Virtual Lactation Consults

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​Most lactation consultants, including those working in outpatient hospital clinics, have switched exclusively to virtual modes (video and phone) as a way of protecting everyone during the COVID-19 outbreak. You may be wondering if it’s possible to get good lactation support without sitting in the same room as a lactation consultant, and the answer is definitely YES! During a video consult, I can still:

• Offer reassurance, empathy, and emotional support (always important, now more than ever)
• Take a complete history
• Visually assess breasts and nipples
• Visually assess baby’s mouth and latch
• Help with positioning
• Help with pumping
• Help with bottle-feeding
• Advise on breast and nipple care
• Answer questions about feeding and general newborn behavior
• Talk with partner/support person about how they can help
• Provide a written care plan to keep baby well-fed and maximize milk supply

My support doesn’t end after we hang up! Following all consults, I still:

• Send an email summary about our session, including useful videos and information
• Share my clinical notes with your family’s health care providers (pediatrician, midwife, and/or obstetrician)
• Provide two weeks of unlimited follow-up communication by email and text

To make the most of our virtual lactation consult:

• Hold off feeding your baby for 60-90+ minutes beforehand.
• Set up yourself and your baby in a place with adequate lighting.
• If possible, have a support person available to hold your electronic device and point the camera.
• If you need help with pumping, have your pump set up nearby.
• Don’t worry about cleaning your house or looking “camera ready”!

Weight checks

I bring my sensitive pediatric scale to all home visits, and weight checks and measurements of milk intake at the breast are helpful for assessing your baby’s well-being and feeding skills. If we meet virtually, I can’t weigh your baby, but I will ask you lots of questions to guide my assessment. Please keep track of:

• Your baby’s last recorded weight, including the date
• The number of times your baby feeds each day by breast and bottle
• The general length of feedings
• Diaper changes, including color and consistency of stools

 
If you have concerns about weight and milk intake, regular visits and weight checks with your baby’s pediatrician are recommended. Another option is to rent or purchase a baby scale, and I can guide you through checking your baby’s weight and milk intake during our session.
 
Some of my clients have bought this $55 scale on Amazon and found that it is adequate for regular weight checks but not sensitive enough to measure milk intake during breastfeeding. The Hatch changing pad and baby scale is also popular among my clients and is $150. I have done side-by-side weight comparisons with my pediatric scale and found it to be accurate within an ounce or two.
 
Payment and insurance

I am offering my virtual services at a discount since I do not spend any time driving or paying for gas or parking. As of this writing, I understand that telehealth services are being covered by most insurance carriers. I am billing Aetna and Meritain for my services as usual. If you have another insurance carrier, you may prepay for your session when you book an appointment, and I will provide you with a SuperBill to submit to insurance for any reimbursement you qualify for.

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