Find a Certified Lactation Consultant in Cary, NC
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Meela is the trusted place for parents to find top-rated lactation consultants, connecting over 1,700 parents with vetted professionals each month. Reach out to lactation consultants directly, or answer a few questions and let us bring you the best available options near you. All for free, no strings attached.
Certified, Expert-Vetted Lactation Consultants Near You
Our lactation experts include IBCLCs, IBCLEs, CLCs and more. They are the best of the best and hold the highest standards of evidence-based, inclusive, and compassionate care. Each verified professional on Meela is vetted by a licensed medical professional and comes with multiple client recommendations, active certifications, and has extensive training and experience in perinatal care.
3 reviews • 10 families supported • 2 years experience
0 reviews • 2 families supported • 1 years experience
2 reviews • 130 families supported • 5 years experience
I worked for three years in Women’s services at Duke University Health Services as a Labor and Deliver CNA. I also worked for four years as a Phlebotomist at Triangle Arthritis & Rheumatology and The Geergroup. I am still currently licensed in both nursing and Phlebotomy as well as CPR and first aid certified. I am an accomplished healthcare worker with over fourteen years of medical experience. I went to college at North Carolina Central University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. I use my Psychology degree to help with the emotional support side and use my past healthcare experience to help with the physical support. I take pride in caring for others. I also for the past eight years have been studying holistic methods. I was a vegan for four years and have a lot of knowledge in nutrition. From birth my daughter has suffered very sensitive skin which made me create my own body butters, soaps and sugar scrubs for a more natural remedy . I have also made my own elderberry tea and am currently working on a tea line. I am into healthy living and finding the best treatments for our body. I am a big fan of natural products and I believe that where there is an herb there is a better option.
Care philosophy
To provide the birth experience of your dreams, by actively listening to your desires, to help fulfill your goals, and to guide you through your birthing experience.
Areas served
- Wake, Durham, Johnston, Franklinton, Duplin, Wayne
Reviews
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Denesha
July 3, 2022 at 3:17 pm | Peer reviewStephanie brings a wide array of both personal and professional attributes. She works well with others and goes above and beyond to be sure those she encounters are well taken care of. Stephanie is a great team player and is always willing to go the extra mile. Anyone who encounters Stephanie is sure to be in great hands.
1 reviews • 100 families supported • 5 years experience
I have enjoyed supporting families through my work as a camp counselor, childcare provider, teacher's assistant and studying early childhood for over 10 years before becoming a doula. I have also had the honor of bearing my 6 children with my husband of over 18 years and helping families through their experiences with birth and lactation. In 2017 I was introduced to the idea of becoming Doula on my search to find ways to support families. This led to becoming a peer counselor with WIC and studying with Bebo Mia, DONA, and Mamas Village. I have now been practicing as a Doula for 5 years and enjoy every moment of it! There is a special place in my heart for teens, first time parents, marginalized groups, and rural communities.
Care philosophy
Feeling secure, prepared, and empowered are important as you await the delivery of your little one and at the time of their arrival! This is something all families deserve! I am passionate about meeting your needs! My goal is to provide the best experience possible!
Areas served
- Raleigh
- Lillington
- Hampton Roads
- Johnston County
- Harnett County
- Wake County
- Durham
- Chapel Hill
- Nash
Reviews
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Marina
June 15, 2022 at 11:06 am | Peer reviewShaunette is dedicated to equitable care for all people and has extensive experience working with pregnant and postpartum families. She is kind, compassionate, and relatable and approaches parents with understanding, love, and professionalism. She is dedicated to making the maternity space more equitable. I have loved working with Shaunette and have learned so much from her. She would be an asset to any family’s birthing or postpartum team!
0 reviews • 800 families supported • 7 years experience
3 reviews • 10 families supported • 3 years experience
Hello! My name is Melanie and I am a wife and mama of 1! I enjoy spending time with my family, vacationing, listening to podcasts, and reading. I am a certified labor and postpartum doula! I offer pregnancy & birth support, evidence-based resources, breastfeeding support & education, postpartum care, and emotional support. Before becoming a doula, I obtained my BS degree in early childhood studies and an AAS degree in early childhood education. I have worked in the early childhood field for over 10 years as a teacher with children from 6 weeks- 5 years old and then became an assistant director of a preschool school. I would describe myself as having a servants heart. I have a passion for caring for children and their families! I decided to become a doula after giving birth to my daughter and facing the unknowns as a first time mama. I knew then I had to get certified so that I can share what I know from experience and have learned through trainings to be able to walk alongside families whether it’s their first birth or 3rd. I love being able to provide families with emotional, physical, mental, and informational support in a non-judgmental manner, while creating a relationship that’s confidential and trustworthy. I will provide your family with love and support as we partner together to welcome your newest little love to the family! I am excited to partner with you on this precious journey!
