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Navigating Insurance and more with Nurture Columbus

Navigating insurance is confusing! When Allyson and I (Julie) first sat down to create Nurture Columbus, one of our main goals was to figure out insurance coverage and creative ways we could offer quality, in-home lactation services to ALL families. We have made some great progress working toward this goal, and are continually working each week to improve access to IBCLC lactation services. Here are your current options for covered or discounted services with us:

Thanks for Breastfeeding in Public!

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Some years ago, a parent left “business” cards at a La Leche League meeting I was leading, each simply stating:

“Thank you for nursing in public. You make it easier for other mommies to do the same. You are setting an amazing example!”

These cards sat stacked in a box meeting after meeting. One day, I decided to take several with a thought of passing them on as I saw the opportunity. I put a few in my car, a couple in my wallet, and began quietly handing them out when I saw mothers breastfeeding, whether at a restaurant, airport, or park, among other places. Eventually, I found myself reaching for them often enough that my then four- and nine-year-old daughters caught on and became eager to gift a card to mothers and babies. Their eyes became more skilled than mine at spotting this expression of love and nourishment!

The Continuum of Breastfeeding Care

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I often think about continuums. They are everywhere with many of us falling somewhere in the middle most of the time. There are two breastfeeding continuums that come to mind. First, the desire to breastfeed. For some this is strong and it is going to happen regardless of even the toughest of circumstances in whatever form possible: exclusive breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding, prolonged pumping with some eventual latching, or exclusive pumping, each defining their own success. For others, there is aversion that can be attributable to various life experiences, marketing forces, or simply an indifference to this part of our biology. And then, there are those in between where perhaps many of the 60% of women who report stopping breastfeeding before meeting personal goals find themselves.

So you want to be a Lactation Consultant?

We are starting to notice a trend in inquiries about the lactation field here at Nurture Columbus. First of all, we are so excited! We need more great professionals entering this field. We need more diversity, advocacy, and quality care. Second, we know this isn’t an easy field to “break into.” So, please, if it’s your passion, keep knocking on doors, keep studying, and keep persisting!

Breastfeeding and Working: Maintaining Supply, Connection and Energy

It is Labor Day in the United States! What better day to talk about working and breastfeeding? We know many are laboring in various ways at home, at workplaces, on the road, in the air, during the day, through the night and we salute you! And, we know that paid leave laws need to be improved. Until then, and even beyond, we are here to help you figure it all out. Incorporating breastfeeding into busy schedules and lives is not always easy. With preparation, understanding and support, you CAN do this! Here are some helpful hints on how to maintain Supply, Connection and Energy: