Frequently Asked Questions..... How much does it cost to have a lactation consultant come to my home? It can cost anywhere from $80 to approx. $150 for an initial consult (approx. 1 1/2 to 2 hour visit) depending on the severity of the problem or the distance the consultant has to drive to your house (especially with today's gas prices). Why would it be worth it to spend that kind of money on a lactation visit? Over a one year period, the amount it costs to get lactation help is still dramatically lower than the approximate $2000 per year it takes to formula feed a baby if you were to quit nursing. The ease and convenience of breastfeeding is incomparable to lugging around bottles, formula, water, etc... for the formula fed baby. The healthy effects for both mother and baby last a lifetime. They also help reduce  common illnesses, especially during flu season or times of epidemics(think bird flu or SARS)! Once you get past the initial difficulties, it just plain ol' feels better to be a nursing mom due to the loving hormones you emit when breastfeeding. Why even breast feed? It's healthier for moms by lowering the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers by approx. 50%. It's healthier for the baby...You have live immunities you pass to your baby. Formula has about 40 ingredients that help baby develop, compared to breast milk, which has over 300 body, mind, and immunological building and protective properties. Baby can have up to 10 points higher IQ if breast fed. Breastfeeding decreases the likelihood  of your child developing heart disease, Crohn's Disease, obesity, and certain cancers in adulthood, and much more. How long before the pain goes away? It's normal to feel some discomfort and even pain at first, after all, no one has sucked on your nipples 24/7 before, and if even if you have nursed before, each child is different. Each new child brings a new personality and a different way of doing things than the one before. After about the first week or two (called transient sore nipples) the initial pain should go away. Beyond that, or if you're having cracked or bleeding nipples, you have latch and/or positioning issues. You should see a lactation consultant to help you and your baby to achieve the best form to avoid further nipple injury and pain.