Care philosophy
I care for the whole family!
Areas served
- Cary.Durham.Morrisville.Knightdale.Garner.Clayton
Reviews
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Annelise
February 5, 2024 at 9:51 am | Client reviewWe are thankful for Melanie and the help she has given our newly growing family. She has supported us from the very beginning of this journey to parenthood, and not only provided comfort, but helpful, informative, and reliable resources along the way.
3 reviews • 12 families supported • 2 years experience
I'm here to help you through pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, transitioning, nursery organization, travel, bottle training as well as sibling care. I do nights with a minimum of 6 hours and up to 12 hours, days minimum of 4 hours and up to 10 hours.
Care philosophy
I am here to help YOU. I'm here to be your advocate during birth and your friend at 2am feeds as your postpartum doula. I go off of the parents lead, make suggestions when asked and always make sure every one is cared for the way they deserve.
Areas served
- Raleigh
- Cary
- Holly Springs
- Durham
- Clayton
- Smithfield
- Rolesville
- Goldsboro
- Fuquay- Varina
- Kenly
- Garner
- Wilson
- Apex
Reviews
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Lindsay
November 17, 2022 at 11:43 am | Client reviewJanessa saved us immensely during the first few months with our newborn twins. I looked forward to every night we had with her. Janessa was always on time and very prompt and attentive to the individual needs of both babies. I’ll never forget the first night she came – I introduced her to the routine and she told me to go to bed, which I very graciously agreed to. I told her I’d likely be up in an hour or two, when I heard the twins cry… however I slept almost five hours. I never heard a peep and I came downstairs to two very happy babies, drinking their bottles. She helped us with dishes and laundry as well. She was a blessing we will never forget!
0 reviews • 100 families supported • 10 years experience
8 reviews • 50 families supported • 6 years experience
My mission is to provide others with the prenatal, labor, and birth support that everyone deserves. A powerful, confident, and comforting birth experience is something this world should strive to provide to all who need it. With me by your side, you can be assured that you will feel cared for, supported, and confident as you embark on your remarkable journey. My commitment to helping others, through the journey of pregnancy and childbirth, began in 2015 as a Birth Partners volunteer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While balancing parenthood, a full-time job as a Research Specialist at UNC, and volunteering as a doula, I worked to earn my Birth Doula Certification through DONA International. This allowed me the opportunity to enter the world of professional doulas as a way to better serve others.
Care philosophy
There is no right or wrong way to give birth! No two people, pregnancies, labors, or birth experiences are the same, and I believe everyone should be treated as a unique person going through a unique experience. As a Doula, it is not my birth and not my journey, but my goal is to provide the type of support you feel is best for you with complete empathy and no judgement.
Areas served
- Durham County
- Wake County
- Orange County
- Alamance County
Reviews
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Janelle
January 23, 2021 at 8:50 am | Client reviewMariam is both an amazing person and doula ! I delivered my first child in August 2020 admits the COVID-19 pandemic and Mariam was and still is a huge support system for me and my family! Before my delivery she was a big support system for me, answering all my questions and concerns about pregnancy and beyond. She also went above and beyond to work around my busy work schedule to do socially distance meet ups in preparation for my birth. We love her and I would totally love for her to be my doula again for our future babies!
0 reviews • 100 families supported • 5 years experience
7 reviews • 300 families supported • 7 years experience
Briana’s background is in public health which led her to birth work. She originally trained with Doulas of North America, and certified with Integrated Birth and Family Alliance as a birth doula and a postpartum doula. In her first two years of business, she also certified as a placenta encapsulation specialist with IPPA, a childbirth educator and breastfeeding peer counselor with Integrated Birth and Family Alliance, and an eco-baby educator with Bebo Mia. Briana is always continuing her education so she is able to provide non-judgmental, evidence-based support and resources to the families she serves. Briana’s most recent training includes postpartum belly binding, herbal salves for the whole family, Rebozo training, and vaginal steaming. Briana lives in Eastern Wake County with her family and Rottweiler. In her spare time (or as she likes to say - when she’s not at a birth!) Briana enjoys traveling, the beach, white wine, and a good CycleBar class!
