If you’ve done any research into pregnancy or breastfeeding in the United States in the past few years, it’s likely you’re aware that the Affordable Care Act expanded preventative health care services to include breastfeeding support- as of August 1, 2012, health plans in the United States were generally required to cover “breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling” in conjunction with each birth.

In the summer of 2012 I was already on pathway 2 to becoming an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) and I was beyond thrilled to learn that insurance companies would be paying for my services.

So many barriers to proper care would be removed!

Families could get the help they needed from me and other IBCLCs without having to pay out of pocket!

It was about damn time!