Find a Certified Lactation Consultant in Kalamazoo, MI

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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 5 Pros in Kalamazoo, MI, USA | Lactation support
EXPERIENCE
0 50
Families served
0 3500
Birth fee
$0 $7500
HOURLY RATE
$0 $500
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Kristin Revere

Grand Rapids, MI

4 reviews • 200 families supported • 11 years experience

4 reviews • 200 families supported • 11 years experience

Gold Coast Doulas is the premier birth and postpartum doula agency in Grand Rapids and the Lakeshore communities. The firm was established in 2015 and is a certified B Corporation. We are fully insured and our team is certified.

Care philosophy

Judgment-free support from conception through the first year. Background checked, Certified, Insured.

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon,
  • Rockford, Ada, East Grand Rapids, Zeeland, Cascade
  • Ludington, Pentwater, Saugatuck, Fremont, Cadillac

Reviews

  • Kristin
    October 11, 2023 at 7:44 pm

    Thanks, Mary. I loved working with you.

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Rebekah Franklin

Grand Rapids, MI

15 reviews • 50 families supported • 5 years experience

15 reviews • 50 families supported • 5 years experience

Long before I discovered my passion for birth work I had a desire to help others and graduated college with a degree in Psychology. I spent years working as a nursing assistant in a psychiatric hospital where I received extensive trainings on trauma-informed care and crisis interventions. I then moved on to working in Hospice where I helped patients and families navigate end of life decisions and comfort care. So when did I decide to become a doula? Well, when my doula changed my birthing experience for the better - I knew I wanted to do the the same for others. I started studying all things labor and birth in 2016 and absolutely LOVE sharing my gifts and professional skill sets in this space. As an evidence-based professional I make sure to bring you the most up-to-date research to help guide and support your best birth! There's one more thing you should know about me; I'm also a certified Pilates Instructor! Which means, I bring functional anatomy and pelvic floor expertise to your birthing experience. Yes! You MUST move your body and your pelvis when you're laboring your baby. With over a decade of teaching experience, I will help you understand how movement, breath, and pelvic floor muscles contribute to the outcomes of your labor and birth. Together we prepare, practice, and persist!

Care philosophy

-I believe in keeping my clients informed and empowered every step of the way. -I believe practice makes preparation for labor and birth -I believe birth is an exciting and normal, physiological process. -I believe your hard work will pay off to get you the birth you want. -Birth is not a medical emergency and should not be treated as such. Consultations are FREE, let’s chat!

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids and surrounding communities

Reviews

  • Courtney
    March 26, 2023 at 2:51 am | Client review

    Rebekah is an amazing doula and person! I knew I wanted a doula for my first born, and the stars aligned when we found her. We had no idea about the birthing process, and it was through her pre-birth classes and mentorship, we felt ready when the time came. What my husband and I did not expect, was that we’d be in labor 3 weeks early. Rebekah was there with us for it all. I wanted a natural birth, so I was in active labor for 72 hours trying everything I could to make that happen, and Rebekah was by my side coaching and supporting both my husband and I the whole time. My birthplan had many changes along the way as my body had other plans, so a lot of decisions were constantly needed to make for the next steps. Rebekah was the calm for us during these times, and her wisdom, kindness, and expertise helped guide us along the way. Our son ended up being born via C-Section, and Rebekah changed roles for a bit to be our photographer during the surgery. We now have the most beautiful birth photos we never would have had without her. As soon as our son was born and we were in the recovery room, Rebekah jumped back into her role of Doula, and helped me (a very exhausted new mama) breast feed for the first time while making those moments so powerful and beautiful. It’s a big decision to choose who you want to be with you as your child enters the world, and we guarantee you will not regret having Rebekah be that person for you!!

$ flexible
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Alaina Bierema

Grand Rapids, MI

0 reviews • 30 families supported • 2 years experience

0 reviews • 30 families supported • 2 years experience

I love and celebrate all things birth! I'm passionate about researching and gaining education on evidence based information & practices for pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. I am a Certified Gentlebirth Educator, a BEST Certified Doula, a StillBirthday Certified Doula, as well as a Community Breastfeeding Educator. I am also trained through DONA! ​

Care philosophy

I firmly believe in the power of knowledge. The more you know about your body and birth, the less you have to fear. With this, you are empowered through education, knowledge, and preparation. I am also passionate about your body! I use my endless love and knowledge of Human Anatomy and Physiology to help you prepare and support your body for birth, no matter what kind of birth you are planning!

Areas served

  • Grand Rapids
  • West Michigan
$ flexible
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Ashley Korff

Lowell, MI

4 reviews • 4 families supported • 1 years experience

4 reviews • 4 families supported • 1 years experience

Hello! Im Ashley! My goal is to serve and empower women through pregnancy and childbirth! During these very important moments in your life, I strive to create the most positive experience for you, your partner, and your baby!

Care philosophy

My mission is to support women through all stages of pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum. You will be my priority and I will support you through the birth that you desire. I will support you in your choices and decisions.

Areas served

  • Lowell
  • Grand Rapids
  • Ada
  • Ionia
  • Lansing
  • Rockford
  • Michigan

Reviews

  • Tara
    October 7, 2022 at 2:16 pm | Client review

    Ashley is amazing! She was so helpful throughout pregnancy and especially during and after labor. I don’t think I would have made it through such a long labor without her. She is prepared for anything, so knowledgeable, kind, focused, and encouraging!

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Jessi Heins

Holland, MI

0 reviews • 22 families supported • 3 years experience

0 reviews • 22 families supported • 3 years experience

I want to support you and your support person or birthing partner in the decisions that you decide to make. No matter what. I maintain an unbiased person in the room while also providing your evidence based information. I also work with you to help keep labor moving or encourage you to rest when you need it.

Care philosophy

I strive to care for families as they transition into a family with new members. My goal is to support you in the birth that you desire. I provide emotional, physical and education support through pregnancy and delivery.

Areas served

  • Holland
  • muskegon
  • Grand Rapids

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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI, 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI is $185 per hour based on a survey of 120 lactation specialists in the Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI. 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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 Kalamazoo, MI. 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 Kalamazoo, MI 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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