My family recently reached out to Lactation Partners seeking urgent breastfeeding support for our newborn twins during a difficult postpartum moment. We live on the South Side of Chicago, near South loop and were hoping to schedule a consultation. The response we received stated that they "do not travel to our location in any case" and that their schedule was booked for the next two weeks. While I understand providers have service limits and busy schedules, the wording felt abrupt and lacking empathy given the circumstances. It was also confusing because Yelp's service map suggests coverage across Chicago, which gave us the impression South Side families were included. "South Chicago" is a large and diverse part of the city with many middle-class families simply looking for postpartum support. I'm sharing this so other South Side parents know this provider may not service this area when urgently searching for help. I hope the practice considers clarifying their service area and responding to families with more compassion during vulnerable moments. read more

If I could give Lactation Partners and Joan Kessler 10/10 stars, I would!!! There are so many aspects of postpartum that are new, overwhelming and intense, all at the same time. Joan is an incredible expert in her field, kind, precise, beyond helpful and the ultimate professional. From the moment she walked in to our home, she swiftly addressed our concerns/hurdles and assessed the situation with swift precision and a targeted plan, allowing us to support our baby in the best and most immediate way possible. She continued to follow up with detailed phone conversations and tips to support our family and came for a follow up visit to ensure we were on the right track. I feel very lucky and grateful to have had the chance to work with Joan - she is truly a phenomenal resource who cares, is dedicated to those the works with and really knows her stuff in and out. :) read more

My experience was with Liz and I can not say enough good things about her. She was reliable, comforting and very knowledgeable. I'm so glad I was able to have an in person appointment. I have followed up with her multiple times since then for help and questions and she has never let me down with her prompt responsiveness. Highly recommend! read more

It's hard to express in a short review just how much of an asset Judy was throughout my breastfeeding/pumping journey. When Judy came for her first visit, I was 1 week postpartum and feeling overwhelmed. Despite taking a class and meeting with the lactation consultants in the hospital, I felt wholly unprepared for the many different scenarios that can come up when trying to breastfeed a newborn. After spending nearly 2 hours together, I felt like this giant weight had come off my shoulders. Not only did I learn so much from Judy, but her warmth, humor, and support had me feeling like a new person! Because each visit includes a period of follow-up with her, she continued to provide me with invaluable support in the following weeks (and months). I truly would not have made it without her. When I talk to other friends who have worked with Judy, the response is always unanimous: "I LOVE Judy!" If you make the (very smart) decision to work with her, you'll quickly understand why. read more

Joan Kessler of Lactation Partners quite literally saved my baby and my postpartum life. There are not enough words to describe Joan's compassion, expertise, or critical care. She is a GAME CHANGER. Without question, for all time, the single highest recommendation I could ever give is to Joan. She is the mom and best friend and medical advisor you need when you cannot even see straight and are trying so hard but don't know what to do. I'm typing this as I easily nurse my 3 month old infant after her nap. Joan is responsible for that. We overcame SO MANY breastfeeding challenges, and Joan gave us the gift of this beautiful and easy experience together now. I can never thank her enough. HIRE HER! SOO much value and invaluable connections, advice, and help when you need it MOST! read more

We love Lactation Partners at Chicago Family Doulas! They are incredible and our families we support RAVE about them. They are extremely compassionate and really listen to the mamas. We will continue to recommend them to families! read more

I personally wanted for breastfeeding to work out for various reasons and I was worried I'd want to quit breastfeeding early because we got off to a rocking start at the hospital. Thanks to Lactation Partners, we're still going strong at 7+ months. Liz is amazing!! She was extremely supportive, knowledgable, and kind. It felt like she was a coach always rooting for me. Before I had a baby, I had expectations that I would be able to breastfeed out in the wild like you see in those beautiful photos you see online. Boy was I wrong -- breastfeeding is so hard and baby is constantly changing in those early weeks and months. It was great to have Liz come to our place and show us the ropes. She was so responsive via text and phone. This was exactly the help we needed as sleep deprived first time parents. My health insurance covered 3 appointments, so I took advantage of all of them -- early on around week 2, week 4, and finally month 3 before returning to work. Some of the many things we learned: - keeping the newborn awake to feed - various breastfeeding positions - how to use breastfeeding pillows - getting baby to latch deeply - on-demand feeding - building supply and maintaining it - pumping - how to use the haakaa - manual hand compressions - bottle feeding - nipple care read more

