Essential Lactation

Newborn feeding essentials and prenatal sleep planning support in Whatcom County.
Baby Bistro infant feeding support group at in the Bellingham Towers, Whatcom County.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Let’s start your full circle lactation support today.

Newborn feeding essentials and prenatal sleep planning support in Whatcom County.
Newborn feeding essentials and prenatal sleep planning support in Whatcom County.

    • Nipple Health & Integrity: Clinical support for persistent pain, damage, or discomfort during nursing.

    • Direct Feeding Transitions: Expert guidance on weaning from nipple shields or transitioning back to direct feeding at the breast/chest.

    • Supply & Intake Management: Objective assessment of milk transfer and strategic guidance for supplementation with expressed milk or formula.

    • Oral Function & Tethered Tissues: Specialized evaluation of tongue and lip function, and pre/post-procedure support for ties.

    • Digestive Comfort & Aerophagia: Addressing excessive gassiness, reflux, and infant irritability through a holistic feeding lens.

    • Proactive Feeding Wellness: Evidence-based answers for families who are doing well but seek deeper education on infant nutrition.

    • Informed Feeding Choices: A non-judgmental, clinical space to explore your feeding options and create a plan that honors your mental health and family goals.

    • Return-to-Work Strategy: Customized pumping schedules and milk storage logistics for a seamless transition to the workplace.

    • Bottle-Feeding Mastery: Expert support for bottle introduction, addressing refusal, and determining optimal volume and frequency (inclusive of formula and expressed milk).

    • Acute Therapeutic Care: Clinical management of inflammatory conditions, including ‘plugged ducts’, milk blebs, and mastitis.

    • Developmental Feeding Transitions: Navigating the impact of teething, managing biting, and supporting the gentle weaning process.

    • Multi-Child & Fertility Support: Guidance for tandem nursing and managing the hormonal interplay of lactation during pregnancy.

    • Prenatal Lactation Education: Proactive consultations to establish a strong physiological foundation and build your postpartum support team.

    • Induced Lactation & Relactation: Specialized protocols for adoption, surrogacy, or non-gestational parents seeking to establish a milk supply.

  • 1. Clinical Expertise + Holistic Heart

    I combine the diagnostic skills of an RN/IBCLC with an understanding of your family’s emotional and physical rhythm. I don’t just look at a latch, I support the full circle of your postpartum recovery, sleep, and well-being.

    2. I am in your back pocket

    Traditional care often leaves you hanging between appointments. My model is built on continuous, HIPAA-secure messaging support. Whether it’s a 3:00 AM "is this normal?" or a mid-week adjustment, I am available to ensure your care plan actually works in your real life.

    3. A Social Equity Model

    I believe expert care should be accessible. Through my Community Fund and the ‘Green Bottle Method’, your Dark Blue Cup (full-fee) payment directly helps me provide scholarships and sliding-scale support for families facing systemic barriers or financial hardship.

    4. I integrate Sleep & Feeding

    Feeding and sleep are two sides of the same coin. I prioritize biologically normal infant sleep, helping you find a sustainable rhythm that honors both your baby’s development and your own need for rest.

Full Circle Support Package

4 In-Person Sessions + 12 Weeks of Ongoing Guidance.

One Complete Circle of Support.

Comprehensive lactation care and infant feeding support in Bellingham, including breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and bottle-feeding guidance.

  • What if you had a feeding and sleep expert on speed dial the moment you needed one?

    With this all-inclusive package, you’re never alone. We’ll work together to get feeding off to a supported start, and I’ll be on-call with priority scheduling to guide and support you through every hurdle for three months.

    If you’re looking for the ultimate support for your family, this is it.

  • 3 Months of Side-by-Side Care: I’m with you every step of the way for three months.

    Flexible Care Sessions: 4 comprehensive visits in the comfort of your home or at my office—the choice is yours.

    Expertise in Your Pocket: Continuous, secure messaging support so you’re never left wondering between appointments during our time together.

    Integrated Provider Advocacy: I handle the professional communication of your care plan and clinical assessments to your provider of choice, whether that’s a pediatrician, naturopath, or specialist. If further interventions are needed, I make direct referrals to a trusted network of local experts, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of care.

    The Full Circle Family Portal: Lifetime access to The Essential Archives (my expert resource vault) and monthly sessions in The Full Circle Common Room (my virtual parent support group). Your support doesn’t end when your package does.

  • You’ll get timely support with latch, learning feeding cues, and weight checks.

    Each visit is 90 minutes of focused time to answer all of your questions about feeding and caring for your newborn.

    Thorough assessment of both you and your baby including before and after feeding weights, oral function assessment for baby, troubleshooting supply and milk transfer as needed, and addressing any discomfort for your body.

