MyBirth Lactation

 

Sara Krivanec, BA, CD (DTI), CLC

Sara provides lactation support as a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC); she received her training through the Healthy Children Project’s Center for Breastfeeding, and is a certified CLC through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. She has recently begun her studies and clinical hours to become an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). Sara is the mother of three children; two young adults and one teen. She remembers her nursing years fondly and is proud to have breastfed her babies for a combined 6 years! Lactation and breastfeeding/chestfeeding requires evidence-based education, the understanding of what’s normal, and sincere support. Sara teaches lactation classes and co-facilitates our free, postpartum/new parent support group. It can be challenging in the early days and weeks, so having a gentle guide who provides reminders and reassurance can be so helpful. Sara is so happy to provide this knowledge and guidance to new families. Seeing happy, confident parents postpartum and long-term is very rewarding! She is also a certified birth doula and enjoys building strong relationships with her clients and watching them blossom through this transformative time. When she’s not working, Sara loves reading mysteries, learning everything she can about lactation, and attending soccer & theatre productions.


Please complete this lactation inquiry form if you’d like to talk with a member of our team. For detailed descriptions of MyBirth lactation services, please scroll down.


Prenatal & Postpartum Lactation Bundle

  • Duration – 2 visits (1 hr & up to 2 hrs)

  • Cost $250

  • Services – includes a prenatal “breast/chestfeeding basics” virtual visit, personalized digital resources, one in-person postpartum visit, and text/email check ins after baby is here

Your third trimester (30-35 weeks) is an ideal time for the prenatal visit, and I encourage your partner or support person to attend. We will use Zoom or Google Meet. Whether you’re a first-time parent or want a refresher after nursing an older child, we will discuss your breastfeeding goals and I will provide tips and reminders to help you get off to a great start! We will review the fundamentals (such as how milk is made, baby’s intake needs, feeding cues, and proper latch positioning), reflect on what’s normal with lactation & nursing, and gather resources before baby arrives to help you feel more confident and set up for success. We will also review your health and breastfeeding history, pinpoint any issues that may impact your breastfeeding experience, and develop a care plan for initiating breastfeeding.

The postpartum lactation visits will be scheduled within the first week postpartum when support is needed the most. During this visit I may observe a feeding & signs of a good latch, help with different nursing positions, discuss sore nipple care, give reminders of normal newborn behavior, provide a weight check or pre & post feed weights for milk intake, and answer any questions. If you are having difficulties, we may look at ways to support milk supply, use of nipple shields, hand expression/pumping techniques, flange sizing for your breast pump and/or alternative feeding techniques/supplementation. 

Follow up hourly visits beyond this bundle can be scheduled for an additional $85. 


In-Home Preventative Appointments

Ideal for the first two weeks postpartum, when you and your baby are still learning, and you would like feedback on how nursing is going.

One hour visit - $85 with an email follow up for any action plans. In this appointment your CLC may:

  • observe a feeding

  • help you to recognize feeding cues

  • discuss signs of a good latch

  • describe different nursing positions

  • discuss how milk is made

  • discuss sore nipple care

  • teach ways to express milk

  • discuss expectations for normal newborn feedings

  • provide a weight check

  • answer any questions & give feedback

Please use our Contact form to schedule an appointment with one of our CLCs.

*** After initial contact, your CLC may determine if you need a different type of appointment

In-Home Lactation Consultation

This appointment is for any person having difficulty with nursing and needs extra support to problem solve an issue. Weighted feed included.

Up to two hours in length - $115 with an email follow up for any action plans. In this appointment your CLC may cover any topics from above plus:

  • difficulty latching

  • nipple pain

  • low milk supply

  • oversupply

  • weaning from nipple shields

  • sleepy babies (jaundice)

  • breastfeeding twins

  • pumping & hand expression techniques

  • flange sizing for breast pump

  • alternative feeding techniques/supplementation

  • returning to work

  • milk storage guidelines

  • weight checks

  • answer any questions & give feedback

  • refer to another care professional if a higher level of care is needed

Please use our Contact form to schedule an appointment with one of our CLCs.

*** After initial contact, your CLC may determine if you need a different type of appointment


Virtual Visits and Phone Consultations

There are many topics in lactation that can be discussed over the phone or virtually. This appointment can be preventative or problem solving. If you’re not sure what type of help you need, please contact us through the form above to discuss your concerns and come up with the plan best for you.

  • Sixty Minute Virtual Consultation - $85.00, with a phone call follow-up for any action plans. Using FaceTime or ZOOM, your CLC will cover any of the topics listed below in the In-Home service options.

  • Sixty Minute Phone Call - $85.00, same as the video call option, but on the phone for anyone’s need or preference, with an email follow-up.

  • Thirty Minute Phone Call - $50.00, for anyone that needs a follow-up afgter a previous consult, or a shorter Q&A opportunity for lactation questions and troubleshooting.

Lactation and Pumping Classes:

MyBirth also provides monthly classes, MyBirth Lactation Prep: A Successful Start and MyBirth Lactation Prep: Pumping & Milk Storage. You can find enrollment info here:


In the MyBirth Community Studio:

Weight Checks, Consultations, Lactation Support Groups

  • Friday Lactation Clinics

    • Drop-In Weight & Latch Check: Every Friday at MyBirth, book and drop-in between 10am & 12pm for a weighted feed and latch check with our CLC. This weight check & nursing observation also allows nursing parents the opportunity to chat with other parents in conversation facilitated by our CLC. $25 drop-in rate. Our CLC can answers basic questions but it is NOT the place to solve big breastfeeding/lactation problems; if you are having a lot of issues with nursing, we recommend a private consultation.

    • Private 90-minute office visits: $85.00, please contact Sara Krivanec for more info, sara.mybirthrva@gmail.com

  • MyBirth Community Lactation Circle: Sara hosts a free lactation support group on the second Tuesday of every month from 10:00am to 12:00pm; you can drop by any time in those windows. Parents have the option to get a Weight & Latch check while attending the Community Lactation Circle for a $25.00 fee.

MyBirth Community Studio: 1726 Altamont Avenue Suite 4, Richmond, VA 23230