Packing Bags - Lactation Counseling Home Visits
Home visits for lactation counseling are one of the best things in this world. You, as the client, don’t have to get up and go anywhere. No car seats. No parking. No walking! Just stay exactly where you are, and let me come to you.
Home visits, as a lactation counselor, are usually around ninety minutes, and are packed full of information and observations that I couldn’t get over the phone, or in an office visit. I get to see you, the client, where you are, as you sit, in which chair, with how many pillows, with whom you have to support you, and so much more. I absolutely love home visits.
So what do I bring with me when I see you at home? So many fun things. Let’s take a look.
Powder-free nitrile gloves are for infant oral examinations or any other situation in which protection and safety is needed.
I carry an infant stethoscope for listening for swallowing when it’s hard to tell if transfer of milk is occurring.
Alcohol wipes to disinfect anything and everything.
All visits are done masked, so I have plenty of triple-layer cloth masks on hand.
A headlamp so I can clearly see while performing an infant oral examination.
Belly balls, breast models, and a baby to help me visually describe and explain when counseling.
Paper, pen, and a handbook so I can take notes and quickly look up weight charts and other handy items.
And of course, it all fits into a giant bag that I just might have chosen because it’s very close to the color of human-milk-fed-infant poop!
That’s it! My home visit bag is full of things for explaining, demoing, staying safe, and providing care. If you’ve never been visited in your own home by a care provider, I cannot recommend it enough-I encourage all clients and providers to try it.
