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Frequently Asked Questions

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  • How to prepare for an appointment
    Fill out the paperwork, sign the consents and review practice policies please! It is best if this information is filled out prior to our appointment. Try and make sure your baby is hungry around the time of our appointment (or within the hour of our appointment time). Gather your supplies! Pumps, pillows, flanges, nipple butters, bottles, nipples, pacifiers, breast shells ect. I am happy to review the best ways to utilize what you have. If you need flanges or other common supplies, I carry a small stock with me to our visit. My only ask is you cover the cost of these flanges and this will be invoiced separately. Baby will be weighed at the beginning of our consult and after a breastfeed if clinical indicated to determine milk intake and ability to transfer milk from the breast. I utilize a Tanita BD-815U high end scale that provides incredible sensitivity for the smallest of patients. It was specifically designed to weigh premature infants and babies that are having difficulty gaining weight, featuring a measurement accuracy of 0.1oz/2g. This is especially helpful for obtaining weight gain calculation for pre and post feeding also known as a test weight. A test weight will tell you exactly what your baby takes in at the breast. Not all scales are created equal!
  • What can I expect for an in-home consultation?
    When I arrive at your home, I’ll remove my shoes and wash my hands before we begin. If your baby is content or sleeping, we’ll start by reviewing your intake form and discussing your feeding experience so far—this usually takes about 15 minutes. If your baby is hungry, we’ll jump right into feeding, and gather background information afterward. During the consult, I’ll perform a gentle oral assessment to check for oral ties and any other factors that may be impacting feeding. I’ll weigh your baby before and after the feeding to determine how much milk they transferred. While your baby feeds, I may offer hands-on guidance or suggestions to improve latch, positioning, your comfort, and milk transfer. After the feeding, we’ll review what I observed and work together to develop a personalized Care Plan that fits your goals and your family’s needs. This plan is flexible and can evolve—we’ll adjust it together if something isn’t working. I have plenty of ideas and tools to support you! Within 24 hours of our visit, you’ll receive: A detailed written Care Plan with tailored suggestions and helpful resources. A secure messaging portal login where you’ll have unlimited access to me for ongoing support (based on the package you’ve purchased). A report faxed to your baby’s pediatrician, if requested.
  • How is a virtual consultation performed?
    A virtual consult closely mirrors an in-home visit, minus the hands-on elements. While I won’t be able to weigh your baby or perform an oral assessment, we’ll still walk through your feeding experience, observe a feed (if baby is hungry), and work together on positioning, latch, and other strategies to support your goals. You’ll also receive a personalized Care Plan, resource links, and access to our messaging portal for follow-up support.
  • Do I have to clean my house for you?
    If you clean for me, I'll be mad LOL. ABSOLUTELY NOT! I love home visits because I get to see you where you are most comfortable. I have had two babies myself and been postpartum and know what its like to be healing and exhausted and having trouble keeping up with day-to-day chores.
  • Animal Policy
    I am not allergic to animals and am truly obsessed with your animals as much as you are. You know your pet best, if you think they will be unpredictable or in the way during our visit, I recommend keeping them in a separate room for the consultation.
  • Do you travel to my town for an in-home consult?
    In general I will travel all over the South Shore of MA and within ~20 miles of my home in Quincy. If you are outside of my travel radius and you still want to work with me, please still reach out because I may be able to accommodate your request. You can text me at 781-773-2862 or book a free discovery call to discuss further.
  • Payment Policy
    Payment is required to confirm your appointment. Your appointment is not confirmed until payment is received. There is a more in-depth payment policy within my patient portal that is required to be signed prior to the start of the appointment.
  • Cancellation Policy
    If you cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, a $100 fee will be charged to the card on file.
  • I take the extra step for YOUR success. Always.
    I completely understand wanting to know exactly what you’re investing in—and I want to be transparent with you. In my previous business model, families were already scheduling multiple visits (upon review, my families were meeting with me around 3-5x at least through the first 6 months) and receiving ongoing, hands-on support. On average, this averaged to around $1,625 in services. What I’ve done now is create a more structured, long-term package that extends your access to me and guarantees my availability for the first three months after birth. Instead of booking one visit at a time, you now get dedicated, ongoing care—with me by your side from day one. Over the years since starting my own private practice, I have also evolved into more of a concierge level lactation consultant. I have re-invested in myself which makes me a better provider. I go above and beyond for my clients. All. Of. The. Time. The Signature Boobie Mama Package is built on over 12 years of experience as a nurse specializing in NICU and pediatrics. I’ve supported babies and parents through some of the most challenging and important moments, and I know just how much feeding success impacts a baby’s growth, your confidence as a parent, and the overall well-being of your family. And as a mom of two toddler boys, I’ve lived it too. Those first few weeks and months can be overwhelming—emotionally, physically, and mentally. That’s why this package gives you more than just a visit or two—it’s designed to give you personalized, expert guidance every step of the way for the first three months. No more second-guessing or endless Google searches—just support you can count on. The best part? For many families, the out-of-pocket cost can be lower. I’m in-network with several insurance plans, and depending on your coverage, your portion of the investment could be reduced by up to $875 depending on the package you invest in. I’ll even handle the billing directly if I am able. And if your plan is with Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, Harvard Pilgrim, Mass General Brigham, or Tufts (non-MassHealth), I’ll provide a Superbill you can submit for reimbursement—families often receive full or partial reimbursement, and I’ll walk you through the process if needed. This isn’t just a visit—it’s concierge-level lactation care rooted in deep experience, clinical expertise, and real-life motherhood. I am also a certified pediatric sleep consultant and have completed my postpartum doula certification along with my perinatal mental health counselor through Postpartum Support International. I am more than your lactation consultant and I’m here for you, every step of the way.
