Finding Your IBCLC: Lactation Consultants In Fayetteville

As a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) that provides in-home breastfeeding support families in Fayetteville and surrounding areas, I have seen the struggle parents have when trying to find the IBCLC that is right for them.

Where some areas might have too few options, this area almost feels as there are too many options!!

The amount of lactation support available to this community is wonderful, and I think with a little guidance, by the end of this post, you'll have a clearer picture of what factors are important to you when choosing your IBCLC.

Four main things that may determine your choice:

• Accessibility

• Flexibility

• Insurance

• Skillset

Investment

I want to divert from my typical pattern of talking about points in the order listed, and touch on the most frequent question most people have: will my insurance cover breastfeeding support?

The answer is: It depends.

For example, if you have Tricare, the odds are high that a visit with an IBCLC will NOT be covered unless there is a provider in the practice who can bill insurance OR an IBCLC with a billable credential such as a registered nurse.

If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield, on the other hand, your lactation visit with a lactation consultant (IBCLC) may be covered directly if the IBCLC is in-network, or via superbill reimbursement.

As you are searching for Lactation support local to Fort Bragg, whether or not a provider takes Tricare is most likely a huge factor in your decision-making process.

There are three free-standing breastfeeding clinics locally that all take Tricare.

In no particular order:

The Fayetteville Breastfeeding Center: a non-profit breastfeeding clinic owned by Angela TatumMalloy IBCLC. FBC is located in historic downtown on Hays st.

LATCH breastfeeding and postpartum wellness center: a lactation clinic that focuses on holistic postpartum support, owned by Sarah Lester, IBCLC. The LATCH clinic is located in historic downtown on Bow st.

Mother's Helper Lactation Clinic: A multi-location lactation clinic founded in 1995 by Cynthia Foley. The Fayetteville location is off Beaumont rd, and the two IBCLCs serving that location are Jarold "Tom" Johnston and Laura Swango.

Over here at Mattos Lactation, my services aren't covered by Tricare currently, due to their coverage policies.

I am hoping that in the future that will change, but in the meantime, for families who want to have in-home lactation support, I've adopted two practices that make whether insurance covers visits less of a factor:

1) The investment for In-home lactation services is directly correlated to the area.

Being that we are a military family ourselves, it is always a shock to see such a significant change in things like BAH when we PCs. I've adjusted the cost of investment to reflect the local cost of living.

2) I offer interest-free payment plans, so you get the help you need when you need it without worrying about your current savings.

Let's be real! Most of us don't have a lot of extra money lying around for unexpected lactation care!

But outside of insurance coverage and cost of investment, there are other factors you should consider when choosing your IBCLC.

Accessibility

While many people will not have a problem driving all across town in the early weeks postpartum, how easily you can get to your breastfeeding support may be a significant concern.

This is especially true if you've had a particularly hard vaginal birth or C-section.

You may have concerns about taking your newborn out into town so soon after birth or worry about how easy it will be to access the clinic, which is something many people struggle with in historic downtown.

If you have any of the above concerns, whether or not in-your-home breastfeeding support is offered may be a significant consideration.

Flexibility

If there's one thing we can predict about babies, it's that they are unpredictable!

Parents often feel confident in their breastfeeding in the first day or two after delivery, only to have their baby break that down in a matter of seconds with a late Saturday night crying and cluster feeding fest!

Or they pick 7 pm to start refusing the breast.

Or your baby performs PERFECTLY during a two-hour in-clinic lactation visit only to revert to their typical ways of painful or disorganized feeding as soon as you return home, and after the clinic closes for the day.

If you need flexible "after business hours" breastfeeding support, seeking in-home lactation support is the way to go!

Skillset

Finally, we come to THE MOST critical consideration of all; how skilled the lactation consultant is with your particular issue.

From the parent's perspective, it can be hard to know who has the skills and the experience specific to your needs. In many cases, IBCLCs are eager to reassure you that they are qualified (they are) to help you with any issues you may have, though strengths in that particular area may vary.

My focus and expertise are primarily in oral restrictions (tongue tie/lip tie) & and structural issues, which cause a myriad of not fun symptoms such as painful feeding and slow weight gain, and low milk supply.

Another lactation consultant in the area may be a better fit than me with holistic and home remedies to common breastfeeding issues such as nipple blebs or may have more experience supporting parents of multiples.

Finding someone to be your IBCLC may be simple, but choosing the right one for you is undoubtedly a bit more challenging.

If you're considering an in-home lactation visit, whether it be exclusively or in conjunction with you working with an IBCLC at a local clinic, but have questions or concerns, send me over a message, and I will be happy to answer/address them.

Ready to book an in-home lactation visit in the Fayetteville Area? Online booking is easy, and the lactation visit you need can be scheduled within a minute or two!

Lastly, if you need acute (emergency) lactation care after 5 pm Mon-Friday or on the weekend, text me directly at (210) 763-0548.