Breastfeeding is natural, but it isn't always automatic. Most new parents run into questions in the first few weeks about latch, timing, or whether their baby is getting enough milk. A lactation consultant is a trained clinical specialist who can help sort through those questions with real answers, not just encouragement.
Feeding challenges are fairly common, and getting support early tends to make a real difference in how long and how comfortably you can breastfeed. This article covers what a lactation consultant does, what credentials to look for, signs it's time to reach out, what a visit involves, and where to find help close to home.
Women's HealthFirst offers lactation support as part of postpartum care across our Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Bartlett locations.
A lactation consultant is someone who is trained specifically in breastfeeding and human lactation. The gold-standard credential for lactation consultants is IBCLC, or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, which requires supervised clinical hours, coursework, and a board exam. Not everyone who offers breastfeeding help holds this credential, so it's worth asking directly before you book.
Lactation consultants assess how breastfeeding is going for both parent and baby, not just whether the baby is eating, but how. That includes checking latch, positioning, and milk transfer, addressing pain during feeding, working through low or oversupply, and building a feeding plan that fits your family, including pumping and combination feeding.
You should reach out to a lactation consultant if you notice:
A visit typically starts with a conversation about how feeding has been going, followed by an observed feeding session so your consultant can see latch and positioning firsthand. From there, you'll work through a plan tailored to your goals, whether that's resolving pain, building supply, or preparing for a return to work. Coverage varies by plan, so it's worth checking with your insurance ahead of time.
When you’re ready to meet with a lactation consultant, be sure to look for an IBCLC-certified consultant, ideally one connected to your existing prenatal and postpartum care team. At Women's HealthFirst, lactation support is available for families in Palatine, IL, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Bartlett through our locations, the same practice already familiar with your pregnancy and delivery.
Not every lactation consultant has the same training, availability, or insurance coverage. Before you schedule, it's worth asking:
The best lactation support fits into the same care you already trust. Here's who's leading that work on our physician assistant team at Women's HealthFirst.
Kristin holds a master's degree in physician assistant studies from Rush University, with a specialty year in emergency medicine. She is NCCPA-licensed and a member of the American Academy of PAs and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. In 2020, she became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to better support her breastfeeding patients, and she practices with a holistic, shared decision-making approach. Kristin is fluent in Spanish and has volunteered on medical missions in Honduras and the Dominican Republic.
Melissa Horton is a board-certified physician assistant with a bachelor's degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Illinois and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Touro University. Her practice focuses on birth control counseling, preventive screenings, and long-term wellness, and she is currently pursuing her IBCLC certification. Melissa is expanding her role in postpartum care, helping new parents navigate breastfeeding and newborn wellness. You can read more about her in our new provider spotlight.
Lactation care at Women's HealthFirst is part of the same practice already handling your prenatal care and postpartum recovery, so nothing gets lost between visits as you move through the fourth trimester. Support is available across our Palatine, Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Bartlett locations.
If you're facing feeding challenges or just want a plan in place before baby arrives, request an appointment online or call (847) 808-8884 to schedule a lactation visit.