What happens when I book a consultation?

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 intake forms either through IntakeQ or Practice Better portals (depending on your insurance). These forms 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 or through email.

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 either over Google Meet or Practice Better. Both are HIPAA compliant. 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 via email 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 Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, Anthem, United & more! Learn how to verify your benefits

Aetna typically covers 3-6 appointments per rolling calendar year. After those 3-6 visits, if the family deductible will be met by the birth, cost sharing is usually your specialist copay for baby. If family deductible will not be met by the birth, baby's appointment would likely be in the $60-100 range sent to deductible.

I am partnered with Lactation Consultants of America (LCA) to be in network with Cigna, BCBS, Anthem, United & more. For all other plans through LCA, most plans do not limit visits, but you may be responsible for some cost-sharing. LCA handles all cost sharing and most families are responsible for $10-20 per visit. The benefits team is not able to confirm your benefits until forms are submitted. For questions about cost-sharing or invoices, please direct questions to patient.relations@lcsofamerica.com A response is usually within 72 business hours.

All clients can contact the insurance company directly and request information on code s9443 with Diagnosis Z39.1.

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 self-pay families interested in getting their care reimbursed out of network. Uncovered visits with be charged self-pay fee to card on file.

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 8-12 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.

Do you help with tongue tie?

Yes! Tongue tie is a complex breastfeeding complication that can be both under and over diagnosed. A frenulum causes trouble when it negatively impacts oral function, appearance alone is not an automatic indication for a procedure. Common signs include shallow or inefficient latch, poor milk transfer, slow weight gain, painful latch, and nipple damage. In many cases, less invasive strategies can be implemented to protect breastfeeding while giving your baby an opportunity to improve without a procedure. Julie has personal experience overcoming tongue tie challenges and can help you navigate your options. Timing and early intervention are key. Learn more on our tongue tie support page.

Can you help if my baby was premature or in the NICU?

Absolutely. Early birds and NICU graduates face unique feeding challenges from sleepiness and low endurance, to exclusively pumping, to transitioning to the breast after primarily bottle feeding. Whether your goal is to provide expressed breast milk during a NICU stay or to work toward nursing at the breast once you're home, Julie can help. Some families benefit from a month of messaging support while still in the NICU, as an extra layer of guidance to prepare for bringing baby home. The best thing you can do is get lactation support early. Learn more on our early birds & NICU page.