FAQ’s
What towns do you cover?
All of Sydney, darlin’! Including the Southern Highlands, Wollongong and Blue Mountains.
Why do you charge a travel fee?
I love seeing parents all over Sydney in the comfort of their homes. The farther I travel, the less mums I can see in a day. Charging a travel fee means I can see families in locations that I ordinarily wouldn’t service.
What are your fees?
Talking money can feel so icky! Fees can be found here, under each service.
What are your qualifications?
I feel like I have been studying for most of my life!
What payment methods do you accept?
I accept cash, credit and debit card, and online payment options via my website. I hate carrying cash so prefer electronic forms of payment.
Do you offer any discounts?
I offer discounts on consultations to Health Care Card holders as well as Indigenous Australian families. Please contact me before booking to discuss.
I have a breastfeeding problem or question but don’t want a visit. Can I just text you a question and you can answer me?
Sorry darlin’! It’s against our policy and the code of conduct for IBCLCs. I can’t give lactation advice without a signed consent form and a medical history. It is malpractice and my insurer would have my butt!
Tell me about you – how do I know if I will be comfortable meeting with you?
A lot of my clients say that I put them at ease and help them feel that they are not alone in their breastfeeding. I am non-judgemental and make my time with you a guilt-free zone so we can work together on achieving your breastfeeding goals. I have breastfed two babies through a whole gamut of breastfeeding problems, I’ve been where you are now!
Do I need to worry about how my house looks during your visit? Should I clean?
Oh hell no! Please don’t clean. Honestly, I don’t notice and you have much better things to do with your time!
What happens during a visit?
It depends on the consult you book, but for most consults we go over your medical, birth and breastfeeding history, do an oral assessment of your baby and watch how you breastfeed. I may do an assessment of your breasts if necessary. We do a lot of talking!
Together we will work on the issues you are having with breastfeeding. We will create a plan that works for you and revisit this at your next consultation to see how you are travelling.
Sometimes I will suggest products that could help you but there is no pressure to purchase anything.
After your visit you will receive an email with additional information sheets and a personalised plan within 24 hours.
How do I get ready for our visit?
When you book online, I will send you an online form to fill out. That way we can get started as soon as I arrive.
If you have any questions for me, be sure to write them down so I can answer them while I am with you, or send you information after the consultation.
If you are taking medications or supplements, have them handy so I can check them out.
Please put pets away before I arrive. Sometimes they like to get amongst things and be a bit territorial.
Have your baby with you!
Will you still come to my house if I’m sick, or if someone in my house is sick?
It depends. If you have mastitis or blocked ducts, even if you have started to develop fevers and chills, we can definitely work on that.
Ordinarily I will still come out if you have a mild ‘flu, cold or hay fever. However with the current COVID-19 pandemic, if you are experiencing cold or ‘flu symptoms, fever or dry cough, have travelled or been in contact with someone who has travelled in the last two weeks, or have been in contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, I would recommend an online or Telehealth consultation for the time being.
If you, your baby or someone in your house has a more serious communicable illness please advise me BEFORE your appointment.
Will you come to my house if YOU are sick?
No, your health and that of your family is paramount to me.
Are you fully vaccinated?
Yes.
You’ll fix all of my breastfeeding problems during one visit, right?
I really wish I had a breastfeeding magic wand! Breastfeeding problems are often multi-faceted. We will work together to develop a personalised plan and you should see things start to improve within a few days.
It takes time, effort and work on your part but I am here to support and guide you – think of me as your coach and personal cheer squad.
Do you have training in tongue ties, lip ties, and/or oral restrictions and/or tethered oral tissue?
I have attended multiple Continuing Professional Development events, as well as self-directed learning on tongue ties, lip ties and oral restrictions. I have also observed several frenectomy procedures on infants, children and adults.
I have extensive experience in assessing and identifying ties, improving latch and managing feeding with and without frenectomy, suck training and post-release exercises and Osteopathy.
