Before their first visit, clients often ask how seeing a private practice IBCLC is different than seeing the LC in the hospital. But by the end of the first visit, everyone always says that they had no idea how different this experience really is. Here are some of the reasons why the support you get in the hospital just can’t compare to a private practice visit.
TIME IS LIMITED.
In the hospital environment, the lactation specialist, nurse, or IBCLC has a set amount of patients to see during each shift and can’t spend a lot of time with anyone. They usually are expected to see at least 12-15 or more new mothers each shift, and patients will often see a different person for lactation support each day!
While the IBCLCs in the hospital work very hard, being a hospital-based IBCLC is very difficult – we know, because we’ve been there. They have a lot of information to teach in a short amount of time, and parents often get different and sometimes conflicting information from every IBCLC, nurse, or doctor they see.
INFORMATION OVERLOAD
Most patients are exhausted from their birth and often on medications that make it even more difficult to absorb what everyone is telling them. In our private practice, we spend time with you and your family to develop a relationship that spans your breastfeeding journey.
Our initial visit lasts 2-3 hours, and follow up appointments are generally 1-2 hours long. We know that this is a long time out of a new parent’s day, but it is vital to do a full assessment of both the parent and baby and understand each unique situation to create a care plan specific to that parent and their baby.
ASSESSMENT IS DIFFICULT IN THE EARLY DAYS
Another problem is that many hospitals do not allow their IBCLCs to do a full assessment of the baby, so often, issues like lip and tongue ties are missed. Most patients are in the hospital for only one or two nights, well before their milk is in, and milk supply can be adequately assessed.
MOST PROBLEMS DON’T SHOW UP UNTIL YOU ARE HOME.
Most breastfeeding problems don’t show up until the mother’s milk comes in, usually on day 3-5 postpartum, and parents are left with limited resources to help with these breastfeeding problems.
SO WHY CHOOSE OUR PRACTICE?
Our practice has multiple IBCLCs with advanced training in many complex issues. This allows us to not only cover a large geographical area but also to help match patients with the best IBCLC for their specific situation. In complex cases, we refer and cross-consult within our practice, so you always get the best information and guidance possible.
Our practice provides support for new parents throughout their breastfeeding journey, beginning in the prenatal period, in the hospital, continuing after returning home, and through weaning and we believe in walking beside you to support the full lifespan of your breastfeeding relationship.