    In home visits allow for us to find what works best for you and your baby in your own space. Office visits are conveniently located in my cozy office space at the Bellingham Towers.

    You get a personalized care plan each visit to look back on after we meet.

  • Visit 1: Work on latch together and check on your breast and nipple comfort, newborn exam including weight and how to know they’re getting enough, a full written plan for you to look back on during your first week.

    Visit 2: Continued support with latch and feeding. Make changes to your plan if needed. Bottle and pumping discussion as needed.

    Visit 3: Review everything, make changes or add to what you’re working on based on your family’s needs. Weight check and check in on how much your baby is getting during feeds.

    Visit 4: Checking in on your plan. Discuss bottles and pumping.

    Each visit: Includes plenty of time to review what is working and not working for your family. Referrals can be made and connections will be fostered during care planning.

    Unlimited messaging: You can message any time during our 3 months together and I will respond within 24hrs (often sooner!) so you always feel supported.

    *No two families are identical. These examples provide a framework, but my Full Circle approach ensures your visits are fluid and responsive to your nursing needs.

    **In-Network plans are not limited by visit number

  • Timing is everything in the fourth trimester. To ensure a seamless transition from your birth to feeding your new baby at home, this package includes priority scheduling.

    As soon as you’re ready, let me know and your consultations are prioritized over standard bookings. This guarantees timely support during those vital early feedings.

$1200

$300 (In Network)

(In Network plans may cover most costs; Out-of-Network plans may cover some or most costs; check out the FAQs for more)

Connect & Schedule

Essential Reset Package

3 In-Person Sessions + 6 Weeks of Continuous Circle Messaging Support.

On-call for Your Urgent Lactation Needs.

Comprehensive lactation care and infant feeding support in Bellingham, including breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and bottle-feeding guidance.

  • This is your deep breath package. If nursing has felt like a struggle, the Essential Reset is designed to interrupt the cycle of pain or worry and get you back to the joy of bonding with your baby.

    This level of support is ideal if your feeding journey feels unsustainable or complex. You may benefit from this package if:

    • Feeding is currently characterized by physical pain or latching difficulties.

    • Your baby’s weight trajectory requires clinical monitoring and intervention.

    • You are seeking a professional functional assessment for suspected oral ties.

    • Your days are consumed by the "triple-feeding" cycle or complex supplementation, and you are looking for a path toward a more manageable rhythm.

  • 6 Weeks of Support: You and your baby get the feeding expertise you need.

    Flexible Care Sessions: 3 comprehensive visits in the comfort of your home or at my office—the choice is yours.

    Expertise in Your Pocket: Six weeks of continuous messaging support during the time between visits.

    Integrated Provider Advocacy: I handle the professional communication of your care plan and clinical assessments to your provider of choice, whether that’s a pediatrician, naturopath, or specialist. If further interventions are needed, I make direct referrals to a trusted network of local experts, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of care.

    The Full Circle Family Portal: Lifetime access to The Essential Archives (my expert resource vault) and monthly sessions in The Full Circle Common Room (my virtual parent support group). Your support doesn’t end when your package does.

  • Each visit, I will observe a full feeding session to identify the exact root of any discomfort or supply concerns. I will provide a thorough examination of your baby’s oral anatomy and how they move in the world to assess how this may impact feeding.

    Guided support for positioning and latch that create instant change.

    You get peace of mind through a pre- and post-feed weight (if in-person and appropriate) to see exactly how much milk baby is transferring.

    At the end of our visits, you will have a concise, easy-to-follow plan so you know exactly what to do the moment I leave your home.

  • We have 3 visits together focus on getting nursing back on track for you and your little one. Each visit we will work on progressing skills gained from the previous visit all while supporting what your family needs most.

    *In-Network plans are not limited by visit number

  • When nursing is challenging, you need support ASAP and this package includes urgent scheduling.

    I prioritize scheduling these sessions as soon as Full Circle sessions are on the calendar.

$975

$300 (In Network)

(In Network plans may cover most costs; Out-of-Network plans may cover some or most costs; check out the FAQs for more)

Connect & Schedule

Essential Duo Package

2 In-Person Sessions + 3 Weeks of Ongoing Circle Messaging Support.

Comprehensive lactation care and infant feeding support in Bellingham, including breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and bottle-feeding guidance.

  • Perfect for those who feel confident but want to fine-tune their feeding experience.

    Nursing is a partnership that grows with you and your baby; these visits validate your progress and ensures you have the tools to stay on the right track as your journey unfolds.

  • 3 weeks of support that includes 2 visits and an additional week of unlimited messaging.

