Lactation Support at The Family Well

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Feeding your baby should feel supported, not stressful. At The Family Well, lactation care is about empowerment, education, and gentle guidance — helping families feed their babies with confidence and calm, no matter the path.

Whether you’re breastfeeding, chestfeeding, pumping, or navigating combination feeding,  TFW offers compassionate, evidence-based support tailored to your goals and values.

Our lactation services can help with:

• Painful or shallow latch
   
• Nipple soreness or damage
   
• Low milk supply or oversupply
   
• Pumping plans and flange fitting
   
• Bottle refusal or transition to bottle
   
• Feeding challenges related to oral ties or tongue restriction
   
• Infant tension, torticollis, or difficulty maintaining latch
   
• Recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis prevention
   
• Weaning support
   
• Emotional support for feeding transitions
   

Each session includes hands-on guidance, feeding observation, positioning education, and individualized strategies for your unique situation.

 Lactation care at The Family Well blends functional feeding therapy with a whole-family perspective. As an occupational therapist and lactation counselor, Deedee integrates body mechanics, infant development, and parent wellbeing into each session.

Our focus is on:

• Supporting comfort and connection during feeds
   
• Optimizing infant oral function and coordination
   
• Guiding families through realistic, sustainable feeding goals
   
• Offering gentle, trauma-informed care for all feeding experiences
   

Your first session (60–90 minutes) includes:

• A detailed discussion of your feeding goals and challenges
   
• Observation of a feeding or pumping session (if applicable)
   
• Assessment of latch, positioning, and infant oral mechanics
   
• Review of body alignment, muscle tension, and feeding cues
   
• Creation of a personalized feeding plan with follow-up guidance
   

Follow-up sessions focus on progress, confidence-building, and adjustments as your baby grows.

 1. What’s the difference between a CLC and an IBCLC?
A Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) is a professional trained in evidence-based breastfeeding and lactation support, providing education and hands-on guidance for most feeding challenges. For complex medical feeding cases, we collaborate with pediatricians, IBCLCs, or feeding specialists as needed.

2. When should I schedule a lactation appointment?
Ideally, within the first few days after birth—or sooner if you’re experiencing pain, latch issues, or supply concerns. Prenatal visits are also available to help you prepare confidently.

3. Do you offer home visits?
Yes. In-home and office visits are available depending on location and availability. Virtual support may also be an option for ongoing check-ins.

4. What if I’m bottle feeding or exclusively pumping?
You’re welcome here. We support all feeding choices and can help with pump setup, flange sizing, storage systems, and feeding schedules to make your routine easier and more comfortable.

5. Can you help with tongue or lip ties?
Yes. We provide oral function assessments and pre- and post-release care (if a revision is recommended by your provider), including gentle stretches, bodywork, and latch re-training.

6. What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring your baby (of course!), your feeding supplies (bottles, pump, flange), and any questions or concerns. A hungry baby within 30 minutes of your appointment time is ideal for live feeding observation.

7. Do you take insurance?
Lactation services are out-of-network at this time. You’ll receive a superbill after each session to submit to insurance for possible reimbursement. HSA/FSA cards are accepted.

8. Can partners or support people attend?
Absolutely — feeding is a family process! Partners are encouraged to attend to learn supportive positioning and routines that help everyone feel confident.

• Painful latch or nipple trauma
   
• Feeding refusal, clicking sounds, or slipping off the breast
   
• Sleepy or distracted feeder
   
• Mastitis, blocked ducts, or nipple blebs
   
• Returning to work and maintaining supply
   
• Transitioning from triple feeding to direct breastfeeding
   
• Anxiety or overwhelm related to feeding

 Every feeding journey deserves support. Let’s create a calm, connected experience for you and your baby.