Answers to commonly asked questions, info and what to expect
After we have found a good time to meet, virtually or in person, I will send you a link to my electronic medical records, MilkNotes. I ask that you fill out the record as fully as you possibly can.
Virtual visits
Virtual visits are perfect for prenatal classes and almost every feeding challenge. For a virtual visit, we will set the appointment time in MilkNotes. I will show up in the app about five minutes prior to the visit and open the “room.” I’ll text you and you can enter the room. If the baby gets hungry ahead of time, text me real quick and we can change the time.
- Try to be in a well lit spot with all of your equipment handy (Haakaa, pump, shield, ointments, supplements and medications, pillows, blankets, baby).
- If you have a helper, that’s awesome, because they can do the camera work. I like to get extreme close ups of baby mouths and feeding.
- We’ll work on latch and positioning and get all your questions answered.
In home visits
I am fully vaccinated and wear a well fitting mask throughout the visit. I feel comfortable visiting you in your home if you have no symptoms. If anyone in the family has any respiratory symptoms or gastric symptoms, please reschedule.
A few facts about our consultation:
It is my business to go into homes of new families. I am accustomed to messy houses, parents who haven’t bathed, and dishes in the sink. Don’t clean up on my account (although I’m deeply grateful if someone cleans the litter box). I adore dogs and they tend to sit on me during visits. If you have a nervous dog, please secure it ahead of time. I have only been bitten once and I do not want a repeat. I love cats too.- I will give you an appointment at a specific time, however, that time is flexible. I will contact you first thing in the morning to see how your feeding “schedule” is going. I want to arrive shortly before the baby feeds so they are still resting while I wash my hands, sanitize my equipment, and set up my scale and log in to your network. I like to have a chance to chat with you prior to having to feed a hungry baby. So I’d rather change the appointment time half an hour in one direction or another to accommodate you.
- Please have ready when I arrive: a cozy receiving blanket, like a fleece, so I can make a nest on the scale for your baby. One fresh diaper for my scale that matches the fresh diaper on the baby’s butt. A hand towel or paper towels so I can wash my hands.
- If the baby absolutely cannot wait to eat right before I arrive, please call me at 206 353 9334. If you need me to watch the baby eat, and the baby is full, we might need to reschedule.
- I normally weigh the baby before and after a feed. It’s ideal if the baby is dressed only in a diaper and wrapped in a blanket when I get there. I like to see baby skin to skin, plus, it will make weighing baby so much simpler.
- We’ll go over lots of background questions and give you plenty of time to get your questions answered.
- If you are comfortable doing so, please wear a bra or tank top you can easily slip off or down to your waist, with a shirt or sweatshirt that zips or buttons. If you are not comfortable with this much bare skin, please wear whatever clothing you wish. At minimum, I will need to be able to see your nipple and any other affected area. When babies nurse in a skin-to-skin situation, it triggers the mother and baby’s innate reflexes and enhances breastfeeding success.
- While it is usually necessary for me to touch you during my work, if you become uncomfortable at any time you need only let me know and I will stop immediately. I will ask your permission prior to touching you or your baby and will check with you frequently to make sure you are comfortable.
- Your partner or support person is welcomed and encouraged to join the visit.
- I will send you a written plan via MilkNotes within 24-48 hours of our visit.
I will fax a report to your health care provider(s) within 24-48 hours of our visit.
You should feel free to text or email me for follow up. MilkNotes contains a secure portal and you can drop questions to me there any time you need. If you would like, I am really happy to do follow up visits to make sure the situation continues to improve.
If you have any other questions prior to my visit, please let me know.
Insurance: I am a preferred provider with Aetna! I will do the billing for you, and Aetna covers up to 6 visits in your home. Some Aetna subsidiaries do not cover the entire visit. Call or look up on your HR website to make sure I am in your network. They usually cover all but a very small amount.
Tricare: Tricare is supposed to cover me. Please check with your benefits administrator to find out what they cover.
Premera BCBS via Amazon/Microsoft: These plans are supposed to reimburse my fee. Please check with your benefits adminstrator.
Almost all other insurance companies are trying to evade the ACA by only covering “licensed” IBCLCs. Please ask your insurance what type of lactation consultants they cover. I am an IBCLC, the highest standard of lactation support — but Washington State does not yet license IBCLCs. We are working on it! Most insurance including Regence, Premera, BCBS, Cigna (ugh) and others may tell you they cover lactation, but what they mean is they will pay for a doctor or a nurse who is licensed but not necessarily a lactation consultant. Frustrating. If insurance coverage is vitally important, I can help you find a provider who may be in network.
Fees for cash payment
First in-home visit: $250 (Telehealth $225)
Follow up home visit: $200 (Telehealth $175)
Prenatal breastfeeding classes in home, including learning colostrum expression: $175 (Telehealth $150)
Travel fee for areas outside range: $25. I’m in West Seattle, so parts of South Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, Sammamish, Newcastle, Shoreline may incur travel fee.
Please ask about the sliding scale.
