A home visit is scheduled with the lactation consultant but the time set is flexible on either side to catch your baby hungry.
The baby is weighed on a high caliber weigh scale before and after a feeding to see exactly how much breast milk your baby is getting from you at a nursing session.
You will also pump while the consultant is at your home so that she can evaluate your flange size, your pump features and the amount of milk you are making. If you do not already have a pump you will be able to discuss this with the consultant.
The consultant brings feeding tubes and syringes to each consult. Finger feeding is recommended in the event that your baby needs to be supplemented. Bottle feeding with a preemie nipple is also a good option if you are having to supplement the baby in the beginning. Using a preemie nipple will make the baby have to work harder to get the milk to flow from this type of nipple.
A consultation takes about 2 hours to complete all of the above and to not have you feel rushed.
- Medihoney nipple balm and medela shells or shields if necessary.
- Feeding tubes and syringes so that the bottle can he held off until the baby is breastfeeding
- Written discharge instructions are customized for you and your baby’s needs.
- Consultant will send your pediatrician and obstetrician a written report to ensure consistency of care
- After a consult there is unlimited phone calls, texts or emails during the course of breastfeeding your baby.