Liz Sjobloom was a godsend and I cannot recommend her enough. I delivered early with an emergency c-section that led to my baby being in the NICU for a week where he was on a feeding tube. Neither of us were stable enough to be moved so I wasn't able to work on getting him to latch for several days. The hospital staff was unable to help aside from offering a nipple shield and some sort of nipple plunger device but a nurse recommended Liz to me by name. I wasn't sure honestly because I had been treated abysmally by LC's in the past so I was really worried it would be a waste of time and money. I couldn't have been more wrong. Liz made a plan, worked every single possible way to help me and she genuinely cared about me and my baby and helping us get a latch. She kept track of everything, things that worked and things that didn't, which ways to hold him that were comfortable, what times I should try nursing and when do pump. She even went into my kitchen and helped me get a more cohesive setup for my bottle/pump station. She taught me hacks for my breast pump and supplies that I had never heard of. I'm on my third child, I was amazed at how much she knew. She even corrected some misinformation I had about milk storage and safety and this is our 3rd child I honestly felt like I knew it all so I was so shocked when she was so much more help then I could have imagined. My baby got sick and she helped so much with ways to help his breathing and since he was born with breathing problems I needed all the help I could get. She was available by text and email anytime I had questions. After the first session I was able to nurse better. By the third I had it down and it was all thanks to Liz. I think we did another session just to be sure we we had it and during that time she mostly just observed. After that she still checked in on me a few times too. She's great with babies btw and my son loved her she was so calming and nurturing to him. At this point my baby is 7 months old and I haven't seen her for a few months because he's eating like a champ (thanks to Liz) but texted her a question and she made time to answer me thoroughly. She didn't have to and she's not being paid to answer follow up questions but she's genuinely that kind. I don't know her personally but she felt like a friend and was a huge support when I was vulnerable and discouraged. I will always be so grateful for her and to the nurse that recommended her to me. If you're feeling discouraged and thinking your only option is quit, don't! Call Liz. I want to add if you're a black woman or a person of color who knows what it's like to have nurses treat you crappy especially in the pregnancy/postpartum healthcare system, then you're probably wanting to call an independent LC but scared or maybe your family said don't bother. Do it. Don't let one, (or several) bad experiences stop you of taking advantage of all the resources that are available to you. You have every right and you belong in all the same spaces and places as every other woman. At the very least send Liz an email that's exactly what I did and it paid off ten fold. My insurance covered the service but I would have gladly paid out of pocket. I hate when people say that "so and so" is invited to the cookout because it's lame lol but let me tell you right now not only is the good sis Liz invited to the cookout but I would definitely save her a plate. read more

Lactation Partners - Lactation Services Near Me

I had a rough start with breastfeeding and the first two months I did not even know that I could ask a lactation consultant come to my place and help me. As I was at the hospital, I got a few minutes of help but it was not enough for a challenging start. Fortunately my OBGYN made me aware of specialists who may come and help me. Liz is amazing and an excellent support! She helped me with breastfeeding and pumping. She gave me so much confidence at a very rough time, showed me how to hold the baby correctly, how to interact with her to improve latching. My baby was not latching at all and throughout her help, we managed to get to exclusively breastfeeding. She is very communicative and even checked in with me before and after sessions with text messages or calls. At the end of each visit, she wrote some guidelines that I tried to follow precisely which helped me improve breastfeeding. I have to add that i'm a first time mom with no experience and no family around who could share their experience with me. i really wanted to succeed in breastfeeding my child in such a short time before going back to work so that i can continue and Liz really guided me throughout this process with her calm and collected guidance. THANK YOU! read more

