Lactation Consultations

Black Hills Breastfeeding and Beyond currently partners with The Lactation Network (TLN) to allow direct billing of services for some insurance plans. To verify insurance coverage and receive pre-approval, click here and submit your insurance information. If your insurance is approved, you will receive email verification.

Pre-approved visits covered by insurance through TLN are at no cost to the client (guaranteed). If your insurance company is not approved by TLN, you are considered a self-pay client and will be responsible for paying for all services out of pocket. Please see below for self-pay information.

TLN currently accepts most Blue Cross PPO, Blue Shield PPO, BCBS Wellmark PPO, Anthem PPO, Cigna PPO plans, United Health Care plans (excluding medicaid plans), PNOA plans, and all Multiplan Plans. Note that PNOA or Multiplans will often appear alongside other payers on the medical insurance card, like Aetna or UHC. If the card includes the PNOA or Multiplan logo at all, TLN can accept them.

TLN is also partnering with the Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Network (CCN) to provide lactation consultations for veterans in Regions 1-3. Reach out to your MCC to receive a referral.

If you are unsure if your plan will be accepted, please don’t hesitate to click this link and enter your insurance information. Filling out the form takes around 2 minutes.

**For fastest approval, select “emergent” when asked “How urgent is your need for a visit?”**

We are out-of-network for all insurance plans outside of billing through The Lactation Network. We do not file insurance claims for clients but does provide a Superbill which you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Upon request, we will provide basic lactation codes to any client wanting to call their insurance company prior to booking for information regarding possible reimbursement. We cannot guarantee that your insurance company will provide reimbursement. Learn more about lactation insurance coverage under the law, here.

The Lactation Network guarantees that you will NOT receive a copay if you are preapproved and your insurance remains the same.

That is not a problem! We offer several options depending on your unique needs. We offer pay-per visit options or a preventative support package.

Pay per visit self-pay rates:

Initial Consultation: $195

Follow-up Visits: $165

Flange Fitting Consultations (before or after baby’s birth): $50 (flanges and pump spray included)

Prenatal Colostrum Expression: $50 (Colostrum expression kit included)

General Prenatal Consultation: $195

Preventative Support Package

This package includes one week of lactation support after your baby’s birth. Support includes 2 or more lactation consultations, phone, email, and text support over 1 week. This package must be purchased prior to the birth of your baby.

Cost: $350

We offer 3 types of prenatal consultations. They include our general prenatals, prenatal colostrum expression, and flange fitting consultations.

During a general prenatal consultation, we answer your questions as well as equip you with vital information to prepare you for success. We typically cover topics including how to establish breastfeeding, how your body makes milk, how to maintain a sufficient milk supply, achieving and identifying a good latch, breastfeeding positions, and latch techniques. Most women desire to have 1-3 general prenatal consultations. These appointments occur in the office and typically last 60-90 minutes.

During a prenatal colostrum expression consultation, we provide you with a colostrum collection kit and teach you how to hand express colostrum. The colostrum you express can be stored and given to your baby after he/she is born. The appointment typically lasts 30 minutes. This can be scheduled as it’s own appointment, or can occur during a general prenatal consultation.

During a flange fitting consultation, we measure your nipples to determine the proper flange size for your breast pump. Flanges in your size and lubricating pump spray is included in your visit. This type of consultation can be done prenatally, or after your baby is born (if this occurs after your baby is born, we can walk you through a pump session with the new flanges). It takes 30 minutes or less, and can be a separate appointment, or can occur during a general prenatal consultation.

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Prior to a scheduled appointment, you will receive an intake form through a HIPAA Compliant platform, IntakeQ. This will allow your lactation consultant to learn more about you and your baby, your medical histories, and your current concerns prior to the visit. “Attached” to this intake form will be consent for care forms.

Upon arrival, your lactation consultant will briefly review relevant information from this intake form and will discuss any concerns with you. If your appointment is in your home, your lactation consultant will bring many supplies along, including a feeding scale, which may be necessary during the consultation.

Here are some common things that may occur during a lactation consultation:

+ An examination of both breasts visually and/or manually

+Observation of a breastfeeding session

+Conduct a transfer weight (For this, your lactation consultant will weigh your baby with a special feeding scale prior to nursing and then weigh baby after nursing. The difference is then subtracted to determine how much milk your baby transferred from the breast.)

