Lactation Support during COVID 19 - Let's Get Virtual!

With new Shelter in Place restrictions, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center has decided that it will be safer for our staff and our clients if we all stay at home.

So, starting today, our physical space is temporarily closed, but our virtual space is WIDE OPEN! We are doing everything we can to provide the same high-quality, judgment-free breastfeeding support that we have offered in person for the past 10 years… just DIGITALLY.

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Virtual Breastfeeding Consultations

For those of you looking for an individual breastfeeding consultation from an expert IBCLC, book one of our VIRTUAL BREASTFEEDING CONSULTATIONS. You’d be shocked on all we can accomplish without being in the same room!

Each virtual breastfeeding consultation includes an oral assessment on your baby (Yep! We can do those virtually!), positioning and latch assessment/recommendations, milk supply/sore nipple remedies, and a personalized plan of care. We can also do prenatal consultations and pump flange fittings, as we do these virtually all of the time!

As always, all appointments come with 2 weeks of free email support. And, we can still bill your insurance (Tricare and Aetna PPO) and have our sliding scale for those families with financial needs. If our appointments do not fit within your budget due to financial constraints, PLEASE call our office to find out the rate on our sliding scale!

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Virtual Breastfeeding Support Groups

For those of you who love support groups and are looking to stay connected with other breastfeeding parents while getting some breastfeeding help along the way, pop into one of our VIRTUAL BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUPS! Our community of local IBCLCs are hosting a free meeting, Monday-Friday, from noon-1pm. Click on this calendar link, choose the day, and then ask to Join Hangouts Meet.

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Virtual Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes

For those expectant parents wanting to prepare for breastfeeding without an in-person class to go to, check out our VIRTUAL PREPARING TO BREASTFEED CLASS. Taught LIVE by Robin Kaplan, owner of the San Diego Breastfeeding Center (and author of LATCH), this class will get you excited about breastfeeding! From latch and positioning to preventing common breastfeeding concerns, Robin helps you and your partner prepare a breastfeeding plan that works best for your family. Facts and myths will be addressed as you get the tools and resources you need to confidently start your breastfeeding journey.

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Don’t let breastfeeding challenges exacerbate during COVID19. Please reach out for help! We are here to support you along your breastfeeding journey and want to do everything we can to help make this part of your life a little bit easier!

What SDBFC is doing to protect you and your family during COVID-19

As social distancing and worldwide quarantines are affecting us all during the coronavirus crisis, the staff at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center is doing everything we can to continue to provide support for breastfeeding families.  Your family’s health and well-being (as well as our’s) is our top priority. Here is what you can expect for the next few weeks.

Classes and Support Groups

1. Group classes are either cancelled or will be offered virtually.  Please visit our website for an updated calendar.

2. We are partnering with several local lactation consultants to offer virtual breastfeeding support groups through Google Hangouts Meet.  Here is the schedule (starting on Wed March 18):

   1. Monday: 12p-1p (hosted by Rachelle Markham)

   2. Tuesday: 12p-1p (hosted by Dawn Dickerson)

   3. Wednesday: 12p-1p (hosted by Robin Kaplan)

   4. Thursday: 12p-1p (hosted by Rachael Oeffner)

   5. Friday: 12p-1p (hosted by Ashley Tehrani)

To attend one of our virtual breastfeeding support groups, please go to our calendar for details and a link to each daily virtual support group. We will also make an announcement with all of the details on our Facebook and Instagram, as well.

In-person Lactation Consultations

Prior to the visit

1. We screen all of our patients a day before the visit via text. In case of a confirmation of possible symptoms of a respiratory infection, a virtual visit will be offered instead via a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform.

2. We thoroughly clean and disinfect all our supplies using CDC-approved disinfectants before every visit. We also disinfect our phones/computers before and after each visit using alcohol wipes.

3. We take our temperature every morning to make sure that we do not have a fever.  If we or someone in our household is sick, we will reschedule your appointment.

During the in-person visit

1. Upon arrival, you will be asked screening questions before we can begin the consultation.

2. We alway clean our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  

3. Throughout the visit, we will use gloves every time we touch you and your baby. 

4. When weighing your baby, we will use a disposable chux pad to place on the disinfected scale. You can use your own receiving blanket, if preferred.

5. We ask that you bring your own breastfeeding pillows, if you are using one.  We will not have pillows to use in our clinic.

6. We are staggering our office appointments so that no one will sit in the waiting room.

7. We will minimize our physical contact with you and your baby throughout the consult, unless we are doing a physical/oral assessment

8. For in-office consultations, we ask that you leave siblings at home, if at all possible.

9. If we are seeing you in your own home, we ask that only household members are in the home during the consultation.

Virtual consultation options

1. For anyone who would prefer a virtual consultation, you can book one of these through our website.  While these are slightly less-comprehensive, as we are not able to assess milk transfer, they are a wonderful option during this social distancing time.  Through virtual consultations,  we can provide guidance on how to maintain your milk supply and baby weight gain, optimize position and latch, and co-create a temporary plan of care until we can see you in person.  

2. It can be very helpful to have a second adult around during the virtual consult, as you will be walked through how to do an oral assessment with your child.