Michelle was much more helpful than all the lactation consultants that we saw in the hospital. She goes beyond "lactation 101" to identify the problem and provide solutions. She was kind and understanding and provided great follow-up. I also want to say that the only negative review (from years ago) I saw on here talked about unnecessary pressure on the mom to breastfeed, etc, and I have to say that was not at all like my recent experience. Michelle was very good at balancing both baby and mom needs, and made it clear she didn't want to push to do anything I didn't want to do, even asking questions like "what is going to give you and your baby the best quality of life?" to help us decide how we want to proceed given the difficulties we were having. I definitely recommend her services. read more

In just one session, Michelle completely transformed breastfeeding from a fairly stressful task to a purely enjoyable time spent between me and my baby. Her approach was simple, straightforward, and effective and her caring and compassionate demeanor made the learning process easy and stress-free. I highly recommend Michelle for any of your lactation needs! read more

Michelle has been an invaluable resource. From a prenatal visit to now approaching my baby's first birthday, she has helped me navigate establishing nursing and supply in those early weeks, a sudden nursing strike at 7mos, and a supply crisis at 10mos. She is sensitive, practical, empathetic, and calming. She allows you to define and share your goals whatever the situation may be, and works hard to support you around these realistically and thoughtfully. Her guidance really cuts through overwhelming lists of dos and don'ts, etc., and she always steers clear of judgement. She's truy felt like a partner to our family and I'm so grateful. I feel very lucky she was recommended to me, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to expecting friends and family. read more

Michelle has been such an incredible resource for us as a family. She is clear, kind, respectful, trauma informed, and talked us through each suggestion that she made. Her offerings are informed by both evidence -based practice and conventional wisdom. She has an amazing knack for simplifying a myriad of different suggestions around nursing. She had this great ability to wade through all of the confusing rhetoric and had great resources read more

I rarely "yelp" but felt it necessary to sing Michelle's praises to anyone in her service area looking for a lactation consultant. As a new mom whose milk did not come in until I left the hospital, I found Michelle's services indispensable in getting me acclimated to breastfeeding. The nurses at the hospital had shown me a few positions in my hospital bed, but my nipples were already mangled and the pillow fortress that my husband and I constructed nite one to mimic the hospital was not going to cut it. Enter Michelle, who was so very responsive from my first contact, who came to our home (a huge plus) the day my milk came in. She demo-ed new relaxed positions on the couch for my son and me, showed me how to use my breast pump as he wasn't drawing enough initially, and answered all of our questions. Her kindness, patience, responsiveness, and overall disposition in wanting the best for my baby and me is all so very appreciated. He had lost quite a bit of weight but with her tutelage and plan we managed to put 2 oz/day on him! Even if he didn't respond I know she had a plan B and would have coached me thru it all. I have texted or emailed with her almost daily, getting sound advice and great support. She includes unlimited support via phone/text/email. The "unlimited" part of that is very unique and illustrates her genuine desire to help. It's worth noting that the fees are largely covered by insurance. However, in my opinion, if you need to spend out of pocket this is THE BEST INVESTMENT you can make for your sanity, and especially for your child. When considered against all the other "stuff" we purchase for nurseries, outfitting, gear, etc. for these little people, spending $200 or so/session for competent help that will insure their health and well being is a no-brainer. You should contact Michelle today! read more

In short - I could not recommend Michelle more highly, and am so thankful for her help and guidance that I made a yelp account just to share my review. I met Michelle when I attended a breastfeeding class she taught at Emerson hospital. She was so wonderful and informative that I left feeling reassured that I could draw upon her expertise if I needed help after my son's birth. Sure enough, when he was first born his latch was too shallow and breastfeeding was quite painful. On the first day home from the hospital, I thankfully had the good sense to contact Michelle. She came to my house the very first thing the next morning. I had scabs on my nipples already from the poor latch. In one session, Michelle not only got my son to latch properly, but she was so clear in her explanations that by the time she left I was able to get him to latch properly without her assistance. In the next twelve hours my scabs completely healed and I never again had issues nursing. It was simply amazing. Michelle came again when my son was three months old and, a week before the end of my maternity leave, was refusing bottles. She got him to accept both fresh and frozen breastmilk out of a bottle, to my extreme relief. Michelle has always made herself available to answer my questions and I owe a huge part of my breastfeeding success to her help. I can't thank her enough! read more

