Lactation Consultant
IHA Lactation Consultant Services
IHA provides you with the expertise you need before, during and after your baby is born to ensure that you have the support and education you need to feel comfortable and confident in your decision to breastfeed.
Some of the reasons you may wish to contact a lactation consultant include, but are not limited to:
- Basic breastfeeding education
- Support and encouragement
- Latch-on problems
- Sore nipples or engorgement
- Rapid weight loss or slow weight gain of infant
- Insufficient breast milk
- Medical conditions such as prematurity, Downs syndrome, cleft lip and/or palate
- Twins, triplets or more
Our Lactation Consultants
Holly Raymond, Pat Reckling and Wendy Storey are certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioners as well as IBCLC Certified Lactation Consultants. Holly is located at IHA Child Health - Plymouth. Pat and Wendy are located at IHA Pediatric Healthcare – Canton. Sherrill Black is a LPN OB/Triage specialist and is IBCLC certified as well. She is located at IHA Associates in Gynecology and Obstetrics – Arbor Park. In addition, Kelly Strickler is a certified lactation specialist at IHA Child Health - Ann Arbor.
An IBCLC is a health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. IBCLC’s are certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners Inc. under the direction of the US National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers and Babies
An infant that receives breast milk has the following advantages:
- breast milk has the perfect combinations of nutrients for your baby
- breast milk provides protection against infections
- Breastfed babies have a lower risk of childhood-onset diabetes
- Breastfed babies have less risk of childhood obesity
A woman that breastfeeds enjoys the following advantages:
- less risk of developing osteoporosis
- less risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer
- she is more likely to lose weight faster
- she will save time—no formula to mix
- she will save money; formula can cost about $1,400 per year
Breastfeeding is an important and rewarding experience for many mothers. At IHA, our lactation consultants provide breastfeeding support consistent with the recommendations of both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants.
IHA’s lactation consultants are available by appointment at their offices to provide new mothers with one-on-one breastfeeding assistance to help them adjust to the breastfeeding process. Mothers are encouraged to call the lactation consultants with questions or concerns. Mothers may also receive further instruction through our twice monthly breastfeeding classes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does insurance cover the cost of a consultation or a breast pump?
Coverage for lactation services and supplies varies between insurance companies. We would be happy to provide you with forms to submit to your insurance company if we do not participate. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts often cover the cost of the consultation and/or breast pumps; call for more information.
What should I do to prepare for breastfeeding before the baby arrives?
No special preparation to the breasts or nipples is necessary (or recommended) while pregnant. The best preparation is to attend a breastfeeding support group and/or watch another woman breastfeeding her baby. Reading a good book, such as the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, and attending a breastfeeding class are good ideas, as well. The instillation of confidence and preparing a good support system is very helpful to the first-time nursing mother.
When should I shop for a nursing bra?
You can wait until your last month of pregnancy to be fitted for a nursing bra.
How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
While there is no gauge on the breast to measure how much breast milk is removed at each feeding, there are still plenty of ways to reassure yourself that the baby is getting enough to eat. Some ways to know include: wet/dirty diapers (ask your doctor for guidelines), a breast that is softer after a feeding, audible swallowing once the milk is "in" (between days 3-5), consistent weight gain (about an ounce a day after the milk has "come in").
How long should I expect to have sore nipples?
Although a small amount of tenderness in the first few seconds of nursing is not considered to be abnormal, pain that persists throughout the entire feeding is a cause for concern. Nipple cracks, scabs, blisters, and bleeding are NOT a normal part of breastfeeding. A qualified lactation consultant who deals with proper latch-on and infant suck issues should evaluate the feeding to help correct the problem and eliminate the pain. An infant whose suck is causing pain at the breast is most likely not effectively nursing, and therefore not getting the most amount of milk possible. The earlier you seek assistance the better your breastfeeding experience will be.