I've used Lactation Partners to support my breastfeeding journey with both kids, first with Judy and then with Liz. Without a doubt, they single handedly helped me breastfeed both kids past the one year mark, when at times I was told by other lactation consultants, that would not be possible. Starting with my daughter, I sought out Judy in 2021 after seeing several other lactation consultants who, it felt like, had their own ideas of what my feeding journey should look like. My daughter had a tongue tie and an unsuccessful release and still hadn't gained back her birth weight at 8 weeks. We were triple feeding around the clock, attempting to breastfeed, giving up, pumping, and bottle feeding. I felt completely defeated and like a dark cloud was surrounding my postpartum experience. My baby wasn't eating well, even from a bottle and then we both got a very stubborn run of thrush. I was told that at this point, she would never breastfeed, may need a feeding tube, and that we would need to put her back through another painful surgery. Then, at my lowest point, I found Judy. I am not exaggerating when I say it felt like as soon as I met her, the clouds parted. She was kind, empathetic, supportive, and solutions oriented. She helped me set up a plan ( true to form with her nursing background, triage style) - addressing the most pressing issue which was healing our thrush and ensuring my baby was getting enough to eat to gain weight - all while helping us work towards my long term goal which was to rely less on bottles and successfully breastfeed. Fast forward, her plan worked when nothing else did. With a few visits and her attentive follow ups and advice, we avoided a second surgery, she quickly started gaining weight, and I ended up successfully breastfeeding my baby girl until she was 14 months, relying on bottles only when I wasn't around or when dad was giving her bottles so I could sleep. :) When it came time to breastfeed my son this past year, Lactation Partners was one of the first calls I made after I came home from the hospital after getting mastitis very early on. This time I was paired with Liz, who helped me navigate a slew of new challenges spanning several visits. My son also had a tongue tie and he initially struggled with breastfeeding but then developed an aversion to bottle feeding (having a strong preference for nursing sounds great until it's time to go back to work and your baby will not take a bottle.) Other practitioners and feeding therapists once again urged a surgical release - Liz however remained calm and patient and encouraged me to start with with alternative exercises and therapies to see if we could get him there naturally before really considering a release. Unsurprisingly, she was right. Baby boy ended up getting the hang of it with her approach - and here we are, one year later, just starting to wean as he's been able to take bottles and breastfeed like a champ ever since. I can not recommend them enough - thank you Lactation Partners!! read more

It's hard to put into words the incredible value, education, compassion, and expertise Joan Kessler has shown through my postpartum and nursing journey. She is attentive, offers creative solutions in any challenging circumstance, and she is truly an expert in her field. Best of all, she does it in an individualized and non-judgmental way. I credit Joan largely for a smooth and wonderful breastfeeding experience and am immensely grateful. read more

I now have a 1 year old who was breastfed and pumped for throughout her whole 1st year. I am extremely proud that I continued this journey after my horrible experience with Joan Kessler's visit into my home. Now with a clear mind I would like it to be noted that Joan Kessler could not have been a worse person to come into my home weeks after my 1st child was born. Keep in mind, this was my first child, I wanted to breastfeed as I thought that was the "right" thing to do, I was home alone while my husband worked morning till night, I was exhausted, confused, and hired Ms. Joan Kessler OUT OF POCKET ($250) to help me ensure I was breastfeeding my daughter correctly. Ms. Kessler was in a rush. No warmth. Lacked interpersonal skills. She was aggressive and in my opinion, judgemental. I clearly recall her pushing on my breasts without warning or consent. She had no compassion for my exhaustion, loniness and overall mental state weeks after I brought my beautiful baby into this world. I have heard negative things about lactation consultants prior to her visit. And unfortunately she definitely continues to perpetuate the negative stigma they carry. You're better off learning to breastfeed on Youtube rather than call Ms. Joan Kessler. It will be less money and less judgment for sure! read more

Judy is AMAZING! I was referred to Lactation Partners by my pediatrician and I'm so glad I found them. Judy came to our house the day after my baby came home from a 3 week NICU stay. I was very overwhelmed; she offered so much support with feeding and a ton of other newborn advice. I can't recommend her enough and tell everyone about my wonderful experience with Judy. I would highly recommend Judy to other new moms - she helped my postpartum journey so much! read more

I had a wonderful experience with Lactation Partners, specifically with Joan Kessler. As a second-time mother, I was hesitant to call a lactation consultant to begin with. I was afraid I would be pressured to do things the "right" way, and that these expectations would add to the exhaustion of the postpartum period. My experience with Lactation Partners was anything but that. Joan immediately made me feel at ease. She asked me what my breastfeeding goals were and what overall postpartum challenges I was having. We worked together to come up with a plan that felt right for me. She then observed a nursing session and gave helpful, doable tips for improvement. She was also so sweet with my baby. After the first session, she checked in with me via text and phone, and did a follow-up visit. Every call put my mind at ease and gave me the motivational boost I needed to keep going. In short, when I first met with Joan, I felt defeated. By the end, I felt confident. She was instrumental to my positive breastfeeding and postpartum experience. I highly recommend this practice! read more

