It sounds like you have already started - with WIC as a background, you have
also created a group of people who will refer friends and family to you (of
course WIC clients would probably be unable to pay for your services).

 

Of course reaching out to and participating in Private Practice conferences,
internet groups and Facebook pages will give you additional input.   

 

Some thoughts - many of which I WISH I had started sooner!:

-        TAKE YOUR TIME - think about this as a LONG marketing plan not a
"quick fix" one

-        Make sure you're comfortable and have developed a referral network
for yourself - who to refer for tongue tie, Occupational Therapy, Speech
Therapy, etc. - and introduce yourself to all of them. (A beginning of a
list is in the California Model Hospital Policy Toolkit:
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/healthyliving/childfamily/Pages/BFP-MdlHos
pToolkitPolicy10.aspx - see on the right side of this toolkit the  - "fill
in" Resource List)

-        Make sure your documentation when you start a client includes
physician referral - which is a requirement for IBCLCs as we MUST
communicate with the mom's  and baby's Health Care Provider (HCP) - AND a
photography release.  

-        Of course, inform all your clients that you will be communicating
with their doctors

-        Write a SHORT letter to each HCP whose patient (mom and baby) you
see - include the picture - it can just be on the letter itself of the mom
and baby (not necessarily breastfeeding, but that way they can remember who
you're talking about) - and include in EVERY note a reference (Academy of
Breastfeeding Medicine Protocols, AAP's, Hale, whatever.) AND of course,
your business card.

-        Offer hospital nurses or WIC staff the opportunity to come with you
and learn about breastfeeding. (Of course with your client's permission).
They may never become IBCLCs, but they WILL be people who will market for
you!  It may seem counter-intuitive to INCREASE the number of IBCLCs in your
area - but, in fact, as more IBCLCs are there, more moms will have access,
will tell OTHER moms that they got SO MUCH HELP from an IBCLC.and off you
all go, raising availability for timely visits and continued breastfeeding
for everyone.

-        Visit local support groups (I'm a La Leche League Leader) but
LISTEN rather than taking over to prove your expertise - do provide a
response to specific questions, then turn around and ask your own to the
group.  EVERYONE there has expertise to share - I learn from my groups every
month - and I've been  a Leader since 1975! 

-        Lately - and I have to say VERY lately - I went to a doctor's
office to (as politely as possible) challenge her decision to not treat a
baby whose mom had thrush - I was very respectful but persistent - until she
asked me to send her references.  I DID - 15 pages from Lawrence's and
Riordan's books as well as Newman's website - guess what - she agreed to
treat!  AND she wants me to present to her group next year. WOW wish I had
done this sooner!   Just make sure that whatever you are asking has plenty
of references and evidence to back you - from physician-respected sources!

-        Participate in local Breastfeeding Coalitions - or create one
yourself - you NEVER know everything - and it helps to have a group to ask
questions of (besides Lactnet, of course!)

 

 

Jeanette Panchula, BA-SW, RN, PHN, IBCLC

California, USA


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