Get the most out of your consult.

Your Lactation Consultant will customize your consult to meet your unique needs, but this page provides some information about how most consults go, and ways you can prepare.

After you schedule, you will receive an email confirming your appointment. You will also receive an email from our charting software, inviting you to sign in to complete some intake forms. Please complete all the information for yourself and your baby. Your MilkMatters Lactation Consultant will review the information you provide in preparation for your appointment.

Depending on your specific concerns, your MilkMatters Lactation Consultant may give you instructions on how best to prepare for your visit. In general, it can be helpful to plan for your baby to be ready for a feed during your appointment time. Though it may be difficult to predict, a good rule of thumb is to offer your baby a feed about 1-1/2 or 2 hours prior to your appointment time.

You may wish to have your partner or another support person participate in your consult. If we’re coming to you for a home visit and you have other children or pets, please plan for someone to be available to meet their needs during your consult. For a video consult, it’s helpful to have someone help you with holding the camera (your phone, tablet, etc.) so that your Lactation Consultant can get a good view of how baby is feeding.

During your consult, your MilkMatters Lactation Consultant will ask you about your concerns and collect background information. It may be helpful to have relevant information handy, like discharge paperwork from the hospital or documentation from your pediatrican, especially information about your baby’s weight history. If you have been using any devices like a nipple shield or breast pump, please have parts clean and available. For an office visit, you may bring your pump from home if you’d like, but it’s not required.

Your MilkMatters Lactation Consultant will usually weigh your baby during your consult. We may observe a feed or a pumping session. We may ask you to try out a new position or technique during our visit. If we recommend equipment that you do not already own, like a nipple shield or a different size flange for your pump, we may be able to supply the item for you to try during our visit, or else we will provide you with instructions on how to obtain the item yourself.

Your Lactation Consultant may provide you with relevant education during your visit or written materials for you to review later. We may suggest specific techniques for you to practice on your own after our visit. We also might recommend evaluation of specific concerns by another provider, like your pediatrician or a specialist. After your consult, your MilkMatters Lactation Consultant will prepare a Care Plan for you, which will be accessible through our parent portal. If you plan to seek reimbursement through your insurance, or you are paying with FSA/HSA funds, we can provide you with a detailed superbill. If relevant, we will also fax a report to your provider.

After your consult, you are encouraged to reach out to your MilkMatters Lactation Consultant to ask questions and share updates on how things are going. You may contact us by secure message through the parent portal.

Though many breastfeeding challenges cannot be fully resolved in a couple hours, a MilkMatters Lactation Consultant can provide the guidance you need to get back on track with a clear plan so you can start making progress toward your goals.