A lactation appointment at The Breastfeeding Center office(s) is a supportive session designed to address your concerns and guide you through your breastfeeding journey. Many families visit us during their early days with a newborn.

Your Visit

Upon arrival, our admin team will greet you and confirm insurance details.
Your consultant will escort you to a clean, comfortable room equipped with nursing chairs, nursing pillows, and necessary supplies.

Initial Assessment

Your IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) will begin by reviewing your intake forms that you completed prior to the appointment, feeding history, and breastfeeding goals. They’ll discuss:

Your baby’s birth weight and feeding patterns
Diaper counts and stool changes
Any specific questions or concerns you have

Weighted Feeds

Your baby will be undressed to a diaper for weighing, which may occur multiple times to monitor milk intake. Using precise scales, we measure weight changes before and after feeding to determine how much milk your baby is consuming. We offer scale rentals for home use if needed.

Comprehensive Evaluation

Your consultant will assess your situation and address specific concerns based on your individual needs. Here are just a few:

Latch & Positioning: Improve comfort, milk transfer, and explore positions that work for you and your baby.

Breast Exam: Address nipple pain, discomfort, or damage with targeted strategies.
Oral Assessment: Evaluate your baby’s tongue, palate, and sucking coordination; referrals provided as needed.

Ongoing Support

We partner with primary care providers to holistically address nursing challenges and provide continuous support from pregnancy through weaning. After your visit, you’ll receive access to session notes through your Jane portal, and a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to monitor your progress.

Common Concerns We Address

Weight gain issues | Bottle or breast refusal | Latching challenges

Tongue/lip ties | Low milk supply | Nipple pain | Pumping support

Mastitis/plugged ducts | Allergies/sensitivities | Returning to work

Starting solids | Weaning | NICU/premature babies | Multiples

+ more

Our team looks forward to supporting you. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our admin team at 202.293.5182

by Angel Yarbor-Escate, Program Coordinator | Blog Manager | CBS | MBA CANDIDATE

Angel has been with The Center since 2019. At the Breastfeeding Center, you can find her creating content for our blog, ensuring the care of our clients, and maintaining programing for longevity of The Center. She’s a Full Spectrum Doula with a focus on Postpartum, a Breastfeeding Specialist and a graduate student. Outside of the office her favorite pastimes include a bit of nature, a good book, or spending time with her beloved family!

What to Expect During Your Lactation Consultation at The Breastfeeding Center