Frequently asked questions

What is a Mother-Baby Holistic Health & Feeding Specialist?

I started out as a Speech and Language Pathologist specializing in neonatal feeding. Then I started working on my IBCLC credential and realized I wanted to know more and more and more… until suddenly I felt like SLP + IBCLC didn’t encompass all of my training and knowledge on health & feeding for expectant and new parents. The reason I focus on both mother + baby is because I strongly believe that all power lies within the dyad of the two, and that any feeding support that does not include parents is woefully inadequate.

Do I see you instead of a doctor?

I am an allied health professional, meaning that I cannot take the place of your doctor. Instead, what I can do is work with your doctor to ensure that you and your child are receiving the highest quality of care possible.

How are you different from a lactation consultant?

As an IBCLC, I am a huge proponent of breastfeeding, but I stand firmly behind the idea that parents have options and should choose the one that works best for their family. Lactation consulting is certainly part of what I do, but as a Speech and Language Pathologist, I have specialty training in pediatric feeding which includes the appropriate way to bottle feed to ensure your baby is happy, healthy, and that all mealtimes are enjoyable.

I see you’re a Speech and Language Pathologist. How is that relevant to me - my baby isn’t talking yet?

This is one of my favorite questions! Most people associate SLPs with speech issues (like pronouncing “r” wrong) or language issues (e.g., using the wrong grammar), but an SLP does so much more than that. When you think about it, we talk with the same body parts that we use to eat - from the lungs, throat, mouth, and even the brain - which is what makes an SLP uniquely qualified to help with feeding issues as well. For more information, head to www.whatsslp.com.

What’s the difference between a Speech Therapist and a Speech and Language Pathologist?

Nothing. Just a way for us to be confusing. :) Technically all people who complete a masters degree in the US are considered “Speech and Language Pathologists,” but I won’t mind if you prefer the term therapist instead.

What will I get from you that I won’t get from a course, group program, or online resources?

In a nutshell: individualized services. You can spend all night combing through the ranks of Google imagining worst case scenarios or leave your doctor’s appointments with more jargon than answers, or you can ask me your questions and I promise to utilize all of my training and networks to provide you with the most up-to-date, evidence-based answers.

Why is it so important that mealtimes are enjoyable?

Food and mealtimes are a crucial part of our everyday lives and cultures. There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting down to a good meal with my loved ones, and I want everyone to feel the same! Building good habits starts early. We also know that the prevalence of feeding disorders is somewhere between 5-20% of the general population. There is a lot of research that shows that early intervention can alleviate a lot of issues down the line.

Why are you so passionate about women’s health and pediatric feeding?

This is a complicated question, so we’ll go with the summary version. I have always loved food. So much so that I went to the French Culinary Institute in my early 20s before I realized that I’d rather eat the food on a Friday night instead of cook it (shout out to all the chefs out there!). Then, when I went to grad school, I had the opportunity to take some masters level courses in Nutrition as well, and I absolutely fell in love. The more I went down the hole of nutrition and health and wellness, the more I felt like I needed to learn. Add to that a few run ins with some incompent doctors and working in a hospital for years and realizing how much more we have left to learn about the human body, and I was hooked.

Do you really feel like parents need all this support?

In a nutshell: yes. We are so inundated with information and opinions these days. I remember being so overwhelmed by typical “mommy” groups with their contradictory advice. Additionally, babies change fast. What works one day may not work the next, and parents need a support system that can help them troubleshoot on those days where their little one is having a hard time. Additionally, we have all been affected by the tragedy of the pandemic and losing our sense of normalcy and community. I want to alleviate some of the loneliness and fear that comes from that restricted access to community.

Do you only work with moms?

Definitely not! I have worked with tons of parents over the course of my career. My goal is that every person who enters into parenthood feels secure and supported.

When is the right time to hire you?

If I had my choice, I’d prefer to start working with clients before the delivery of their newborns. That way I have the opportunity to know your goals ahead of time, so that you get the best possible information to get off on the right foot. However, I know that this isn’t always possible, and my training and experience has been primarily in the realm of crisis management - aka the shit has already hit the fan. So if that’s you, don’t worry - we can work on it together.

What is the process for the work we do together?

This varies depending on what you need, but the general gist is:

• Initial meeting: this will be a 2-3 hour session where we discuss your background history, previous and current concerns, goals for the future, and any questions you might have.

• Remaining sessions: After the initial meeting, we will continue to follow up in the way that most supports you. This may be in person, via virtual meetings, or texting via our electronic medical records app for timely support in between our virtual meetings, and/or via email. Please note that I am only available for text and email during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9-4).

I just have a few questions to ask you, can I just do a single session with you?

Yes. To schedule a one-time visit, click here. However, my goal is to provide support. Sometimes parenthood can feel like a new challenge every day. It’s a prevalent thought that breastfeeding is easy because it’s “natural” - and for some people, that’s true! However, most people that I talk to (me included!) tell me that they wished that they had more support, especially in the beginning. I want to set you up with that kind of support so that you never feel that concern of “What if I just don’t know enough?”

