Our lactation consultants are healthcare professionals certified as International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), who specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding. IBCLC certification requires thousands of hours of experience and training in anatomy, physiology, sociology, psychology or counseling, child development, nutrition, and medical terminology. IBCLCs have a unique body of knowledge and skill to provide breastfeeding and lactation care in routine and high-risk situations. The availability of ICBLCs increases breastfeeding rates, which, in turn, improves the health outcomes of the community, nation, and the world.
The IBCLC is the only certification that requires clinical experience in lactation as a prerequisite to becoming certified. The IBCLC certification requires renewal through education or examination every 5 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Surgeon General consider IBCLCs as integral to the quality of breastfeeding management.
Lactation consultants are board-certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE), independently accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE).
You can go to the Public Registry for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners to verify an IBCLC. IBLCE updates the online registry two times a year, in January and July.
Telehealth is a rapidly evolving and growing field in healthcare where clinical information and services are delivered using telecommunications technology.
Yes. Telehealth has been clinically proven to be a safe and cost-effective means of providing medical care when used under expert-developed guidelines and best practices. The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has produced a series of standards, guidelines, and best practices for healthcare providers to ensure that they are using telehealth responsibly.
The ATA is an excellent resource for those wishing to learn more.
While some have parsed out unique definitions for each word, ATA treats “telemedicine” and “telehealth” as synonyms and uses the terms interchangeably. In both cases, we are referring to the use of remote health care technology to deliver clinical services.
More than 30 states and the District of Columbia require that private insurers cover telehealth the same as they cover in-person services. Many other insurers cover at least some telehealth service–and many more have expressed interest in expanding their telehealth coverage. To find out if your insurance company covers our telehealth services, please contact us and we will inquire on your behalf with your benefits manager.
At Nest Collaborative our lactation consultants provide breastfeeding support for parents and parents-to-be, anywhere, anytime. Nest Collaborative is a collection of IBCLCs who conduct online video appointments to help guide parents through the breastfeeding process–from beginning to end.
In using telehealth through telecommunications technology we provide lactation support for prenatal and postpartum parents that addresses many lactation concerns including pain, milk supply, latch, positioning, pumping and storage concerns, and return-to-work planning. Additionally, we can effectively assist with other concerns as they relate to breastfeeding such as sleep, mood changes, maternal self-care, and more.
Check out our website for a further breakdown of all the services and expertise we can offer you.
You should schedule an appointment with Nest Collaborative lactation consultant prenatally and/or just after your baby arrives. Many of our clients call about general concerns or for advice, but we also offer moral support and encouragement and can help you work through some very specific issues such as:
At Nest Collaborative we know breastfeeding can be challenging, so we are here to help. Book an appointment today.
Our lactation consultants do not prescribe medications. For lactation-related concerns that may necessitate pharmacological therapy, we work directly with your medical providers to assist you in getting the appropriate care, if authorized by you directly.
At Nest Collaborative, we’ve put together a seamless process that allows you to set up a consultation all from the comfort of your home. It works like this:
During your virtual appointment, your lactation consultant addresses the concerns you identify as most important and creates a plan that works for you. She also collaborates with your primary care team to keep everyone in the loop.
A virtual appointment means all your healthcare is delivered via live two-way audio/video telecommunication technology from the comfort of your home. You don’t need to drive anywhere.
We recommend that you always use the most reliable method available to you to access the internet. WI-FI is preferred over cellular, and a wired network is preferred to wireless, though most high-speed wireless connections are sufficient.
If you lose connectivity, try to reconnect. If a connection cannot be established, your consultant will call you at the phone number listed on your account. Alternatively, you can try reaching your consultant by calling our main line at 888-598-1554.
If at any time during a telehealth visit, regardless of connectivity issues, you suspect you or your child is having an emergency, call 911 immediately.
At Nest Collaborative, we are committed to making it easy for you to focus on what really matters during this extremely tender time. We take care of you so that you can care for your baby. As soon as your active Insurance information is verified by us, our services are available to you with no out-of-pocket cost (no co-pay, no deductible). For self-pay or uninsured families, we do offer a discounted rate, payable on the day of the visit. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact our team ahead of your visit (billingsupport@nestcollaborative.com).
At Nest Collaborative, we are committed to making it easy for you to focus on what really matters during this extremely tender time. We take care of you so that you can care for your baby. As soon as your active Insurance information is verified by us, our services are available to you with no out-of-pocket cost (no co-pay, no deductible).
For self-pay or uninsured families, we do offer a discounted rate, payable on the day of the visit. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact our team ahead of your visit (billingsupport@nestcollaborative.com).
Yes. You are welcome to use an HSA or FSA benefit credit card as supplied by your benefit provider to pay for services. We are an eligible health expense.
Access to yours and your baby’s health history greatly improves the effectiveness of the telehealth-based interventions we provide. The more we know about you and your baby ahead of the visit, the more individualized care we can provide.
Of course! We suggest you have a support person join you. Your consultant will confirm his/her presence is okay with you at the start of your visit.
Yes! We have IBCLCs that speak Spanish.
Yes, you will need a referral from your PCP but we will get it for you! We will put in the request for the referral once you book your appointment–and that appointment can still be booked for today if you like.
We typically have same-day appointments available. If you have an urgent matter and do not see an appointment for that day, please contact support@nestcollaborative.com or chat with us using the chat bubble in the lower right hand corner of the page, and we will do our best to get you seen as quickly as possible.
We do require the breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent to attend the consultation. We strongly encourage partners to join if they are available and interested, as they will also learn about breastfeeding and can help during the consultation if the breastfeeding parent has their hands full!
Our lactation consultants are all qualified to support special circumstances and would be more than happy to assist your needs!
You do not need a breast pump during your lactation consultation. However, if you have questions about your pump or need help, we encourage you to have it nearby so we can assist as needed.
At Nest Collaborative, we are committed to making it easy for you to focus on what really matters during this extremely tender time. We take care of you so that you can care for your baby. As soon as your active Insurance information is verified by us, our services are available to you with no out-of-pocket cost (no co-pay, no deductible). For self-pay or uninsured families, we do offer a discounted rate, payable on the day of the visit. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact our team ahead of your visit (billingsupport@nestcollaborative.com).
Changes made less than 24 hours before the appointment time and late arrivals may incur a fee of $25.
Your credit card is required to secure your appointment request. We will not charge your card before your visit. For self-pay or uninsured families, we do offer a discounted rate, payable on the day of the visit. We will use your card on file in the event of a no-show or cancellation within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment.