+An examination of baby visually

+An oral exam of baby’s mouth, both visually and with a gloved finger

+Your lactation consultant may provide information on techniques and provide physical support and demonstrations if desired

+You and your lactation consultant will create a breastfeeding plan that is aligned with your breastfeeding goals

+Your lactation consultant may measure your nipples to determine the proper flange sizes and demonstrate how to effectively use your breast pump.

+At the end of the visit, your lactation consultant will provide you with resources to support you in your breastfeeding goals and schedule any necessary follow-ups. You will also be referred to other helpful or necessary providers at this time. For self-pay clients, I will provide you with a Super Bill (if desired) that you can submit to your insurance company for insurance reimbursement.

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Colostrum is the type of milk a mother produces during her third trimester and the first few days postpartum before her milk “comes in”. This milk is packed full of nutrients and help colonize your baby’s gut microbiome. We can use our hands to remove some of this colostrum. It can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer and can be given to your baby in the case your baby needs some extra milk after birth.

The general recommendation is that women wait until 37 weeks gestation to begin this process. Based on those recommendations, these appointments are not offered prior to 37 weeks gestation.

This is something that many women learn on their own. Learning how to properly place and use your hands to express the milk can be tricky. As such, many women prefer scheduling an appointment so that a lactation consultant can provide hands-on teaching. Colostrum expression kits are included in these consultations.

A flange is the plastic piece that attaches to your breast pump and is placed over your nipple while pumping. The standard sizes included with most breast pumps are the wrong size for most women.

Yes, as long as your nipples fit in the tunnels on the flange. However, women report an increase in comfort during and after pumping when using properly-fitted flanges. Some, but not all, women also report an increase in milk output with properly-sized flanges.

Preventative support allows us to avoid and/or get ahead of common breastfeeding challenges before they occur. Ideally, this begins prenatally or within a day or two of birth. However, the wonderful thing about preventative support is we can begin at any point.

Preventative support typically involves 1-3 prenatal consultations. These visits equip you with tools and knowledge to set you up for success.

After the birth of your child, your lactation consultant comes to your house, monitors your baby’s weight, addresses your questions and concerns, and walks through a feeding session with you, helping you to optimize milk transfer and comfort for both you and your baby. If you, your PCP, or your lactation consultant have any concerns about milk supply, your baby’s weight gain, or milk transfer, your lactation consultant will work with you to create a plan. This plan will prioritize your feeding goals and ensure your baby is getting enough milk.

After establishing breastfeeding, preventative care involves teaching you how to optimally and effectively use your breast pump, how to bottle feed a breast fed baby, help you create a back to work plan for daycare and pumping, as well as address other changes and challenges as they arise. Often times, this looks like monthly milestone appointments. Others chose to schedule a consultation only of they have a concern.

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With the support of an IBCLC, many common breastfeeding difficulties can be avoided altogether. If they cannot be avoided, a lactation consultant can help you identify them ASAP and work with you to address them. This minimizes complications and eases your experience. Low milk supply, low weight gain in baby, and painful latches can be avoided.

We are so sorry that this experience has not gone according to plan. Most problems can be remedied with the right education, support, and plan. Contact us ASAP to schedule an appointment. In most cases, a lactation consultant can see you with 1 business day.

If your baby’s weight gain difficulties are related to feeding, then yes. Together, we will evaluate what is causing the low supply or poor weight gain and put a plan in place to get your baby fed, boost your supply, and preserve breastfeeding.

That depends on the type of appointment and your personal preference. An office visit is always an option for all appointment types. To maximize the number of patients who can be seen in a day, home visit availability is prioritized for mothers in the first month postpartum.

When availability allows, home visits are offered to patients beyond 1 month postpartum. During peak times, visits after 1 month postpartum may be scheduled in the office, unless we are working on achieving a breastfeeding goal that requires your own environment.

Prenatal appointments always occur in the office.

No! Breastfeeding difficulties are multifaceted and are rarely genetic. However, if you have a family history of breastfeeding challenges, we recommend establishing a relationship with a lactation consultant early on to stave off difficulties.

Appointments are typically scheduled over the phone. Contact us at 605-416-1778.

We do offer virtual support. However, when possible, we always recommend meeting with a lactation consultant in-person. If you do not have a lactation consultant in your area or they are not covered by insurance, we are happy to offer virtual support to your family.

Office visits are also offered to families outside of our service radius who have a desire to travel to the office. Home visits are not offered outside of the service radius.