Lactation Consultation
Congratulations on your baby! You just gave birth to an amazing baby and now you are finding yourself in a whole new world learning how to comfortably and successfully feed your baby? You are on the right track! This is exactly what lactation consultants do: crafting a personalized plan that perfectly fits your family’s needs. During our visit, my mission is to empower you with knowledge and equip you with the tools to achieve your feeding goals with confidence. Whether it’s breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or any other method, we’ll explore the options that make you and your baby the happiest duo!
Feeding a baby is perfect in all kinds of ways, and we’ll discover what works best for you as a unique family unit while making sure that you can heal well from your birth.
In-office lactation consultation or virtual lactation consultation:
60 minutes: $175 per session for singletons/ $225 for twins. ($0 for CIGNA-members)
30 minutes: $95 per session for singletons/ $145 for twins. ($0 for CIGNA members)
Please note, I am in-network with CIGNA for in-office visits at the Prenatal Yoga Center on the UWS every Tuesday. For all other health insurances I am an out-of-network provider.
In-person (in-home) lactation consultation:
90 minutes: $425 for singletons/ $475 for twins including one week follow-up via email.
Book your appointment here.
If you are not with CIGNA: Here is how to communicate with your insurance about reimbursing your lactation consultation.
Please contact your insurance during pregnancy so you can line up lactation help before the birth.
What happens during a consultation?
Breastfeeding can be the most bonding time a mother has with her baby. If that is not true for you, let’s turn this thing around!
What a lactation consultation looks like:
- Goal-Setting. We’ll help you create a customized plan to meet your (breast)feeding goals, making it a more doable and successful journey!
- Baby Mouth Check-Up: We’ll take a close look inside your baby’s mouth to see how their suckling technique works, check on tongue or buccal ties or any discomfort.
- Your little one will get a weight check and physical exam.
- Ideally we’d have a feed during our session.
- Breast exam: we’ll check on your breasts and go over any changes or pain that you have been noticing.
- We will go over all your postpartum-related questions: nutrition, sleep, daily schedule, baby feeds, postpartum recovery, helping tools, perineal care, breast and nipple care, mental health etc.
- 7-day- Action Plan/ exclusive pediatrician report
- Introduction to solids if your little one is 5+ months old
- One week of ongoing email or text support after the consultation!
- Superbill for your insurance.
During our time together, you’ll unlock a treasure trove of knowledge, including:
- How to improve your baby’s latch and get feeds to be more comfortable.
- What other feeding options there are.
- Bonding-options with your little one.
- How to banish sore nipples.
- Newborn care: care for your baby’s cord, lowering jaundice, room temperatures and clothing, diaper changes, weight gain expectations, thrush, reflux.
- Managing low milk supply or oversupply.
- Managing fast letdown.
- Using tools like a pump, baby syringe or nipple shield.
- What your partner can do.
What is a lactation consultant/IBCLC? An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. IBCLCs are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Inc. under the direction of the US National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Why is this important to know? Because there are other lactation certifications (e.g. lactaction counselor certification) that do not qualify to get reimbursed by insurance. Only IBCLC’s can get reimbursed by insurance since we carry an NPI number (ID for medical professionals).
In order to obtain the IBCLC credential, a candidate must complete educational requirements in the Health Sciences, Human Lactation, and Breastfeeding. These courses include Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, Sociology, Nutrition, Infant and Child Development, and Introduction to Research to name a few. In addition to the educational requirements, candidates are expected to accrue a minimum of 1000 clinical hours where they are directly supervised by experienced IBCLC’s. Upon completion of their education and clinical experience, they must pass the IBCLC exam set by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE). Most New York State health insurance companies will reimburse for lactation consultations.
Lactation consultations can be virtual, in-office or in-person.
Virtual (Mon-Sat) or in-office (Tuesdays on the Upper West Side):
60 minutes: $175 per session for singletons/ $225 for twins.
30 minutes: $95 per session for singletons/ $145 for twins.
In-person home visit:
90 minutes: $425 for singletons/ $475 for twins including one week follow-up via email.
