Insurance Coverage!

I want to make sure everyone knows that I am able to get insurance coverage for some plans (up to 6 sessions or beyond, if needed!) through my connection with The Lactation Network!

https://go.lactationnetwork.com/4thTrimesterBaby

What is wonderful about this is that I can do things like visit a family prenatally to plan ahead, see a family multiple times and tweak care plans each time, follow up for visits related to pumping or planning to go back to work, and more. I can follow these families throughout their journeys, at no out of pocket cost to them. TLN is always working to bring more plans on board as well, so hopefully even more coverage as time goes on? Please share with your networks, or, if you are a family who has seen me under TLN, use those follow-ups!

"Supplementing"? Start Pumping!

If you are told to start "supplementing" for any reason, start pumping! Pumped/expressed milk is the best supplement, followed by donor milk, and then by formula.

So many parents are led to believe they must start formula when asked to supplement. If babies start having formula and the parent is not pumping, that is when milk supply is at risk. Regular removal of milk (by an efficient baby ideally, or by a pump) is critical to build/protect supply, especially in cases where baby is struggling at the breast. As an IBCLC, it is so much easier to help get a struggling baby to breast with a robust milk supply already in place!

Here's a great article on "Hands On Pumping"

https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/maximizing-milk-production.html

Signs of "Wellness"

I am often talking to families about "signs of wellness" for their little ones, since most people don't have (nor should they need to invest in!) super sensitive scales to see how much baby gets at each feed! I spend a lot of time reassuring parents that baby is well ;) So, what are some of the thing I look at to determine this?

• Weight gain around an ounce a day in the early days

• Back to birth weight by (in and around) 2 weeks

• Plentiful wet and dirty diapers - especially lots of yellow seedy

• A baby who is content and relaxed after a feed, and has at least some stretches of time between feeds (some cluster feeding can be "normal" but ideally not 24/7!!)

• A parent whose breasts feel comfortable after feeds

• Overall, an alert little one who is growing and meeting milestones well, according to their doctor!