First time initial appointments are often a little longer (~1.5hrs) as we tease out your concerns and support you with hands-on help, complete weights for your baby, as well as answer your many questions. I also offer a comprehensive oral assessment. I will leave you with  a plan and practical recommendations.

Follow up appointments are often shorter (~1hr), depending on your needs.

Prenatal readiness appointments are structured as a mini breastfeeding education class, preparing you for the basics of breastfeeding and protecting your supply in week 1. These are 1-hour in length in your home or online. Get in contact if you have questions about this.

Yes! Book an initial appointment even if you are not directly breastfeeding and need support! We can resolve any pump-related concerns such as selecting the correct flange size during an active pumping session, practice how to best use your selected pump, learn how to wash and sanitize parts, and discuss best practices for use, safe milk storage guidelines, and more!

Yes, it is encouraged! Having two sets of eyes and ears is invaluable when sleep-deprived. Whoever will be a part of caring for this baby's feeding plan (or caring for you) is welcome as long as you're comfortable with it.

The most important part of your appointment is observing a feeding and supporting you with suggestions, hands-on support and tips for improvement. For this reason, we ask that you do not feed your little one for at least 1 hr prior to our appointment. If they really need to eat, of course feed them a snack and we can work around this.

Please do not clean for our appointment. I have two young boys of my own -- I know what a lived-in house looks like!

I make the first appointment as impactful as possible, and extend the acess with 2 free weeks of direct text/phone support. However, to dive deeper and create long-lasting results, 2 appointments often offers reinforcement, and also allows me to do 2 weighted feeds to show the quantifiable progress over time. Two appointments also ensure that everything you'd like reviewed gets the attention it deserves - especially in cases where baby has a suspected tongue tie or oral aversion to the breast.

If feeding your baby is not going smoothly, you may benefit from the help of a lactation consultant. You do not need to be in a bottle-feeding or breastfeeding crisis to reach out. Reach out if: 

• you are unsure if your baby is drinking enough milk

• feeding is painful, frustrating, or anxiety-inducing

• you've tried to manage your concerns on your own with little-to-no success

• you are experiencing ANY of the following: nipple or breast pain, engorgement, poor latching, baby weight loss, clicking or dribbling at the breast/bottle, breast/bottle refusal or any other issues that are stopping you from meeting your feeding goals (whatever that looks like for you!)

• you wish to start solids but have no idea where to start

OR

• things are going just okay, and you'd like some reassurance that you are doing things right

Feeding your baby shouldn't feel like guesswork. If you aren't sure that things are going normally, it's worth the call.

Held By Nicole offers private lactation support. These services are not currently covered by OHIP. You do not need a referral.

Some insurance companies do cover lactation consultations, and others often cover lactation support through your insurance's Health Care Spending Account.