When do the sessions take place?

We will schedule the initial session once I've received your inquiry and you've received insurance information (if requested). We will schedule the remaining sessions together at the end of that first session. If you need to reschedule your sessions for any reason, I do require 24 hour notice.

Why do you provide services virtually instead of in person?

I’ll be honest - in person sessions are my preference. However, SLPs trained in pediatric feeding are few and far between. There is such a huge need for support, and I hate to hear of anyone in a remote location who cannot find a provider that can help them. By offering services virtually, I am able to reach a much wider net of struggling parents.

What if I need more support than you can give me virtually?

While it’s true that I don’t know everyone in the US, I have a wide network of preferred providers that I can refer you to. If I don’t know anyone in your area that can help, I will look within my network for recommendations.

Do you provide references that I can contact?

Unfortunately, due to HIPAA regulations, I cannot provide references. There are testimonials from happy parents located on this page.

Can you order labs?

Unfortunately, I can’t. However, I can provide a letter for your doctor to recommend specific tests, or I can recommend companies through which you can order the tests yourself.

Do you accept insurance?

I accept some insurances via The Lactation Network. You can click here to enter your information, and TLN will contact you with the details of your coverage. I am also working on credentialling with other insurance companies, but in the meantime, I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. The majority of my services are eligible for reimbursement with your insurance company, but you’ll need to check your coverage and submit it yourself. However, please note that not all services are reimbursable by insurance. Also, please note that you will be responsible for contacting your insurance company to determine your eligibility.

Do you have sliding scale fees for low income parents?

I offer one free session for qualifying low income parents per month. Please contact me to apply.

What is your cancellation policy?

Meeting virtually with you allows me to meet you where you’re at with the challenges of raising a young child. I’m here to help you through those tough times. I do require 24 hour notice for all rescheduled or cancelled appointments. If you do not cancel with 24 hours notice, there will be a $75 reschedule fee. That being said, emergencies happen, so contact me and we will work through it together.

I have a call with you now but my baby is screaming. What should I do?

Get on the call! I can help you work through the steps to see if we can figure out what’s going on. If it proves to be too difficult, we will reschedule for a later date.

What states are you licensed in?

I am licensed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.

You aren’t licensed in my state. Can I still work with you?

Unfortunately, I am unable to offer services in states where I am not licensed at this time. However, if you are struggling to find a provider, feel free to reach out to me and I will do my best to find a provider who is local to you.

Do you offer a refund in the case of a miscarriage?

Losing a child is a pain that I wish that no parent should ever have to experience. I will offer a pro-rated refund for any unused services.

What are your mission, purpose, vision, and values?

They are so important to me, I gave them their own page! Check it out here.

What is your diversity, equity, and inclusion policies?

For my governing body’s position on cultural competency: https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/cultural-competence/

Check out this page to read my personal statement on diversity, equity and inclusion. This is a topic that is very important to me, and it warrants its own page rather than just a quick blurb.

What is your favorite research article and why?

I have two, but they’re related! They are:

Pados, F., Park, J., & Dodrill, P. (2019). Know the flow: milk flow rates from bottle nipples used in the hospital and after discharge. Advances in Neonatal Care. https://doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000000538

Marshall, J., Clarke, S., Escott, C., & Pados, B.F. (2020). Assessing flow rate of different bottles and teats for neonates with feeding difficulties: An Australian context. Journal of Neonatal Nursing.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2020.11.014

I like these two articles because they are so immediately useful and demonstrate how most bottle packaging is for marketing purposes only and there is no standardization as to flow rates from competitor to competitor.

I have low milk supply. Do I really need to hire a specialist? My MIL/Best Friend/Cousin/etc. recommended a bunch of herbs and lactation cookies. Should I just do this first?

I recommend NOT trying herbs or galactagogues until you have spoken with both an experienced lactation consultant and your doctor. Like any “medication,” there are situations where these items can hurt or help, and you want to make sure you’re targeting the underlying problems. I can help you look at all of the evidence to determine what these issues might be, and we can take it from there.

My OB/PCP said that there’s nothing I can do for low supply so labs aren’t necessary.

Sometimes this is the case, and we just don’t have enough information to figure out how to fix it. However, most of the time, low supply is a symptom of an underlying health problem. Because I believe in optimal health and wellness, I believe that your concerns are valid and that further investigation isn’t just warranted -- it’s essential because quality healthcare is a human right.

My pediatrician said tongue ties are a fad and I can start solids at 4 months. What is your opinion?

My opinion isn’t what’s important - the evidence is what’s important! The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics don’t recommend starting solids until 6 months. Tongue ties are a little trickier. The key is to do a functional evaluation. By seeing your baby in action, I can determine if you need a referral to either a pediatric dentist or ENT for further evaluation and remediation if warranted.