Our breastfeeding experts are here to help you.
704-384-7515
Here are some of the questions we are most often asked about our office and procedures.
Q. Will a lactation consultant automatically come see me in the hospital?
A. Yes. If you are planning to breastfeed, we will be automatically notified and visit you on “rounds.” Your nurse will provide initial breastfeeding support in Labor & Delivery and Family Maternity Care. However, if you have not seen a lactation consultant by your second 24 hours, please have your nurse page our department.
Q. Can I come to The Nursing Mother’s Place if I deliver elsewhere?
A. Yes! Novant Health Nursing Mother’s Place has three convenient locations (Charlotte, Huntersville and Matthews) and is open to the public.
Q. Does my doctor need to refer me?
A. Not necessarily. You can self-refer, or your doctor or your baby’s pediatrician can refer you as well.
Q. Will my insurance cover my visit?
A. While we cannot guarantee whether your insurance carrier will cover your consultation, we will collect any co-pay and automatically file the remainder of the fee with your insurance when you visit.
Q. What can I expect during my consultation?
A. To help us assess your breastfeeding situation, we will schedule your appointment during your baby’s feeding time. You, your baby and any support person you would like present will meet with a consultant in one of our comfortable, private offices. We will weigh your baby, ask you to breastfeed and then weigh your baby again to measure how much milk they have received. Then, we’ll work together to develop a personalized feeding plan and breastfeeding goals, which will be shared with your doctors.
Q. Will I need to come back more than once?
A. That depends on the nature of your breastfeeding issues. Many mothers resolve their issues with one visit while other mothers have multiple appointments until things are progressing well.
Q. Can I bring my husband (or partner, or mother, or other children) with me to the appointment?
A. It is helpful to have someone else close to you present during a consultation, so we strongly encourage you to bring a support person with you to your appointment. Ideally, though, other children will be left at home. We cannot supervise them during your appointment, and we want you to be able to concentrate on your breastfeeding needs without distraction.
Q. Do all mothers-to-be need a breastfeeding class?
A. Not necessarily. However, many new parents tell us they are glad they took a breastfeeding class before delivery so that they could learn breastfeeding basics and familiarize themselves with hospital procedures and services provided by Novant Health Nursing Mother’s Place.
Learn more about our breastfeeding classes »
Q. Should I buy a nursing bra before I deliver?
A. Although you will probably experience breast changes after delivery, it is helpful to have a supportive, sleep-type bra to wear under your hospital gown or robe. Most nursing bras allow for changes in ribcage and cup size, so you can definitely purchase one before you deliver. Each location of Novant Health Nursing Mother’s Place carries a variety of bras. If you choose to wait until after delivery to purchase a nursing bra, we will be happy to fit you while you are at the hospital.
Q. Do all mothers need to have a breast pump?
A. No. Breast pumps are needed if your baby is unable to nurse well or you are unable to feed in the first days after delivery. If you need a pump while in the hospital, we will provide one. If you will need a pump after discharge, we can rent you one before you leave the hospital.
Pump rentals are $59-69 a month, and the personal collection kit is an additional $59. A deposit of $60 is required at time of rental. We accept VISA, MasterCard and personal checks; all other charges will be filed to your insurance carrier.
Pump rentals and retail pumps are also available at our outpatient Novant Health Nursing Mother’s Place locations. However, we encourage you to wait and see what your needs might be before buying a pump.
Q. How can I tell if my baby is getting enough milk?
A. Babies should nurse every two to three hours. Wake your baby if he is sleeping longer than three hours during the day or four hours at night.
Wet and soiled diapers should increase each day during the first week. By day five, we expect six to eight clear, wet diapers and three to five “bigger than a quarter” yellow bowel movements each day.
We also recommend you visit your baby’s doctor within 48-72 hours after leaving the hospital to examine the baby and monitor his weight again.
Q. My breasts are leaking now. Is that normal? I am not due for a few weeks.
A. Yes. Some mothers experience prenatal leaking of colostrum, the “early” milk stored in your breasts during the end of your pregnancy.
Q. Can you recommend a good breastfeeding book?
A.
The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins (Harvard Common Press) is an easy-to-read book that addresses everything you could ask about breastfeeding! It is available at all locations of Novant Health Nursing Mother’s Place, the public library and area bookstores.
Q. Who do I contact after regular office hours or on weekends?
A. Novant Health Nursing Mother’s Place offers a “Warm Line” for questions and concerns after regular office hours. For more information, call 704-384-7515. Our lactation consultants will return any calls placed after 4 p.m. by the next business day. If you are having a significant problem and are unable to reach our office, call your pediatrician or ob-gyn as indicated.