How much is an LC in your area for an hour consultation?
I know one of the big benefits from BFing is the cost factor, but in our case, because we had a lot of issues, we spent close to $500 out of pocket for LC help and rentals and still ended up on formula. It always irked me that our pedi didn't have an LC on staff and that none of it was covered by insurance.
Around here, the LCs are all around $75 - $100 for an hour consult.
Re: s/o Macklair's post - LC question
Free.
I'm active duty military, though.
Surgery for ectopic pregnancy June 3, 2008
******
BFP #2 September 25, 2008
Baby boy born June 4, 2009 at 40 weeks
8 pounds 13 ounces and 23 inches
******
BFP #3 February 6, 2011
First U/S February 25, 2011 = TWINS!!!
Boy/girl twins born October 4, 2011
my bradley instructor is also an ibclc cert lc, and she has been available to me for phone and email consults w/o charge for the last 15 mos. she did do one house call in our early days to help me w/pumping + latch issues. it was $125, billable to insurance. my particular plan ended up not covering LC consults or my pump purchase, but i know that many do.
our local LLL groups are very active, and many leaders are available by phone whenever for free.
If you end up going w/Sandy, she only charged us for the initial in person meeting (which was about 2 hours). After that we spoke on the phone daily until she felt that A had taken control of things well (and when I no longer needed a pumping schedule). I think it was at least 2 months that we spoke on a regular basis. There is no telling how much time I racked up that way, but she doesn't charge for any of that (it is included with everything that she does for you).
If you had to have additional face to face meetings I would assume she charges for that time.
Here in NZ we have the Plunket society which is an organisation that gives Mums access to baby specialist nurses. You see them regularly when baby is little and then less and less often as they grow.
Through that system I have free access to a LC. She's available once w eek, just need to make an appointment.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
At the university/teaching hospital, the LC will see people outpatient, and I think it is 25 dollars for 20 minutes or something like that.
At the other big hospital their website says that the first 15 minutes are free but they do not tell afterwards.
Actually another thing that bothers me is this statement: (from the private hospital website)
"""At the Hospital
After you have given birth, you will be assisted with breastfeeding by your Mother/Infant Unit nurse. She will coach you through the first feeding, and will encourage you to nurse while guiding you through technique, positions, frequency of feeding, pumping options, and answering any additional breastfeeding questions that you may have.
St. F is fortunate to have certified Lactation Consultants on staff who are available to meet with moms who run into difficulty breastfeeding or need more advanced advice. Should breastfeeding difficulties arise, your nurse will assist you in getting in touch with a Lactation Consultant. We are pleased to offer the first 15 minutes of any lactation consultation free. Please be aware that charges will apply for consultations lasting longer than 15 minutes. """
I do not know of any private lactation consultants in this area. For women on WIC, I know they have a lactation consultant/counselor because one of my patient's mom told me she met with her yesterday.
We didn't have one and our hospital didn't rent out pumps :-( Some of the Women's health nurses were supposedly LCs and worked at the clinic sometimes and the ER sometimes. I was told I could always come in for help, but based on the bad advice I got while at the hospital and the constant suggestion of formula, I don't know if it would have done any good. In retrospect it's a bit scary because I truly don't know if there would have been any resources for me if I had problems. BF rates where I was are extremely low.
So "technically" I could have gotten unlimited bad advice from "LCs" for free.
S/o that, I should check our new insurance to see if they cover LCs.
We went through the hospital. I'm not sure what the charge was for the visits we had while there as it was lumped in with our total bill. We had 3 visits (I had a c/s so I was in for 4 days). I had one visit after I left & it was $30.
The LLL around here doesn't have any LCs.