As a mum of children who have had tongue ties, I also have first-hand experience in breastfeeding and managing the long-term effects of this.
Do you think all babies have a tongue tie?
Nope! In saying that, I only see babies and families that are having breastfeeding problems and often a lot of these babies have some form of tethered oral tissue causing the breastfeeding problems. For me, I care less about what a tongue looks like and more about how it functions.
My baby won’t take a bottle. Can you help me?
You betcha! Just as breastfeeding is a skill is learnt by babies (with reflexes playing a huge part), bottle feeding is a learnt skill as well.
My baby is on formula. Will you still help me?
Definitely! Whether you are formula feeding and want to relactate, mixed feed or need help bottle feeding your formula fed baby, I can help you. My consults are judgement and guilt-free spaces!
I exclusively pump. Will you help me?
Yes! It is BLOODY DIFFICULT exclusively pumping and you deserve a big hug! I can definitely help in lots of ways, from increasing your supply if needed, to developing a more ‘doable’ plan.
I’m nursing multiples. Can you help me?
The more the merrier! I have experience helping many multiple families and would love the opportunity to help you. If there are breastfeeding issues for more than one baby, there is an extra charge (50% extra for twins, 75% for triplets and more).
I’m tandem nursing. Can you help me?
I sure can help. Whether it is to continue or stop, we can develop a plan that works for you.
Do you know anyone with extra breast milk they could donate to me?
It is against our Code of Conduct as IBCLC’s to broker, or even appear to broker milk sharing amongst our clients. It isn’t because we don’t think it is amazing and wet-nursing and milk sharing has been around for yonks, but because we can’t screen the milk and guarantee it is safe. Check out Eats of Feets and Human Milk 4 Human Babies on Facebook.
I don’t live near you and want to do a virtual consult. Is that possible?
Yes, all my consults, except for Tongue Tie Assessment can be taken virtually. I use a platform called Cliniko that is HIPAA and GDPR compliant. The consult is conducted on a secure platform and you will be sent a unique link that can only work for that appointment so no one can digitally gate-crash your consult.
Will you help me stop breastfeeding?
Yep. If breastfeeding isn’t working for you, for whatever reason, I can help you wean your baby gently or abruptly depending on your circumstances. Remember this is a judgement, shame and guilt-free zone!
Can you help me start pumping/build a stash/ get ready to go back to work?
Absolutely. I have a Pumping/Return-to-work consultation that can be taken both face-to-face and virtually. I can also tell you your rights when it comes to your employer’s legal obligations to you in terms of providing comfortable, private spaces, and share some handy tips to help you navigate things milk storage in an office environment. Umm, guys, that’s not cow’s milk!
I’m pregnant. Do you do prenatal consults? Should I book with you in advance?
I love it when mums are proactive and want breastfeeding information before baby arrives. I offer prenatal and pre-adoptive consults (including induced lactation). These can be taken both virtually and face-to-face.
Often there are things in your medical history that will effect lactation. We can address these before the birth and develop a plan.
I ask families that they wait until they are discharged from the hospital before booking me to come to their home. As a general rule, I don’t see families the day they are discharged. I want you to settle in an enjoy your first day at home together with your nearest and dearest.
Can I use my Private Health Fund to cover some of the cost?
If you have maternity cover with your private health insurer you may be eligible for reimbursement. It is best to call your provider directly to see if my services are covered.
Can I get a Medicare rebate for my appointment?
I get asked this question A LOT and I really wish the answer was yes! Unfortunately, the Australian Government doesn’t allocate any Medicare rebates to Lactation Consulting (yet!).
How can I access continued help from The Boobala after my two weeks of support are up?
You can subscribe to my membership to continue support for $30 per week. You will be able to ask me questions, have one 15 minute Telehealth call per week, access my Members Only Facebook Group and download any info sheets you may need.
I love your vibe. Is there a community I can be a part of?
There sure is. You can join my group for breastfeeding, chest feeding, breastmilk feeding, exclusively expressing families at Boobalicious Breastfeeding.