Sejal is the absolute best lactation consultant I've ever encountered. My case was so complex and had seen other lactation consultants and spent hundreds of dollars in the process with them and had no results. Time was of the essence as my milk supply dwindled and depleted to about .5 ounces a day from 20-30 oz a day! I need help desperately. I happen to cross beyond Birth online and I took a chance and was paired with Sejal. She listened intently, assist carefully, took time and care but worked efficiently and quickly. My results were immediate she troubleshooted until everything was just right. And because of her I am eight months postpartum and still breast-feeding my baby exclusively! My case was very intricate and she handled it with ease! She is the lactation whisperer! Forever grateful. I will be telling everyone I know about her. I also had the privilege of working with Leslie who just like Sejal was so intuitive. From checking in to see what I was doing and going along to supplementation's that would help me to informative videos on how to. She was pivotal and helping me in a later issue I had after working with Sejal. I was able to get on a call with her immediately after reaching out to their establishment and as before when working with Sejal, my results were immediate like only hours later immediate! These women are just unreal! Beyond Birth Lactation is the truth! read more

Beyond Birth Lactation Services has been a postpartum blessing on my lactation journey after having my second baby. Leslie and her team (Mattea, Lorraine, and Monique) are all truly impeccable people. You can tell they sincerely love what they do, are extremely attentive, and genuinely want to help you meet your lactation goals. Whether it be for breastfeeding or pumping, preventing clogged ducts, reducing/increasing your supply, identifying tongue/lip ties etc., the team will work with you on where you are, and to help you get to where you need to be. I have literally had an appointment with every single team member, and I can attest that they are all amazing no matter who you see. I have seen Mattea and Leslie immediately postpartum for breast flange sizing, clogged ducts, and prevention of mastitis. Not only did they treat me, but they also gave me educational videos to help with lymphatic massage and breast gymnastics to help my milk flow. Having the correct flange size after having my second child has also truly made a difference. Prior to coming here, I had seen 2 other lactation consultants that had sized me at a 36 mm (with my first son) and a 28 mm (while I was pregnant with my 2nd) when I am actually a 17mm. Although the body changes and so can your flange size, having the correct has been a total game changer with pain and milk production. I've also seen Lorraine for follow up with positioning and learning about laid back breastfeeding. The team has also helped me read my baby's cues while breastfeeding as he grows. I've also learned how to breastfeeding while in a ring sling carrier which has been a life saver around the house. The facility is located in Durham in the Madison Centre and has plenty of parking. The suite is very warm and welcoming (tea and water and small snacks available) to both parent(s) and baby. Each lactation consultant has a comfy office equipped with furniture to assist with breastfeeding postures (sitting/reclined/side lying) and pillows to help prop baby or parent be comfortable. Something I absolutely love is that you can schedule everything by text and email confirmation. I was able to have appointments virtually and in the office. read more

There is not enough room here to adequately express what a gift Leslie has been. As a first time mom, the learning curve is and has been steep. Breastfeeding was a given for us, however the journey has come with challenges I wouldn't have known to expect. Each step of the way, Leslie has been with us, not only with an abundance of knowledge and expertise, but also with a warmth and demeanor that is magnetic. I have pledged my allegiance to her wisdom and guidance for my son and he is the best thing I've ever done. read more

Beyond Birth Lactation Services - One of the many helpful things Leslie has taught us! - Lactation Services Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Leslie does a really great job as a lactation consultant. She is very patient with you, listens to what you have to say, and very helpful in between appointments. She welcomes youinto text her any questions anytime and is very prompt in getting back to you. I am having a difficult time with breast-feeding still and continue to go see her and she is open to trying new things each time and offers good advice. I have appreciated the recommendation to see her. read more

I wanted to leave a review for Leslie because if anyone is seeing this I want them to have a more recent review than the previous one! Leslie is the reason I am breastfeeding. I went to her with no ability to latch my son and within the first meeting she helped me make huge progress. I went to her defeated, down, and basically ready to start formula feeding despite wanting to breastfeed. Working with Leslie week by week helped me find positions, helped me with my supply and over all my mood. I saw my son gain weight and it was a great feeling to know the hard work was paying off. Leslie texted me to follow up and even FaceTimed me at night to help me problem solve. I would recommend her to anyone needing Lactation services. read more

