What happens during an In-home Lactation Consult (Ottawa, Gatineau, Chelsea)
- Chelsea Lactation & Postpartum Care
- Sep 10, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
A breastfeeding home visit typically includes a conversation about your feeding goals and concerns, an observation of a full feeding, gentle support with latch and positioning, and—when helpful—infant weight checks. After the visit, you’ll receive a personalized care plan based on what we see together and what matters most to your family.
If you’re wondering what actually happens during an in-home lactation consult, this post walks through what I bring, what I look for, and how I support families during a breastfeeding home visit.
What I Bring to Your Home
My knowledge and experience as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
A sensitive scale to weigh your baby before and after a feed.
Teaching props, like a knitted breast or a baby doll, are used to demonstrate techniques.
A calm, supportive presence — because feeling safe and seen truly matters.
I also help you use what you already have at home — your couch, pillows, or bed — so that feeding feels comfortable in the space where you’ll be doing it most often.
What You Can Expect During the Visit
Every consult is different because every family is different, but here’s the general flow:
Conversation First
We’ll talk about your birth story, your baby’s feeding history, your medical history, and your current concerns. This helps me understand the bigger picture and tailor my support to your goals.
Observation of a Feeding
I’ll watch you feed your baby, paying attention to positioning, latch, and sucking patterns. This helps me see what’s really happening and how to make things better. If pumping or bottle-feeding are part of your routine, we’ll go over those, too, and troubleshoot any challenges.
Adjustments & Guidance
I might guide you through a different position, suggest latch tweaks, or introduce strategies to ease pain and improve milk transfer.
Weighing Baby
If it’s helpful, I’ll weigh your baby before and after the feeding so we can see exactly how much milk they’ve transferred. This often provides reassurance, validation, or useful insight.
Q&A Discussion
We'll review what happened during the consult to ensure you have the tools and understanding you need to move forward. You'll also have an opportunity to ask questions - many parents make a list beforehand!
Personalized Care Plan
After our consult, I'll prepare a clear, customized care plan. This includes:
Feeding tips for you and your baby
Pumping and bottle-feeding strategies (if needed)
Resources and guidance for milk supply
When appropriate, referral for bodywork or another practitioner
Practical suggestions that fit into your daily routine
Follow-Up Support
Most families notice improvements after just one session - whether it's less pain, more confidence, a clear direction forward, or finally feeling reassured that baby is getting enough milk. Some parents need three or more sessions before they feel truly confident and ready. Every feeding journey is different, and that's completely okay.
Why Parents Choose In-Home Support (Outaouais)
Sometimes feeding goes well at a clinic, but when parents get home, everything feels different and that earlier success can't be replicated. With an in-home lactation consult, we practice breastfeeding in your own space, with your own things, the way you'll actually be doing it when I'm not there.
Not only is this better for learning, but it's also so much easier than packing up your baby and driving across town to sit in a waiting room.
Still have questions? These are some of the most common things parents ask before a breastfeeding home visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding Home Visits
1) Do I need to prepare anything before a breastfeeding home visit?
If you can, try to plan the visit so your baby will be ready to eat about 30 minutes into the consult. That said, babies don’t always follow a schedule — and that’s completely okay.
It’s also helpful to:
Set up a clean, flat surface (like a kitchen table, counter, or large coffee table) where I can place my scale to weigh your baby.
Jot down any questions or topics you want to be sure we discuss.
Have a history of your baby’s weights available, if you have it — this can help with history taking and identifying feeding or milk supply concerns.
None of this needs to be perfect. We’ll work with whatever your day brings.
2) Will I be forced to breastfeed during the visit?
No — never. You are always in control.
My role is to support your feeding goals, whatever they may be. If breastfeeding feels stressful or isn’t something you want to do in that moment, we can talk things through, observe a different feeding method, or focus on planning and education instead.
3) Can my partner be there during the visit?
Absolutely — and it’s often even better when they are.
Partners can learn how to support feeding, understand what’s normal, and feel more confident helping in the days ahead. They’re very welcome to be part of the visit.
4) I have pets. Is that okay?
Yes! Pets are part of the family, and they don’t need to be put away unless you prefer it.
5) Can you help if I’m not breastfeeding — like with formula feeding or exclusive pumping?
Yes. Feeding support isn’t limited to direct breastfeeding.
I support families who are:
Combination feeding
Formula feeding
Exclusively pumping
Transitioning between feeding methods
We can talk through what’s working, what feels challenging, and how to make feeding more manageable and supportive for you and your baby.
6) Is it too late to breastfeed if my baby is older or we stopped earlier than planned?
Not necessarily.
Many older infants enjoy breastfeeding, even if some time has passed. With patience, support, and the right resources, it’s often possible to bring babies back to the breast — and in many cases, to rebuild milk supply to at least what it was previously.
Every situation is different, but it’s very reasonable to explore your options.
You Deserve Support
Sometimes, parents are nervous about booking IBCLC support. They may worry about judgment and feeling pressured to continue breastfeeding at all costs. I want parents to know that these are things I would never do.
I always keep your whole story in mind and never push towards any solution that undermines your well-being. My approach centers on you as a human being (not a milk-making machine) and on your particular situation.
When I come to your home, my goal is to truly listen to your story, share evidence-based information, build your confidence with gentle support for your goals and abilities, and offer practical suggestions you can use right away.
Every breastfeeding journey looks different. Whether you’re just starting out, looking for reassurance, or facing hurdles along the way, in-home lactation support can make a big difference.
✨ Need support? Book an in-home lactation consult
✨ Need more support? Get a breastfeeding package