Services

I can help you with all aspects of your lactation / breastfeeding / chestfeeding / body-feeding journey:

  • Education on body-feeding and normal newborn behaviors before your baby arrives, which can help lessen anxiety

  • Newborn consultations when you’re home from the hospital

  • Issues that may arise, such as fussy or sleepy baby, slow weight gain, tongue tie, painful nursing, plugged ducts, not enough milk, too much milk

  • Performing and teaching Therapeutic Breast/Chest Massage for Lactation for engorgement, plugged ducts, mastitis, and breast pain

  • Going back to work consults to set up a workable plan, including pumping and bottle feeding

  • Helping parents induce lactation (if you have a surrogate or are adopting, and want to pump milk or body-feed)

  • Weaning from formula, bottle feeding, pumping, body-feeding, or lactation

What to expect at a typical lactation consultation

We will do as much as your baby has the energy for during our 60-90 minute session. This is also why more than one visit is recommended for latching or feeding issues.

During our consult, I will observe a feeding session, help the baby to latch at the breast (which depends on your baby’s mood & energy level), and/or evaluate a pumping session. I will do a breast/chest exam (including measure nipple size if you pump) and assess the baby's body and mouth when calm (either before or after the feeding session). I will provide you with education and resources based on my assessment, and I will give referrals as necessary. There will be plenty of time for questions. After the consultation, you will receive an online, customized care plan through my IntakeQ portal, and we will check in a day or two later via my portal or a phone call. I will also send reports to your health care providers within 2 days.

The majority of feeding problems can’t be solved immediately and take practice, hard work, patience, and time to resolve, which is why follow-up consultations are often needed. You will have phone and secure messaging support from me between visits - please take advantage of this. If I don't hear from you, I can only assume everything is going well. I care deeply about my clients and my work, and want to do everything I can to help you feel supported and successful as a parent!

Pricing

As the wise Marsha Walker, IBCLC said: “Compared to $2,000+ for a year of formula, relatively inexpensive!” Don’t forget to check with your insurance company about partial reimbursement for my services (required under the law, thanks to the Affordable Care Act). The National Women’s Law Center has great information and a toolkit to help you get reimbursed.

Home Consultations (includes travel fee)

  • To provide continuity of care and give you the best lactation support possible, I encourage you to sign up for a 2- or 3-visit package:

    • The Prenatal visit is $250, 75 minutes, and gives you priority in scheduling your newborn’s first home visit. This does not replace the full 3-hour feeding class, which you can take at your local hospital/resource center, often online.

    • The Initial home visit with your baby is $350, up to 90 minutes, plus one week of follow-up messaging/phone support.

    • Follow-up or Back to Work visits are $250, up to 75 minutes, plus one week of follow-up messaging/phone support.

  • If you need more time during our consult, and I can stay longer, it’s $50 for an additional 30 minutes.

  • There is a $150 fee if you cancel within 24 hours and do not reschedule (illness excluded).

If you have a Google insurance plan, or Aetna / Meritain health insurance (PPO/EPO), it may be no- or low-cost, for at least six home visits per year (please contact your insurance company directly for more information).

Video Consultations (no travel fee)

  • All are $150 for up to 60 minutes

  • HIPAA-compliant apps/video

  • Types include all of the above: Prenatal consult, Initial with baby, Follow-up, Pumping/bottle feeding, Weaning, Going back to work, and Inducing lactation. Obviously, there is no hands-on assessment of you or your baby, and it’s a bit more challenging to help with a feeding session, but it is possible!

Insurance

I am an Aetna/Meritain in-network provider, and my biller will submit the visit claim on your behalf (you may receive a phone call from Charlotte if there are any questions). Other companies may reimburse clients for home visits with IBCLCs, and I will give you a receipt (a.k.a. superbill) that you can use to submit a claim. Since every company and plan are different, I suggest you call your insurance company to find out your specific benefits. If you are having problems with your insurance company, The National Women’s Law Center has a toolkit to help you.

There are also now apps to help you get reimbursed for out-of-network claims (such as what you'd have from our visit if you don't have Aetna/Meritain/Kaiser); there's either a fee to submit a claim or the business take a percentage of what you get back from the insurance company. Check these out; I do NOT endorse any of them, and I'm sure more are on their way: 

I am available to make home visits to provide lactation services in Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda, Emeryville, and Lamorinda (Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda), California. Unfortunately, my schedule does not allow travel to other areas. If you think we might be a good fit and would like to find out more, please book online, send me an email, or give me a call. Thank you!