After the birth of my first child, I felt completely lost when it came to nursing. The lactation consultants that I saw at the hospital were not very helpful, and after I got home, I had a serious issue with engorgement and getting a proper latch. I found Leslie through Yelp and gave her a call. She was able to come to my house the very next day (oh my goodness, so appreciated during those first few days with baby), AND she accepted my insurance. I don't know what I would have done without her assistance. She helped with my son's latch, showed me different nursing positions, gave me invaluable tips for healing my cracked nipples, and used a scale to help show how much milk my son was actually getting (that did wonders for calming my anxiety). I cannot stress enough how much of a difference she made. I am still nursing my son 8 months later because I got her help early on. I would recommend Leslie to any mom who needs lactation support. I am so grateful that my insurance covered her services 100%, but even if they hadn't, it would have been worth every penny. read more

Leslie your service, support and guidance has been invaluable. As an older black woman hoping to nurse through year one, there wasn't as much experiential support in my family and community as I'd hoped there'd be so when I continually ran into trouble spots with nursing I sought help from several doctors and lactation specialists. Most were somewhat helpful, but I have to say that you were the one that really made the difference. I came to you in pain and almost defeated. I was out of town and called you based on a referral for another specialist that I found on the web. She said she wasn't doing in-person visits (understandably so b/c it was June 2020 in the middle of Covid) but she empathized with my situation and told me that she knew a well respected specialist that she thought could help. She gave me your info and I called you on a Friday morning begging for help. Thanks to your understanding and moving some things around to see me, I was in your office less than 3 hours later. I was so much pain. At that appointment you made me and my husband feel so comfortable and you listened - both the former and latter are such simple but critical necessities for helping someone. You taught me how to nurse to clear blocks and reduce pain and you taught me, using a hands-on approach, how to hand express. I'd watched videos and had a brief hands-on lesson when I delivered my baby but had never been successful with hand expression until that day. Being able to hand express has since become such a vital part of my nursing and clearing forming milk blebs. I cannot thank you enough. My situation was challenging - months of milk blebs, two bouts of mastitis, an abscess, ultrasounds and finally surgical removal of an infected abscess.... I almost gave up. Fortunately you were there checking in with me by text and email. Answering all my crazy questions, allowing me to vent by text/email and providing so many helpful suggestions (Brest massages, stretching...) and guidance (written, virtual consults and videos)...I was able to make it through. I am happy to report that my daughter is 7 months and despite a very rough 4 months of nursing, we are doing quite well. Because of your support, I was able to see my goal to fruition. Oh and I also loved all the non-nursing baby advice you included in your consult follow-ups about baby's tummy time etc. I would not hesitate to use your services again or to refer you to a friend. Thank you seems so inadequate for what you did for my family. But for lack of a better word... we are so thankful... grateful... blessed...& happy you were there for us. :-) read more

I worked with Leslie Stern of Beyond Birth Lactation and she was super helpful and caring and helped me feel more confident and comfortable with nursing and lets me text her with random questions as needed. She doess home visits and lives in Durham but will go anywhere in the triangle area. Her tips made pumping go from painful to bearable and helped me increase my milk supply. read more

Just sit back and "re-latch" with Leslie. :) I had a great experience when she came to my rescue. She showed me proper alignment and latch and helped give me the confidence to try laid back and side lying nursing positions. She knows her stuff! She comes to your home which is invaluable during the first weeks after delivery. She helped me with pumping issues as well and can supply "Pumpin Pals" flanges which are way better than the ones that come with most pumps. Oh, and she accepts insurance. I highly recommend if you are having any kind of breastfeeding issues! You will be pumped afterward and won't be let down (ok I know I was milking it but I'm done with my breastfeeding jokes) read more

An amazing lactation consultant. My wife and I are first time parents, and we had lots of issues, questions, and lack of confidence. Leslie answered all of our questions, helped my wife with everything we needed help with, and helped make breastfeeding an amazing experience! Thanks Leslie! read more

