Why Some Moms Don't Trust Lactation Consultants — And What I'm Doing Differently

A message to the moms who've been burned before.

I want to talk about something that doesn't come up enough in our world: the moms who've had a bad experience.

Recently I spoke with a mom who needed lactation support badly. But she was hesitant. A previous lactation consultant had overcharged her, never helped her understand what was covered by insurance, and left her with a bill she wasn't expecting and a reimbursement she never got. She felt taken advantage of at the most vulnerable time of her life.

And when I mentioned how my concierge home visits work, she pulled back. She didn't feel like she could trust it.

I understood completely.

‍ ‍

The Problem with Opacity in Our Industry

Here's something I wish more lactation consultants were honest about: the way billing and fees are handled in this field is all over the place, and it does real harm.

Some providers charge travel fees without clearly explaining them upfront. Some take insurance information, bill the family, but never actually follow through on the reimbursement process leaving the family to figure it out on their own. Some charge rates that aren't aligned with what insurance is paying, leaving families with surprise balances.

None of that is okay. And it's one of the reasons why a lot of moms show up to us guarded, skeptical, and frankly exhausted before we've even started.

What Transparency Looks Like at Mother Poppins

I built this practice with the belief that you should never have a financial surprise from me. Here's what that means in practice:

Clear service tiers, explained upfront. I offer two main ways to work together: office visits (and telehealth) billed directly to insurance, and concierge home visits which are a premium in-home service. These are different products with different billing structures, and I explain both before you book.

Concierge fees — here's exactly what they are and why. Concierge home visits include an up charge because they involve me coming to your home, often during vulnerable newborn days when you cannot leave the house. The fee covers my time, transportation, and the premium of showing up at your door rather than having you come to me. It's not a hidden charge — it's part of the service, stated clearly on my website and before you book. Not only are you paying for the home visit fee but the comprehensive support I offer. Concierge packages are clearly that; 24/7 text access, lactation support, nutrition, sleep and postpartum recovery all bundled so you leave with a transfermation and not a one time visit.

If cost is a concern, my office visits are designed specifically for families who want great clinical lactation care at little to no out-of-pocket cost through insurance. You don't have to choose the premium package to get excellent support.

I help you understand your insurance — I don't leave that to you. When you come to my office, I bill your insurance directly. I don't hand you a receipt and wish you luck. For home visit packages, I submit the clinical portion to your insurance and you pay an extra fee for the extra support I offer.

No pressure, no surprises. I would rather you choose the option that works for your budget and feel good about it than stretch toward something that leaves you resentful. A session where you're stressed about money is not a session where you can fully show up.

To the Mom Who's Been Burned

I hear you. Your instinct to protect yourself makes complete sense. You were trying to do something beautiful for your baby and got burned in the process — financially and emotionally. That's not your fault.

What I can offer you is this: full transparency before you spend a single dollar. Look at my website. Read my fees. Call or text me with questions before booking. Ask me anything.

I am not here to extract money from new mothers. I am here because I have spent 16 years watching what happens when moms don't have the right support — and I am not willing to add to that.

If you've been skeptical of lactation consultants, I think that skepticism is fair. And I think you deserve someone who earns your trust, not just asks for it.

Ready to ask questions before you commit? Text me on WhatsApp at (305) 897-7449 or reach out here. No obligation — just honest answers.