Comprehensive Lactation Services

• Consultations for breastfeeding problems--in our office or your home
• Hospital visits
• Pump instruction and flange fitting
• Scale and nursing room always available
• Breastfeeding classes for singletons and multiples
• Prenatal preventive consultations

Consultation for breastfeeding problems or difficulties:

A consultation usually takes 1.5 - 2 hours and will cover the full scope of assessments and observations necessary to ascertain and solve breastfeeding problems. A consultation will generally include:

• assessment of baby's color, hydration and weight
• assessment of baby's anatomy as relates to breastfeeding
• assessment of mother's breasts and nipples
• adjustment of positioning and latch
• observation of feeding patterns
• observation of efficiency of milk transfer
• measurement of milk intake to 0.1 ounce by pre- and post-feeding weights
• guidelines for improved breastfeeding management
• answers to the parents' breastfeeding questions
• a written plan to overcome detected problems
• assessment report sent to health care providers
• superbill to aid parents filing for insurance reimbursement.

If appropriate for the breastfeeding dyad:

• recommendation of breastfeeding aids and instruction on their use
• observation of pumping and flange fit
• referral back to the health care provider.

Follow-up is usually by phone but sometimes requires further visits, and will continue until the mother and baby establish their unique breastfeeding relationship.

Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants

Cheryl Heymans, IBCLC, RLC

Cheryl, board certified since 1997, offers office, home and hospital visits. She serves as an officer on the board of the Heart of Texas Lactation Consultants and is a member of the Central Texas Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies Task Force. She currently teaches breastfeeding classes at Special Addition for singletons and multiples. Cheryl has over 30 years experience in assisting women in breastfeeding and is the mother of five adult children who were breastfed.

Susan Nelson, IBCLC, RLC

Susan, board certified since 2008, offers office and home visits. She has served on the Area Councils of La Leche League of Texas and Colorado/Wyoming. She has over 17 years experience in assisting breastfeeding mothers and breastfed her own two children.

Debra Wells, IBCLC, RLC

Deby, board certified since 1997, has offered consultation services in both San Angelo and Austin. She served as the lactation consultant at Shannon Women's & Children's Center in San Angelo where she also trained hospital staff in breastfeeding guidelines and instructed breastfeeding classes. She has also been a trainer for the Breastfeeding Promotion Project for TDSHS. Deby has over 18 years experience in assisting breastfeeding mothers and has four children all of whom were breastfed.