Our Board Certified Lactation Consultants conduct a comprehensive, clinical evaluation of the infant's feeding. During consultation, a maternal and infant health history is taken. The consultant will conduct a breast assessment for lactation. There is close observation, and assessment of the infant's breastfeeding. Pre-and post-feed weight checks are performed to accurately measure the infant's milk intake. The consultant will then do an analysis of the information gathered and develop a clear and concise care plan. A report of findings will be given to your health care provider(s). Unlimited phone follow-up is available at no additional charge.

We offer free follow-up weight checks on

Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and

Saturdays from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

For added convenience, Medela BabyWeigh Scales are also available for rent. Click here to go to the BabyWeigh Scale Rental Page for more information.

We consider it a privilege to help you and your family meet your breastfeeding goals. 

To schedule a consultation, please call us at (703) 425-BABY (2229).

If the answering machine comes on during normal business hours it means that we are on the line. Please leave your name and number (repeat it) so that we may contact you promptly.

 Click Here to print out important forms you may need for your consultation.

 "When my daughter and I were released from the hospital we were exhausted and frustrated! We had varying levels of success with breastfeeding. The consultants were trying to be helpful in the hospital but they were limited on their time. Once home, my beautiful little girl screamed at every feeding. I felt like a failure as a mother and my husband didn’t know what to do. Luckily my pediatrician had given me the name and number of the Northern VA Lactation Center. The woman that answered the phone was so kind…I was given an appointment that day! We met with Josie and our lives changed for the better! She listened to me, dried my tears and calmed my fears. She helped me to understand my baby’s cues and showed me how to help my daughter on. For the first time I could differentiate the difference between effective feeding and pacification sucking. I learned how to make the feedings more efficient and comfortable. I love that I can go to the Center for free weight checks and have taken advantage of their free call in policy on many occasions!" -Jody S.

What Should I Bring to the Breastfeeding Consultation?

One adult-sized bath towel, two cloth diapers or burp cloths, a plastic bag for dirty diapers, a bottle of water and snack for mom, the name, address, phone and fax number of your OB/GYN and Pediatrican or Heath Care Provider. Please bring any breastfeeding aids that you were given in the hospital or purchased, such as nipple shields, syringes, pump, etc. Please total your daily feeding logs.

The consultant will ask you:

• How many times has your baby gone to breast in the past 24-hrs and for about how long has your baby fed?
• How many times have you pumped in a 24-hr period?
• How many minutes are you pumping and how much milk did you obtain in total, all pumpings combined?
• What kind of pump are you using?
• How much breast milk have you fed to your baby by bottle in the past 24-hrs?
• How much formula have you fed to your baby in the past 24-hrs?

If you are supplementing your baby, please bring enough breastmilk or formula for a feeding. We encourage a support person to attend. Some families like to bring their video camera to record the session, to have as their own personal teaching tape. Ideally, your baby should be hungry, not ravenous, when you come. Please feel free to bring a list of questions. We love lists! They help us make sure that we are meeting your needs.

Home Visits

Consultations are available in your home, with an additional travel fee. To prepare for a home visit, please have your glider or rocking chair pulled away from the wall, and place a kitchen chair next to it, so that the consultant will be able to sit and assist you. We will also need to have a flat and stable surface, close to a three-prong outlet, to plug in our baby scale. The information in the paragraph above is needed as well.