Meet Barbara Robertson, IBCLC, MA, the Director/Owner of The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor.
Breastfeeding Consults
The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor
“You made me feel like I knew what I was doing at a time when I couldn’t have felt more frazzled . . . You made me feel it was okay to just be mommy, and that my problems with breastfeeding did not indicate that I was failing as a parent . . . You helped me with mothering, and that is something I could not have paid you to do.”
– Mother with sore nipples
What is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (I.B.C.L.C.) and why is certification important?
The IBCLC Certification is the only professional standard of competency in the lactation field. It is the official, international credential for those in the breastfeeding and lactation field. A combination of basic training, continuing education, practice with mothers and babies, and successful completion of the examination assures that the designation, IBCLC, identifies a member of the health care team who posses the specialized skills and knowledge. There are now approximately 16,500 IBCLCs worldwide. — adapted from IBCLC Press release, Falls Church, October 15, 2004. For more info, contact the International Lactation Consultant Association: www.ilca.org
Why would I need to see a Lactation Consultant?
Breastfeeding can be challenging in the beginning! Producing breastmilk is natural, breastfeeding is a learned behavior. You might have baby who won’t latch, be worried about milk supply, have a baby who cries all the time, have sore nipples or breasts, or just want to make sure everything is okay. By having a board-certified lactation consultant on your side, breastfeeding is more likely to be successful.
Does every breastfeeding mother need to see a lactation consultant?
No. If mother is comfortable and the baby is getting plenty of milk, then they are all ready successful!
What does a private lactation consultation consists of?
A private consult using The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor consists of:
- Compassionate care
- Full medical history
- Physical exam of mother’s breasts and baby
- Pre and post test weights to determine milk transfer during feed
- Thorough evaluation of feeding
- Written care plan
- Report faxed to health care provider
- Follow-up phone support and, if needed, follow-up visits at a lower fee
An initial consultation will take about one and a half hours to get a complete understanding of your breastfeeding needs.
A private consult seems expensive, do I really need to do this?
I know, it does seem expensive! However, baby formula costs at least $150.00 per month for at least 12 months if breastfeeding doesn’t work out. So, in fact, by investing in a board certified lactation consultant, you are really saving money over the long term! Lactation consultants at The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor are highly trained, board certified health care professionals. Anyone can call themselves a lactation consultant, so be sure that whoever you might hire to help you has reached these high standards.
Breastfeeding is not all about technical skills! Sometimes what a mother needs is someone to listen to her and support her during tough times. Here are some things mothers have said about Barbara Robertson, MA, IBCLC:
“I wanted to thank you for all of your help and advice and encouragement during our nursing trials. The baby is almost a year now and has been nursing like a champ since we last saw you.”
– Mother of a baby born at 24 weeks
“Thank you for your on-going support and encouragement. You’ve shown me great kindness and I always feel better after talking to you.”
– Mother of a baby who would not latch at first
Please call The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor for availability and pricing.
(734) 975-6534