Fill out my health history and consent forms, and create your Lactasite App account.

Try not to feed baby within an hour of our visit so they’ll eat while we are meeting (if baby is hangry, give them a snack- a quick BF session or an ounce or two of milk)

Make a list of all of your questions for me (but remember that you can message with me for 2 weeks after our visit if you forget anything).

If you have questions about the breast pump you’re using, or the bottles you’ve chosen, or any other gear you’re using, try to have them available in case we need to look at them together.

I wash my hands before we begin and use hand sanitizer frequently.  I will wear gloves if I am touching your baby’s mouth.

We will sit and talk first, unless baby is hungry and ready to nurse as soon as you walk in the door!  I’ll go over your health history, you baby’s history, and your challenges and concerns. Then I will ask to observe you breastfeeding, in whatever position and manner you use most.

I try to be as physically hands-off as possible. I will ALWAYS ask before I touch you, your breasts, or your baby.

Usually before your baby has eaten, I will put on latex-free gloves and do a manual exam of your baby’s mouth. I will not do this unless I see a need to assess baby’s oral anatomy and function closely.

If there are any concerns about how much milk your baby is getting when nursing, I will weigh your baby before and after the feeding to assess intake.

I may lay your baby on a flat surface in order to complete a full-body assessment of their structure and function, as these may affect baby’s ability to nurse successfully.

I may look at your nipples before and after your baby nurses. This helps me not only to assess whether you are experiencing nipple damage, but it also gives me a lot of insight into exactly how your nipples is placed in baby’s mouth while she or he is breastfeeding.

Within 24 hours I will email you a superbill (itemized receipt) to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement (though I can’t promise that they will reimburse you) and will email you the detailed report that I also send to your baby’s health care provider.

Do not worry about what you’re wearing or whether you’ve taken a shower.  I promise I don’t care!

don’t change what you’ve been doing unless I told you to before the visit. I need to be able to see the whole picture so I can get a better idea of what little tweaks may make a difference in your breastfeeding or chestfeeding relationship.

don’t hesitate to tell me if something doesn’t feel right. I will ask you repeatedly during the consult how things are feeling- both physically (pain and comfort wise) and emotionally. A lot of us have it ingrained to not admit we are hurting or that something sounds like it won’t work for us. I really DO need to know what’s working for you so that we can come up the plan that best allows you to meet YOUR nursing goals!