    To complete the circle of care, I coordinate directly with your pediatric team and facilitate professional referrals to trusted specialists, ensuring every aspect of your baby's health is aligned.

    The Essential Care Kit: Lifetime access to my curated digital collection of resources to give you exactly what you need for this moment. From mastering the First Drops to navigating newborn sleep cues, these are the clinical foundations. Your support doesn’t end when your package does.

  • First Visit: Includes a clinical feeding assessment with pre- and post-feed weight checks if desired, an evaluation of baby’s oral anatomy, and a customized care plan.

    Second Visit: Focuses on refining your progress, optimizing pump settings, and ensuring seamless bottle-feeding transitions to complement your feeding goals.

    What we cover in these visits is flexible based on your family’s needs.

    One week of unlimited messaging after our second visit included.

    *In-Network plans are not limited by visit number

$700

$200 (In Network)

(In Network plans may cover most costs; Out-of-Network plans may cover some or most costs; check out the FAQs for more)

Connect & Schedule

Single Point

1 In-Person Session + 1 Week of Circle Messaging Support.

Comprehensive lactation care and infant feeding support in Bellingham, including breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and pumping guidance.

While most families thrive with the continuity of a multi-visit package, I offer specialized single sessions for specific milestones.

These focused visits are designed for targeted goals such as navigating the weaning process, establishing an exclusive pumping routine, or professional pump fitting for your return to work or travel away from baby.

Includes 1 week of support messaging for check-ins as you navigate your plan.

Also includes The Essential Care Kit: Lifetime access to my curated digital collection of resources to give you exactly what you need for this moment. From mastering the First Drops to navigating newborn sleep cues, these are the clinical foundations. Your support doesn’t end when your package does.

If you’re unsure which path is right for you, we can coordinate the perfect fit when we connect.

$375

$100 (In Network)

(In Network plans may cover most costs; Out-of-Network plans may cover some or most costs; check out the FAQs for more)

Connect & Schedule

Back to top

Next Steps

Fill out the contact form and let me know which package you think would be right for you

Step 1

I’ll reach out to you ASAP to discuss scheduling and we’ll review your current needs

Step 2

Working with Essential Lactation means your support system is already built—leaving you free to focus entirely on your baby.

Step 3
Let's Get Started
Comprehensive lactation care and infant feeding support in Bellingham, including breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and bottle-feeding guidance.

The Full Circle Experience: Client Feedback

  • "Sara is incredibly kind and knowledgeable. She made me feel comfortable and confident by listening to my challenges and providing valuable advice. I have been able to exclusively breastfeed my 3rd child, and I couldn't have done without Sara. Thank you so much!"

    -Sammy R

  • "Sara was an angel sent to save me! She is incredibly friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. I was at my wits end with breastfeeding. I had extreme difficulty getting my daughter to latch properly so I was in constant pain. I was crying almost every time I fed her and was just about to give up. I scheduled my appointment and Sara showed up and completely changed everything for me. She normalized my struggle, which helped me a lot as I was experiencing postpartum anxiety. She was thorough in her examination, and was hands-on as she coached me through feeding my daughter. She left me with instructions and resources to further assist me, and was available if I had any additional questions or concerns. Thanks to her help, breastfeeding is no longer painful and I enjoy the bonding time with my baby girl. I would recommend her to any new breastfeeding mama!"

    -JV

  • "I cannot recommend Essential Lactation highly enough. As a first time mom, even though my daughter seemed to latch fine, they offered tips, positions, and encouragement that I didn’t even know I needed, but has immensely helped as my daughter has gotten bigger and her needs have changed. Not only do their consultants support in the visit, but I was able to text follow up questions and receive immediate support and help. Being a mom can be so isolating and it felt amazing to have this help. We had a follow up appointment to learn how to safely prepare and give bottles, where both my husband and I learned a lot! Thank you so much!"

    -AC

  • "Sara was so incredibly helpful as my son and I started our breastfeeding journey. She was also so helpful for my husband's bottle feeding techniques. She eased all our concerns and was efficient, professional and personable. The support she provided by phone after our visits was invaluable too."

    -Laura R

  • "Sara is absolutely fantastic!! She is so welcoming and warm, she made it so easy to talk with her. I felt so comfortable being open and sharing my struggles with motherhood, breastfeeding and being a full-time working mom. She had a plethora of helpful information and was more than willing to hear my millions of questions. I highly recommend her!!"

    -BB

  • "Sara's support completely changed my lactation journey! When my daughter was born, I struggled to figure out breastfeeding on my own. My daughter was losing weight faster than I was comfortable with her losing. Sara was able to come out the first week and provide concrete steps that immediately helped us breastfeed. Sara taught me new skills that helped me breastfeed successfully, pump effectively, and figure out a balance between the two. Her compassionate and positive attitude helped me believe in myself. I am still breastfeeding at 9 weeks and am positive I would've given up long ago without Sara's support. Highly recommend!"

