My family recently reached out to Lactation Partners seeking urgent breastfeeding support for our…read morenewborn 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.

If I could give Lactation Partners and Joan Kessler 10/10 stars, I would!!!…read more 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. :)

Throughout my pregnancy I've been wanting to visit a lactation consultant. Unfortunately, when I…read morecontacted my insurance provider a few months ago, there was literally ONE lactation consultant that they would cover. How is it possible in the city of Chicago and it's environs that BCBSIL will provide coverage for a single lactation specialist? Somehow I got a tip about Melissa, for which I'm so thankful. She works with an organization called The Lactation Network and through them I am able to get BCBS to cover appointments with her. She offers prenatal appointments, which is what I particularly wanted though I plan to visit her after birth as well. Luckily, with the Lactation Network, I believe I can visit her six times with insurance coverage. I can sometimes beat myself up about things... and that is why I wanted to see a lactation consultant before breastfeeding. I wanted to know what to expect, and what "normal" looks like for breastfeeding, so that I knew what to look out for and to not feel like a failure. Melissa walked me through what early days of breastfeeding look like. For example, I didn't realize that in the first few days babies only eat about a teaspoon of colostrum per feeding (I know I would have thought this was too little, and a problem on my end!). She also explained that about four ounces per feeding is about all a baby will need at any point, and that they work up to eating that much over the first few weeks of life. She showed me the basics of hand expressing, and gave me supplies to express before I enter the hospital if I'd like to take it with me there just in case there's any difficulties breastfeeding whilst there. We also went over infant hunger cues, which was incredibly helpful, and a couple of good positions for feeding. We discussed options for breast pumps, which was very helpful because I didn't really have any idea what I should be looking for in one and now I think I know which one I'll get. She helped me determine what size flange is going to be best for me (I would have been way off; it's smaller than what usually comes with it and I wouldn't have known the difference). She also explained some of the pros and cons of different bottles and nipples and how the shape and flow of different ones might impact nipple preference. She also shared that the pacifier you choose could impact success in breastfeeding to some extent, as the orthodontic ones that are a bit more flat cause the baby to change the shape and motion of their mouth which can make breastfeeding difficult and painful. Very helpful since I made adjustments to my registry when I got home to account for what I learned. She has lots of props to aid in practice of technique, infant holding, and so on. She also works with a milk bank and can help set you up to donate excess milk or, if you need to purchase, she can do that too. Her office is located in a pretty boring, nondescript building that looks like a banquet hall so don't miss it. Her space is warm and lovely, though! When you enter the parking lot you'll go to the back and enter there rather than from the front, where there's little parking (plenty in back, though). I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Melissa. I left my appointment thinking about how I could become a lactation consultant, which is something I did consider when I was an undergraduate but didn't pursue. But the opportunity to be of help to women who need it is a calling that I'm glad Melissa answered. She has some Saturday appointments as well which I appreciate so much. I would HIGHLY encourage any soon-to-be breast/chestfeeding parent to visit her, even if your insurance won't cover it; having been there, I know now that it would have been worth it paying out of pocket to meet with her because it was so valuable. Prenatal consultation will help give you the confidence you need to do something that no one teaches you, but you're expected to just naturally know how to do. You might be saved from lots of tears, fussy baby, or simply learn things that will make the whole experience of breastfeeding that second-nature thing that so many seem to think it is. #1400

Melissa is so good at what she does! She helped my 7 week old daughter post tongue, buccal, and lip…read moretie release with weekly bodywork. My daughter was so stiff and colicky and she literally helped change my baby into a smiley happy baby. She was a very bright light in a very dark time in my life. I highly recommend her for all feeding issues and bodywork for your little one!

100% recommend. All I can say is WOW. This was a service I never knew I wanted or needed so…read moregreatly. Robin was an angel and a confidant. Real and trustworthy. She was there for me, my son, and my husband before, during, and after birth. Having her as part of my birth story will be something I'm forever grateful for and if I'm blessed enough to have another child, I'll want her on my team again. Ps: She offered to snap photos of when I gave birth, capturing moments I would never have had without her. What a gift.