Care philosophy
I meet families where they are, providing evidence-based care with a non-dogmatic approach. You want to breastfeed? Great! You want to formula-feed? Awesome, I can help with that, too! You have a planned cesarean? Fantastic, I have experience as a doula in the operating room. You want to have an unmedicated birth? Great, I've supported plenty of those! Need to pivot during birth? I can help you!
Areas served
- Wake County
- Durham County
- Johnston County
- Harnett County
- Orange County
Reviews
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SteKeira
March 13, 2021 at 7:38 am | Peer reviewBriana is an amazing birth professional. She is a passionate advocate for those she serves and treats her clients with compassionate care. Her work ethic is unmatched! Anyone working with her will be enriched by the experience, I know I have been.
3 reviews • 12 families supported • 4 years experience
Hello! My name is Megan. I am a wife and mother. Birth work is my passion. I was led to this line of work after the birth of my son. While it could have been worse, it definitely wasn't an ideal situation. My mission is to make sure that every woman who hires me has the birth experience that she deserves. I believe that every woman should have a doula, no matter what. At this time I am only taking homebirth clients
Care philosophy
I believe that ALL women need support during such a special time in their lives. My goal is to make sure that you as comfortable and prepared as possible throughout your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period. I offer payment plans and a sliding scale for low income families so that everyone gets a fair shot at having a doula present!
Areas served
- wake county
- Raleigh
Reviews
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Sam
July 24, 2021 at 2:41 pm | Client reviewI am very thankful that Megan came into our lives. I had many questions during this “geriatric” pregnancy as the ‘rules’ have changed since my last child. She was patient and kind through them all. She was also beyond helpful during a very frustrating time with breastfeeding and tried her best to help me figure out why it was difficult. Turns out my baby had a lip tie, which Megan figured out before any of the doctors did! Once we got that fixed it was much easier. So grateful for her help!
Lactation Consultant: FAQs
A certified lactation consultant is a professional that helps parents address and solve their breastfeeding problems. Many new parents believe that breastfeeding is easy, only to find more obstacles than anticipated. 92% of parents say they are having problems with breastfeeding their new baby within only 3 days.
Nursing doesn’t always come naturally.
Breastfeeding can be overwhelming and all-consuming. A lactation consultant in Cary, NC can identify issues such as low milk supply, latching problems, or nipple engorgement. They also offer advice and techniques to help parents understand existing issues, improve how they read their baby’s cues, and feel empowered about breastfeeding despite existing social norms.
Every parent’s journey is unique, and there might be specific challenges or obstacles in your particular situation. The ultimate goal of a lactation consultant is to support parents who choose to breastfeed their children. A lactation consultant in Cary, NC can often save parents time and energy, and also give them some peace of mind.
Many mothers also face issues where they cannot breastfeed in the workplace or lack the family support or time to ensure that their child is breastfed correctly. A lactation consultant in Cary, NC can also provide a significant amount of moral support, diagnose breastfeeding issues, and solve latching, positioning, and scheduling issues.
To find a lactation specialist in Cary, NC, most parents recommend creating a job post on Meela and having uniquely qualified lactation experts near you (in your budget) reach out to you through the Meela app.
You can interview and chat with as many lactation specialists as you wish and hire a lactation consultant with confidence. It is completely free to create a job post on Meela and find a lactation consultant. There are no commitments to hire any of the qualified and expert vetted experts Meela brings you.
Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
- Post a job for free: Answer some questions and receive responses from top-rated lactation specialists near you. It takes less than 30 seconds to post your job.
- Get your list of lactation consultants: In a few hours, you will have a collection of lactation consultants near you who are qualified to meet your needs. You can compare pricing, experience, and read reviews. You can chat with each lactation specialist to learn more about them.
- Hire a lactation consultant with confidence: Schedule virtual or in-person interviews with your top choices. Hire your top lactation specialist and start getting the care you deserve.
To find a lactation consultant, you can also browse the available professionals near you in Cary, NC and read reviews, compare pricing, experience and fit. Send the lactation consultants you are interested in a message, introducing yourself and setting up an interview. We recommend reaching out to and interviewing at least three lactation consultants before hiring a lactation specialist near you. After interviewing, hire the most qualified lactation specialist near you and start getting the care you deserve.
The cost of a lactation consultant can vary based on a variety of factors, including their experience, their services, and their skills or specializations. Overall, the average cost of a lactation consultant in Cary, NC is $185 per hour based on a survey of 120 lactation specialists in the Cary, NC area.
Under the Affordable Care Act, many insurance companies should be covering the cost of lactation services. However, there are a number of factors that determine whether insurance will cover the cost of a certified lactation consultant in Cary, NC. You should contact your insurance company for more information.
Here are some factors to consider regarding insurance and your lactation consultant cost:
- Your insurance provider
- Your individual health plan
- The type of lactation specialist
- The specific service provided
Meela’s network of lactations specialists in Cary, NC offer both in-home lactation support sessions or virtual lactation support sessions. Both types of sessions typically last between 1 and 3 hours. In your sessions, your lactation specialist will spend time understanding the issues you are facing and work with you and your baby to diagnose the issues have and also provide specific guidance and hands-on practice and exercises.
Lactation consultants help parents understand the best way to comfortably breastfeed their baby and help them navigate breastfeeding social norms. They can also help reduce stress and anxiety about breastfeeding, or help with specific challenges (such as breastfeeding twins, for example). Other parents might just want emotional support that doesn’t currently exist within their family, workplace, or network or friends.
Certified lactation consultants can also help with specialized issues that may arise with premature children or sick children. A parent may not have thought about breastfeeding help until they notice that their baby isn’t gaining weight properly, and finally realize that they might need some support and knowledge before continuing to breastfeed. On the other hand, some parents might prepare with a lactation consultant months before the baby is born.
Whether you are planning ahead or are thinking about a lactation now that you are having breastfeeding issues or concerns, a lactation consultant can be incredibly helpful and useful for parents.
Lactation counselors in Cary, NC can often help parents with breastfeeding and offer breastfeeding advice, training, and troubleshooting. Many of these counselors have taken the CLC exam, or the Certified Lactation Counselor exam. A certified lactation counselor has typically undergone 45 hours of training.
On the other hand, a certified lactation consultant in Cary, NC has undergone a specific amount of clinical training hours, which is not a requirement to become a lactation counselor. These lactation consultants are certified by the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants, as well. A lactation consultant typically has a bachelor’s degree in a health field and has undergone 90 hours of training and has somewhere between 300 and 1,000 hours of experience with parents.
Lactation consultants in Cary, NC are often working with other healthcare teams in collaboration with postpartum nurses to ensure that parents understand how to breastfeed their babies. Both lactation consultants and lactation counselors can provide support, develop feeding plans, and offer actionable advice with respect to breastfeeding.
The best approach is for parents to hire a lactation specialist early in their pregnancy so that they can help you prepare both mentally and physically. Parents don’t need to wait until your baby is born to begin thinking about breastfeeding support and education.
Some parents might be anxious about breastfeeding in public or feel like they want access to a breastfeeding expert to help both inform and support them. A lactation consultant in Cary, NC can also help young professional parents schedule their breastfeeding efficiently so that they can return to work quicker, while others might specialize in helping with breastfeeding anxiety issues.
It is never too late to hire a certified lactation consultant in Cary, NC. These breastfeeding consultants can also offer emotional breastfeeding support that can be valuable to those who lack family or workplace support. A lactation consultant can also be critical in identifying warning signs that might indicate more serious growth or developmental issues.
There are many documented benefits to breastfeeding, and parents often believe that it will be an easy and natural experience. Unfortunately, many parents run into issues such as low milk supply, nipple engorgement, or latching problems that can affect their baby’s health. These lactation specialists can be useful for troubleshooting, advice, or emotional support.
Certified lactation consultants can strengthen the bond between parents and their babies through breastfeeding advice, tips, and support. This might include showing parents how to help their baby latch properly, establishing feeding schedules, or dealing with sore nipples or engorgement. A lactation consultant can help new parents better understand their baby’s needs in general, and monitor the baby’s growth and development.
Lactation specialists in Cary, NC also offer emotional support and help parents breastfeed more efficiently so that they can get back to work and allow them to better manage expectations. Many parents face issues where they cannot breastfeed in the workplace, or do not have the family support or time to ensure that their child is breastfed properly and with care. These expert consultants can also provide a significant amount of moral support, diagnose breastfeeding issues, while also solving issues such as latching, positioning, and scheduling.
Aiyana
February 28, 2024 at 8:15 am | Peer reviewKaren is very knowledgeable and considerate when talking to clients and their families. She is very punctual to all her appointments and is an effective communicator. She is also very supportive and caring towards her clients and their children.