Herself Moms understands the challenges that breastfeeding
mothers encounter while learning to feed their babies: an
unexpected birth outcome; returning to work; and issues that can
arise with milk supply. Our Internationally Board Certified
Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) are trained health care
professionals who specialize in the clinical management of
breastfeeding. Their unique experiences in a wide variety of
complex breastfeeding situations, will help you to develop a
targeted plan to meet your breastfeeding goals.
In-Store and In-Home Lacation Appointment
Herself Moms offers a variety of
breastfeeding related services to meet your specific needs.
Our dedicated lacation consultants are available for
in-store lactation appointments at both Herself Moms
locations, in Roseville and East Sacramento. In addition,
Herself Moms lactation consultants can be booked for an
in-home lactation appointment to work with you and baby in
the privacy of your own home and create a supportive
breastfeeding environment.
What to Expect:
During a private consultation, your
Lactation Consultant will listen to gather history and
information; observe and assist with a nursing session and
do a physical assessment (if needed). All the information
will be used to formulate a plan of action and provide the
needed education and support to aid mom in a successful
breastfeeding experience.
Breastfeeding Services
In-Store Lactation Consultation - $115
- 1.5 hour appointments with a Herself Moms lactation
consultant to address specific breastfeeding challenges or
concerns once baby is born. Full feeding assessment is
completed by the lactation consultant, along with a pre and
post feeding weight measurements to determine how well baby
is feeding at the breast.
In-Store Follow Up Lactation
Consultation - $90
- 1 hour appointment with a Herself Moms lactation
consultant within 2 weeks since the primary consult.
In-Home Lactation Consultation - $150
- 1.5 hour appointment with a Herself Moms lactation
consultant in the privacy of your own home, to address
specific breastfeeding challenges or concerns once baby is
born. Full feeding assessment is completed by the lactation
consultant, along with a pre and post feeding weight
measurements to determine how well baby is feeding at the
breast. Follow up In-home consults are the same price
$150.00
In-Home
Lactation Consultation - Out of Area- $175- 1.5 hour
appointment in Lincoln, Auburn, Natomas, Elk Grove.
In-Store Prenatal Lactation
Consultation - $90
- 1 hour appointment with a Herself Moms lactation
consultant to discuss questions and concerns that you have
prenatally about breastfeeding. This is a great appointment
for mothers who may have previously encountered
breastfeeding challenges with another child. Also
recommended for moms of Multiples to develop a plan for the
feeding of Multiples, tips and how-to’s help.
30 Minute
Phone Consultation - $45 - Phone consultations for
quick, specific breastfeeding questions capable of being
addressed via phone, can be booked with one of our private
lactation consultants.
A $40.00 deposit is required to schedule the appointment.
Balance to be paid in full at the appointment
Breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial source of nutrition
and provides the healthiest start for an infant. In addition to
the nutritional benefits, breastfeeding promotes a unique and
emotional connection between mother and baby. In the policy
statement, "Breastfeeding
and the Use of Human Milk," published in the March 2012
issue of Pediatrics (published online Feb. 27), the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reaffirms its recommendation of
exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months of a
baby's life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with the
introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of
age, and continuation of breastfeeding for as long as mutually
desired by mother and baby.
This recommendation is supported by the health
outcomes of exclusively breastfed infants and infants
who never or only partially breastfed. Breastfeeding
provides a protective effect against respiratory
illnesses, ear infections, gastrointestinal diseases,
and allergies including asthma, eczema and atopic
dermatitis.
The rate of sudden infant
death syndrome (SIDS) is reduced by over a third in
breastfed babies, and there is a 15 percent to 30
percent reduction in adolescent and adult obesity in
breastfed vs. non-breastfed infants. Approximately 75
percent of newborn infants initiate breastfeeding.
Hospital routines more and more attempt to accommodate
the breastfeeding mother. Pediatricians promote the
advantages of breastfeeding to mothers and infants, as
well as the health risks of not breastfeeding. As such,
choosing to breastfeed should be considered an
investment in the short- and long-term health of the
infant, rather than a lifestyle choice.
Meet Our Lactation
Consultants!
Jen Pettus, International
Board Certified Lactation Consultant I have been
working as a lactation consultant for Herself Moms since
2010 and thoroughly enjoy helping new moms and babies!
In addition to working for Herself Moms. I also split my
time working as a breastfeeding liaison for the WIC
program, coordinating outreach and breastfeeding
education to local hospitals and healthcare providers in
the Sacramento area. Jen's background is in
corporate public relations, however, after becoming a
mommy and experiencing her own challenges with
breastfeeding, she was inspired to pursue a new career
in lactation and has never looked back! Her experiences
as a full-time, working and breastfeeding mother in the
corporate settting has provided her with a wealth of
experience that she shares in her Express Yourself: Breastfeeding Mom’s Guide to
Pumping class. "Welcoming a child
into the world is an incredibly life-changing
experience, my goal is to provide the support you need
to help you meet your breastfeeding goals and enjoy the
journey."
Kristen Brown is a passionate IBCLC, International
Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She works at
Kaiser in the lactation clinic taking care of moms
and babies, helping them reach their breastfeeding
goals and overcome struggles such as low milk
supply, tongue-tie, sore nipples, nipple confusion,
prematurity, and slow weight gain. She also works as
an inpatient lactation consultant at Mercy General
Hospital ensuring that the mother/baby dyad get off
to the best possible start and go home feeling
confident in their breastfeeding journey. When
Kristen is not working, she has four
wonderful children age 3 mths, 3yrs, 9, and 11 who keep her busy.
