Throughout my pregnancy I've been wanting to visit a lactation consultant. Unfortunately, when I…read morecontacted my insurance provider a few months ago, there was literally ONE lactation consultant that they would cover. How is it possible in the city of Chicago and it's environs that BCBSIL will provide coverage for a single lactation specialist? Somehow I got a tip about Melissa, for which I'm so thankful. She works with an organization called The Lactation Network and through them I am able to get BCBS to cover appointments with her. She offers prenatal appointments, which is what I particularly wanted though I plan to visit her after birth as well. Luckily, with the Lactation Network, I believe I can visit her six times with insurance coverage. I can sometimes beat myself up about things... and that is why I wanted to see a lactation consultant before breastfeeding. I wanted to know what to expect, and what "normal" looks like for breastfeeding, so that I knew what to look out for and to not feel like a failure. Melissa walked me through what early days of breastfeeding look like. For example, I didn't realize that in the first few days babies only eat about a teaspoon of colostrum per feeding (I know I would have thought this was too little, and a problem on my end!). She also explained that about four ounces per feeding is about all a baby will need at any point, and that they work up to eating that much over the first few weeks of life. She showed me the basics of hand expressing, and gave me supplies to express before I enter the hospital if I'd like to take it with me there just in case there's any difficulties breastfeeding whilst there. We also went over infant hunger cues, which was incredibly helpful, and a couple of good positions for feeding. We discussed options for breast pumps, which was very helpful because I didn't really have any idea what I should be looking for in one and now I think I know which one I'll get. She helped me determine what size flange is going to be best for me (I would have been way off; it's smaller than what usually comes with it and I wouldn't have known the difference). She also explained some of the pros and cons of different bottles and nipples and how the shape and flow of different ones might impact nipple preference. She also shared that the pacifier you choose could impact success in breastfeeding to some extent, as the orthodontic ones that are a bit more flat cause the baby to change the shape and motion of their mouth which can make breastfeeding difficult and painful. Very helpful since I made adjustments to my registry when I got home to account for what I learned. She has lots of props to aid in practice of technique, infant holding, and so on. She also works with a milk bank and can help set you up to donate excess milk or, if you need to purchase, she can do that too. Her office is located in a pretty boring, nondescript building that looks like a banquet hall so don't miss it. Her space is warm and lovely, though! When you enter the parking lot you'll go to the back and enter there rather than from the front, where there's little parking (plenty in back, though). I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Melissa. I left my appointment thinking about how I could become a lactation consultant, which is something I did consider when I was an undergraduate but didn't pursue. But the opportunity to be of help to women who need it is a calling that I'm glad Melissa answered. She has some Saturday appointments as well which I appreciate so much. I would HIGHLY encourage any soon-to-be breast/chestfeeding parent to visit her, even if your insurance won't cover it; having been there, I know now that it would have been worth it paying out of pocket to meet with her because it was so valuable. Prenatal consultation will help give you the confidence you need to do something that no one teaches you, but you're expected to just naturally know how to do. You might be saved from lots of tears, fussy baby, or simply learn things that will make the whole experience of breastfeeding that second-nature thing that so many seem to think it is. #1400

Melissa is so good at what she does! She helped my 7 week old daughter post tongue, buccal, and lip…read moretie release with weekly bodywork. My daughter was so stiff and colicky and she literally helped change my baby into a smiley happy baby. She was a very bright light in a very dark time in my life. I highly recommend her for all feeding issues and bodywork for your little one!

My family recently reached out to Lactation Partners seeking urgent breastfeeding support for our…read morenewborn twins during a difficult postpartum moment. We live on the South Side of Chicago, near South loop and were hoping to schedule a consultation. The response we received stated that they "do not travel to our location in any case" and that their schedule was booked for the next two weeks. While I understand providers have service limits and busy schedules, the wording felt abrupt and lacking empathy given the circumstances. It was also confusing because Yelp's service map suggests coverage across Chicago, which gave us the impression South Side families were included. "South Chicago" is a large and diverse part of the city with many middle-class families simply looking for postpartum support. I'm sharing this so other South Side parents know this provider may not service this area when urgently searching for help. I hope the practice considers clarifying their service area and responding to families with more compassion during vulnerable moments.

If I could give Lactation Partners and Joan Kessler 10/10 stars, I would!!!…read more There are so many aspects of postpartum that are new, overwhelming and intense, all at the same time. Joan is an incredible expert in her field, kind, precise, beyond helpful and the ultimate professional. From the moment she walked in to our home, she swiftly addressed our concerns/hurdles and assessed the situation with swift precision and a targeted plan, allowing us to support our baby in the best and most immediate way possible. She continued to follow up with detailed phone conversations and tips to support our family and came for a follow up visit to ensure we were on the right track. I feel very lucky and grateful to have had the chance to work with Joan - she is truly a phenomenal resource who cares, is dedicated to those the works with and really knows her stuff in and out. :)

Jane is great at helping navigate your breastfeeding journey. She supported me as a first time mom…read morenavigate low supply, helping my baby gain weight, and generally be more comfortable breastfeeding. I can't recommend her enough!

