Healing Arts Center for Children

How May We Help You?

Breast Feeding is a wonderful time for mothers and babies. We want to help every mother enjoy this experience. The Healing Arts Center for Children offers the services of certified lactation consultants and on-site supplies and resources to help you and your baby along the journey. We hope the following information will be helpful.

Lactation Consultants
1. What is considered to be the highest level of certification for lactation consultants?
The most widely recognized, and highest level of certification for lactation consultants is the credential of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

2. Are all IBCLCs nurses?
IBCLCs do not need to be nurses or in any other health related field, though a nursing background does meet the educational requirements, except the specific lactation education hours.

3. How many hours of counseling nursing moms is required to become an IBCLC?
Prior to sitting for the exam to become an IBCLC, the candidate must document 900 to 4000 hours of breastfeeding counseling, depending on the level of their other educational requirements.

4. How often do IBCLCs need to recertify?
IBCLCs need to renew certification every five years by participating in 75 additional hours of lactation education and must retake the certifying exam every ten years.

5. How can you find an IBCLC in your area?
To find a lactation consultant you can go to their professional organization, the International Lactation Consultant's Association (ILCA), or ask your local physician, hospital, visiting nurse associations, La Leche League leader or other nursing mother's organizations, childbirth educators, or doulas, or check your phonebook under "breastfeeding" or "childbirth."

We offer lactation consultants on site at the office and phone support for breastfeeding.

6. What happens at a typical breastfeeding consultation?
An initial lactation visit usually includes: a complete health and birth history of both mother and infant, a physical assessments of mother and baby related to breastfeeding function, assessment of the infant's suck, observation and assistance of a breastfeeding episode, identification of the breastfeeding problem, personalized recommendations to address breastfeeding concerns, including equipment if needed, and both written and demonstrative instructions. Follow up is provided via phone or with additional visits.

7. How much can you expect to pay for a consultation with an IBCLC?
Lactation Consultant fees vary by geographic area and level of expertise but you can expect to pay approximately $65 to $100 per hour. Most initial visits last one to two hours.

• Lactation consults with our consultant: 75 dollars an hour with 20 dollars for every 15 minutes after.
• Phone consults are 15 dollars for 15 minute sessions, billed in 15 minute increments.

8. Is the consultation covered by insurance?
Typical insurance plans do not cover lactation consults. You may check with your insurance plans about coverage. The fees are expected at the time of service at the Healing Arts Center for Children.

9. Will your lactation consultant work along with your care provider? Lactation consultants work collaboratively with other health care providers and are required to maintain contact with other professionals involved in your care. Our lactation consultant communicates with Dr. Mavani her findings and both of them work together to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your baby.