Leslie is fantastic. Every expecting mother should have her number on hand. I successfully breastfed my first child and thought I knew everything I needed to know about breastfeeding when I was pregnant with my second. Once she was born and we were home from the hospital, I knew that something wasn't quite right with her latch. I kept working on it but, wasn't able to get it right. Then, when we went for her 1 month checkup, she hadn't gained as much weight as she should have. I was panicked and went to a LLL meeting for help. It was there that a meeting leader suggested Leslie. Leslie came to my house a few days later and spent a lot of time watching me nurse and helping with the latch and making really good, thoughtful suggestions. She took her time with us and she was wonderful. She gave me some suggestions and also said that she thought the baby may be tongue tied. Lactation consultants in the hospital and the baby's pediatrician never noticed this or mentioned the possibility. We were scheduled to go back for another weight check in a week so Leslie recommended two ENTs and even called and made an appointment for me while still at my house. The ENT saw us the very next day and confirmed that the baby was tongue tied. Once she was clipped (Leslie was right - not traumatic at all), nursing was much better. At the next weigh in, the baby had gained plenty of weight and she hasn't stopped gaining since. Leslie followed up with me multiple times in the week after our visit and I could tell that she genuinely cared and was invested in seeing me succeed. Nursing can be hard and new moms can be fully of worry for their baby and doubt in their ability to successfully breastfeed. Leslie helped me remain calm, put the doctor's concerns in perspective, and she gave me the tools I needed to confidently breastfeed my baby. Her help was priceless!!! read more

Leslie is an awesome lactation consultant. I had many challenges in the first few months of breastfeeding (lots of pain, tongue tie, scar tissue...) and she showed not just a very professional insight (not to mention her wide experience in working with moms and babies as a nurse and midwife), but amazing emotional support for myself as well. She was very thoughtful and sincerely interested in helping me out, and really worked towards the best for my baby and for me. She was always there for me, when I was down, or when I had both quick and long questions about our daily progress. I am truly grateful and honored to know her. She has become more than a lactation consultant to me (not to say that she also does super fun fairy hair)! Now my baby is 9 months old, and thanks in part to Leslie, I can say that we are both happily still breastfeeding! Thank you so much for everything Leslie! read more

I used Leslie with my first child and most recently, my second child. Within an hour, Leslie made me feel more confident in my capabilities to breastfeed and actually has made it enjoyable. Something that could have been a very stressful situation has turned into something so beautiful and special and has created an indescribable bond between baby and me. read more

I am now 5 months PP and my breastfeeding experience is incredible, and I owe all of my success to Leslie. At just 2 weeks PP I was struggling with so much anxiety and doubt as a new mom, supply issues, and what we would later find out to be lip and tongue tie issues for my son, which Leslie identified and helped us seek pediatric care for. If not for her extensive knowledge and experience, I am certain we would not be where we are today. Leslie genuinely cares about breastfeeding Moms and creating customized, manageable, solutions and goals that work for them and their baby's circumstances. Her presence is calming, she is positive, helpful, authentic, encouraging and supportive. When I felt like quitting, she helped me work through my decision without judgement, checked in on our progress often, even on weekends and outside of "work hours" because she truly cared. Fortunately I ultimately decided to continue breastfeeding and my son and I are both doing extremely well. We are SO grateful to have worked with Leslie and I would highly recommend her to any mom, but especially first time moms who need education and hands-on support about breastfeeding for the first time! read more

Leslie is a totally non judgemental down to earth easy going kind of person: I felt really comfortable around her! I would recommend her to anyone struggling or just needing some support. She has a lot of knowledge and resources! read more

Leslie was recommended to me by my doula, Erin Luben, after I found myself two weeks postpartum, exclusively nursing but in pain and close to giving up. Leslie responded almost instantly to my email and phone call requesting an appointment and we set a time to meet with her in a couple of days' time. In the interim she was completely available via phone, email, and text for the two days prior to our appointment which proved invaluable in helping me not give up while I waited to see her. (As a note, Leslie is often able to meet with clients right away, so waiting a couple of days between contacting her and seeing her is NOT the norm). As many moms have noted previously, the fact that Leslie came to the house for our appointments is invaluable to a new mom who can't even think about mobilizing herself and her newborn to get out the door for an appointment! Leslie spent time talking with me about the issues I was having and also about my goals for breastfeeding. She watched me nurse and offered a number of suggestions on positions and other tips to help my son latch better and make me more comfortable. After our first visit I was still having some problems off and on and Leslie was completely available to me whenever I texted or called with a question or concern. I cannot stress enough how available Leslie makes herself to her clients. It saved me from thinking of giving up many times. They say it takes a village to raise a child but I also believe it takes a village to help new moms succeed in breastfeeding and all things having to do with new motherhood. Leslie was such a huge part of my village in those first few months. She not only provided the support I needed to have a positive breastfeeding relationship with my son, but she also provided perspective, advice, and a shoulder to lean on when I needed it most. My son and I have been exclusively breastfeeding since his birth four months ago and I know that it never would have been possible without Leslie's help and support. I cannot recommend her highly enough. read more