I can't say enough good things about Michelle- she was a lifesaver to me as a first time mom trying to breastfeed a newborn! Several of my coworkers had recommended Michelle to me prior to the birth of my child, and when he was about 10 days old and I felt that I was struggling with breastfeeding and had many unanswered questions, I contacted Michelle. She got back to my right away and arranged a home visit the next day. She was patient and kind, and gave me so much helpful advice and support. Feeding went much better after I implemented the tips she gave me, but a week later I started having some new concerns and was able to set up another visit with Michelle, who gave me some more helpful advice. She weighed my baby before and after feeds and this really helped reassure me that he was getting plenty to eat. Michelle checked in with me via phone and e-mail outside of these visits and made me feel really well supported, and she is available via text/e-mail 7 days a week and very responsive. I think every first-time breastfeeding mom (and probably experienced moms too) should be so lucky to work with Michelle. read more

Michelle is a life saver for a new mum. She is super patient, very resourceful and extremely helpful. My breastfeeding journey was full of surprises and Michelle was there at every step of the way, helping me with very effective solutions. What I absolutely love about her is her 24 X 7 support through in-person meetings, calls, emails or text! She was the reason that at the peak of my breastfeeding journey I was pumping 27-30 oz of BM. Being a foreigner here, she was my go-to person and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for lactation support and consultation. She is the best there is and I will not think for a second to use her services again or recommend her to anyone who needs help. Thank you Michelle for literally everything! read more

Michelle is an incredible lactation consultant and coach. She has helped me tremendously in learning how to feed my twins and tips on caring for them and myself. She has made spot on observations and recommendations that have been valuable and integral to this huge transition into motherhood. She is patient and available. She is so present when she comes into your home. She has a wonderful way with babies. She is knowledgeable about all things breastfeeding. I'm grateful to be working with Michelle and highly recommended her to anyone that needs lactation help. read more

Michelle is a pleasure to work with and should be added to your postpartum care team if you have any questions about breast or bottle feeding. We consulted with her because my 4 month old was refusing the bottle which was stressful for returning to work. Michelle gave us some great tips, advice, and reassurance to help our baby drink from a bottle. She worked around our busy schedule to accommodate us. Michelle is full of knowledge and truly cares about the families she serves. I trust and appreciate her help so much. Definitely get in touch with Michelle for any nursing related concern you may have. read more

When I was in the hospital with one twin being bottle fed in the NICU and the other trying to nurse but not getting much from me, the nursing staff dismissed my concerns. They told me breastfeeding twins would be no problem. I had successfully nursed my daughter after all, of course everything would be fine once they were both home. When, however, three days later I had scrawny, jaundiced twins and no hope, Michelle saved us. After two days, the twins were both gaining and after a week, we were able to breastfeed exclusively. They were tandem nursing confidently when Michelle left after our last visit. I can't say enough about Michelle. With zero judgment and an arsenal of skills, she met us where we were (figuratively and of course literally) and helped us achieve our goal of breastfeeding twins. I was a wreck when I met Michelle for the first time, my boys had lost too much weight (even as we tried to fill them with formula) and we were all really struggling. Her calming, loving presence and persistence turned us right around -- in so little time. Michelle was able to show me how to successfully breastfeed my boys and give me back my faith in my body and in my judgment. Each consultation, Michelle helped me to see small successes, and meet attainable goals. Between visits, she was 100% available to answer questions and lent me all the tools I needed. I don't want to think about where we would be without her -- she changed our lives! Everyone should be so lucky as to have her support in coping with any baby feeding challenges -- I recommend her without the slightest hesitation. read more

I meant to review Michelle long ago... she's been an invaluable source of support to me from about three months into motherhood on and is someone I know I can still call in tough moments. I may not have been able to continue breastfeeding my daughter if she hadn't worked side by side with amazing postpartum doula Amanda Hemm to help my family work through my daughter's food intolerances. She coached me daily through an elimination diet when I was unsatisfied with our pediatrician's somewhat armchair diagnosis of GERD and prescription of reflux medication. My child's food intolerances were indeed the issue that kept her awake in pain at night, and the diet, though very tough, worked right away. When I initially asked Michelle to visit earlier on in my daughter's "colic" months she was gentle, friendly, and an incredibly good value. She diagnosed a tongue and lip tie that pediatricians had missed in the past, and helped me breastfeed while walking (!) as well as teaching me positions to minimize my oversupply issues. Michelle is available for follow up texts and calls once you've had her over to visit- knowing she's out there has been crucial to me. She's responded swiftly to concerns I've had about keeping up with the demands of my daughter's MSPI/frequent nursing (answer- get a night nurse for a few nights!), helped with a bout of mastitis, and found a bottle my daughter would tolerate. When my daughter's weak enamel and insistence on frequent nursing added up to dental issues Michelle gave me evidence based resources to review and linked me up with a colleague who recommended an incredible dental practice. Parenthood has been entirely different because of her- I can honestly say I've made many nursing related choices informed by her experience. I've realized over 20 months that I am a mother who prioritizes nursing, and I've been lucky that it's worked so well for myself and for my child. So grateful to you Michelle! In short- I highly recommend. And did I mention insurance covers her?! read more

