Question 1

Are IBCLC services covered by provincial or private insurance?

Accepted Answer

Like many allied health care professionals, IBCLCs are not covered by RAMQ.  If you have private insurance, you'll need to check to see if your policy covers it, but in most cases, it does not.

This means IBCLC care is just not accessible to many and I STRONGLY feel this needs to change.  If you would like to help make this happen, please click below to learn how.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JKgBFwkzuN_9rwv5aTHfkb_FQergCCmu?usp=sharing

Question 2

Why do you need a deposit to reserve an appointment?  What if I need to cancel?

Accepted Answer

I reserve a full two hours just for you.  Just like you, when I show up for work, I deserve to be paid for my time.  When a someone cancels 15 minutes before their appointment or simply doesn't show up, they are taking a spot from someone else and my day's pay is cut.  Your deposit is my insurance that you will call me to let me know if you cannot attend your appointment or have changed your mind.
 
What if I need to cancel?
No problem!  Just let me know at least 24 hours before your appointment and your deposit will be refunded in full, no questions asked.

What if something comes up?
Stuff happens.  If it's truly an emergency, like you are back at the hospital, give me a call and we'll reschedule.  But if you just don't feel like it because baby was up all night or you have decided you don't want the appointment, I do expect you to give me enough notice to call the next person on my waiting list, otherwise I cannot return your deposit.

Question 3

How can you do everything with a video consult?

Accepted Answer

Over the past few years, I have helped several thousand families through telehealth.  If there was one silver lining from the pandemic, it was that we had to reimagine the way we offer services.  Some things, like telehealth worked so well we decided to keep them around.

My secure platform allows me to fully assess your situation, help you with techniques for latching and pumping and help you make a plan to get things back on track.  With your help, I can even assess how baby is moving their tongue and the rest of their body.

It is helpful to have a helper with you who can be your camaraperson to help me see what I need to see and I will teach you how to examine your own baby, step by step.  Doing it yourself with my guidance not only facilitates your learning and helps you understand things on a deeper level, but it empowers you and helps build your confidence, all from the comfort and safety of your home.

Time after time, families have told me how much they appreciate this completely hands-off approach!

Question 4

How should I prepare for my appointment?

Accepted Answer

Make sure you complete your intake form
Plan for 1.5h
Make sure your phone or laptop is fully charged and if possible, ask a helper to be ready to hold the camera.
Please have baby's Blue Health Record on hand and whatever nipple cream/ointment, medications, nipple shield, breast pump, feeding cups, syringes, tubes, bottles, etc. that you are using.  If you are supplementing, have a typical feeding prepared.
Of course we can't keep baby waiting, but please do your best to time feeds so baby is just starting to get hungry around the time our appointment is scheduled to start.  If you need to, give them a small snack to tide them over, but avoid giving a full feed just before we are about to start.  I need to see baby eating.

Question 5

Can you fix it in one appointment?

Accepted Answer

Well I would love to have a magic wand that would allow me to do this, but solving infant feeding problems takes time.  After the first appointment, you will know the cause of your difficulties and what to do to make it better.  You'll get a written summary of our appointment including a detailed care plan.  There is a really good chance that you start to see improvement right away.

Each case is unique and most clients need between 1 and 3 appointments.

Question 6

Can you assess for tongue-tie?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  In fact we'll do it together.  I'll walk you through all the things we need to look at to see how your baby's tongue is moving (or isn't).  Not all tongue-ties need to be treated.  It's a complex evaluation that usually happens over time and depends on how well things improve with other interventions.  I'll make sure you understand the process every step of the way so you can make an informed decision.