A lactation consultant can help new parents navigate common breastfeeding challenges like latching issues, milk supply concerns, and pain during feeding. They offer personalized support, guidance, and reassurance to help make the feeding journey more comfortable and successful for both parent and baby.

Click here to see my interview with Dr. Wendy Coburn of One Village Chiropractic, where we discuss how a lactation consultant can help you, as well as how to access care through public clinics and private practice LCs (like me!)

The Importance of Certification

IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is the gold-standard accreditation for lactation professionals and requires the completion of a rigorous training program, thousands of hours in clinical lactation education experience, successful achievement of a challenging, global exam, and strict regulations on recertification every 5 years. I just recertified in 2024.

Some people think that lactation consultants judge, preach “breast is best” mantras, and place unnecessary pressures and shame on mothers.  While this may be true in many cases, I have an in-depth understanding and appreciation for the physical, psychological and sociological influences that impact breastfeeding, and I work to help parents discover solutions that work best for them, their babies, and their lives. 

This is a judgement-free zone!

The IBCLC scope of practice includes knowledge of infant development and oral anatomy, nutrition requirements, human milk composition, growth patterns, neurological challenges, and reflexes. IBCLCs provide maternal assessments of anatomy, with knowledge of breast changes during pregnancy, and hormonal impacts on lactation. We have in-depth knowledge of increasing (and decreasing) milk supply, and choosing the right tools to help with nursing. IBCLCs must participate in ongoing education in order to understand the complex physical systems and interactions that can lead to lactation challenges.

IBCLCs can provide assessment, guidance, education, and support. We cannot diagnose, prescribe, or treat issues such as tongue tie or allergy, but we can provide resources and specialist recommendations if such issues are suspected.

You don’t need to wait until you are experiencing challenges to seek the support of a lactation consultant.  I offer in-home, private prenatal breastfeeding consults with the goal of you not needing me once your baby arrives. During the prenatal session, we review key information about breast and bottle feeding, milk supply, positioning, etc. I am also happy to discuss any infant-feeding “tools” such as beast pumps, nipple shields, formula, and more!

There is no age restriction on getting infant feeding help: I have seen babies who are 1 day old and 5 months old!

If you are experiencing feeding challenges, don’t hesitate to book an initial consult. You don’t need to struggle on your own.  It is important to get someone on your side for meaningful support, reliable education, and a plan!

To request your home visit appointment, please contact me by email (at sheena@milkbudlactation.ca or via the contact form on my website).  Provide me with your name, email address, and a brief description of your infant feeding concerns.  I will respond within 24h (realistically, though, I check my email ALL of the time, so I will likely get back to you within an hour or two) with some options for dates and times. 

Once you choose your preferred appointment, I will email you a consent form and a short health history form for you to complete in advance of my visit.

After that, no further preparation is needed!

You don’t need to prepare at all! I will send you a consent and health history form when you book the visit, and having them completed prior to my arrival is ideal. However, I totally understand that you are managing a lot in your parenting journey- if you don’t have time to complete the forms, I will review them with you when I arrive.

At some point during my visit, I will observe a feed. In a perfect world, we want your baby to be hungry and interested in feeding, but not too hungry that they are…well, HANGRY! If you need to feed your baby within an hour of my visit, try giving a small bottle feed, or shorter-than-normal breastfeed. Just a little snack to tide them over until my arrival.

I currently accept payment via etransfer (sheena@milkbudlactation.ca) and I will provide you with a full receipt that you may submit for reimbursement, dependent on your health coverage or health spending account. Direct billing is not currently available.

I am an approved provider through Alberta Blue Cross, Sun Life, and Provider Connect (which covers Green Shield Canada, RBC Insurance, Empire Life, and SSQ Insurance).

Since every plan is different, I always recommend that you check your coverage and requirements for reimbursement for Registered Nurse Home Care or out-of-hospital nursing care.

If your insurance does not provide coverage, save your receipt to use as a medical deduction on your taxes!

I currently do in-home visits only in the Edmonton and surrounding areas. I currently travel to Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Devon, Beaumont, St. Albert, Morinville, and Leduc.

A $50 travel fee will be applied to locations 30km or more outside Edmonton city limits.

First, I will arrive at your home with a rather large yellow suitcase. Don’t worry, I’m not moving in! I bring a few teaching tools and a large, medical-grade infant scale so that we can get an accurate weight on your baby.

While I’m setting up, we can discuss your concerns in greater depth.  We can discuss your delivery, immediate post-partum feeding, current feeding practices and what you wish to change or improve. 

I will assess your anatomy and health history, paying close attention to any physiological or psychological factors that may be affecting your infant feeding experience.

I will then assess your baby (my favorite part!).  I will check overall anatomy, reflexes, neurological behaviors, weight, and will conduct an in-depth assessment of your baby’s oral anatomy (aka, I check for signs of tongue tie), again assessing for features that may impact feeding.

One important step in my consultation is to observe a feed.  This can of course happen at any time, as demanded by your baby. 

We will then discuss my assessment, solutions, and suggestions.  

Feel free to ask any questions at any time: breastfeeding tools, pumps, and pacifiers are always hot topics!   I can even show you massage techniques and exercises to aid in feeding behaviors.  Soon after our visit, I will email you a copy of our visit summary, my recommendations, extra visuals, videos, and websites to refer to, and recommended referrals.

After my visit, you can contact me by email any time with questions, concerns and updates!  I’m always here to cheer you on! 

It is rare that all feeding issues and concerns resolve after one home visit. Even after spending 2h with you and your baby, you will likely still have work to do.

After I leave, take some time to “digest” some of the information, indulge in some self-care (a short nap, coffee, or Netflix show), and take a breath and know that it will all be ok.

Within 24h of my visit, you will recieve a full written plan. I will include my assessment notes, a clear strategy of what to do next, as well as applicable links, images, videos, etc that I think may be helpful to you.

I will reach out via email within 3 days of my visit to see how you are feeling and if you have any updates or questions.

After this, I am available to you via email for the entire duration of your feeding journey. I may check in periodically, but I do mostly leave it up to you to reach out. In the days, weeks, and even months ahead, you can feel free to email questions or updates as often as you need or wish!

Don’t get me wrong: I love animals and small children! However, I want to focus on you and your baby during the appointment. Try to arrange for other caregivers or support people to watch your children during the visit.

I am completely fine with cats and dogs, especially if they want to say a quick hello. If you feel that your pet will be a distraction, try to keep them in a separate room as much as possible.

I totally get it: stuff happens! If you or your baby are not feeling well, if unexpected events occur, or if you simply change your mind, let me know via email as soon as possible (sheena@milkbudlactation.ca).

There is no cancelation fee if the appointment is cancelled 24h or more before the visit, or if you reschedule.

Same-day cancelations will incur a charge of $75.