Inflation is happening. We see it driving by the gas station. We feel it in the checkout line. So, how can you justify paying cash for a lactation consult visit?
The question really comes down to this, if your insurance will not cover a lactation consultant visit, are breastfeeding and lactation support still really important to you? Insurance can often be a barrier to care, but in the lactation world, we find that there are still many families who are willing to pay, even a small amount, to see a lactation consultant. Hopefully more and more insurances will reimburse adequately for time LC's spend with their clients. Many feeding issues are not solved in a 15 minute, 30 minute, or even an hour long session, and require additional support and modifications over time. Results can not be guaranteed.
What is the value of a lactation consult? Let's think of this in a monetary perspective. I'd like to compare some splurge items just to paint a picture.
If you get a 1 hour long facial, the going rate in California is $140/hour. Fancier treatments will be more costly. $1680/year.
If you get a 1 hour deep tissue back massage, you're looking at $180. Annually that is $2,160.
Hair? Want those highlights or greys to go bye-bye? $140-$250 per hour! Stylists are charging not only for their technique but for the products they need to get the final result.
Eyelashes? Can't live without them? We're talking $175 per hour for the initial, and then a maintenance fee of $75-125 per fill. Say 1 fill a month. $1075/year.
Starbucks Frappucino? Grande pumpkin spice latte? $5.75!
Go 10 times in a month, that is $57.50. for 12 months that is $690/year.
NOW, onto the formula... The purpose of this post is not to bash parents and their feeding choices. It is simply to point out the financial costs.
As an IBCLC I must add my disclaimer that I must be in compliance with World Health Organization (WHO) Code for breastmilk substitutes. As a lactation consultant (IBCLC) I promote breastfeeding and human lactation. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241541601
Some babies need formula. And that is OK. Think Galactosemia, weight loss, or other medically indicated reasons. For some common reasons for formula use - See this scientific Article https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8932686/
I'd like to provide an example on the costs of formula. Walmart Gerber Good Start Gentle Pro, for example, at time of writing this post, is $32.18 for a 20 ounce container of powder. Per the container, 1 container makes approximately 145 flow ounces of formula. Weight of the container per the label is approx 566grams.
1 scoop approx weight is 8.7g of powder.
566g divided by 8.7g per scoop = 65 scoops per container.
65 scoops per container Equates to around 32 4-ounce bottles (which require 2 scoops).
4 ounces per feeding is approximately 2 scoops of formula "unpacked level scoops."
So, for a baby that weighs 12 pounds for example, 2.5 ounces of milk per pound of baby = total amount of ounces per day = 30 ounces / day. 30 ounces / 8 feedings a day is approx 3.75 ounces per bottle of feeding. (Please note, this is a general calculation for how many ounces of breastmilk a baby needs and their can fluctuate. There is always a range for amount of breastmilk a baby can take in per feeding and individual needs can vary).
Bottom line, You're going to run through this formula container VERY quickly, and the cost adds up.
Breastfeeding is not always free. It can also come at a cost. Cost of the parent staying home. Cost of breastfeeding pillows, nursing bras, breastpump supplies (ACA should be covering your pumps!), bags for freezing breastmilk, etc.
If you're paying $175 for your lashes to be on fleek, please consider that $185 postpartum consult gets you a visit that promotes health and wellbeing, bonding, emotional support, and so many more benefits of lactation (for parent AND baby). It is all about perspective.
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