Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?

    An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is the gold standard in lactation services. An IBCLC is an expert healthcare professional who specializes in the clinical management of human lactation and infant feeding. Certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Inc. (IBLCE), and directed by the US National Commission for Certifying Agencies, an IBCLC follows a comprehensive scope of practice.


    At Stanton Lactation & Feeding Therapy, I’m proud to serve as your IBCLC, providing a high level of care and expertise.

  • What makes an IBCLC unique?

    Unlike Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) who complete a 4.5-day course and a test, the IBCLC certification requires several university-level health science and human lactation courses. I have also accumulated hundreds of supervised clinical experience hours before being allowed to apply for the rigorous, high-level board exam. This rigorous training ensures that as an IBCLC, I am qualified to address all levels of breastfeeding problems, from simple to complex.


    Every five years, I recertify with proof of 75 hours of continuing education, including 70 hours in lactation and 5 in ethics, to ensure my knowledge remains up-to-date. Additionally, I routinely complete continuing education courses in the field of human lactation and infant feeding, demonstrating a continued commitment to providing the highest standard of care.


    Whether you are anticipating the birth of your child, experiencing the early days of parenthood, or navigating the stages of introducing solid foods, I am here to support you. If you encounter difficulties or concerns with feeding your infant, my services as a private practice IBCLC will provide the answers and individualized support you need.

  • How can I support your motherhood journey as your IBCL Consultant?

    Whether you are anticipating the birth of your child, experiencing the early days of parenthood, or navigating the stages of introducing solid foods, I am here to support you. If you encounter difficulties or concerns with breastfeeding, my services as a private practice IBCLC provide the answers and help you need.

  • What's the difference between feeding support and feeding therapy?

    Feeding support focuses on education, guidance, and typical breastfeeding or bottle feeding challenges like latch or positioning. Feeding therapy addresses complex or persistent issues involving oral motor function, coordination, and feeding mechanics. At Stanton Lactation & Feeding Therapy, we assess your baby's needs to determine the right level of care.

  • When should I schedule a tongue tie consultation?

    It's helpful to schedule before a release procedure to assess feeding function and develop a plan, or after release if pain, inefficient feeding, or slow progress continues. At Stanton Lactation & Feeding Therapy, we support families throughout Plymouth before and after tongue tie releases with coordinated care.

  • How does infant bodywork help with feeding issues?

    Gentle bodywork addresses tension from birth stress or positioning that can impact how a baby moves, latches, or feeds. It's often paired with feeding therapy to support improved efficiency and comfort. At Stanton Lactation & Feeding Therapy, we offer infant bodywork inside our Vital Chiropractic office location.

  • What happens during a feeding assessment?

    A feeding assessment includes observation of how your baby feeds, evaluation of latch or bottle mechanics, oral motor patterns, and discussion of your feeding goals. You'll receive a customized care plan with practical strategies and two weeks of follow-up support through secure messaging.

  • Can you help with combination feeding?

    Yes, combination feeding with both breast and bottle is fully supported. We evaluate your baby's feeding mechanics with each method and create a plan that works for your family's schedule and goals. This is a common approach for families balancing work, partner involvement, or milk supply concerns.

  • Why do some babies still struggle after tongue tie release?

    After a release, babies need time to learn new oral motor patterns and break compensatory habits developed before the procedure. Healing, discomfort, and relearning coordination all take time. At Stanton Lactation & Feeding Therapy, we guide families through this process with targeted post-release care.

  • What should I expect from a prenatal feeding consultation?

    You'll learn about feeding goals, latching basics, hand expression, red flags to watch for, and realistic early feeding expectations tailored to your body and birth plan. This helps reduce postpartum stress and gives you a trusted resource in place before baby arrives.

  • How is oral motor function different from typical latch support?

    Oral motor function involves how your baby's tongue, jaw, and mouth coordinate during feeding. It goes beyond positioning to assess movement patterns, strength, and compensatory behaviors. This level of evaluation is part of infant feeding therapy for complex or persistent challenges.

  • Do you offer home visits in Plymouth?

    Yes, home visits are available throughout Plymouth and surrounding towns including Bourne, Fairhaven, Sandwich, Marion, and Barnstable. Home-based care allows for feeding assessment in your baby's natural environment and may be more comfortable for families managing early discharge or busy schedules.

  • What's included in follow-up support after a visit?

    Every consultation includes two weeks of secure follow-up support through messaging, so you can ask questions, share updates, or get guidance as your feeding plan progresses. This ensures continuity of care during a critical adjustment period without needing to schedule another full visit.

  • What are compensatory feeding behaviors?

    Compensatory behaviors are strategies babies develop to work around feeding challenges, such as excessive jaw movement, shallow latch, or clicking sounds. These patterns can persist even after issues like tongue tie are addressed, which is why post-release support and therapy are often needed.

  • Can I use insurance for lactation services?

    Stanton Lactation & Feeding Therapy provides optional superbills that families can submit to their insurance for possible reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so it's helpful to check your benefits for lactation consultant or IBCLC services before your visit.