How do I book a visit?

All appointments are booked online HERE. If you need help, please email me at laura@healthandlactation or text me at 850-345-2760.

What is “clinical lactation care”?

As an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant , I am an expert in the normal course of breastfeeding and the wide variety of problems that parents often encounter during lactation.. Clinical lactation care is much more than assisting with positioning and giving encouraging words. My scope of practice includes visual and physical examination of your breasts, functional assessment of your baby, taking full health histories to understand the big picture and solve the root of the issue, making holistic recommendations, referring to appropriate local providers and MORE. Your goal is my goal for you!

Do you take my health insurance?

I am in-network with MANY insurance plans!

🌱 Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem

🌱 Cigna

🌱 Aetna

🌱 United

Some plans will cover lactation care at 100% and some plans will require cost-sharing. If I am not in-network for your specific plan, self-pay fees will apply to your visits. After booking your visit, I will text you with more information about applying your insurance benefits to your upcoming visit.

🌱 I am not in-network with Capital Health Plan. Self-pay fees apply to CHP. I encourage CHP members to request Prior Authorization AFTER booking your first visit.  Prior Authorization is a CHP requirement for superbill reimbursement. Click HERE for more information. I do not offer cost sharing or out-of-network billing with CHP.

🌱 I am not in-network with Medicaid insurance plans. Medicaid does not reimburse for my services. WIC offers lactation support for eligible families. Click HERE for more information about WIC.. 

What do I need to do before my appointment?

You will receive an email with details regarding our visit after I confirm your visit. Don’t forget to promptly complete your intake packet!

What are your credentials for providing care?

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, the highest professional credential for providing lactation care. It takes several years of training to become an IBCLC, including 90 hours of lactation specific education courses, 1000 hours of hands-on training, and college level science courses that were definitely not required for my degree in Elementary Education. As an IBCLC, I am an expert in both the lactating parent and the baby - the only medical profession offering that perspective of care.

You can verify my IBCLC certification at THIS website by typing in my name, Laura Dearman.

Can you help me stop breastfeeding?

Yes, I am here for all seasons of infant feeding! You are the parent and the expert of your body and your baby. Full stop. Life happens and every feeding journey looks different. No matter what, I am on your team.

Can you diagnose my baby’s tongue tie or lip tie?

I am not a doctor and I do not diagnose! My scope of practice is very clear on this! As an IBCLC, I can assess your baby’s oral anatomy for structure and observe function on and off the breast and bottle. I make observations like “I am noticing a tight tongue frenulum” and then I will show what exactly what I am seeing but I do not diagnose! I will share my assessment of your baby’s oral structure with their healthcare team and share appropriate referrals and resources to help you and your baby.