Michelle was an absolute Godsend who turned breastfeeding from a stressful, frustrating and seemingly insurmountable challenge, into one of the most beautiful and natural experiences I can now share with my son for as long as we both desire. I wanted nothing more than to breastfeed after trying for four years to have our angel baby. Everyone said it wasn't easy, but I had no idea just how challenging it could be. I couldn't have succeeded without Michelle's help. Our son was small (6.3 oz) and jaundiced and was not only having trouble latching, but was constantly falling asleep at the breast and nursing slowly. On top of this, my milk supply came in slowly. But with Michelle's guidance, expertise and calm soothing manner we overcame all of it. It was taking as long as an hour to latch and the baby always seemed hungry. For the first week of his life I usually ended a breastfeeding session-- and most nights-- in tears. He was losing too much weight the first few days, and I was devastated when the pediatrician told us we had to supplement with formula. But after just Michelle's very first visit we were latching like champs and she showed me how to breastfeed in a relaxed way, right on the couch with a simple cradle hold. She put us on a plan of breast, bottle and pump and soon enough he had gained weight and was staying awake. Thanks to Michelle, my milk supply increased with her pumping plan and he no longer needed the formula supplement after about a week. She is kind and patient and absolutely wonderful to work with. She never made me feel rushed, she came to our house right away and is always available for questions and support. What's more, she truly cares about her clients and would check in with us all the time to be sure things were still going well. She even insisted I keep in touch with her while she was on vacation at the beach and responded immediately. If you are having any issues at all with breastfeeding, don't hesitate to reach out to her. She WILL help you, even when you feel complete despair. read more

If I could give Michelle 10 stars I would!!! She helped me during a time where I felt defeated and hopeless. She came to my home early in the morning, less than 12 hours after I first txt her. My partner and I had to supplement w formula for a few hours due to my baby damaging my nipples in the hospital. I thought the issue was that the nipples were cracked but Michelle was able to recognize that they were bruised. We felt a lot of guilt after giving our baby formula and having to accept donor milk. Michelle was more than comforting, assuring us that we needed to provide our baby w food and that we did the right thing. Michelle has made herself available via txt at practically any time during the day and at night, even during the holidays. She has consistently answered any question I have had and has been spot on w her advice. I am 100% certain that if Michelle had not come to us I would not had been successful in breastfeeding my baby. Today my baby is 10 weeks old and weighs 15lbs! I'm very grateful to have had Michelle recommended to me and I will most definitely recommend her to any mom that may be struggling to breastfeed! read more

The world needs a million more LC's like Michelle!! She is wonderful and I owe her so much. Although I had breastfed with my first child, my second baby had a severe tongue and lip tie that prevented him from successful nursing. His latching issues was preventing him from gaining weight - and that is when I reached out to Michelle. She responded to me right away, and she sensed my desperation. She drove through a blizzard to meet with me, as she knew my problem was quite urgent!! Michelle helped me through ALL of the problems - she was calm, warm and very knowledgeable and supportive. She developed a plan for me - even accompanied me to my baby's tongue/lip tie procedure! He is now a very happy and healthy exclusive breastfed baby - nice & chunky :) I have remained in touch with her via phone & email for other small questions/issues and she is just so great and responsive. I wish that every Mom who is trying to breastfeed could have the chance to work with Michelle. I'm so thankful that Emerson Hospital put me in touch with her. read more

My daughter is now 4 years 4 months old and Michelle has been with us -- in person, via email and text -- throughout her life! She has come to my home three times, each for a number of hours, and assisted me with a number of issues: from maintaining a good milk supply to controlling forceful let down to teaching a breast-obsessed 9 month old to accept bottles, so I can go back to work. We are so grateful!!! Each time, Michelle would spend hours working with my family. When I had to go back to work, she spent 4 hours teaching 3 different adults (my parents and my husband) how to give the bottle to a baby who hated the idea and turned her head away screaming at any attempt. By the time Michelle left, my daughter was happily accepting bottles, and we were all calm and confident that this was going to work. Michelle's calm and confident disposition, her wonderfully rich knowledge not only about breastfeeding but about infant development, maternal wellbeing and a variety of health and behavior issues during the early years of parenting have made her a reliable partner in raising a happy and a well nourished child, both emotionally and physically. Over the years, Michelle has helped me calm an inconsolable infant, deal with issues while nursing in public and help 3.5 year old finally wean, and transition to sleeping in her own room. I tried child-led weaning, but my daughter, at the age of 3.5, was not interested in weaning at all. After exhaustion set in, I decided to take charge. I work full time, and I had nursed for 3.5 years, all the while co-sleeping with a child who would wake up 3-4 times every night, and would still nurse 2-3 time every day (or night)... I could not take it any longer. When I talked to Michelle, she fully supported me in my decision and offered a variety of approaches to make the process easier. It worked like a charm: my daughter gradually weaned without much drama in the span of a month. Following some more of Michelle's own advice, when my daughter turned 4, she transitioned to sleeping in her own room without any issue. We only had one bad night, this was it! And this was a child who had never spent a night away from me, who had co-slept with us since birth, and never even gone to bed without me, not even for one night). She actually asked to sleep in her room herself. It was her initiative (that I had carefully orchestrated, of course, following Michelle's advice.) She sleeps through the night now and loves her room and new bed. I can't express how grateful I am: since this is my first child, I had no idea what to expect and how to cope. I knew I wanted to nurse my child as long as necessary or desired, but I had no idea how to do it. She gave me not only the tools but the confidence to do it, my own way, a way that works best for my child and my family! Thank you so much, Michelle!!!! read more