I really wanted a great doula for a complicated pregnancy. But Robin slept through my son's birth,…read moreeven after I told her at 5 pm I was checking into the hospital the week of my due date. When I talked to Robin, she said she was at an event and didn't have a car with her so she couldn't leave to come to the hospital at that time, because she was dependant on someone else for a ride. She assured me she would come and said she'd never slept through a birth. She also told me most mothers labor for 12+ hours and not to worry since I wasn't dilated at all. I was given Cervidil. In the middle of the night my son's heart rate started dropping. Cervidil was removed, my son's heart rate stabilized and I was given two options: Do a more controlled C-section or try to labor longer and then likely have an emergency C-section. I tried to get ahold of Robin. She slept through the text and phone call. So I opted to do a more controlled C-section which took a while since I couldn't have an epidural and it took more than 30 minutes for the spinal to take. Robin never showed up to the hospital and it took weeks, months, to get a partial refund. I never got a full refund. She also didn't call a back-up doula. She made a really frustrating situation -- of sleeping through my son's birth -- even worse by having to spent weeks of back and forth emails (and my son was a NICU baby) trying to get some of my money back. More troubling she also sent an NDA to me -- which I didn't sign -- to try and make sure this wasn't disclosed. Accidents happen but the follow-up was more problematic. Yes, her father died in the weeks after my son's birth and that is awful, but sending an NDA to try and cover-up the situation of sleeping through a birth was really awful and weeks of emails to get a partial refund difficult as I was recovering from a difficult pregnancy and delivery was troublesome. This happened in the summer of 2017. It's taken me a long time to process everything. I'm sure most births aren't like this, but other expectant moms need to be aware. I would hate for anyone else to go through something like this.

Barbara is absolutely incredible! She comes to your house and is professional, caring, informative,…read morepatient, and kind. I would have been lost navigating the world of breast feeding without her guidance. Can't recommend her enough!

Barbara was very helpful both during my newborn visits and during a consultation at 8 months. More…read morethan anything she helped me feel confident that my daughter was eating well and that I was doing a good job nursing. At 8 months I began experiencing pain after biting and Barbara guided me through that as well. Very happy she was the person recommended by our pediatrician's s office!

Cygnus was consistently supportive and helpful. We could not have been happier. They were easy to…read moreuse, knowledgeable, and kind during what can be an emotional experience.

If you think lactation consultant scmholsuntant, you have no idea what you're talking about. Do…read moreseek out one! As for Cygnus, Jeannie is fantastic! The place is very well organized, very professional. We learned A LOT! And the price is VERY reasonable, especially for what you get, which is a lot.

I saw Laura as a second opinion IBCLC earlier this year. She identified my son's tongue tie, and…read morerecommended the Dentist (Dentistry for Kids) to get it revised. That alone saved our breast feeding journey. The rest of Laura's services were fine, but she offered no further information than I already knew and didn't have many suggestions in the way of increasing my supply. Like other reviews highlight, it's hard to pick apart the good advice from the not-so-helpful.

Laura is a very nice person and very approachable. She'd communicate directly via text message. The…read moreIntake form was very thorough and I appreciate that she tried to understand the big picture. However, I can't recommend her to anyone. If you are all about homeopathic remedies, then she is the person for you. Unfortunately, I believe that is pseudo science. She even recommended craniosacral therapy which is just absolutely ridiculous to me. I wanted to keep an open mind, so asked her why that would help my baby breastfeeding. She never directly answered my question with a logical explanation, but kept repeating "everything in my body is all connected". She was convinced that my baby has tongue tie and lip tie and I should address it ASAP with the doctor she recommends. I did some research and it is true that my baby has some degrees of lip tie, but it doesn't affect breastfeeding. Additionally, she wanted to convince me to bed share with my baby which I told her I wasn't comfortable with. She then got really aggressive and told me that it is a natural thing to do and it is not harmful. She was so focused on her agenda that she ignored my questions regarding milk supply and pumping. Later on, I learned that Laura is an anti-vaxxer. She also expressed her frustration on wearing a mask because of Covid and she said that wearing a mask is more harmful than Covid. I respect people with different values than me. Though it made me completely uncomfortable, and I believe I need to leave a review here to warn people.

Jane is so wonderful at what she does and allows you to give yourself grace as a first time and…read morebreastfeeding mama. I went to see Jane for a second opinion after several coworkers had recommended her as my first lactation consultant was just not helpful at all. Jane was supportive and attentive, and I just felt so at peace.

Jane is great at helping navigate your breastfeeding journey. She supported me as a first time mom…read morenavigate low supply, helping my baby gain weight, and generally be more comfortable breastfeeding. I can't recommend her enough!

