FAQs
1. What makes Breastfeeding Housecalls different from a Lactation Center in San Antonio?
Lactation centers in San Antonio are available during normal business hours Monday-Friday and offer their services for free. Because of they are free, appointments with Lactation Centers are usually not on the same day your concern is, and speaking directly to an IBCLC about time-sensitive concerns may be delayed.
In addition, families who contact Breastfeeding Housecalls generally have already visited lactation clinics, and feel they need more time and contact. Also, moms love the convenience of having care come to them during their first delicate days with their newborn.
2. How much do your services cost?
Breastfeeding Housecalls offers different in-home services. Please see the Cost link for more pricing information.
3. How long do classes and consultations last?
Classes usually last between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Lactation consultation times can vary from 1-3 hours, and can last longer on the rare occasion that an emergent situation is identified. In this case, I will not leave your family until you or your baby's care has been been handed-over to another healthcare professional and a plan of care is in place (an emergency room, your pediatrician, your physician, etc.).
4. What equipment will you bring to my home?
Although the MOST important equipment is already at home with you (your breasts and your baby!) to every visit a calibrated professional infant scale, a breastfeeding pillow, feeding tools (most babies will not need these) and necessary forms and documents for you to keep and share with your physician are brought.
5. Can you go with me to purchase needed breastfeeding supplies?
Sure! By the time you shop for supplies, whoever visits you will likely know you, your baby, your breasts and your baby's mouth. Because we've stood in aisles for endless hours, and have worked with so many devices to deciding what's worth it and what's not, I'm happy to lend my professional opinion of the things you need (and the things you likely don't), saving you both time, money and gas on repeated trips to the store!
6. Will "tools" (nipple shields, pumps, bottles, etc.) be used during my consultation?
After thoroughly assessing anatomy, milk supply and mechanics, lactation aides may be used as a last resource to helping your baby effectively learn to breastfeed.
7. Can I be seen on an "on-call" basis?
Yes. Once a mother is an established client, depending on availability, she may be seen on an 'emergency' basis. On-call rates may be billed separately from scheduled consults.
8. Is artificial baby milk (formula) used during consultations?
Formula has a time and a place-usually, it is not during my consultations. However, when an infant has a compelling and immediate nutritional need (and only if a mother has no stored breastmilk) formula may be used with a parent's clear written consent, and only in the smallest amount necessary to stabilize an infant.
9. How far do you travel?
Normally, within Bexar County and surrounding areas. Travel more than 5 miles outside Bexar County can be coordinated under other terms.
10. How confidential are your consultations?
Very. The only two times I share information are when providing consult reports to pediatricians, and when noting unsafe conditions which must be reported by law.
11. Do you accept health insurance?
A receipt of services is given to all families for reimbursement. Breastfeeding Housecalls does not file for reimubursement on behalf of families and full payment of services is due at the time of the consultation. To learn more about the near future of health insurance and lactation consultations, click here.
12. How can I pay?
Checks, cash and credit cards for the full consult amount are accepted at the time of your consultation.
To learn more about future lactation care, health insurance coverage and the Affordable Care Act, please read here.
Lactation centers in San Antonio are available during normal business hours Monday-Friday and offer their services for free. Because of they are free, appointments with Lactation Centers are usually not on the same day your concern is, and speaking directly to an IBCLC about time-sensitive concerns may be delayed.
In addition, families who contact Breastfeeding Housecalls generally have already visited lactation clinics, and feel they need more time and contact. Also, moms love the convenience of having care come to them during their first delicate days with their newborn.
2. How much do your services cost?
Breastfeeding Housecalls offers different in-home services. Please see the Cost link for more pricing information.
3. How long do classes and consultations last?
Classes usually last between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Lactation consultation times can vary from 1-3 hours, and can last longer on the rare occasion that an emergent situation is identified. In this case, I will not leave your family until you or your baby's care has been been handed-over to another healthcare professional and a plan of care is in place (an emergency room, your pediatrician, your physician, etc.).
4. What equipment will you bring to my home?
Although the MOST important equipment is already at home with you (your breasts and your baby!) to every visit a calibrated professional infant scale, a breastfeeding pillow, feeding tools (most babies will not need these) and necessary forms and documents for you to keep and share with your physician are brought.
5. Can you go with me to purchase needed breastfeeding supplies?
Sure! By the time you shop for supplies, whoever visits you will likely know you, your baby, your breasts and your baby's mouth. Because we've stood in aisles for endless hours, and have worked with so many devices to deciding what's worth it and what's not, I'm happy to lend my professional opinion of the things you need (and the things you likely don't), saving you both time, money and gas on repeated trips to the store!
6. Will "tools" (nipple shields, pumps, bottles, etc.) be used during my consultation?
After thoroughly assessing anatomy, milk supply and mechanics, lactation aides may be used as a last resource to helping your baby effectively learn to breastfeed.
7. Can I be seen on an "on-call" basis?
Yes. Once a mother is an established client, depending on availability, she may be seen on an 'emergency' basis. On-call rates may be billed separately from scheduled consults.
8. Is artificial baby milk (formula) used during consultations?
Formula has a time and a place-usually, it is not during my consultations. However, when an infant has a compelling and immediate nutritional need (and only if a mother has no stored breastmilk) formula may be used with a parent's clear written consent, and only in the smallest amount necessary to stabilize an infant.
9. How far do you travel?
Normally, within Bexar County and surrounding areas. Travel more than 5 miles outside Bexar County can be coordinated under other terms.
10. How confidential are your consultations?
Very. The only two times I share information are when providing consult reports to pediatricians, and when noting unsafe conditions which must be reported by law.
11. Do you accept health insurance?
A receipt of services is given to all families for reimbursement. Breastfeeding Housecalls does not file for reimubursement on behalf of families and full payment of services is due at the time of the consultation. To learn more about the near future of health insurance and lactation consultations, click here.
12. How can I pay?
Checks, cash and credit cards for the full consult amount are accepted at the time of your consultation.
To learn more about future lactation care, health insurance coverage and the Affordable Care Act, please read here.
