I just got back from meeting with a lactation consultant and picked up a few more tips. There's so much to learn! I thought DD was getting better output than she actually was, as we could see by weighing before and after. Glad we went!
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I loved meeting with a LC! We met twice a week at a group meeting the entire 12 weeks I was on maternity leave! It was so so so helpful even when I wasn't have "issues". I loved the pre and post weight like you said!
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YES YES YES! The LC in the hospital was beyond terrible. But the one DH found who came to our home and I still consult on occasion is ah-mayz-balls! If there is anyone is the metro-Atlanta area that needs a recommendation, I am more than happy to share her information. I would have given up breastfeeding without her help and guidance!
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I plan on tapping that resource! Every book I read and every friend who has breastfed says it is CRITICAL.
What do you pay a LC to come visit at home?? Is it something insurance can bill for?!
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yes! I had one at the hospital and another at my OB's office and they both helped me tremendously.
The LC at the hospital came to my room at 8am sharp the morning after I gave birth and asked if I would join her class that morning. I was stunned, haha.. but I'm glad that I went! She was so helpful and everyone else there had just given birth and was waddling/sitting on donuts, too.
I was even able to call after I had been discharged with any questions I had at any time.The LC at my OB's office was great to check in with, gave me prescription for domperidone when my supply took a hit.
I feel fortunate that I had all this help readily available. -
Ours in the hospital was amazing!! She was an l & d nurse forever then turned LC which she felt like was a true calling! I credit my super successful breast feeding experience to her!
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Yup! I credit the two LCs I saw for saving my BFing relationship. I think I saw or talked to them at least 3 times a week for the first month. They were beyond awesome!!!
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Yes! The ones at the hospital weren't overly helpful but the one I spoke with through a third-party motherhood type of center was awesome. I called on her several times and was really helped with my issues.
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Next time I am definitely looking for a LC outside of the hospital. The two that I saw during our stay were horrible. One didn't even watch us nurse! She just handed me a bunch of papers and pamphlets and went on to the next room. Our pediatrician helped us more than the LC. Luckily once my milk came in we didn't have too many problems but I do wish I had joined a support group.
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Yes yes yes. Definitely would not have been able to successfully breastfeed without the help of the two LCs I saw. @blackbird: The two I saw charged $200 and $225..I live in NYC though so that mnight be NYC pricing. They did say that you can submit the forms to insurance to be reimbursed (depending on your insurance).
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I saw one in the first week or two. If nothing else she helped ease my mind that LO was getting enough milk during feedings. I didn't have much of a problem with latch but she showed me some ways to get a better one. It was difficult though to get as good of a latch at home when I didn't have another pair of expert hands to help.
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Definitely. I felt like an idiot after I left b/c I could never get M to latch on like she showed me again. The best thing that came of that was I rented a scale for a week and saw that she was getting plenty of milk from me...and gaining weight.
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Definitely!! We had certified ones at the hospital and they diagnosed ds with an very high palate. Despite what others said about it, we now use a nipple shield and he's eating like a champ. Before it was just tears and wailing. We wouldn't be able to breastfeed without the shield and the lc's help.
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@blackbird: I am not sure how to pay to get them to come to your home, but I was able to see them as often as I needed while at the hospital (I loved them and it was the same ones that were at the class). And then if you couldn't attend the class that was held for free on Tuesday and Thursdays you could go back to their office at the hospital and pay like a $30 office visit fee to see them.
Also check with your pediatrician offices, they may have someone on staff or recommend names.
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It was totally worth it! Help aside, it was a confidence boost to see her weight change after each side.
@blackbird: Ours was $185 for about 1.25 hour consultation in our home. It was great to have help in the actual chair/couch/bed I use, and since it was only 6 days in, I appreciated both the privacy and convenience. It's $30 for her walk-in troubleshooting clinic later on. Both the pediatrician and LC said they'd write an order for insurance, but our Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO said they don't cover LC's. I still say it was worth it, especially compared to the cost of formula! -
Yes, I had all sorts of hands on my boobs for the first 3 weeks! I met with anyone I could in the hospital, the support group, and my ped has an LC on staff. They were lifesavers!
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Yes and it was awesome! The LCs in the hospital were ok--one was super mean and abrupt. My nurses also helped so much--we had major latch problems in the beginning and the first person to get LO to latch correctly was one of my night nurses.
My doula came a few times PP, she wasn't an LC yet (she is now) but she was completing her training. I also had the LC who taught my breastfeeding class come by and she is who finally got us into the groove with breastfeeding.
We paid $175 for our home visit (and she was with us for 3 hours) in Brooklyn.
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No the only person that assisted me was one of the labor nurses. she was so awesome. It really irritated me that I kept asking for lactation consultant and they kept saying she wasnt in that day, and I was in the hospital for 3 days after the baby was born!
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@hilsy85: what did the $200 fee cover?
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@mediagirl: I have been feeling like an idiot all afternoon. We did the football hold and DD2 was eating SO well, but it didn't happen at home. Trying not to be frustrated, though!
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@Andrea: a home visit and unlimited email and phone contact
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@Mrsbells: that happened with me, too. were you in the hospital over a weekend? i was there over a weekend and I guess LC's have off!
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I didn't have great LCs at the hospital. I also had issues about 5 weeks after LO was born and I couldn't make an appointment at the clinic because it was over a month after I gave birth. I guess support is only for a month? They told me to call LLL...
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@hilsy85: that's cool. i think i do want someone to come to my house instead of making the trek back and forth to the hospital even though i do like the LC there.
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@Andrea: oh yeah, having her come to my home was great esp bc I was a mess the first few weeks.
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@blackbird: ask your hospital if they have a list of local resources. Until they gave me their list I didn't realize that my county has three different programs where a lactation consultant will come to my home for free as many times as I need them to.
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The ones at the hospital were great, but the one I hired to come to my house was terrible and had a bad bedside manner.
She made me feel dumb too. That was for DD. I didn't have one for DS but I did recall some of the things she said, so I guess it wasn't useless! I also called one of the volunteer moms in the la leche league that was on the website, and she was also demoralizing. I don't think she knew what to do with the crying, blubbering mess I was. -
@T-Mom: oh that sucks! I guess you got through it anyway, though! Great job!
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@Andrea: Ack, I just read what I wrote. Sorry to be a downer. I hope you have a great experience with your LC.. and a successful BF adventure
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@T-Mom: no, i didn't think that you were being a downer! sorry that it didn't go well! i am going to ask my doula for a rec. she was great and I am sure she'll either know of someone or help me find someone good!
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My local LC was the only one really in my corner when I was having so many issues. I
her majorly, even though it didn't work out in the end.
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@Andrea: I loved the football hold when she was tiny! The LC showed me how to do the laid back position and that helped my pain. Is it really painful right now or is she just not latching well?
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@mediagirl: no, not painful. She is just so sleepy and not getting much out so I have been feeling stressed since the LC told me that. The football hold may have just been a coincidence. I just can't wake this kid up!
her majorly, even though it didn't work out in the end.
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