Wow! I had so many on-going issues with breastfeeding where I was to the point of giving up. I worked with two other lactation consultants that werent nearly as knowledgeable and resourceful as Leslie. I struggled immensely for 3 months and within a day of Leslie's visit I was nursing my little guy and enjoying it. I wanted desperately to be successful nursing and not always having to pump; however nursing was incredibly painful. Leslie makes house calls too which is wonderful for new Moms that are already overwhelmed. It turns out that my little guy was tongue tied and needed his frenulum clipped. I was completely scared of the thought of having this procedure done on him, but Leslie referred me to a wonderful ENT doctor and my little guy was fine within minutes of having the procedure done. Leslie has many resources at her fingertips for any issues/concerns that she couldn't directly address. I also rented my breast pump from her at a much more reasonable price than the retail stores. In my eyes, Leslie is an angel, she was certainly an answer to many prayers. I am so glad I am now enjoying time with my little guy and will likely nurse for much longer than originally planned because I am not in pain. My only regret is that I didn't go to Leslie sooner. She takes her business very seriously and offers a warm, supportive approach. Thank YOU!! read more

Leslie is amazing! After an extremely painful first week breastfeeding, due to shallow latching problems and a lip tie, we called Leslie to see if she could help. By recommending different positions and bringing an aura of warmth and calm with her, she really helped us to hit reset and finally get a few nursing sessions that were pain-free. Her first house visit gave me the hope and encouragement that I needed to soldier forward during the next few rough weeks of healing and practicing, and it was wonderful to be able to text and call her with questions. I could not believe she had us nursing better within the hour. Leslie is super professional and knowledgeable. It did take weeks of patience, healing, trying, and pumping, but we gradually ramped up the amount of breastfeeding we could do, and now we are doing great. My baby has gone from fussing at the breast to nursing all the time, while getting fat and happy and climbing up the growth chart percentages. Thankfully, we were able to resolve issues just with practice and adjusting positions, using gravity and the baby's natural reflexes to help get better latches. I asked Leslie to come back to give some additional tips after I had healed enough to try some other techniques, including feeding the baby from inside a sling wrap. Leslie has provided invaluable guidance on establishing a solid and ample milk supply, healing from the early days of struggle, local and online breastfeeding resources, and great products for breastfeeding mothers, many of which she can give you a sample of or sell to you. She can also rent you just about any piece of equipment you might want. My only regret is that I wish I had met with Leslie BEFORE heading to the hospital. If I had the information about biological nursing and the laid back positions BEFORE starting to initiate breastfeeding, I'm sure I could have saved myself a lot of pain and agony. But it all has worked out, and now I wouldn't trade my breastfeeding cuddle sessions with my baby for anything. read more

I am so grateful for Leslie's knowledge on breastfeeding. She helped with positions, and helping me understand what's normal for babies so I don't worry too much. When I gave birth in the hospital and saw different lactation consultants there it was quite overwhelming because everyone had a different way of doing it. Leslie helped put the bits and pieces together of what worked best for my baby and I. Very glad we found her! read more

Leslie just left my house a little while ago and I'd have her back in a heartbeat! She was available to come by on short notice (home visits are so helpful especially in the early days and with multiple little ones!) and checked our baby's weight and latch several times. Most importantly, she provided reassurance about how he's doing and confirmed he doesn't have a lip or tongue tie, before we spent time and effort on further consults trying to remedy one. Thank you Leslie!! read more

From my wife: "Leslie was an IMMENSE help for me when breastfeeding; she is extremely knowledgeable and resourceful. Leslie was my second lactation consultant as the first one could not figure out what was happening with me and baby. Leslie was always available for appointments, emails, phone calls and text messages which is extremely helpful when you are having pain breastfeeding. Our breastfeeding problems were not the most obvious or common and Leslie continued to look for an answer. Once we figured out my issue, it was also a huge help for me to understand so I didnt feel like a failure. Leslie is very professional, supportive, positive and great at what she does. I highly recommend Leslie to anyone who wants a lactation consultant for any reason!" read more