Annie Frisbie IBCLC MA - Lactation Private Practice: From Start to Strong

Copyright 2019 Ann Claire Frisbie, IBCLC, MA

PRINT ISBN: 9781732088528

EBOOK ISBN: 9781732088542

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Published by Annie Frisbie IBCLC, Inc., PO Box 5731, Astoria, NY 11105, paperlesslactation.com

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This book details the authors personal experiences with and opinions about the use of technology in healthcare private practice. The author is not a licensed attorney. The author and publisher are providing this book and its contents on an as is basis and make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this book or its contents. The author and publisher disclaim all such representations and warranties, including for example warranties of merchantability and legal advice for a particular purpose. In addition, the author and publisher do not represent or warrant that the information accessible via this book is accurate, complete, or current. The statements made about products and services have not been evaluated by the U.S. government. Please consult with your own legal, accounting, medical, or other licensed professional regarding the suggestions and recommendations made in this book. Except as specifically stated in this book, neither the author or publisher, nor any authors, contributors, or other representatives will be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this book. This is a comprehensive limitation of liability that applies to all damages of any kind, including (without limitation) compensatory; direct, indirect, or consequential damages; loss of data, income, or profit; loss of or damage to property; and claims of third parties. You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed medical, legal, or accounting professional. Before you begin any change your lifestyle in any way, you will consult a licensed professional to ensure that you are doing whats best for your situation. The statements contained herein are solely those of the author or any sources referenced by the author, and do not represent the views or opinions of any trademarked entity referenced within. This book provides content related to technology and healthcare private practice topics. As such, use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.

Annie Frisbie IBCLC, Inc. 2019

First Edition

Copyediting by Brian J. White

Photos by Laura Vladimirova, bebebirthphotography.com

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

Frederick Douglass

Only when our clever brain and our human heart work together in harmony can we achieve our true potential.

Jane Goodall

Then Mosess sister said to Pharaohs daughter, Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you? And Pharaohs daughter said to her, Go. So the girl went and called the Mosess mother. And Pharaohs daughter said to her, Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages. So the woman took [her] child and nursed him.

Exodus 2:7-8 (ESV)

To Frances, Teba, and Cathy, who brought me into La Leche League and changed the course of my life in ways that blessed me beyond measure.

To Nina, Jenn, Avi, and Coritogether we made a difference through La Leche League of Queens and you are in my heart forever.

To John, Bea, and Corathe three of you are everything to me and all of this is for you.

CONTENTS

By Jen Deshaies, IBCLC, CD, LLLL

When you are an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), people are very curious about how you ended up in this line of work, and its a topic I love talking about. Ive taken numerous phone calls over the years from people who want to become an IBCLC. Past clients, La Leche League (LLL) Leaders from all over the country, medical professionals, friends of friends wanting to switch careers, and more have asked how to get started the lactation field. Each phone call reminds me why I love IBCLC work so deeply and passionately, but after I hang up I often wonder if Ive given a balanced perspective of my career.

Ten years ago I was pregnant with my first child and had a government job. I never once considered working in maternal health. I often tell my daughter that her birth and our breastfeeding relationship was my initial inspiration, but it was still years before I knew I needed to be an IBCLC. About a month before I was accredited as a La Leche League Leader a childhood friend needed help with her non-latching newborn. I offered to stop by and help her, and I was thrilled when she said yes. On the drive back home I remember calling my best friend and saying THIS is what I am meant to do. The pure exhilaration of helping a new mom in person was something Id never felt so intensely before in my life.

Over the next few years I soaked up everything I could as I worked towards the IBCLC exam requirements. I became a birth and postpartum doula and began to develop experience working with clients and running a business. I also helped to grow my LLL group while establishing community connections. I learned through my LLL volunteer work by running meetings and taking helping calls, through reading textbooks and research studies, and through the online and in-person conferences I was attending. It was exhilarating to be working towards something so meaningful. I quickly developed a new vision for my life, and would find myself telling people: My goal is to improve breastfeeding support in Syracuse, New York, over the next 30 years.

I found out I passed my IBCLC exam at the end of October 2014. It felt like Id been waiting for this moment forever, but when it finally came, I didnt have a plan. My only option locally was private practice as I had no medical degree (which was an essential qualification listed on every IBCLC job posting). But I had very little knowledge of what I would need to do to make that happen. In those first years I charted by paper, and had no ability to fax or take credit cards. I would spend so long on doctors reports that after a while I was utterly unmotivated to do them at all. I had little understanding of superbills and insurance. As a result, I got organized very slowly and even with a low volume of clients I felt overwhelmed by all the business-related tasks. Even so, I was seeing truly inspiring results with my clients and getting more referrals. The care I was providing was working for themthey were meeting and exceeding their own breastfeeding goalsbut it was challenging for me.

I often gave my clients endless follow-up. There was little definition between my work life and personal life, and my relationships and self-care practices suffered. The satisfaction I found in my work was addicting, but the combination of my empathetic nature and inefficient practices created an unsustainable situationboth emotionally and financially. My clients were thriving, but my ratio of work to income was completely out of balance. I also recognized that I was in a position to pursue my dream career because of the support of my family. Without my husbands stable income, benefits, and support, it would have been extremely difficult to take years building my business.