Do you take insurance?

• While we do not directly bill insurance, we can provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement of partial/all of the session cost for individual consults. The session must be paid in full up front upon booking. HSA/FSA and all major credit cards are accepted at time of payment. We cannot guarantee any/all reimbursement from your insurance company - it is your responsibility to contact your insurer to determine your lactation benefits.
  
  Note: Because of the Affordable Care Act, private health insurance companies and most marketplace plans are required to provide lactation coverage during pregnancy and after delivery. Insurers are also required to provide a breast pump at little or no cost to you.
  

Do you offer payment plans?

• The ESSENTIALS Program can be paid in full or through 3 monthly payments. Individual consults must be paid in full at time of booking.
  

Will I get what I need out of a virtual consult?

• Our primary model is virtual support, allowing you to receive expert breastfeeding and pumping support from the comfort of your own home. Virtual lactation consults are highly effective for prenatal education, latch support, pumping help, bottle feeding guidance, milk supply concerns, returning to work planning, flange sizing, weaning, and just about everything you can accomplish in person. Many families actually find virtual support less stressful than leaving the house with a newborn for appointments. Additionally, our training centers on “hands-off” support, meaning we are skilled at counseling and verbally cueing you during our visit, even without putting our hands on you or baby.
  

How quickly can I book a lactation consultation?

• For individual consults, we typically have availability within the next few business days, so you are not waiting weeks to get the urgent support you need! If you don’t see availability that works for you, please email hello@thelactationmentor.comso we can discuss your situation and see if anything else is available.
  

Do you do in-home visits?

• In-home support is limited by location and availability. Please reach out directly to hello@thelactationmentor.comto discuss a home visit. In the meantime, consider booking a virtual call so we can get you started with strategies much more quickly.
  

What types of feeding support do you help with?

• We support ALL infant feeding journeys, including direct breastfeeding, pumping, exclusive pumping, combo feeding, bottle feeding, returning to work, weaning, starting solids, and feeding beyond infancy. INFORMED is the best way to feed your baby, and we are here to meet you where you are at without judgment.
  

Do you help with pumping and flange sizing?

• Yes! Pumping support is a major part of our practice. We help with flange sizing, pump settings, milk supply concerns, returning to work planning, exclusive pumping, bottles, and creating sustainable pumping routines.
  

What should I expect during a lactation consultation?

• Every consult is individualized based on your goals and concerns. Depending on your situation, we may discuss breastfeeding, milk supply, pumping, bottle feeding, infant temperament, latch and positioning, flange sizing, returning to work, weaning, oral function concerns, or postpartum planning. You’ll leave with REALISTIC recommendations individualized to you and your family, with strategies that feel doable and sustainable, and a clear follow-up plan.
  

Can my partner attend the consultation?

• Absolutely! We strongly encourage partners or support people to attend whenever possible. Having another person hear the education and recommendations can be incredibly helpful, especially during those sleepy early postpartum days and weeks. Additionally, if another person is available to help move the camera for better views of latching/baby, this can often be helpful - but it is not required.
  

How soon should I book a prenatal lactation consult?

• We recommend booking during the second or early third trimester if possible. This gives you time to learn, prepare, ask questions, and create a postpartum feeding plan before baby arrives. Many parents wait until challenges arise postpartum, but having education and support in place beforehand often leads to a MUCH smoother transition, which is why we so strongly recommend starting prenatally. And remember - our ESSENTIALS program INCLUDES prenatal education and direct access to us BEFORE baby!
  

Do I need to be struggling to work with a lactation consultant?

• Not at all! Lactation support is not just for “problems.” Many families seek support prenatally or early postpartum to feel educated, proactive, and confident before challenges arise. Our goal is to help you feel prepared, not panicked. It’s always easier to be proactive than reactive - but if you’re struggling, we’ll dig you out!
  

What if I’m not sure how I want to feed my baby yet?

• That’s completely okay. You do not need to exclusively breastfeed or have a perfect feeding plan to work with us. We provide evidence-based, nonjudgmental education and support so you can make informed decisions that feel right for your family.
  

Do you only work with first-time parents?

• Not at all! We work with both first-time and experienced parents. Many returning parents seek lactation support because they want a different experience this time around, are feeding a new baby with different needs, or simply want more support than they had previously to rewrite a new feeding journey.
  

Can you help if I’ve had a difficult breastfeeding experience in the past?

• Absolutely. Many parents come to us after previous feeding challenges and/or feeling unsupported in prior postpartum experiences. We’re here to help you process those experiences while creating a plan that feels more supported and sustainable this time around.
  

What if breastfeeding is painful?

• While some tenderness can be normal in the early days, ongoing pain, nipple damage, or toe-curling discomfort are not things you should simply “push through.” We help identify the root cause of painful breastfeeding and create a plan to improve comfort and milk transfer. If you’re having pain, PLEASE reach out!