Tried calling to discuss a bad situation and never even received a call back. Horrible customer service- read more

My first child is now 7 months old, and I am still breastfeeding, all thanks to Liz. She is extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and kind. She's also no-nonsense which I appreciate! I have had to work through many challenges and she has been extremely helpful. From week 1 post partum to my return to work and beyond, she has been there through it all! read more

Judy was responsive from the start. She called and texted me day and night to coach me through some difficult breast feeding, pumping, and post partum depression issues. When she visited my home it was like a breath of fresh air had washed over my house. We were stressed, confused, anxious, and overwhelmed new parents. Judy taught us SO MUCH about taking care of a newborn, post partum self care, and feeding/diapering. Her expertise is obvious as she backs up all her suggestions with science, refers to established pediatricians, and her calm kind demeanor is welcoming and helpful during this really difficult transition into parenthood. I cannot recommend her enough. read more

As if childbirth and taking care of a newborn wasn't difficult enough there's the whole nursing thing. Breastfeeding didn't work for me with my first 2 kids so I pumped exclusively for 3 months with my daughter and 6 weeks with my son. Pumping means just additional time getting milk, washing bottles and other parts for the machine (and you still have to feed the baby on top of all that) so I was determined for the 3rd time to be a charm. This time I prepared in advance by asking for help from the lactation partners. A friend referred me to Kathy over there, but I quickly learned she had recently retired. However, Kathy was nice enough to return my call and refer me to her old partner Judy. I called Judy a few weeks before the birth of my baby and told her I was skeptical that breastfeeding was actually going to work for me, but wanted to give it a try. I immediately liked her- informative, encouraging, but not at all pushy. She said to call her after having my baby and she'd give me advice about what to do in the hospital (I only wish she could come to Prentice) and we would set up a time for her to visit a few days after baby arrived. I knew I was in good hands when I mentioned to a few friends that I had called a lactation consultant and every single one of them said "Who- Judy? She's the best!" Baby boy showed up and unlike his big sister and brother this one actually latched. It was still a pretty painful experience, but with the help of the nurses at Prentice and a phone call to Judy I got thru the first few days. And then Judy showed up at my door a few days later with a scale in hand. She gave me some very helpful tips and was able to tell me exactly how much milk the baby was getting just by putting him on the scale after he ate. Made me think twice about everything I put in my mouth. Judy mentioned she was available for questions whenever. I took her up on that and she responded to every text over the next week (and there were quite a lot of time) within minutes- truly amazing! 6 weeks later I'm exclusively pumping again just because in the end I found it easier and less painful than breastfeeding. Due to my type A personality I also like to know exactly how much milk my baby is getting. However, I made it longer breastfeeding than I have in the past thanks to Judy...and part of the reason I haven't given up the pumping quite yet is because of all the helpful tips Judy gave me. She even recently checked in to see how things are going and (again) no judgement that I've resorted to the pump. And I don't think I'll get any judgement from her the day I put the pump away and turn to formula. I highly recommend that any new moms who are thinking at all about nursing contact Judy. read more

Judy was such a pleasure to work with, and was an excellent support for me as a new mother. During the home visit she was respectful of any personal boundaries as well as COVID precautions, was patient and did not rush the process, asked excellent questions and listened well to ensure that she was honoring my goals and not pursuing any other agenda. Judy made herself extremely available after the visit (phone and email availability for a month is included), followed up with extensive written documentation and advice/resources as requested, and was very prompt with replies via email. I had so much anxiety having no experience with a new baby or breastfeeding, and Judy really helped me feel more confident and comfortable with moving forward as well as adjusting any plans as things shifted. Thanks so much for your help, Judy! read more

Joan Kessler is amazing! I had never had someone come to my house for a consult and didn't know what to expect. She made me feel so comfortable. I felt like I was able to be very open to her with no judgement whatsoever. She assessed how much my baby was taking in at my breast. I do not have much breast tissue so she gave me wonderful tips on increasing my milk supply. Before Joan came, I was doing so much research online and asking my doctor what to do. I was finding conflicting advice and honestly was just trying everything everyone said which was stressing me out! Calling Joan was the best thing i could do, she gave me clear cut guidelines on feeding my baby girl. She focused on my well being and sleep. She answered all the questions running through my tired mind. After she left, it was like a huge weight and stress lifted off my shoulders! And on top of that... she has been calling me on the phone to check up on me! It feels so good to have Joan who is experienced, knowledgeable, and extremely kind to ask questions to. I have calmed down and gotten more sleep because of Joan. I will be recommending her to my friends and family! We have another appt Sunday! Can't wait. Hailey and Tara Thank you so much Joan! read more

