What is an IBCLC and why should I work with one?

An IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and acts as a member of the maternal-child health team by providing expert breastfeeding and lactation support. IBCLCs are considered to be the highest certification in lactation care and undergo 90 hours of breastfeeding education, 300-1000 hours of clinical practice, basic college health education, and must pass a certification exam in order to be qualified. IBCLCs work in hospitals, private practice, non-profits, and more and often hold other credentials like RN, MPH, RD, and more. IBCLCs are highly trained in assisting breastfeeding dyads and can assist with latching, positioning, pain in the mother, slow weight gain, and much more. Even if you are pregnant and unsure about how you will feed your baby, it can be helpful to schedule a prenatal breastfeeding consultation so you can feel prepared when your baby arrives.

How do I prepare for a home visit?

Please have available any supplies that you typically use for a feeding or would like to learn how to use, like your pump, bottles, nipple shield, etc. If possible, aim to feed your baby approximately 1-2 hours prior to your scheduled appointment so that they are willing to feed during the appointment but are not so hungry that they are upset. Other than that, please do not bother yourself with cleaning or “preparing” your home for my visit. The postpartum season is chaotic and messy and as long as we have access to a space where you can comfortable sit and breastfeed, we will be all set.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes! I accept the following insurance:

• Aetna

• Tricare

• Cigna (check benefits here)

• Blue Cross Blue Shield*

• Anthem*

• Carefirst*

• UnitedHealthcare

• VA CCN

• PNOA

• MultiPlan

*most plans, please contact me to verify benefits.

For individuals with other insurance providers, I am able to provide a superbill to be submitted to your insurance for reimbursement. A superbill is not a guarantee your insurance will pay, but I will do my best on my end to make the super bill acceptable to your insurance provider.

According to the Affordable Care Act, breastfeeding support, counseling, and equipment is supposed to be provided with no out of pocket costs for parents. Unfortunately, insurance companies have created many loopholes to get out of this requirement. I am working hard to get in network with more insurance providers and am excited for this to become an option as for many families, paying for a lactation consultant out of pocket is a major obstacle to accessing care. There are also many families who are unable to access health insurance due to citizenship status, unemployment, and other reasons. Because of these challenges, I am willing to discuss sliding scale fees based on financial need. When you fill out the contact form to request an appointment, please make sure to indicate that this is something you are interested in.

What health and safety precautions do you have in place?

I take the health and safety of you and your baby very seriously. As a mom of two little ones, I know how scary it can be to have strangers around your newborn! I am fully vaccinated and will contact you to reschedule if I am sick. When arriving at your home, the first thing I do is wash my hands. I am more than happy to wear a mask for the duration of your appointment if requested. I also wear gloves during the infant physical assessment and during any close-up breastfeeding adjustments. If you have any questions or special requests to protect the health and safety of your infant, please don’t hesitate to ask!

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

Appointments must be canceled 24 hrs in advance to avoid a fee, appointments canceled within 24 hours are subject to a $50 fee, but exceptions can be made in case of sickness and emergencies. To cancel an appointment, please call or text 240-745-5617.

Do you work with formula feeding parents?

Absolutely! I am happy to provide support to formula feeding parents. To adhere to the IBCLC code of ethics, I will never promote a specific kind of formula or receive financial compensation for advertising a formula, but I am happy to provide objective information and education about formula feeding so you can make an educated choice about what is right for your family. Please note that insurance will not cover lactation support for parents who are exclusively formula feeding, so these consultations will need to be paid out of pocket.

How do you protect patient health information?

You can find a summary of privacy practices here.