Jane is so wonderful at what she does and allows you to give yourself grace as a first time and…read morebreastfeeding mama. I went to see Jane for a second opinion after several coworkers had recommended her as my first lactation consultant was just not helpful at all. Jane was supportive and attentive, and I just felt so at peace.

Laura changed our lives and we're so thankful for her help! She's an expert in breastfeeding and…read moreshe cares about the health and well-being of babies and mommas too! A little backstory: Before seeing Laura, I saw a lactation consultant (LC) at my baby's former pediatrician's office. I was having severe pain in my nipples for 13 weeks after each feeding and dreaded each one. The baby would spend an hour at the breast and would cry when I took her off, never satiated. I brought up questions to my pediatrician and lactation consultant on numerous occasions: Does my baby have a tongue tie? Why does it hurt so bad when she feeds? Why are her feedings so long? What cues should I look for in a baby who is getting enough milk? Long answer short, I didn't get answers for those questions and I was pushed in the direction of formula. Not that there is anything wrong with using formula, I was just passionate about trying to breastfeed my baby because I was interested in the natural antibodies and nutritional benefits of breastmilk. Reasons you should contact Laura: I finally did some research and realized I needed to be seen by an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). I had no idea there was a difference between a LC and an IBCLC, but there definitely is one. I came across Laura's name and gave her a call, she was quick to respond and was able to make a home visit the following day. She had a thorough questionnaire to get my full history, and she truly listened to the problems I was having and gave me some helpful information to prepare for her visit. Within minutes of her visit she identified that my baby had a lip and tongue tie. It was the biggest relief to find out that all the issues I was having with breastfeeding were real and that there was help for them. Laura's help didn't end there, she helped me with breastfeeding positions, with the baby's latch, completed a weighted feed, gave me suggestions for supplements to help increase my milk production, taught me how to do paced bottle feeds, helped me understand the importance of natural remedies, allowed me to have an open, honest conversation on all the questions I had as a new mom, and pointed me in the direction of other health care providers that could help with the tongue tie release and after care. She followed through with checkups- asking about the baby and me after the release and continued to show that she cared. I think the most important thing Laura did for me was to reassure and encourage me to listen to my intuition as a new mom. Being a new mom can be scary but there is also something innate in us to know when things are wrong with our babies and our bodies- like that saying- mom knows best! Laura was there to root me on and provide me with the tools to do better and helped me achieve my goals for breastfeeding. I only wished that I would have called her sooner! Thank you Laura!

I saw Laura as a second opinion IBCLC earlier this year. She identified my son's tongue tie, and…read morerecommended the Dentist (Dentistry for Kids) to get it revised. That alone saved our breast feeding journey. The rest of Laura's services were fine, but she offered no further information than I already knew and didn't have many suggestions in the way of increasing my supply. Like other reviews highlight, it's hard to pick apart the good advice from the not-so-helpful.

Barbara is absolutely incredible! She comes to your house and is professional, caring, informative,…read morepatient, and kind. I would have been lost navigating the world of breast feeding without her guidance. Can't recommend her enough!

Barbara was very helpful both during my newborn visits and during a consultation at 8 months. More…read morethan anything she helped me feel confident that my daughter was eating well and that I was doing a good job nursing. At 8 months I began experiencing pain after biting and Barbara guided me through that as well. Very happy she was the person recommended by our pediatrician's s office!

I am so thankful and blessed to have met Leah. Leah was my doula in August 2021 when I had my son &…read moreagain in March 2025 when I had my daughter. I can't recommend Leah enough, from the beginning she was a great support for me and my husband and always went above and beyond with all my questions. Leah's attention to detail made our entire pregnancy, birth and postpartum process so calm & peaceful. During both births she was with me every step of the way, very hands on and helped me into different positions to encourage labor. Leah's warmth and compassion made me feel so supportive during labor. Highly recommend Leah... I couldn't have done it without her. Thank you Leah for everything

I cannot recommend Leah more highly! She has been my doula for both pregnancies and provided…read moreoutstanding support for the pregnancies and births. My children are now 5 and 3, and I still see Leah regularly for massage therapy and body work. Her prenatal, postpartum, and non-pregnancy related massage therapies are incredible. She's also skilled in body work- helping me release tension and energy my body has held on to for too long. Leah has been such support for me and my family as we've transitioned into parenthood. I truly don't know where we'd be without her!!

Sarah was so amazing! She came to my home a week after I delivered and explained EVERYTHING to me…read more It's frustrating and infuriating as a new mom to find out that no one is there to teach you how to do any of this! So when I found Sarah through the lactation network, she was a god send! Sarah not only taught me everything but followed up with me, checked in on me AND answered my crazy texts when I forgot my pump at home and was dealing with engorged breasts at work! I highly recommend her services! Thank you Sarah!!

