FAQ

  • What is a Lactation Consultant?

    Lactation Consultants:
    IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

    Lactation Consultants are an integral part of the health care team.
    They have obtained extensive training to provide evidence-based, breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are thinking of breastfeeding or who have questions or problems during the course of breastfeeding/lactation.

  • Why do I need a Lactation Consultant?

    Lactation Consultants can provide support to families who:

    •Have questions about feeding their baby
    •Would like help with pumping and/or bottle feeding
    •Are experiencing difficulty or pain when latching their baby
    •Are using a nipple shield or ointment
    •Have lost more than 7% of birth weight
    •Have a baby with jaundice
    •Have concerns about milk supply
    •Have a history of breast feeding difficulties
    •Have a baby needing supplementation

  • Do you offer evening and weekend appointments?

    Yes!

    We do offer limited evening and weekend visits.

    Book online or call 425-523-1212 to schedule.

    A surcharge will apply to appointments scheduled after 5pm or on weekends/holidays.
    This fee is not billable to insurance.

  • Is it normal for breastfeeding to be painful?

    No.

    Breastfeeding should not be painful.
    Not in the beginning and not even for the first few minutes after latching.
    Pain is a sign that a latch needs adjusting.
    If you are experiencing nipple pain or damage, we are here to help.

  • My baby’s provider is concerned about weight loss or slow weight gain. What can I do?

    If your baby has lost more than 7% of their birth weight or has not started to regain their loss by 5 days of age, we can verify how much milk your baby is actually transferring and work with you and your baby’s provider to improve transfer and create a feeding plan that meets your baby’s nutritional needs.

  • Do you offer weight checks and support groups?

    Yes!

    Our support group meets every Monday 10:30-11:30am.
    Learn more here.

    Weight checks can be booked easily online here or by calling 425-523-1212

  • My baby cluster feeds all day and night. Is this normal?

    No.

    Normal cluster feeding refers to a window of time, usually limited to a few hours when your baby returns to the breast to feed more frequently than at other times.

    If your baby is wanting to feed this frequently for most of the day or night, a weighted feeding can help determine if your baby is transferring enough milk to meet their nutritional needs.

    In some cases transfer is less than expected but we are here to help.

  • Does prenatal lactation support and education really make a difference to breastfeeding success after my baby arrives?

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure…

    Learning the tips and tricks of a good latch and position before your baby arrives can make the difference between breastfeeding comfortably or with pain.

    Prevent pain and damage by having an effective and comfortable latch from the start.

    Having colostrum collected before your baby arrives can provide nutritional support if needed. This is especially important for women with gestational diabetes, anyone with a history of c-section, planning a c-section/induction or if you anticipate your baby needing care in the NICU.

    When you understand the importance of the Golden Hour after birth you’ll know how to set yourself up for breastfeeding success.

    Prepare to breastfeed with confidence by getting the right support before birth.

  • Are your services covered by insurance?

    YES!

    We have partnered with The Lactation Network to be able to provide expert lactation care at no cost to you.

    Click here to see if your insurance covers care at Thrive Lactation & Wellness.

    If your plan is not included, we do accept HSA, FSA and all other major credit cards.
    We will provide you with a Superbill form that you can submit to request reimbursement. Coverage is not guaranteed and we recommend families check with their insurance provider.

    Read the National Women’s Law Center Tool Kit for Breastfeeding Moms here. This helpful guide simplifies communicating with your insurance provider and provides form letters you can use to support your claim.

    Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), new or “ungrandfathered” health insurance plans must cover breastfeeding support and supplies as a preventive benefit without imposing cost-sharing, such as deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.

    Find answers to questions that you might have about the ACA breastfeeding benefit here.

    PLEASE NOTE: Visits that are scheduled after 5pm or are on weekends or holidays will be subject to a 30% surcharge that is not billable to insurance.