Does insurance cover the cost of a consultation or a breastpump? Coverage for lactation services and supplies varies between insurance companies. We currently have contracts with Priority Health, PPOM, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, and Blue Shield/Blue Cross MESSA. For information on specific coverage for those listed and all other insurance companies, please call baby beloved, inc. at 616.977.5683. We would be happy to provide you with forms to submit to your insurance company if we do not participate. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts often cover the cost of the consultation and/or breastpumps; call for more information. What should I do to prepare for breastfeeding before the baby arrives? No special preparation to the breasts or nipples is necessary (or recommended) while pregnant. The best preparation is to attend a breastfeeding support group and/or watch another woman breastfeeding her baby. Reading a good book, such as the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, and attending a breastfeeding class are good ideas, as well. The instillation of confidence and preparing a good support system is very helpful to the first-time nursing mother. When should I shop for a nursing bra? You can wait until your last month of pregnancy to be fitted for a nursing bra. A qualified bra-fitter at baby beloved, inc. can help you find a bra that is properly fitted to the unique changes your breasts will undergo. |
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More Frequently Asked Questions.....
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| How
do I know my baby is getting enough milk?
While there is no gauge on
the breast to measure how much breastmilk is removed at each
feeding, there are still plenty of ways to reassure yourself that
the baby is getting enough to eat. Some ways to know include:
wet/dirty diapers (ask your doctor for guidelines), signs of satiety
in the baby after a feeding (think "drunken sailor"), a breast that
is softer after a feeding, audible swallowing once the milk is "in"
(between days 3-5), consistent weight gain (about an ounce a day
after the milk has "come in"). If you have any doubts or
concerns, please call your physician or baby beloved, inc. for
further help.
How long should I expect to have sore nipples? Although a small amount of tenderness in the first few seconds of nursing is not considered to be abnormal, pain that persists throughout the entire feeding is a cause for concern. Nipple cracks, scabs, blisters, and bleeding are NOT a normal part of breastfeeding. A qualified lactation consultant who deals with proper latch-on and infant suck issues should evaluate the feeding to help correct the problem and eliminate the pain. An infant whose suck is causing pain at the breast is most likely not effectively nursing, and therefore not getting the most amount of milk possible. The earlier you seek assistance the better your breastfeeding experience will be. |
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