About Heather Kelly

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who has been practicing in NYC since 2002. I am the mother of four children and was initially drawn to this work after the birth of my first son, when I realized that there is very little support for women when it comes to infant feeding. Our culture is very focused on the birth itself, and women are often sent home from the hospital or birth center with little information on how to feed their babies; even then, much of the information is general and does not answer the specific questions that arise once you are home with your unique infant. I have extensive experience helping nursing mothers: I was the lactation consultant at Elizabeth Seton Chidbearing Center and at Realbirth (both now closed). I have written a book on breastfeeding, appeared on various media outlets and was the featured lactation consultant in the interactive book “Ready, Set, Baby!” I ran the breastfeeding support group for the Parenting Center at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan from 2007-2014; I have taught breastfeeding classes at birth centers, parenting centers, maternity stores and for private companies, and have written for many publications. Before becoming a lactation consultant, I taught Latin and ancient Greek in several independent schools in Manhattan (I have an MA in Classics), and still continue to teach Latin a few hours per week.

I offer home visits in Manhattan for $375 (twins/triplets are $400) and I am available seven days a week. Home visits typically last about an hour and a half. I bring with me a baby scale that is sensitive to 1/10 of an ounce; the scale is designed to do a pre-feeding and post-feeding weight so that I can determine exactly what the baby is taking from the breast.

I will set you up with a specific care plan based on what I observe during our visit. Follow-up by phone/text/email is unlimited and a follow-up home visit is $300. Most women find a single home visit sufficient, along with continued communication with me via text or phone, and/or attendance at my support group.

Common problems I see are: pain with latch-on; the feeling that the baby is not getting a full feeding at the breast; persistent feeding (“can’t put the baby down”); poor weight gain; confusion about whether it is okay to supplement and how. I have a lot of experience with premature babies, multiples and infants with special needs, as well as with women who have had breast procedures or breast surgery.

I do not take insurance, although I can give you a form which you can submit to your insurance if reimbursement is part of your health plan. I also run a support group on the Upper West Side (in the West 90s) on Fridays from 12-2:30pm. The price is $50. You must call or text me in advance to reserve a spot (maximum 8 women). My scale is available at the support group to do pre-feeding and post-feeding weights.

So, what do you do first?

The first step is to text, call or email me. We will speak on the phone right away and I will set you up with a temporary plan to alleviate your concerns about whatever breastfeeding problem you are having. Typical temporary plans can include: getting the baby off the breast for a feeding or two (in the case of nipple pain), introducing supplementation via a bottle (if your baby is not accessing a full feeding at the breast), or beginning to pump at certain times to maintain and boost milk supply. We will then set up a time for me to come to your home and observe a feeding. I am often available to see you within 24 hours, sometimes even the same day.  I do home visits in Manhattan only. I am based on the Upper West Side and run a support group there (in the West 90s) on Fridays from 12-2:30pm. The cost for the support group is $50 and you must text me in advance to reserve a spot.

Contact Information

Heather Kelly

nyclactationhelp@gmail.com
(917) 685-5614