I could not be more grateful to have had Sarah as my lactation consultant - she is simply…read moreexcellence and what she does and made me "feel home" everytime we met. Her personalized care was essential on my feeding and motherhood journey - in each and every session I had the opportunity to learn something new that would enhance my confidence, knowledge and my daughters health. It was amazing having her support and I miss our sessions - thank you Sarah for everything! Carla Tovar - Chicago IL

I debated whether or not to share this experience, but ultimately decided to do so in hopes it…read morehelps other mothers--whether you're new, experienced, or somewhere in between--navigate their breastfeeding support options. I contacted this practice to request an **in-person** consultation. The first question I was asked was not my name or concern, but rather, "What insurance do you have?" I was then informed that **all initial consultations are conducted virtually**. Despite expressing multiple times that I was only comfortable with an in-person visit, I was repeatedly told to proceed with scheduling a virtual appointment and to check with my insurance about coverage. After setting an appointment, I again inquired about the earliest possible date for an in-person follow-up. I was told that most clients don't need in-person visits and that one might be possible the following week if they decided it was warranted. I felt dismissed and somewhat embarrassed for asking--despite my request being both personal and reasonable. For many, myself included, the idea of being partially undressed on a Zoom call is deeply uncomfortable, especially when discussing something as sensitive as breastfeeding. I also had concerns that a virtual visit might rely too heavily on generic recommendations, many of which I've already tried. Lactation consultants need to be present to help the mom maneuver their breast. This is supposed to be (to the extent a mother wants this) a hands-on experience. When I decided to cancel my appointment, **only then** was I offered an in-person visit the very next day. At that point, I no longer felt confident that this provider would prioritize or listen to my individual needs, so I chose to seek care elsewhere. While I do believe this practice could be a helpful resource for others, my personal experience fell short. From the initial focus on insurance over care, to the lack of flexibility or empathy regarding my comfort and preferences, it became clear this was not the right fit for me. I'm seeking support from someone who genuinely wants to help me meet my breastfeeding goals--not someone who sees me as just another appointment on the schedule.

I hesitate to write this review as I usually like to say nice things about people (particularly…read moresmall businesses), but I feel as though even though it's been two+ years, I have to get this off of my chest. Reading similar reviews has been validating to my experiences, and I hope to bring similar feelings to other women. I was paired with Melissa through my insurance and she seemed like she'd be a nice fit. The ladies in my doula group had nice things to say about her and she had very positive online reviews, so I was optimistic. We had an intake session by phone a few weeks before my baby was born and she seemed nice enough, I was still optimistic. Unfortunately, when my baby showed up it was a different story. I delivered on a Friday so the lactation consultant at the hospital wasn't there for the weekend and I was having a bit of trouble figuring out techniques etc. After a few days, my baby started to drop weight and I was absolutely terrified. I contacted Melissa hoping she could help us, but instead all I received was a dismissive response (via text) stating that she could only see us in person several weeks into the future and the only appts that she had available more immediately were online. Not very helpful in a moment like that. I felt like my baby and I didn't matter to her at all - that we were just boxes on her to do list to be checked off when she felt like it. It was very hurtful. Fortunately, our maintenance man happened to be in our apartment fixing the heat and gave us some helpful tips from what he learned from his wife and their four kids that helped us get through the night (pleasant surprises in life :)). The following day, our pediatrician really showed up for us and luckily had a lactation nurse on staff whom saw us in person ASAP and it all worked out in the long run. I don't write this review to be mean, but once again rather to validate women who might have had similar experiences or may have them in the future. This seems much more important to write a review about than a mediocre restaurant. I'm glad to hear so many women have had positive experiences with Melissa, I just wish we were one of them. As I've seen Melissa write in response to similar reviews, we wish her the best.

A friend referred me to Vida Doula -- she said she couldn't imagine Stephanie not being at my…read morebirth. And my friend was right. Stephanie brought warmth, humor, professionalism, sacred wisdom, and buckets of love to her role. Not to mention the amazing smell of pozole cooking in the kitchen while I labored in the living room! That was a life-saver for a few days postpartum. We need more doulas like Stephanie in this city! I would recommend her to anyone, especially someone craving a crunchy, earthy, beautiful presence at this important moment.

Vida Doula Services not only caters to a holistic and inclusive experience, but Stephanie's range…read moreof experience, skills, and honoring traditions that are NOT the case in a hospital setting. Having a Doula that is also bilingual AND using a harm reduction is pretty much as good as it gets. Even if you're ensure about what direction you're leading towards in terms of delivery and prenatal care - just speaking to Stephanie about the concerns and variety of options feels really reassuring. I highly recommend Vida Doula, if this is a route you are considering.