What we cover during your visits

This page describes the various types of topics covered within your consultations. Each consultation is different depending on the situation and your goals. Multiple topics can be covered during each visit. The Initial Consultation is your first visit, not matter what we cover. The Follow Up Consultation is any subsequent visit, not matter what we cover. The topics covered in each visit will vary according to your situation and needs. Most clients have multiple visits as needed throughout their

Prenatal Feeding Prep Consultation

Private consultation/class to discuss any questions or concerns & to prepare for getting off to the right start with breastfeeding. Have all of your questions answered in this private setting.  We also discuss the common care plans that are recommended to families that can derail breastfeeding. Evenings & weekends available upon request. For an appointment outside of business hours contact Dana the LC directly by phone, text, email

Weight check for baby

I check the baby's weight at the majority of visits. The weight history and assessments provide a wealth of information for me. If there is any breastfeeding complication, getting a weight check is the first step for a full assessment. Weight gain is tied to daily intake of milk volume in my experience.

Weighted Feeding Assessment

If baby is latching or trying to latch, measuring the amount of milk the baby gets from breastfeeding session is done at most visits, but not all, depending where you are with your journey. We weigh the baby, feed baby at breast, then re-weigh to see how much milk the baby is able to transfer. The amount that baby can transfer will depend on the latch ability, effectiveness AND the amount of milk AVAILABLE for the baby. The amount of milk available is an important factor in this assessment. Some

Latch Assessment

If you are breastfeeding at breast, a latch assessment can but done at your visit(s). Some clients want to simply have a check in on a good latch. Other clients may be experiencing extreme difficult latching issue and need intervention. Some babies may not even be latching when then come in but we can work on that during your visits. This picture is of Dana latching her prop doll Autumn!

Therapeutic Breast Massage Engorgement/Plugs/Mastitis!

I start teaching therapeutic breast massage as early as prenatal consults. The skills are used for hand expression to help with getting milk to come in, treating engorgement when a hearty supply comes in, helping with plugs. This technique can also help avoid plugs and mastitis. Engorgement, plugs, and mastitis can also be caused by- too much pumping, improper pump settings/flanges, crappy latches....so your consult will assess EVERYTHING! so we can, hopefully, get to the root cause.

The Numbers! breast, bottle, pumping, timing

I come from the art of breastfeeding...starting with my own children and as a breastfeeding counselor, but now I work with the big issues. There is a number behind feeding and weight gain. "Hey, it just works out!" When it's not working out or you need to know how much a baby needs/wants to drink...I'm good with The Numbers! I loved algebra in school and am actually using my algebra skills! I have watched babies and my scale for 15 years and I pay attention to baby behaviors and the numbers.

Low Supply Assessment & Management

I see a significant amount of low supply. Milk is supposed to "come in" and meet the baby's needs. Sometimes it "comes in" but does not meet the baby's needs. This may be a short term or long term issue. This can get very confusing and very emotionally draining for families. Most care plans end up in "triple feeding" which is not going to solve any issues and can be detrimental. I assess supply/ latch/ pump and will give you the numbers and a management plan. Low supply is not a quick fix, it ca

Supplement Management as Needed or Wanted

My assessments will determine if you baby will need a supplement (breastmilk/donor milk/ formula). My highest priorities are making sure the baby (or babies) are getting enough food and your care plan to make this happen is manageable. This is where the numbers come in...I will be able to hone in on the proper numbers and remove the "guessing game". The numbers can change over time so the care plan will need to be adjusted frequently.

Ties and TOT's (tethered oral tissue) assessment

Oral ties and tethered oral tissue can also be examined during your visit. We will discuss if the baby needs an intervention and discuss the types of intervention available. If the baby is latching this will be part of the tie/oral tissue assessment, at breast or at bottle.

TummyTime! Method

TummyTime! Method is a therapeutic intervention made for MANY reasons. I use this method to wake babies up, calm babies down, help with latch, help with reflux, help with gas, help with head turning preferences, help with tightness. Maybe everything is fine but you just need to know how to have a pleasurable experience with your belly sessions! I have taken five trainings with the creator of TummyTime! Method.

Comprehensive Flange Fittings

Dana the LC offers comprehensive flange fittings to maximize comfort and output. I have found the measuring tool does not give a full picture of flange sizing. The shape of the flange AND the type of pump also matter. I use a wide variety of shapes and sizes during a pump session on my Spectra pump. You will be able to feel and decide what type of flange is best for you. Round, oblong, horn, silicone inserts. Each type also feels different, not just the size.

General Pump Assessment - my pump or yours...

We can evaluate your pump, settings, effectiveness, flanges etc during one of your consultations. We can assess your pump or you can try out the office Spectra pump as a comparison to evaluated if a different pump will be a better fit. Dana carries extra Spectra pumps to send home in cases where a better pump is critical.

Exclusive Pumping Schedule

If you need or want to pump exclusively, we will create a manageable schedule to maximize your supply. Guess what? I will not tell you to pump every 2 hours around the clock, not even every 3 hours around the clock! More pumping does not always yield more milk! Sometimes more is less. I will assess your milk supply volume, type of pump, pump settings (matter), flanges, your daily routines, and create a manageable plan which will include getting sleep.

Back to Work Planning

During a back-to-work consultation, we will collaborate to come up with an individualized pumping and feeding plan. The plan is customized for you individual situation. If pumping will be maintained, we create a pumping schedule and a separate feeding schedule for the baby (they do not need to be the same times). We also discuss long terms plans and when to reach back out for follow up.

Bottle Refusal - or how to avoid refusal

I work with many babies that are refusing bottles. If I work with a family early on - even when things are going well with feeding/bottles.... I can in many cases help a family AVOID bottle refusal. Sometimes I see a family for the first time because breastfeeding was going well, but the baby is refusing bottle. This is why having an LC in the loop can help even when there are now issues. Bottle refusal is tricky and I may not have a quick fix, but I will be here to help guide you and support yo

Solids intro & management

The first year is a feeding frenzy! Figuring out breast and bottle feeding, then possible back to work, then wait...how do I add solids to all of this? How much how often? How do I keep my breast milk going with all this food? Food under one is not just for fun in all cases. This management can get confusing - even for me at times - but we work together to collaborating and find a balance with your long term goals in mind.

Weaning...whenever that may be

I'm here to help with weaning whenever that may be. Some breastfeeding situations are extremely complicated from the start and clients must make some tough decisions early on. Some clients have specific length of time goals. I follow some clients through the first year then help with the process all along the way. Some clients are calling to wean their toddlers! Whatever your journey, weaning is part of the process and I am here to guide you.