What happens when I book a consultation?

If booking through insurance, you will be directed to input insurance information in order to confirm your benefits prior to confirming appointment. You may go ahead and try to book to me or reach out to me if you are having an urgent/emergent concern and we can arrange to get you taken care of ASAP.

For all initial session requests, once your appointment is confirmed, you will receive an invitation to join the Practice Better Portal. You will also receive intake forms through the portal, which will need to be completed prior to your session. This form will include information about you and your baby's medical history and desired lactation focus areas to save time during your consult to discuss strategies and answer questions instead of gathering background information. The form is thorough and may take a few minutes to complete. Feel free to skip optional questions that do not relate to your situation. You have access to HIPAA secure messaging through the portal. You are also welcome to email me if you prefer that to the portal.

When booking, you will be asked to put a card on file. HSA/FSA cards are accepted.

What should I expect during my consult?

Sessions will focus on your concerns and flow of sessions with follow baby's cues. A session may jump right into feeding at the start because baby is alert and showing hunger cues. Other sessions, we may have time to discuss other concerns prior to a feeding session because your baby is having a nice nap when I arrive. Both options work great and babies tend to feed better when they are ready.

After your consult (within 48 hours, but typically sooner), you will receive an individualized care plan through the portal, along with additional resources and education. I am here for you to answer simple followup questions for up to a month after our most recent appointment. For more complex concerns, a followup session may be necessary. You may schedule a followup appointment at any time through the portal or by email. For ongoing simple concerns that don't warrant a full followup session, I also offer month-to-month messaging only support.

How should I prepare for a home visit?

If possible, try to time it so that your baby will start to get hungry within the first 30 minutes of the visit. If your baby seems very hungry prior to visit, go ahead and offer a small feeding before I arrive -- we don't want your baby to be hangry! Do not worry about a tidy house or fancy clothes, you have a newborn! I do ask that pets are contained in a separate room if they will be distracting to the feeding.

How should I prepare for a Telehealth session?

We will meet over my HIPAA compliant telehealth portal for your session. You can access the portal through either web browser or Practice Better app.

Some parents prefer to capture videos/photos of feeding challenges prior to the session (like during those tough 3AM feedings). You are welcome to send photos/videos to me through the portal prior to our session. Sometimes pre-recorded videos are enough so that during our live call, we can focus on solutions and education. For sessions including a live feeding, try to time it so that your baby will be ready for a feeding during our session. Some telehealth sessions may not be dependent on feeding times (examples: infant developmental education, starting solids techniques, weaning, plugged duct/mastitis protocol education, etc.).

Do you take insurance?

Yes! I am currently in-network with Cigna, BCBS PPO, Anthem PPO, VA CCN, United PPO & HMO, others through PNOA & Multiplan and am in the process of becoming in network with Aetna!

Most of these insurance providers fully cover 6+ consultations. That's 6 FREE consultations! Clients can utilize a combination of in-home and virtual services, depending on preference and convenience. I am available for simple questions for up to a month after last visit, but complex questions or questions after a month will warrant an additional visit.

Prior to confirming your first consultation with insurance, I will need to confirm your benefits (either directly, or through payer's portal).

A non-refundable $50 administrative/service fee applies to in-home visits within travel radius.

I accept HSA/FSA cards for all transactions and can provide a superbill upon request for families interested in getting their care reimbursed out of network.

What can I do while I'm pregnant to set myself up for success with breastfeeding?

If you found my website, chances are that you are already doing the right things!

First off, learn about breastfeeding BEFORE your baby comes. Your partner should learn the basics too! Many birth locations and other groups offer classes. I occasionally offer group prenatal breastfeeding classes, and I have a self-paced online course available for you to watch at any time! You can also schedule a prenatal appointment with me (covered with in-network insurance) and we can go over all of the basics, with a specific focus on your concerns.

The next most important thing you can do is setup your postpartum team, starting with an IBCLC! It can't hurt to check with your IBCLC to ensure insurance benefits ahead of time, and availability. Other crucial members to the postpartum team include pediatrician, mental health professional, birth doula, postpartum doula & pelvic floor therapist. Services that will simplify your other responsibilities will also be helpful; think house keeping, dog walking, child care for older children, laundry service, meal train, pre-prepped easy meals, etc. Some of these things could be great gifts to add to your registry or tasks for for family/friends to volunteer to help with!

The third best thing you can do is have your supplies ready and to order your free pump through insurance ahead of time! A prenatal appointment or month of messaging support can be great to discuss pros and cons of different pumps that could work best for your situation.

What are signs the breastfeeding is going well?

1. Your baby is feeding 9-12 times per 24-hour day.

2. You baby has at least 5 wet diaper and 3 dirty diapers every day.

3. After initial weight loss, your baby is gaining 6-7oz per week.

4. Your baby is content after feedings.

5. You are not in pain during feedings and your breasts are softer after feedings.

If any of these signs do not apply to you, or if you just need want some reassurance that breastfeeding is going okay, I'd be happy to meet you, listen to you and support you to feel more confident.