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| - With all these stellar reviews I hate to write a less-than-perfect one, so I waited until well after the post partum period to make sure it wasn't just "hormones" talking.
We turned desperately to Lisa at about 3 weeks post partum. My son was in the NICU for a few days after birth and we never successfully achieved a latch. I was exclusively pumping, feeling traumatized from a difficult labor, and guilty that we weren't nursing. The hospital lactation consultant was absolutely no help to me because I saw her twice for 10 minutes and her best advice was to "keep trying". Lisa was recommended by my doula and her consultation was not cheap. The first time we spoke on the phone I could tell she knew her stuff but she seemed to bark orders at me. "You NEED to get a hospital grade pump. Period. You're doing what? No. No, no, no." And that type of directive communication continued throughout. "Go here, do this, take these pills, etc." As an emotional and hormonal first time mother in the hectic, scary, sleepless post partum period, I was hoping for more of a therapeutic communication approach from another registered nurse. In most other arenas in life, I wouldn't mind this kind of no-nonsense communication, but it didn't work well for me at this particular time of need. She once had a sign on the entry door that read something like "Use other entrance." I was sleep deprived, running late, and moving quickly. I didn't see it and I opened the door. She quickly "shoo'd" me out seemingly angrily saying, "Didn't you see the sign on the door?" Way to make a client feel like her tail's between her legs.
Her office location was extremely inconvenient for me, and the parking was horrible. There were often homeless people loitering right on the sidewalk in front of the business complex, making it feel like a very "unsavory" neighborhood. I'd walk past people smoking in front of the offices, which was annoying considering I was walking with an infant. I think the business could benefit from a nicer, more central, and more professional location. She would also benefit from networking and building more professional relationships for referrals on the south side of town, since all of her referrals are up north.
All of that being said, Lisa knows EVERYTHING there is to know about lactation and breastfeeding. She is truly an expert in this field and if you are willing to do what she says, go where she tells you to go, see who she tells you to see, eat what she tells you to eat, etc. (and I don't say this facetiously), and you are dedicated to the core, she WILL help you with whatever lactation issue(s) you're having.
The positives:
-Her expertise
-She sends you an updated "care plan" with instructions after each visit
-She carries hospital grade pumps for rental
-She does prenatal consultation
-She is available via text once you've contracted with her
Her brand of straightforward and even seemingly "brash" communication wasn't a good fit for me when I worked with her, but that doesn't mean that she won't be EXACTLY what you need to help you with your lactation woes. It's clear that many mothers have had 5 star experiences, so take this for what it's worth.
In the end, I succumbed to the struggles and wound up switching to a hypoallergenic formula at 3 months (baby was allergic to milk protein, soy protein, and possibly wheat and eggs... I never got far enough into my elimination diet to confirm the last two). Lisa ardently tried to convince me to stay with it, and I appreciated that but I eventually made the best decision for me and my family.
And if you're reading this, I should probably say "congratulations!" and enjoy every second with your sweet new addition!
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