Michelle is amazing! She came to my rescue on the first night we were home from the hospital - my milk had just come in, I was engorged, and baby was having trouble latching. She came to my house late in the evening on a Saturday (I had only called her a few hours prior). She was so patient and spent a long time helping me. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing breastfeeding help!! read more

Michelle came to help me when my newborn baby was losing weight for a week and a half after birth. She was able to come the morning after I contacted her. However, I found her approach to not be helpful and, if anything, to be hurtful to my situation. My supply was very low. She kept repeating that "breastmilk is best" but would not provide evidence or any detail, at all, as to why. Obviously I was already intent on breastfeeding or I would not have called her. But she made me feel badly about using formula, and convinced me to spend a lot of money on donor milk from a milk bank. Moreover, a holiday was approaching, and I had to hurry to get a prescription for the donor milk from the pediatrician, and then I had to drive a half hour to pick it up. This was not a good use of my time or mental energy, as the mother of an 11 day old baby. I was completely stressed out in running around to get this milk, and of course we had to use formula after we ran out of it anyway. It would have been much more helpful to have an LC tell me that formula is fine (fed is best!) and to not make me feel guilty or stress me out, which is counterproductive to milk production. Since finding another LC to work with, who is more holistic and focused on not only my baby's needs but MY well-being, my supply has increased much more and I am feeling much better, emotionally. read more

i owe my success with breastfeeding 100% to Michelle! I am a nurse and knew a lot about breastfeeding so wasn't anticipating much trouble so I was very surprised when breastfeeding turned out to be a lot more challenging than I imagined. My first visit with Michelle was a few days after coming home from the hospital. She was able to come to our house very quickly after we reached out to her. I had an open area on my nipple and I was in tears every time my baby latched. I was also dealing with painful engorgement. Michelle helped me and baby learn to latch better, she helped heal the ulcer on my nipple (that even my team of Midwives couldn't figure out how to heal!), she helped me through a painful mastitis and blogged duct. She was 100% non judgemental and supported me in all my decisions by giving me options. There was a moment when I wanted to give up on breastfeeding on one side and she assured me that it was doable and an ok option - I ultimately stuck with it and glad I did but Michelle giving me permission to stop made me feel empowered around my choices. The best thing about working with Michelle is that she aims to be a resource throughout your whole breastfeeding experience, I text her and email her with questions and she always responds. After each visit she will write up a summary of everything we have talked about and a care plan with action steps - this is so helpful for under slept parents!! And having another visit with her is always on the table. She also made getting reimbursed from insurance super easy - providing me with the exact paperwork I need. I believe is every person learning to breast feed had Michelle a lot more people would have success, feel empowered and happy with their breastfeeding experience. read more

This review is long overdue - babies can keep you busy! I randomly found Michelle online when looking for a lactation consultant to help me with my daughter who was less than two weeks old. Michelle was pleasant and helpful from the minute she took my call - asking what my concerns were, offering advice over the phone and scheduling a home visit the very next morning. I wasn't having any major issues, but it was my first time breastfeeding so I needed some reassurance that I was doing things right. Michelle checked the latch, showed me some new positions, performed a weight check and measured how much my daughter was getting for the feeding. Michelle provided me documentation that I could submit to my insurance for reimbursement. She also had a mobile printer so at the end of the visit, she typed up a personalized summary and plan. We all know how sleep deprived new mothers are so it was fantastic to have this tangible resource! Michelle has continued to be available to me for further consultation and help resubmitting documentation for my insurance company at no charge. For all these reasons and more, I would highly recommend Michelle for lactation services. read more