Upon finding out that my son had lost weight in his first week, I scheduled a visit with Judy Teibloom-Mishkin. Although my nursing journey ultimately had to come to an end, the compassion, support, and suggestions from Judy helped in ways I cannot even convey through words. She is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. She takes her time, listens, and provides hands-on support. My son was having trouble transferring milk while at the breast, and she took the time to evaluate his anatomical features as well as his latch and sucking. She provided suggestions for different holds, as well as realistic suggestions surrounding triple-feeding to support my mental health. I wound up scheduling another visit with her even though they were expensive and not covered by my insurance; that speaks to how wonderful she is. My son's inability to nurse is structural; she did everything she could to help make nursing happen for us- not just physically, but she also really took care of me emotionally too. read more

Joan is a godsend. If you are struggling with your breastfeeding journey, as almost all moms do, then do not hesitate to reach out to Lactation Partners. Breastfeeding is hard, period. You need help, and working with Joan was a total game changer for me. Before I started working with her, I was in pain and in tears every day. I struggled with latching issues, daily clogged ducts, cracked and bleeding nipples, and a premature baby who just wasn't big or strong enough yet to breastfeed more than once a day. I pumped and bottle fed the rest of the time while dreaming of the day when I might be able to breastfeed exclusively. Once I reached out to Lactation Partners, it all got so much easier. Even during the Covid lockdown, Joan was able to work with me to provide the help and support I so desperately needed. We started with a virtual consultation where we worked through a breastfeeding and pumping session together over a video call. She then sent me a detailed summary along with a plan that addressed all of the issues I have been struggling with. She was even able to properly diagnose my vasospasm after I searched all of the internet with no success in figuring out why my breasts were burning and stinging and causing me such pain for hours after nursing. For two months, Joan checked in weekly to see how the baby and I were doing. When I had questions, I could email or text her and I would get a respond quickly. When the city started to reopen from the shelter at home order, we scheduled an in person consultation. She came to our home and took every precaution to mitigate Covid risks. I never felt uncomfortable or worried that I was putting me or my baby at risk. After the in person appointment, something just clicked. All of my struggles were gone because of the advice and guidance she gave us. With Joan's help, I am now able to breastfeed exclusively. I went from dreading breastfeeding to truly loving it. I could not have done it without her. read more

I made an appointment with Joan from Lactation Partners as their firm came highly recommended. We confirmed an appointment day/time and spoke on the phone to further discuss details of my situation. I later received a very vague email saying that Joan was cancelling my appointment as our ideals did not align. This was extremely confusing as my main expectation is to have a healthy breastfeeding experience as per the great phone conversation we had. I have never been refused service from anyone, much less a medical professional and to do so at the last minute is simply unprofessional. I am left to wonder the real reason we were cancelled on at the last minute and hope it is not attributed to discrimination. I would not recommend this firm to anyone if you are in need of a lactation consultant, this was a terrible experience. read more

I am leaving another review for Judy here. I've left one review on her Yelp page. She is absolutely extraordinary. I can't tell you how much I benefitted from having her as my lactation consultant. My baby came very early and I had many challenges with breastfeeding. Judy helped me overcome all of those challenges. I now nurse my baby exclusively. Judy is so thoughtful and incredibly knowledgeable. She guided me every step of the way without enforcing her on me. She also helped me with a primary care doctor and an Accupuncturist. She's always available on phone calls and messages. I've enjoyed every visit with her at my house. She's so amazing To me there can be no lactation consultant better than her! read more