She is a board member for the Folsom Sea Otter Swim
Team, on the committee for Cub Scout Pack 1855, and
involved with her younger son's competitive soccer team
and older son's Boy Scouts.
Samantha Smith-Ketcham is an Internationally Board
Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). In addition to
her work with Herself Moms, she helps breastfeeding
mothers and babies at the Marysville WIC (Women,
Infants, and Children) program. She is passionate about
breastfeeding and breastfeeding medicine, especially
when it comes to making the mother feel comfortable,
relaxed, and confident. Her own mother was active in La
Leche League during her entire childhood, and she
believes that helped her find a place in a field that
works to create a community of women. Her particular
area of focus is on breastfeeding and mental illnesses
and medications. She believes that breastfeeding is
about harnessing a mother’s individual ability and
strength, to give her baby the best start possible.
What Mom’s have to say about their Consult appointments:
“Between baby crying before every nurse
and his somewhat inconsistent pooping pattern, I was getting a
little concerned that I was either doing something wrong or he
wasn't getting enough milk. Not a very original new mom concern,
but I couldn't shake it off. He was gaining weight, but I was
just lacking some self confidence in my nursing ability. Surely
meeting with a lactation consultant would at least make me feel
better so it seemed worth taking the time. So I decided to
schedule an appointment just before my little guy turned 2
weeks. Little did I know it would result in more than just
making me feel better. My consultant was very quick at
determining that I had a letdown too forceful for him, so she
recommended a different nursing position. Immediately, he
latched on and nursed peacefully - something he had not done in
a week! He still hasn't cried once at nursing since then, making
as you can imagine everybody's life a lot more pleasant. She
also measured the quantity he drank in one feed by weighing him
before and after with a very precise scale - and he was
definitely getting plenty! We discussed more positioning
options, pumping tips and bottles for when I return to work as
well. And those also worked as my husband gave him his first
bottle last week and it went very smoothly. All in all, I think
this turned out to be the most useful hour and a half I spent
educating myself on a baby related matter!” - Annie A.
“After having a C-section with induced
labor - something that was completely different from my natural
birth plan I was totally upset having to battle milk supply
issues. Learning that it was due to an inherent hormonal
problem, the lactation consultant at the hospital totally gave
up on me after suggesting a few supplements. I met with the
consultant at Herself Moms after that since I had this staunch
determination that I would do all it takes to work on my milk
supply. She helped me do just that - she was like the best
medicine prescribed for my situation. She listened patiently
about my case and worked with me to give a plan that would help
increase my milk supply. She was very empathetic to my hormonal
situation and gave me courage to battle with it. Following her
plan helped a great deal and I am now able to feed my baby with
a larger percentage of my breast-milk and supplement with
formula only as a top up. She has been very forthcoming in
answering my follow up questions to help me maintain the supply.
I am so glad I met with her”- Anitha
“I had the privilege of receiving a
lactation consult at Herself Moms. I emailed Julie in the middle
of the night while I was nursing my baby and in tears due to the
pain it was causing me. I did my research, read books, looked up
websites, but it was not helping me. I am a registered nurse and
thought that I would be able to breastfeeding easily with the
knowledge that I had but it was not so simple. I scheduled a
consult at my house. She was very patient with us and she was
determined to make it work for me so I wouldn't have the pain
anymore. I was so surprised at how many different techniques
there could be for breastfeeding. In the end, we got him to
latch correctly. She also took the time to answer my long list
of questions. I am still breastfeeding my son and plan on doing
it for at least a year. There is absolutely no pain anymore and
it is such a wonderful experience to be able to provide him with
the best thing possible for his health. I figure that the price
of a lactation appointment is nothing compared to the rewards of
breastfeeding your baby and not having to pay for formula that
has nowhere near the benefits that breast milk has. Thanks so
much to Herself Moms and Julie! Owen and I are very grateful!”
-Emily
“I received more breastfeeding support and
encouragement from Herself Moms than I did from my own family!
My C-section recovery was challenging which made breastfeeding
all the more demanding. Thankfully, one phone call to Julie
changed everything. I got immediate help over the phone; the
consultant came to my home for my first consult; and my
follow-up appointment was in-store. She tailored and then
modified my lactation plan to increase my milk supply and ensure
the best results for me and my daughter. Three and a half months
later, we are still going strong! Herself Moms was been a true
blessing as I journeyed into motherhood!” -Melinda
"I just wanted to say thank you for all of
the help you have given me and Sydney in our last 2
consultations. I feel like we have rectified my issues and
concerns and I am set up to succeed with breastfeeding when I go
back to work shortly. Your advice and support have been really
invaluable. Julie, thank you for helping coordinate times to
come in that work with my schedule, fitting me again for the
pumping bra and checking my pump. I really appreciate it. What
you both do is really a game changer for a lot of women and your
focus on this area of women's health is really remarkable. I
can't say enough good things to enough people." Thanks again!
-Jessica
In addition to ongoing breastfeeding support, Herself Moms
provides a broad range of breastfeeding services and
supplies including: