Find a Certified Lactation Consultant in Chicago, IL

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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.

Found 8 Pros in Chicago, IL, USA | Lactation support
EXPERIENCE
0 50
Families served
0 3500
Birth fee
$0 $7500
HOURLY RATE
$0 $500
$ flexible
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Lorraine Black

Vernon Hills, IL

3 reviews • 60 families supported • 20 years experience

3 reviews • 60 families supported • 20 years experience

I started out as a teen. I was doing Doula work for neighbors, friends and family. I started my journey over twenty years ago. I feel like birthwork is my calling. I am a Certified Birthing & Postpartum Doula, Certified Bereavement Doula, Certified Childbirth & Lamaze Educator, Professional Herbalist and a Certified Placenta Expert/ Encapsulator. As you can see I wear many hats. I just want to help families through one of the most important times in their life.

Care philosophy

Evidence Based Care, Holistic Care

Areas served

  • Illinois
  • Chicago
  • Northern Suburbs
  • Oak Park
  • Lombard
  • North Chicago
  • Zion
  • Grayslake
  • Waukegan
  • Gurnee
  • Mundelein
  • Vernon Hills
  • Libertyville
  • Lincolnshire
  • Downtown Chicago
  • Highland Park
  • Arlington Heights
  • Oak Brook
  • Northbrook
  • Lake Forest
  • Barrington
  • Deerfield
  • Lake Barrington
  • Antioch
  • Round Lake Beach
  • Lake Bluff
  • Lake Villa
  • Lake Zurich
  • Wauconda
  • Hawthorn Woods
  • Long Grove
  • Wintrop Harbor

Reviews

  • Rowena
    October 28, 2022 at 11:56 am | Client review

    Lorraine was there for all three of my pregnancies and deliveries. She provided good care for my children and I. She wasn’t overbearing. She gave me what I needed when I needed it. Most of all she made me believe I was capable of everything that is thrown at us in labor. She encourage me to continue on even when I felt overwhelmed.

$ flexible
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Daisy Ortiz

Chicago, IL

0 reviews • 100 families supported • 15 years experience

0 reviews • 100 families supported • 15 years experience

It is an honor for Daisy to be a part of your birth team. Birth is a profound and transformative journey for all family members, and Daisy is dedicated to helping integrate your growing family into the community. As a birth and postpartum doula, her role is to support and empower you with the information you need about your birth experience. In postpartum we get really clear on how to create systems to make you feel most supported so you may enjoy rest and being in the blissful newborn baby bubble. This may include, meal prepping, bodywork, sibling care and home organizing.

Care philosophy

Daisy is here to be your “birth friend,” offering a professional, non-judgmental stance while maintaining an open and empathetic heart. She is committed to standing by your side through the most challenging moments and celebrating every victory with you.

Areas served

  • Northside Chicago
  • Westside Chicago
  • Lakeside
  • Southside Chicago
$ flexible
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Melissa Haley

Chicago, IL

0 reviews • 55 families supported • 4 years experience

0 reviews • 55 families supported • 4 years experience

My practice is informed by research & evidence, ritual, herbs & plants, and deep listening. I'm always learning (ex. Spinning Babies, HypnoBirthing, Bradley Method, Evidence-Based Birth, VBAC, pelvic floor health).

Care philosophy

*Vax & Cert * I'm the oldest of 5 and former teacher. I am here to support you and your partner through this transformation. I believe in the sacred the scientific. Expect personal touches, recommendations, clear communication, handmade gifts, grounding energy, and fun! I'm queer and love to work with LGBTQ+ folx.

Areas served

  • Chicago and Northwest suburbs
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Damiana Andonova

Chicago, IL

0 reviews • 100 families supported • 13 years experience

0 reviews • 100 families supported • 13 years experience

J'adore Mon Bébé provides exceptional, hyper-personalized care for new and growing families in every way. We provide doula services, short-term back-up care, transitional childcare, healthy materials and nursery design consults, bespoke GOTS-certified baby blankets, childbirth and parental education and support as well as baby event planning and baby-moon planning services. We are here for all your baby needs, so that you can spend more time confidently enjoying the sweet-like candy moments of parenthood. For more info, https://www.jadoremonbebe.com/

Care philosophy

I provide holistic, evidence-based relational care for new and growing families centered around the changing needs of babies and their caregivers. I employ a mixed-methods approach that helps parents along the entire journey from preconception to parenthood. I have experience in provider and site of birth selection, prenatal education and support, birth planning and the care of newborns.

Areas served

  • Chicago, Boston, Scottsdale
  • North Shore
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Ryiah Barnes

Chicago, IL

1 reviews • 1 families supported • 1 years experience

1 reviews • 1 families supported • 1 years experience

I am a trained Birth Doula working towards certification. As of now all I offer is Birth support, in the future I hope to expand my services. I am working on becoming a Lactation Consultant, WIC companion support, and abortion companion. I am also actively looking into addition trainings to help better serve diverse communities.

Care philosophy

With support and education you can have a positive birthing experience. I am committed to fostering a safe space for teen birthing people, POC, and members of the LGBTQIA community.

Areas served

  • Washington Heights
  • Evergreen
  • Beverly

Reviews

  • Miles
    March 6, 2022 at 3:50 am | Peer review

    Ryiah is very considerate and detail oriented. They go above and beyond for others and tends to put others before herself

$ flexible
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Dana Marion

Chicago, IL

0 reviews • 75 families supported • 4 years experience

0 reviews • 75 families supported • 4 years experience

Is to be able to provide knowledge to empower new moms on what to expect during childbirth, how to care for a newborn, breastfeeding support, and postpartum healing for the mother. It is my passion to support women and families during one of the most important times in their life of becoming a new mom or family since it can be intimidating.

Care philosophy

The core values of empowering mothers during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, by providing healthy resources after birth and educating mothers on how to build a supportive community to keep both mother and baby healthy & happy.

Areas served

  • Chicagoland Area
$ flexible
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Abigail Johnsen

Lakemoor, IL

0 reviews • 8 families supported • 3 years experience

0 reviews • 8 families supported • 3 years experience

My name is Abigail Johnsen and I live in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. I’m married 7 years to myhusband, Josh. We have two wonderful kiddos and an attention-hungry, lovable pup named Marcy. You’ll usually find us reading, watching Netflix, or dancing around the kitchen! I became a Birth Doula because I realized how much I hadn't known what exactly my body could do or even what I needed during the whole process. I wanted to learn and share that knowledge with others too. Birthing bodies are incredible and it is an honor to be able to be a part of your journey.

Care philosophy

I feel it is important for pregnant people to have the support and education they need to have a good birth experience. I want to empower people to make informed choices for their bodies and their children. I strive to give them the necessary support they need to have the birth that they want.

Areas served

  • McHenry County
  • Lake County
  • Kenosha
$ flexible
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Daisy Johnson

Chicago, IL

2 reviews • 42 families supported • 4 years experience

2 reviews • 42 families supported • 4 years experience

Here at Mother Ma'at Doula Services my clients recieve the best of care with the roots being strongly engrained in the themes of freedom, new beginnings, justice, morality, organization, balance, promises and Universal Law. Ma'at's symbols are ostrich feathers (or any feathers). In Egypt, Maat is the ultimate representation of fairness, justice and truth

Care philosophy

Our mission is to enhance the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual health of mothers, babies and families through education, comfort and support in efforts to eliminate poor birth experiences due to racial health disparitie

Areas served

  • 60614
  • 60452
  • 60628
  • Chicago
  • 60428

Reviews

  • Queen
    April 27, 2022 at 8:08 am | Client review

    We decided to go the home birth route after researching our options in the early months of pregnancy. Our Midwife gave us a few choices, Daisy was one of them, which we interviewed and ultimately chose Daisy. The main reason was she was so down to earth that I knew she could get along with my fiesty husband and take charge at the same time if something was to go wrong. We also liked the fact that she could still come along with us if we had to go to the hospital to give birth. We were impressed and comforted by her great amount of expertise which we learned from taking one of her virtual child birth classes.

    The day of the birth we called Daisy at 2 am and she comforted our anxiety and asked us questions that would help her understand how far we were. As the labor progressed she came over and gave me little exercises like going up and down the Ball and swaying my hips to help move the baby around. She was the one who passed along the info to our midwife of how far along I was.

    My midwife came over and 30 minutes later we gave birth to our son. Daisy was there adjusting my pillow, helping me drink water, and encouraging me while I pushed.

    After the birth, she checked on us frequently and gave us tidbit of info to help that we still use today. She had herbs for our lotus birth and breastfeeding. I would recommend Daisy to anyone whether home birth or hospital birth to have by your side. We will use her again in the future and wouldn’t think to go elsewhere!-QJ 05/2020

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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL, 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL is $185 per hour based on a survey of 120 lactation specialists in the Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL 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 Chicago, IL. 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 Chicago, IL 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.

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