I am now 3 months postpartum and still successfully breastfeeding! All because of the help I…read morereceived at New Mother New Baby in the first few weeks after bringing my son home. I worked with Gail and I owe all my success to her! Walking into the office I immediately felt at home. Through the entire process she made both me and my husband feel comfortable. There was zero judgment. She listened to our concerns, worked with us to come up with a plan and taught us how to execute said plan with complete grace. She gave us tips and tricks in which I have continued to use each and every time I nurse my baby. Things I never would have known or tried if it weren't for her Knowledge. All of this.. and so much more in just two appointments with Gail. New Mother New Baby 10/10 would recommend.

If you are (or going to be) a new mom, this place is a must. The care, the classes, the…read moreinformation, and lactation consultants are absolutely phenomenal. I felt super isolated and lonely in motherhood (my mom, and MIL completely hands off and not helpful in the advice department) and I just felt utterly lost in being a new mother. As many new mothers do. I just didn't feel comfortable scouring the internet for answers. The new mom's class was super awesome! I learned so much and got to meet new moms just like me. I also was able to breast feed my son for 9 months (while working) Everyone is so kind, patient, and knowledgeable there. Gail and her staff care so much for the moms and families they impact everyday. Thank you!!

Had 2 home waterbirths! Love this practice. Love the newborn and prenatal and postpartum care too!read more

I've had 2 homebirths with Midwives Care LLC. They have been a tremendous help in my prenatal and…read morepost partum Care. They really cared about my best interest with each pregnancy. I really researched my decision before going with Midwives Care. Even though there were a few Midwives in the practice....each one was considerate to my birth experience of choice. I never worried who would be at my birth. It really just felt like an extension of family.... which I think home birth kind of is. We are not only grateful for the customer service but the knowledge base as well. We really felt so safe and confident with our choice and haven't looked back. We are a customer until the last baby​

When thinking about my pregnancy, birth, and post partum I get overwhelmed with such gratitude…read more Having Corinne and Coté by my side throughout this journey and process has been my biggest blessing. When I got pregnant, I assumed I would have a birthing center birth again. But I decided to talk to Corinne, just to learn a little more about the possibility of a home birth. Their warmth and calmness made me feel so confident and comfortable with having a home birth. Choosing Birth roots for my birth was the best decision I ever made. Birth is a transformative time in your life and Corinne and Coté understand that and are there for you for every part. Being able to meet with the same midwife for each appointment made a huge difference in level of care. Corinne knew my previous birth story, knew about my first born, my partner, and most importantly every aspect of this pregnancy. They knew my concerns, my joys, and how I envisioned my birth. Honestly, it felt more like talking to a friend and therapist every visit. Corinne makes you feel extremely comfortable, I was able to share all of my concerns, doubts, and worries without judgement. I was able to have an amazing homebirth because of them. Throughout my fourth trimester, Corinne was still there checking in on me and baby. They understand the difficulties of post partum and truly show up for you. It's the support every woman deserves after birth. Then, there is Coté who is equally amazing. Her warmth, knowledge, and nourishing soul made my entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum just that much better. Walking into her home and being welcomed with warm tea and positive energy is exactly what I always needed without even knowing it. I always left her feeling more at ease and at peace. She has a gift. Cote also organizes classes and post partum gatherings which I was able to be a part of and absolutely loved. The post partum groups are a blessing. If you are questioning on whether or not to choose Birth Roots, do it! You won't regret it.

We feel so fortunate and blessed to have had Corinne as our midwife and Coté as our doula for the…read morebirth of our son 6 months ago. We could not have asked for better people to guide us on this journey. We looked forward to every appointment with Corinne. Corinne is knowledgeable, caring and emotionally intelligent. We always felt like we were in good hands, which kept anxiety low and positive energy high throughout our pregnancy. Coté added an element we wouldn't even have known exactly how to seek or ask for. Through singing, drums, story, massage, ritual, candles, education...you name it!...she helped to bring out the deep meaning inherent in pregnancy and birth. We came away from prenatal and postnatal sessions with Coté whispering to ourselves "whoa!" and feeling indescribable peace that you might normally associate with the best meditation or religious ceremonies. We would be thanking our lucky stars to have found either of these wonderful people to assist us with welcoming our son into our family, but having both of them contribute according to their special gifts and talents still feels almost too good to be true. Thank you Corinne and Coté from the bottom of our hearts.