Professional Lactation Consultant Home Visits Bloomington, Indiana
IBCLC Home Visits to Help Families with
Breastfeeding and Pumping Through the Ups and Downs of Parenthood.
You Deserve Support!
About Circle of Love Lactation Support LLC
Lera Woodring, IBCLC International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
Hello! My name is Lera, and I would love to have the opportunity to work with you as you feed your baby. Breastfeeding can be hard, and receiving skilled and compassionate support can really help. Research shows that 92% of new moms report breastfeeding challenges in the first week. You are not alone!
In 2009 I arrived home from the hospital with a baby who lost over 10% of her birth weight. The baby rarely latched, and it was painful when she did. Pumping hurt. I was struggling. I felt lost, confused, and frustrated. An IBCLC came to my home multiple times and gave me the information and guidance I needed to have a plan and meet my goals. The breastfeeding support I received made all the difference. I have been working hard to pay it forward ever since.
As a lactation consultant, I offer home visits in Bloomington, Indiana and the surrounding areas. I take the time to review your story, provide a care plan, and teach you so you feel empowered and informed. I have been passionate about supporting mothers, parents, and new families since 2009.
You deserve support. No pressure. No judgment. My private practice is built on care, education, and excellence. Whether you want to breastfeed or pump. Whether you want to exclusively feed your milk or provide a combination of milk and formula. Whether you want to breastfeed for days, weeks, months, or years. I am here to help you meet your goals.
Education, Experience and Awards
- Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, Vanderbilt University
- Indiana Perinatal Network Breastfeeding Award of Excellence, Parent Advocate of the Year 2010
- Referenced in Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Mothering Magazine for championing breastfeeding families
- Developed and piloted a training program to educate childcare providers and daycare centers on how to support breastfeeding families 2010-2012
- La Leche League Leader 2014 - present
- Taught breastfeeding workshop to Indiana birth and postpartum doulas through Flora Massage and Wellness Services 2018
- Maternal Advocates Resource Alliance (MARA) Postpartum Support training 2023
Lactation Courses & Conferences
- Lactation Management 3 Day Course, Linda J. Smith IBCLC 2010
- Certified Lactation Specialist (CLS) 5 day course 2011
- More Milk, More Help, More Rapport course, Diana West IBCLC 2010
- Breastfeeding Success: Translating Trends into Practice course 2010
- Connection Between Breastfeeding & Birth Practices Conference 2012
- Child Development & Breastfeeding Duration course 2015
- Supporting Nursing Mothers in the Workplace course 2016
- No Mother Left Behind: Understanding Culture and Creating the Right Conversation to Reduce Racial Disparities in Breastfeeding Rates, Kimberly Seals Allers 2016
- 60 Years of La Leche League Breastfeeding Conference 2016
- Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Training Program 2022
- Examining Frenotomy/Frenectomy Aftercare, Alison Hazelbaker IBCLC 2023
- Frenectomy Webinar, local pediatrician Richard Malone MD 2023
Lera Woodring IBCLC is a member of the International Lactation Consultant Association
Lera Woodring IBCLC is a member of the United States Lactation Consultant Association
Circle of Love Lactation Support LLC Home Visits
What is a Home Visit Like?
The first home visit after the baby is born lasts about two hours. We will discuss your health history, your current feeding routine, your goals, and any concerns you have. I will bring my lactation pediatric / neonatal scale with me, which has a measurement accuracy of 0.1 oz/2 grams so we can do a weight check. Depending on your situation, I can perform a functional oral assessment for the baby and observe you latch, breastfeed, and/or pump. I can help with latching, positioning, and pump part fitting. The goal is for the baby to be well fed and for you to feel comfortable (pain free!). Together we will create a plan that feels good to you, and I will share that plan with your healthcare providers. My goal is to help you reach your feeding goals, whatever they may be.
Home Visits Cover Many Topics
- Newborn - Help with latching a newborn and feeding comfortably and frequently. Functional assessment of the tongue and if baby can effectively transfer milk.
- Health history - Review maternal factors that can impact lactation.
- Weight gain & weight checks - how to know if baby is getting enough. I have a pediatric / neonatal scale with 0.1 oz (2g gram) resolution, the highest available.
- Milk Supply - Learn the amazing art and science of milk production and how to make the most of what you have.
- Nipple pain, engorgement, plugged ducts, growth spurts
- Feeding rhythms and plans to make nursing and/or pumping feel manageable, enjoyable, and sustainable.
- Pumping - Assess flange fit. Review tips to help mazimize comfort and milk collection while pumping.
- Introducing a bottle and pumping plans for when you are away from your baby at work or school.
- Introducing solid food, infant behavior, weaning
- Prenatal education during pregnancy - How to get breastfeeding off to a strong start. Some (not all) challenges can be minimized and it is helpful to feel prepared and informed.
Follow Up Visits
Many feeding situations benefit from multiple visits. Follow up visits include a weight check and last about one to two hours. I can observe a feeding and help with latch and positioning. We review how things are going and discuss your questions and concerns. I find that with many situations, an initial visit has a lot of problem solving, and follow up visits are important to help tweak the plan as things improve and progress. Most families benefit from follow up visits!
Many topics often come up during follow up visits including:
- Weight gain and infant growth
- Building or maintaining milk supply and production
- Feeding cues, growth spurts, spitting up, infant behavior
- Getting a deeper latch, trying new positions to nurse
- Pumping plans for going back to work or school
- Introducing a bottle, paced bottle feeding, solid food
- Tips for nursing on the go and life with baby
- How to reach you breastfeeding/pumping goals
Health Insurance
Through The Lactation Network,
I accept most of these health insurance plans:
- Blue Cross PPO
- Blue Shield PPO
- Anthem PPO
- Cigna PPO
- VA CCN (Veterans Affairs Community Care Network)
- Plans that utilize MultiPlan (look for the logo on the back of your card)
- Plants that utilize PNOA (look for the logo on the back of your card)
Please note that PNOA and MultiPlan logos will appear alongside other payers on the insurance card (like Aetna, for example).
I use The Lactation Network for Health Insurance. You can use the mother's insurance or the baby's insurance. Be sure to submit both mom and baby's health insurance plans if they are on different insurance plans. For example, sometimes the baby is on the dad's plan. ***Click on the link below to see if your insurance covers consultations with me. If your insurance covers lactation visits, you get up to six visits with each birth. The first visit can be a prenatal breastfeeding consultation or a home visit consultation after the baby is born.