breastfeeding assistance is. We will do our best to schedule appointments ASAP. Once an established client, we will continue to provide you with care as long as the need exists and you will have  access to prompt, on-going follow-up support.  

    Payment Info

    Payment is due at the time of service. Check or cash is preferred. All major credit cards and Paypal are also accepted. Health savings account (HSA) cards can also be accepted.

    Insurance - After your visit, you will be provided with a detailed, coded receipt that you may submit to your insurance company. We do not bill insurance on your behalf but we do try to make sure you have all the neccessary paperwork you made need to submit for reimbursement. Although many insurance companies do cover lactation care, we can not guarantee our services will be covered by your company. Some families also choose to use funds from their pre-tax medical spending accounts to cover lactation services. Please check with your plan or account provider to see what options you may have.

    Worried about cost? An appointment with Luna Lactation costs way less than the option of NOT breastfeeding! Luna Lactation believes all mothers, regardless of income,  should have access to quality lactation care.  Quality lactation support is far less expensive than the option of not breastfeeding! Feel free to contact us if you need to discuss alternative payment options or would like information on other sources of community-based support. Luna Lactation tries to offer one low-cost follow up clinic day per month .

  • Make an online payment through paypal or credit card here:

    

     

    Special Needs

    *Already working with a care provider (MD, LM, ND, OT, SLP, etc) to resolve your baby's feeding-related challenges?    A Board Certified Lactation Consultant can be a very important part of your health care team. Luna Lactation is comfortable working closely with your exisiting care providers to help you and your baby cope with feeding challenges .

    *If you are uncertain whether a consultation will be benficial for your situation, just call or email and ask us!   

     Have more questions ? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section