HOW CALLS TO IBCLCS BEGIN AND END.
The telephone rings. A desperate mom, grandma, auntie, dad,
friend, or confidant is on the other end.
Caller: I need help breastfeeding (states the caller). My
friend, pediatrician, yelp, hospital hand out, neighbor, la leche league
leader, etc. recommended I call you. How much does a consultation with an IBCLC
to feed my baby and heal the pain/increase the supply/make a plan/solve this
problem cost??
IBCLC states local rate.
Caller: You are charging me what to help me feed my baby???
No I can’t afford that.
IBCLC thinks- Does any desperate mom, grandma, auntie, dad, friend,
or confidant every have that reaction to the formula cost at the checkout at
the store or the sick visit at the pediatrician?
Unfortunately, this conversation and scenario is an all too
familiar conversation and one that needs to be addressed.
Yes, feeding your baby at the breast should be a natural,
normal, easy method of feeding your baby, just like everyone told you. Right?
Um, well not so right if you have met any of the numerous
road blocks that are out there: induction, csection, well meaning but not well
trained hospital staff, formula supported pediatricians, family history of no
breastfeeding or limited breastfeeding x2 generations, postpartum
complications, nicu stay, etc. etc. etc.
If you meet these road blocks, as many moms do, you need a
professional to help you fix the problem. Just as hiring a plumber who is
licensed and trained and well respected to fix the leak in your sink may cost
you, so will fixing the leak the system that is leading you down the road to
breastfeeding challenges. And the same as the leak in your plumbing, the sooner
you fix it the better.
However, fixing a breastfeeding problem is more than the
milk it is preserving a mom’s and a family’s sanity. It is preserving the
bonding of mom and baby. It is protecting the welfare of the mom and baby
emotionally and physically. It is protecting the health of mom and baby and
family. It is creating an environment with a plan and with monitored stress
regarding feeding your new baby so bonding can happen. Fixing a breastfeeding
problem is much more than just replacing the plumbing. Instead it is fixing the
system and healing the mom baby connection.
Okay, let’s take a step back and address cost honestly and
directly.
Costs associated with life without kids:
Housecleaners:
$60-100 a week or bimonthly
Yard
workers: $100 a month or more.
Movie
outings: $50 a month
Drinks
after work: $100-200 a month
Coffee from
starbucks at $3 a drink 5 days a week times 4 weeks a month: $60
Lunch at
work: $8-10 a day 5 days a week 4 weeks a month: $160- 200
Dog
Walkers: $25-50 a day 5 days a week 4 weeks a month: $500-1000
COST TO SEE AN IBCLC $300-500 FOR 3-4 HOURS OF CONSULT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE.
Translated: Your coffee plus your lunch at work plus your
drinks- all of which you will not be doing while you are home with your infant,
or will be doing less, add up to more than the cost of helping you breastfeed
your infant.
AND WAIT THERE IS MORE: THIS COST IS DEDUCTIBLE ON YOUR
TAXES!! Your drinks, coffee, lunches, dog walker, movie, yard workers,
housecleaners, etc. are not!
AND--- IT MEANS YOU WILL SAVE CLOSE TO $3500 A YEAR SINCE
YOU WILL MORE THAN LIKELY NOT BE PURCHASING FORMULA IF YOU GET IN TO SEE AN
IBCLC EARLY ENOUGH (PRENATAL OR FIRST WEEK POSTPARTUM)!
So, the next time you think $300-500 for 3-4 hours of
consultation with an IBCLC, is too much, think again. This is your child, your
future, your life.
This new beautiful baby (as well as your sanity) is much
more important than your dog walker, your housecleaner, your work lunches,
drinks and coffees.
AND NEWSFLASH---This will probably be the cheapest thing you
will do for your child as they bring joy, energy and love to your life and grow
and require more and more items, care, and activities.
SO PLEASE THINK AGAIN WHEN YOU OPT NOT TO SEE AN IBCLC AND
INSTEAD STRUGGLE YOUR WAY AND YOUR BABY’S WAY THROUGH YOUR BREASTFEEDING.
In the end, this is a cheap pennywise solution to a
mountainous problem.