Lactation associates is a group of lactation consultants that service the Chicagoland area. When I had my baby a few months back I had issues with breastfeeding (as many women do, evidently) and sought out the help of some experts. I worked primarily with Jane O'Connor who is an RN and licensed lactation consultant. She came to my house the day after I called (she offered to see me that day, but I opted to wait until the following day (a Saturday) when my husband could be home). She came and helped me with the issues I was having. She was calm, to the point, and very supportive of what I was going through. She spent time with me and never seemed rushed. She came up with a plan for how to help me with my breastfeeding issues and helped support me in the moment. She was available for several follow-up phone calls. I always felt that she cared about answering my questions. She was always prompt in returning my phone calls. When my issues were resolved I felt a great sense of pride in my achievement and knew that Jane was there to support me every step of the way and that I could not have done it without her. If you ever have any lactation concerns or questions when you are breastfeeding, I highly recommend that you seek help from an expert and I highly recommend Lactation Associates. read more

pp worked with Judy after both my babies were born. Working with her has been the single most important investment since having children. Breastfeeding is much more complicated than it looks, and I, like most people, was under the assumption that it would just happen naturally and without any support or training. This was totally false. On my own, I couldn't tell whether my son was eating enough, how long to keep him on each breast, how frequently to feed, and how to push him to get as much as he could from a feeding. Judy helped me with all these pieces and helped me understand a schedule and timeline. She's easy to get a hold of and answers questions quickly and thoroughly. She's also prepared me and helped me anticipate various issues as they've arisen. With my daughter, she helped diagnose the problem when she wouldn't breastfeed and coached me through exclusively pumping. I love my pediatrician, but find that she doesn't specialize in this area like Judy does, so I needed a lactation consultant to fill in those critical pieces of information. I would recommend Judy to anyone looking to breastfeed. Her support has been integral and invaluable in my breastfeeding experiences. read more

Very grateful for their services. As a new mom, I was so stressed about breastfeeding. After a visit, I felt so much more comfortable and confident. During the visit, the consultant was so warm and friendly. There was absolutely no pressure either in any of the recommendations. read more

I have been singing Judy's praises to all the new mamas I meet. She first did a home visit when my daughter was 2 weeks old to help me work through some pain issues and demystify pumping & storage. From the second she arrived I felt relieved. She weighed my baby, watched us nurse and helped with positioning & latch, walked me through the fundamentals of pumping and giving bottles, and answered SO many questions. She even passed along a one-sheet with new mom resources - I ended up joining a really great supportive mom's group based on her recos. Plus, she's answered numerous email follow-up questions with really thoughtful, timely suggestions. What's even more important than Judy being prompt, thorough, and ultra knowledgeable (which she is) is that she's just a cool lady. Relaxed, funny, not preachy. When you're a sensitive new mom, it's so important to be around people that just have good vibes. I'm still exclusively breastfeeding at 4 months, but whatever your goal is - call Judy, she'll get you on the right track! read more

Simply put: Judy is the cat's pajamas! You know how all media is aligned in an evil campaign to make you think that nursing is the easiest, most natural thing in the world, and that all moms and babies know how to do it? This is a horrible lie. Sometimes you just need a little extra help and instruction. Enter: Judy. Judy responded to my initial call within a few hours (even though she was out of town) and came to see me the following day. Not only did she help me with the mechanics of nursing, but she immediately dispelled the most of my anxiety. She could not have been more supportive, reassuring and helpful. Seriously- worth every cent! read more

There isn't much more to say than what has already been shared in the tons of 5 stars reviews for Joan Kessler and LP. Joan saved me the brink during a really challenging time as a 2nd time mom. My baby and I never did get the hang of things, but Joan helped me formulate a plan to save my sanity, my heart and feed my baby the way I wanted to feed her. Joan was so understanding, easy to talk to and available to me when I really was struggling. I recommend her so so much for all moms of new babies who are struggling with breastfeeding. read more

Liz is wonderful! She has been so helpful in my breastfeeding journey by coming for a home visit, answering questions and giving me tips along the way. I highly recommend working with a Lactation consultant to help with the learning curve of breastfeeding. Liz's support has made breastfeeding more manageable by being an incredibly helpful resource. Working with Liz has helped my confidence as a new nursing mom by reassuring me that everything is on the right track. Not only is Liz's expertise invaluable, she is also a joy to work with! Thank you Liz for all of your help and support! read more

Joan Kessler is AMAZING. When my son was born we had trouble breastfeeding. I called Lactation Partners and she came to our house and spent a couple hours taking a history, teaching me how to feed our baby and how to use a pump. As a new mom, this was all foreign to me. Joan is so compassionate and she puts you at ease. I had some more hiccups the first few months of breastfeeding and Joan was always responsive- by phone or text or email and guided me through the transition to pumping at work and even problem solved with me how to help a baby who wouldn't take a bottle. I made it a full year breastfeeding and I am so grateful to Joan for her guidance and support in those early months. She is a God-send. If you are looking for a Lactation consultant you have to call them! You will not regret it! read more

