How Do Telehealth Consults Work?
You might be wondering, “What can an IBCLC do over video, how effective is lactation support through a video”? Well, I’ll tell you, it’s better than you might guess. Have you ever texted a friend when you were struggling with something? I hope it was comforting, to hear that your struggles were common, that someone else had been through it too, that may there were a couple things that your bestie did that helped so maybe you want to try that. Well, now imagine chatting with an expert, someone who has spent years studying the clinical aspects of lactation and helping over 2,000 families. I can support through the common issues and take a closer look at the not-so-common problems.
Here are some things that an IBCLC can help with via telehealth:
prenatal education and counseling
care plans for inducing lactation or relactating
care plans related to breast pain (sore nipples, plugged ducts, milk blebs, and preventing engorgement and mastitis)
care plans for low supply and oversupply
breast refusal and bottle refusal
bottle feeding a breastfed baby
pumping tips, tricks, and flange fittings
latching (Yes, we can even help with latching over a video chat!)
Telehealth really can be effective. And a really cool thing that I’ve noticed is that parents are more empowered because they are the ones getting that amazing latch, and are more able to repeat it themselves. Sometimes during in-person visits people say, “Oh my gosh, you’re magic! The baby has never latched on so well!” and then they think that they can’t get the baby to latch on their own once I’m gone. But with telehealth, I’m the coach and you’re the one making the magic happen! It’s a beautiful thing!
You might also be wondering, what are the logistics of telehealth consults? And what kind of support will you get for the cost? Well, telehealth consults are really great because you don’t have to get ready and go anywhere, and you won’t feel badly if you forgot to brush your teeth before our consult (me either).
What you’ll need for a telehealth consult:
a computer/laptop/phone/some kind of device that has a camera
the ability to log into the charting platform MilkNotes. (Don’t worry, MilkNotes doesn’t require you to download any apps. Just click the link I’ll send you at our appointment time and the video will open and we’ll begin our consult!)
good lighting directed at your face so I can see you and baby
It's helpful to have another person there to hold the camera so I can get a view of the latch and do a breast assessment and see the nipples when pumping if that’s needed. If you don’t have another person, no problem, we can work through that too.
So the consult is over for that day but what happens next? We will meet again for another telehealth consult a few days later to see how things are going, and then I’ll be available to you through the MilkNotes platform and you can message me for the next two weeks.
I look forward to working with you to meet your personal breastfeeding goals because that’s my goal. I don’t know what is best for your family, you do. You are the expert on your baby, I am the expert on lactation and breastfeeding. Do I know every single thing about every single thing? Heck no! My kids think I do, and shhhh… don’t tell them that I don’t. But with breastfeeding and lactation if I don’t know the answer, you can bet that I will research it and we will work together to figure out what will work for you and your family. After all, these are your goals, your body, your baby; I’m here to support you. So don’t struggle alone, book an appointment and let’s figure this out so you feel successful in your parenting and feeding your baby.
