What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic
Breastfeeding can be very stressful for mothers when things are not going well. Doctors at the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic understand and want to help. All of the doctors are experienced, board-certified pediatricians and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants, and have children of their own. Their goal is to provide every mother with the support needed to have an optimal breastfeeding experience.
During the clinic appointment, the pediatrician will assess your and your baby’s breastfeeding abilities and help address any concerns. Appointments last about an hour.
Most appointments at the clinic include the mother and baby. Occasionally, only a mother attends an appointment (for example, when the mother is pumping only, pregnant and wants to prepare for breastfeeding, or her baby is in the hospital). These are shorter visits.
If you are the mother of twins and bringing both babies to the appointment, we will schedule you at the end of the day to ensure we have enough time to address your concerns.
Making an Appointment at the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic
If you are interested in making an appointment at the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic, please contact us. A physician referral is not needed for you or your baby when making an appointment.
One family member or friend is welcome to join in your appointment.
On the Day of Your Visit to the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic
Please don’t feed your baby for at least two hours before the appointment time. This ensures that your baby will be ready to eat at the appointment and more likely to latch on to the breast.
What to Bring
- A photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) so we can update your personal information during the registration process
- Current insurance cards for both mother and baby
- A bottle of pumped milk or formula if your baby is not latching well to the breast
- The flanges used with the breast pump if you have concerns about pumping
Plan to arrive at the clinic 20-30 minutes before the scheduled start time. This allows us to register both you and your baby, which can be a lengthy process. A medical record will be made for you and your baby.
If you are running late, contact us. We will most likely need to reschedule your appointment.
At Your Appointment
All appointments take place in a private, quiet room in the clinic. Each room has a rocking chair, a footstool and a breastfeeding pillow. The pediatrician will do all she can to help you and your baby feel relaxed and comfortable during the appointment.
During the appointment, the pediatrician will:
- Talk about your health history and your baby
- Ask about your concerns related to breastfeeding
- Weigh your baby before and after the baby latches to the breast to determine how much milk the baby takes in
- Observe a breastfeeding session
- Provide support and make recommendations to improve your breastfeeding experience
- Recommend a feeding plan
After Your Visit to the Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic
After your visit, our office staff will send your provider and your baby’s provider a summary of the visit. We also will submit a bill to the insurance company for both you and your baby.
If you have any future concerns about breastfeeding, please contact us. We are happy to schedule a follow-up appointment during any point of your breastfeeding experience.