I am so impressed with Lactation Associates, particularly Jane O'Connor. Jane was recommended to me by my pediatrician because I was having some latch issues. Within two hours of my first phone call, Jane had contacted me and was at my house for a consult. Based on Jane's counsel I immediately had a huge improvement in how my son and I were working together...and in general, I felt more confident and positive about the experience of BF'g. Jane visited us a second time to help me start pumping in preparation for returning to work. Lactation Associates also sell the pumps, but Jane didn't pressure me to purchase from her - she actually showed me a hospital pump and he pump she had so I knew my options, and fully disclosed that I might be able to find the pump cheaper somewhere else. I still bought it from her because she taught me how to use it there and then...and I found that none of the stores I was looking at had the pump any cheaper anyway! Since then my son and I have been doing great! Jane has made herself available by phone for a couple of minor issues, always returning my call within a few hours and remembering details of our prior visits so I didn't have to repeat myself. What I most liked about Lactation Associates/Jane was that she was very positive, funny, confident and encouraging, which immediately put me at ease and made me feel like I could succeed in BF'g, which doesn't come naturally to all moms. Jane's counsel and help were a lifesaver! read more

Judy is incredible. As a first time mom, she has imparted so much invaluable advice - about breastfeeding and beyond. She has a wealth of knowledge and a calming temperament during what can be such a stressful time. She has been, far and away, the best resource I've had since having a child. And a wonderful person to boot. Can't recommend her enough. read more

Liz was so knowledgeable and helpful. As a new mom struggling with breastfeeding for the first time, I had met with 2 other lactation consultants during the first 3 weeks of my daughter's life and I was ready to give up breastfeeding entirely. Liz helped me come up with a manageable plan in terms of feeding, pumping, increasing milk production. Within one day of meeting with her everything improved drastically. Liz called and emailed several times after our initial meeting in order to check how things were going and offer continued support and advice. I highly recommend! read more

I cannot say enough good things about Joan! I feel that she cared more about the well being of me and my baby more than our doctors office. She is passionate about her work and so knowledgable about breast feeding babies and their mamas. She really knows her stuff and am so glad we were able to work with her. read more

Judy is absolutely amazing! She is. Wet supportive and knowledgeable. She offered great guidance.

After the birth on my first child, I came home from the hospital with only a breastfeeding class under my belt. The class makes it sound so easy, but in reality, I had so many questions. The first week, I found out I was under-nourishing my daughter and she was becoming dehydrated. Then with the pediatrician's suggestion started supplementing with formula. What I didn't realize was that I was now overfeeding my daughter. I needed to get back to be able to feed her from my own milk and I didn't know how. I called Lactation Associates and Kathy Lipke was the consultant that returned my call and came to my house shortly after. She immediately made me feel confident by the questions she asked and how she went about the consultation. She didn't have a "one answer fits all" recommendation, but she took the time to understand me, my daughter and specific situation. She ended our meeting by giving me customized, detailed instructions for the next week. She checked back in with me by phone and email often to ensure things were going smoothly. She was able to listen and tweak the program as she heard how things were progressing. Kathy was encouraging, available, knowledgeable and truly made my first 2 months of breastfeeding more successful. I have many friends with infants that I've tried to ask for advice on breastfeeding, but their advice worked for their child. Kathy and her colleagues have many years of experience with hundreds of infants and were able to draw on that information to meet my specific needs. Not sure if I would have been able to continue breastfeeding with her help. read more

My experience with Elizabeth Sjoblom when I had each of my boys was amazing! Each of my boys were different birth weights, latchers and sleepers and having Liz there to reassure me in the right direction was priceless. I always felt comfortable and she made me feel less overwhelmed! She was so knowledgeable when I was overproducing in the beginning and even helped me a year later when I wanted to wean properly. Our family would recommend her to anyone. read more

I can't recommend Lactation Partners, or Joan Kessler, enough. Her visit was supportive, informative, and helped me reaffirm my role as a new mom. She is so knowledgeable and frames her science-based recommendations in a way that is so supportive of both mother and baby. I went into the appointment so nervous I wasn't able to give my baby everything she needs, and just a short visit later I am confident I can and will. Joan has really set us up for success, and I can't recommend working with her and her team enough. read more