Breastfeeding continued to be a challenge as I navigated going back to work and pumping milk during my work day. There were so many days that I wanted to quit, but I loved the quiet time nursing my baby, studying his face, breathing him in. By the time we had our second son in 2011, I was feeling more confident with breastfeeding and began to feel the pull of wanting to pursue the lactation field as a career. I wanted to help other mothers feel empowered as they navigated their breastfeeding journey.
I’m an information junkie and wanted to learn as much as I could about lactation, often studying late into the night once my babies were in bed. I began volunteering as a breastfeeding peer counselor with the Nursing Mothers Alliance and completed a clinical internship at Paoli Hospital. Finally, in 2015, I completed my advanced lactation education coursework and obtained over 1000 hours of clinical hands-on training before sitting for and passing the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant examination.
Today as I work in private practice, it is the greatest privilege to be welcomed into the homes of new families and offer them support in their earliest days of parenting. It is so beautiful to watch a mother evolve as she gets to know her baby. I particularly enjoy helping my clients define their own goals and success.
When I’m not spending time with babies, I’m spending time with my own “babies” Evan and Tyler who are growing up too quickly! We are an active family involved with basketball, baseball, scouting, trips to the beach, hikes, and winter sports (more them than me!). I enjoy running and weightlifting, baking, thrifting, being out in nature, nerding out on local history, and falling asleep in the middle of every movie and Netflix show that I try to watch with my poor hubby.
Education and Experience
My educational background includes a BS Forensic Chemistry and MS Pharmacology. I worked for several years in crime labs and the pharmaceutical industry before switching gears to healthcare and lactation once I achieved the IBCLC credential. In a continued effort to give back, I have served on the Board of Directors for the Nursing Mothers Alliance (NMA) and the Pennsylvania Resource Organization of Lactation Consultants (PRO-LC). In an effort to learn more about tethered oral tissues (tongue tie, lip tie), I obtained the IBCLC Masterclass credential and am a TummyTime Method practitioner. I worked several years in the hospital setting providing lactation care and teaching breastfeeding class. As my private practice has grown, I now primarily provide care in the home setting which I have come to love most.
I view my role as an IBCLC lactation consultant as part of a healthcare team. As a result, I’ve developed a strong professional network with area pediatricians, pediatric dentists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, craniosacral therapists, midwives, obstetricians, and doulas. I have gained extensive clinical skills from some of the most knowledgeable IBCLCs in the field and for that I am forever grateful.
“Erica is hands down the best! She is super positive and supportive! I never feel judged or stupid asking her my questions or running ideas by her. Even when I was having trouble feeding my son, she always found something positive to focus on as well, which helped me stay confident even when I didn’t feel that way. From answering questions in sessions to over text she is so helpful! She doesn’t jump to answer until she knows what is going on, but all her advice has worked!!!!!! Erica helped me get through mastitis twice!!! Being a new mom I was overwhelmed and stressed about breastfeeding Erica helped me! —OF
Professional Memberships and Education
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I schedule a visit?
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Complete contact form or text me at 215-275-3603.
- What payment options do you accept?
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Insurance, Cash, Check, Venmo
- Do you accept insurance?
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I am in-network with Aetna, Independence Personal Choice, Keystone Health Plan East, Independence Administrators, and most out of state Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Please contact your insurance member services to verify coverage. For in-network coverage I will submit to your insurance plan. For out-of-network coverage (self pay), I will provide you with a Superbill. Please note that an administrative fee that covers travel and PPE will be due to me at time of visit.
I accept cash, check, and Venmo for out of network payments. Please note an administration fee is due at time of visit. This fee is not covered by insurance.
- What is an IBCLC?
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I’m glad you asked! The alphabet soup of lactation acronyms can be quite confusing!
An IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. An IBCLC is the highest level credential for health care professionals who specialize in the clinical management of lactation and is certified by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, Inc (IBLCE). An IBCLC practice is guided by the Scope of Practice for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.
There are a number of breastfeeding support credentials that fall under the all encompassing term “lactation consultant” and this chart is handy in explaining “who’s who.”
- What area do you serve?
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I conduct home visits within about a 30 mile radius of the 19473 zip code. This includes parts of Western Montgomery county, parts of Berks and Chester counties, and areas along the Route 422 corridor of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Telehealth is an option as well.
- Do you offer a Telehealth option?
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Yes! Insurance and self-pay options. Prenatal consultations, complex medical history discussions, relactation planning, starting solids, return to work, and weaning consults can often be done virtually, if needed.
- What happens during a consultation appointment?
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Home visits may include the following:
- 1-1.5 hour session in your home. Define your breastfeeding goals, with a focus on any problems or concerns you may have. The length of the session will depend on the complexity of the concern.
- Full medical and feeding history for client and baby
- Full functional oral assessment of baby’s mouth, tongue, and sucking ability
- Feeding observation, latching, and positioning assistance to ensure optimal breastfeeding comfort
- Conduct a weight check for baby and review weight history of baby. A pre and post feeding weight check can be conducted to determine how much milk the baby is transferring.
- Develop a personalized, written care plan with you
- Send a report to primary care provider and pediatrician as needed
- Provide email, phone, and/or text message support for up to 2 weeks after initial visit
- How do I prepare for a consultation?
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Once we’ve agreed on an appointment time, you will receive a text and email confirmation from me with a link to the MilkNotes Parent Portal. Please follow the link to complete the consent and intake information in advance of our visit.
General tips:
- Expect the visit to take 1-1.5 hours. Be sure you’ve eaten!
- If possible, try not to feed the baby ~1 hour before our appointment.
- Wear clothing that you are comfortable in, have your nursing pillows handy
- If you have begun using a breastpump, please have it handy so that we can discuss its proper use, fit, and function.
- I will need a firm, flat surface like a table or countertop for my scale. Please have a light receiving blanket handy.
- Please do not worry about having a tidy house before my arrival! I do not mind what state your home is in, I have seen it all, and will not judge!
- As much as I love pets, please try to have dogs in a separate area of the home during the visit. Doggies usually think I’m there to play and I’d hate to have time taken away from our visit.
Communicable disease specific precautions: Before arriving, I take my temperature and sanitize my scale. I wear a mask upon entering and will ask to wash my hands in your home and use paper towels to dry hands. I will wear gloves for visit, using fresh gloves when I do a suck evaluation for baby. At times, I may request that adult family members wear masks. I leave it up to the mom to remove mask while feeding if she prefers as I know the benefit of mom and baby seeing each other’s faces.
- I want to/have chosen to exclusively pump. Is that something you help with?
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Absolutely! As an IBCLC, I am skilled in supporting lactation management which includes any method of human milk feeding. Please reach out for assistance with selecting your breast pump, developing a pumping schedule, and help with building and maintaining your milk supply.
Explore Services
“I reached out to Erica shortly after getting home from the hospital. As a first time mom, I didn’t know much about breastfeeding, but I learned a lot through working with Erica over several months. She is very knowledgeable and I always enjoyed when we met. She gave me a lot of confidence and always assured me that I was doing a great job. She was also always responsive to all of the questions I had. She helped me come up with a plan for pumping when I had to go back to work. I attribute my success to all of her help and support. I would highly recommend Erica for anyone looking for help with lactation.”—VJ