    -Chris K

  • "Very compassionate, thorough, kind, gentle - everything you could want in a lactation consultant. She came into my home as a stranger, and left feeling like a close friend. Highly highly highly recommend Sara. Thank you again - you are perfect for your profession!"

    -Stephanie O

  • "Sara was great, she was very informative and professional when assessing my baby and I. She provided me with strategies and plenty of options when it came to feeding my baby. She is also very responsive with her messaging portal."

    -KM

  • "Sara is everything you could want out of a lactation provider. She is professional, prompt, organized, down to earth, and supportive."

    -Leah B

  • "Sara was extremely knowledgeable, efficient, kind, and gentle. She was able to provide the specific care that my son and I needed after his birth. She went out of her way to meet us as soon as possible to relieve my pain at the beginning of our breastfeeding journey. She provided all the tools, advice, and knowledge necessary for us to succeed! I highly recommend Sara to any new family looking for assistance. I don’t know where we would be now without her!"

    -Yasmin W

  • "Sara has been an absolute pleasure to work with. She listens well, and explains in ways that make sense and answer your questions, putting you at ease. She has this ability to give you the confidence you need to conquer your breast feeding and pumping journey, whatever it may look like, while cheering you and your baby on the sidelines and always being available to help out and offer advice. She clearly loves her job and giving women the tools to be successful, and it shows through how knowledgeable she is, and how she comes in and treats you and your baby like you’re the only ones who matter. I would recommend her over and over! She answered so many questions, put me at ease as a first time mom, and created an incredibly helpful care plan for my girl and me. I cannot thank her enough!"

    -Alexa L

  • "Sara was great in helping with latch issues and easily availble for extra support via text. I have other children, so absolutely loved that she came to our home. It was one less place to drive after trying to recover from having a baby."

    -Clare W

  • “ Sara was incredibly helpful and her tips helped us turn a corner in our nursing journey. She is a good listener and effective educator - without overwhelming you with too much information. I wholeheartedly recommend her!”

    -Anonymous

  • “Sara is remarkable! She is incredibly competent, knowledgeable and instilled a lot of confidence. She was a cheerleader and encouraging even when I was anxious and overwhelmed. She went above and beyond to check in regularly and provided tons of support after meeting in person. She is incredibly professional, wrote everything down for us after meeting (which was a gift with post partum exhaustion and brain fog). I went from painful nipples and an underweight baby at week 1, to being in a groove (no nipple pain) with breastfeeding and occasional bottles and more than enough weight gain by week 5! For new moms, I highly recommend meeting with Sara week 1 out of the hospital and planning to meet 1-2 more times to follow up and check in. She fitted me for pump parts that are the right size and helped my husband learn to bottle feed. It was all incredibly helpful for a first time mom! You’ll be in excellent hands with Sara!“

    -Christine T

  • ” Sara was beyond reassuring and knowledgeable. Feeding a baby can be stressful, clunky and have parents in a funk but Sara helps not only with practical plans and solutions but was so validating to the intense experience that can happen for families. Not to mention her services are made accessible by doing home visits. I reached out several times after her visit and she was always so willing to answer questions. She also provided frequent check ins which were appreciated. I highly recommend!!”

    -AH

  • “ I am a first time mom and my partner and I worked with Sara beginning in late pregnancy and until my baby was 2 months old. I wholeheartedly believe that her expertise, attentiveness, and gentle approach made our early postpartum feeding experience significantly smoother than it would have been. We felt cared for and heard because of Sara's attunement, kindness, and knowledge. She offered holistic emotional and physical breastfeeding support, helped both me and baby with mechanics, provided resources, and was incredibly responsive to our questions and concerns. She offered in-home visits as well, which was wonderful in the first week with a brand new baby. Breastfeeding, and feeding your baby in general, is such a tender, brand new experience and I can't recommend Sara enough as a companion on that journey.”

    -Kristen B

  • “ Sara is an incredibly patient, a great listener, highly organized and friendly lactation consultant. I'm impressed by how she kept track of the many questions and concerns that I had, and answered each one effectively. I also really appreciate that she provides home visits. Lastly, when the Lactation Network stopped working with my insurance, she was so understanding as I spent weeks trying to figure out if I could work with her as an out-of-network provider. She regularly checked in with me to see if I needed support and remained an incredible resource even as we were in limbo. I cannot express how caring, wonderful and skilled she is at her work.”

    -JL

Out of my in-person service area and looking for Virtual Support?

Virtual Visits