What should I charge?

[Guest guest]

Hello Sister LC's:

Had to offer my input here.

Someone mentioned paying for housecleaning services. Here in Dallas

they charge at least $25.00 per person per hour - so it is typically

$100 - $150 for a typical 2-hour cleaning service (with no extras).

Also - we can look at comparable allied health care workers - for example,

a massage therapist usually charged $75. to $100. per hour - at her

location - and probably adds $50. more if she has to travel to the client.

If you ask what a psychologist charges per hour ($125 to $175 per 50 minute hour) or a Speech Pathologist or Physical Therapist - you will

see they all charge $75. - $100 per hour or more and much more to travel.

This doesn't even count the time we do intake by phone, follow up by phone as well as charting and physician reports. The doc reports take me

a lot of time - as I am careful to be concise and yet cover pertinent points to help the HCP 'see' the mother/baby's need for breastfeeding help and

to encourage their support in this mother's struggles.

My charge is $100. for an office visit (typically 1.5 to 2 hrs) and $140. for

a home visit (same amt of time) - and I charge extra mileage only after a 20 mile radius. The mileage is included in my fee for the local area - but if I must travel for 40-60 minutes each way - then I need compensation for time I would have been able to see another client in my office - and for gas and 'car wear and tear' expenses. I do offer phone 'check ups' free for that

specific problem as a follow up at no charge, however if a new 'problem'

arises weeks down the road - it is a new charge. My phone charge for

consultation is $25. for a half hour minimum and $50. per hour. If a mom

just wants to talk through a problem (how to increase milk for example),

then at times, a phone consult works. I do answer questions for nothing,

but state on my website (and when they call) that if there is a need for

'problem-solving' then there is a charge or an appointment is needed.

Of course, we all occasionally fit in a mother who really cannot afford to

pay anything...and do some pro bono work. But, I am very careful of this

because I have been taken advantage of in the past. I always require

they come to me for a pro bono visit - and try to get them to 'invest'

something in the time I offer them for help. I have had poor mothers pay

me $10 a month for a year to get me my compensation - and I feel good

that even a mother with little money, appreciates my time and expertise.

Warmly,

Sharon Mattes - www.naturalbeginningsonline.com

" ... for a newborn baby, separation from mother is the worst possible pain imaginable.” - Dr. Nils Bergman