  • How do I know what package is right for me?
    Every family is unique—and so is every feeding journey. If you’re not sure which package fits your needs best, I’d love to chat with you and help you figure it out. Let’s connect! You can call or text me at 781-773-2862, or book a free discovery call so we can talk through your goals, answer your questions, and find the best fit for you and your baby.
  • What is an IBCLC?
    A lot of people think that since breastfeeding is so natural that its easy to do. Breastfeeding, while considered "natural", does not always come naturally. Lactation happens after you have your baby but breastfeeding is learned. Breastfeeding is the most natural thing that usually does not come naturally to most women. The more information and resources women and their families have, the more successful your breastfeeding experience can be. As The Boobie Mama - I will provide and support breastfeeding support through all the ups and especially the downs of your journey. I provide 1-to-1 lactation services in the privacy and comfort of your home. I see new mamas and then moms of 3 or 4 and I see brand new mamas fresh out of the hospital. There is something you can gain from working with a lactation consultant during your entire breastfeeding journey. For example: sleeping through the night or starting solids…both things can affect breastmilk supply! So let me help!
  • How I help families as an IBCLC
    I’m a mom of two toddler boys, a Registered Nurse with 12+ years of experience, an IBCLC, certified pediatric sleep consultant, and trained perinatal mental health counselor. I’m here to walk beside you—whether you're feeding your first baby or your fourth—with expert, judgment-free support every step of the way. I help families navigate: Painful breastfeeding Latch & positioning Oral restrictions Low supply, oversupply, & overactive letdown Pumping schedules & flange fittings Bottle refusal Weaning & starting solids Stockpiling breastmilk Breastfeeding & jaundice Mental health & wellbeing during the postpartum period When breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned Involving your partner in feeding Feeling overwhelmed or frustrated Making a plan when you don’t know what to do Supporting YOUR breastfeeding goals Answering all your feeding questions Engorgement, plugged ducts, mastitis Nipple shield use Sleepy babies & sleepy parents This is high-touch, concierge-level care built for real families—with real questions, real challenges, and real goals. You're never alone in this. Let’s figure it out together.
  • Are you an all-inclusive lactation consultant?
    am 100% an all-inclusive lactation consultant. That means I support every family, every feeding journey, and every goal without judgment. Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, combo feeding, bottle feeding, pumping, chestfeeding, supplementing, or just figuring it out day by day—I’m here to guide you with compassion, evidence-based support, and real-life mom experience. Feeding your baby isn’t one-size-fits-all. I’m not here to push one method over another—I’m here to help you feel confident, supported, and empowered in whatever path you choose. No shame. No guilt. Just support.
  • Are you covered by insurance?
    Lactation care is mandated to be covered under most insurance plans per the Affordable Care Act (ACA) but the companies vary in terms of how they approach the mandate. I am in network with Cigna, United & Aetna otherwise I am an out-of-network providers. I also use The Lactation Network to help off-set the cost of your consultations. Please note that for insurance based clients that get approval, there may still be an out of pocket cost Many insurance companies (BCBS of MA, Tufts, MGB, Harvard Pilgrim) will typically reimburse families without any problem even for out of network providers. Please verify with your insurance company and ask about their policy and process regarding reimbursement (not coverage) of lactation support for an out-of-network provider. After our visit, I will provide you with a receipt/superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. I cannot guarantee full reimbursement. Families with Aetna Insurance, see below document. .
  • Aetna Clients
  • If you are in network with my insurance, why do I still have to pay?
    Yes, I am in-network with several insurance companies and can bill directly for some plans. However, it's important to understand that most insurance companies do not adequately reimburse for the level of high-quality, personalized lactation care that families truly deserve. I’ve supported over 500 families through my private practice and thousands more since becoming an IBCLC. My care goes far beyond the typical visit—it includes expert guidance, customized support, and a concierge-level experience tailored to your family’s needs. While I do my best to help families use their insurance, the reality is that insurance reimbursement often does not reflect the value or time it takes to provide this kind of care. I also recognize that the cost of care may feel out of reach for some families, and I want to be transparent about that and also give you local resources and referrals. Your investment in these care packages supports not only your feeding journey but also the sustainability of expert, compassionate care for families like yours. Let’s talk more about your specific coverage and options—I’m happy to help navigate that with you.
  • What is a superbill, and how does it help with insurance reimbursement?
    A superbill is a detailed receipt that includes all the information your insurance company needs to process a claim for out-of-network reimbursement. It lists the services provided, diagnosis codes, provider credentials, and payment details. If I am not in-network with your insurance, you will pay for your visit up front to reserve your appointment. After the visit, I’ll provide you with a superbill, which you can submit to your insurance company. If your plan includes out-of-network benefits for lactation services, they may reimburse you directly for part or all of the visit cost. With the care packages (The All In, SOS, Mini) technically services start immediately once payment is received so we can submit for reimbursement right away. Sometimes, your insurance will want it broken up by appointment, in which case we will have to wait to submit until after services are rendered and submit per appointment. It's a good idea to call your insurance provider in advance to ask: Do I have out-of-network coverage or reimbursement for lactation consultations? Are services provided by an RN, IBCLC eligible for reimbursement? If you have questions about submitting the superbill, I’m happy to help guide you through the process!
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