Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our Lactation Support FAQs — answers to common questions about virtual lactation consultations, insurance coverage, telehealth visits, Breastfeeding Medicine, and how our Nurse Practitioner & Board-Certified IBCLC services work.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or want clarity on services, this page has the answers.
About Our Services
Do you offer virtual lactation consultations?
Yes. Advanced Lactation Care provides secure telehealth lactation consultations, allowing families to receive expert breastfeeding and pumping support from home.
What is a virtual lactation consultation?
A virtual lactation consultation is a one-on-one video visit that provides personalized breastfeeding and pumping support through secure telehealth. Virtual lactation care allows for real-time assessment, education, and troubleshooting from the comfort of your home.
👉 Learn more about our Virtual Lactation Consultation services.
Is virtual lactation support as effective as in-person visits?
Yes. Research and clinical experience show that virtual lactation consultations are effective for addressing latch issues, pumping challenges, milk supply concerns, and feeding education when guided by an experienced provider.
Who provides the virtual lactation consultations?
All consultations are provided by a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with expertise in complex and medical lactation cases.
What is Breastfeeding Medicine?
Breastfeeding Medicine is a medical specialty that focuses on the clinical management of complex breastfeeding and lactation issues. It addresses both feeding challenges and underlying medical, hormonal, or physiological contributors.
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👉 Learn more about our Breastfeeding Medicine Consultation services.
What’s the difference between a lactation consult and a Breastfeeding Medicine consult?
A general lactation consultation focuses on feeding technique, education, and support. A Breastfeeding Medicine consultation includes medical evaluation and is appropriate for persistent or complex issues such as low milk supply, pain, medication counseling, or hormonal concerns.
How do I know which consultation I need?
In general, a comprehensive lactation consultation is a great place to start for most breastfeeding or lactation concerns. If you are already working with a lactation professional or IBCLC and still have persistent symptoms, medical concerns or continued low supply, then a specialty service like Low Milk Supply Consultation or Breastfeeding Medicine Visit is the next step. If you’re unsure which service is best, Get in touch and we're happy to guide you!
Can you help with low milk supply through virtual visits?
Yes. Low milk supply is one of our specialties. We offer specialized Low Milk Supply Consultations that focus on identifying contributing factors and creating realistic, evidence-based feeding plans tailored to your goals.
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👉 Learn more about Low Milk Supply Support.
Appointments & What to Expect
How do I schedule a virtual lactation consultation?
Appointments can be scheduled online through our website at any time. Families can choose a date and time that fits their schedule.
Do I need special equipment for a virtual lactation appointment?
No special equipment is required. You only need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a stable internet connection.
What should I prepare before my virtual visit?
We recommended checking your internet connection on the device of your choice and install or update Zoom. You can plan the visit for anywhere in your home that you are comfortable and natural lighting is preferred for optimal visibility. If you are having pump challenges or questions, have your pump set up and ready to go. If you booked a lactation consultation and plan to breastfeed during our visit, please have any tools (pillow, nipple shield, etc) easily available.
How long is a lactation consultation?
Most consultations are 60-90 minutes, allowing time for assessment, education, and personalized recommendations. Specialty visits like Low Milk Supply Consultation and Breastfeeding Medicine Visits are more medically-focused and last about an hour.
Can my partner or support person join the appointment?
Yes. Partners and support people are welcome to attend virtual visits if you choose.
What states do you provide virtual lactation services in?
We are based in Greer, South Carolina (between Greenville and Spartanburg) and offer virtual services nationwide. Services are based on APRN licensure and available to families located in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas, depending on the type of consultation.
Insurance, Billing & Payment
Do you accept insurance?
We are a self-pay practice and not directly in-network with any insurance carrier. For clients covered by CIGNA, your visit fee is partially covered ($100 with balance self-pay) when pre-approved through Wildflower.
Do you provide Superbills for insurance reimbursement?
Yes. After your appointment, we provide a detailed Superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, FSA/HSA cards and ApplePay via secure processor at the time of booking.
What is your cancellation policy?
Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations or missed appointments may be subject to a fee. We recommend you view our full Financial Policy and reach out for any questions.
Telehealth and Privacy
What platform do you use for virtual visits?
All appointments are conducted using a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform to protect your privacy and personal health information.
Is telehealth lactation support secure?
Yes. Telehealth visits are encrypted and comply with healthcare privacy standards.
General Questions
Is low milk supply my fault?
No. Low milk supply is often influenced by physiological, hormonal, or medical factors and is not caused by lack of effort or commitment.
What are some causes of low milk supply?
Low milk supply is complex and often multi-factorial. The most common reason for low supply is suboptimal lactation management. This includes things like: missed feeds, sleep training, early introduction of bottles, wrong flange size, latch difficulties and time limitation at the breast. It is critical to assess overall lactation management because often when these factors are corrected, supply improves. If lactation practices are optimal and you're still having low supply, then we think about medical causes. This includes things like: anemia, hypothyroidism, postpartum thyroiditis, insulin resistance and low prolactin. We can do lab testing for these and, once the underlying root cause is identified and managed, supply often improves.
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👉 Check out the blog to learn more: "10 Surprising Reasons for Low Milk Supply" and "Understanding Low Milk Supply"
Can you prescribe medication or supplements?
As a Nurse Practitioner, medical recommendations and medication counseling may be provided when appropriate during Breastfeeding Medicine Consultations. Prescription treatment is available for select conditions in select states.
I've heard Domperidone can help increase supply. Is this something you prescribe?
Domperidone has been used off-label to increase prolactin levels and is not available in the United States. It is not a medication we prescribe but we can discuss! It is available from international sources and we are happy to provide medication counseling to assure it is a safe choice for you. We offer evidence-based information about use, dosage, safety, weaning, etc. It is highly recommended to seek professional guidance if you are considering Domperidone.
What if I’m not sure breastfeeding is right for me?
Our role is to provide evidence-based information and support — not pressure. We help families make informed feeding decisions that align with their values, health, and circumstances. If you are expecting and exploring infant feeding options, we would love to partner with you to help you navigate the process and make choices that are right for your family. A Prenatal Feeding Consultation is a great way to explore all your options and get a plan for success!
Do you support formula feeding families?
Yes. We offer professional, compassionate support independent of infant feeding preference and your goals are our goals!
Still Have Questions?
If you didn’t find your answer here, please contact us or schedule a consultation to receive personalized guidance and support.