Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer lactation support near me? Do you offer postpartum doula support near me?

Yes. We provide in-home lactation visits near you throughout Boston and the North Shore, as well as virtual consults anywhere in Massachusetts.

North Shore service area: Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenham.

Boston service area: Boston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown Boston, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury.

North of Boston service area: Andover, Boxford, Burlington, Georgetown, Lawrence, Medford, Melrose, Methuen, North Andover, Reading, Revere, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Wakefield, Wilmington, Winchester, Woburn

Do you take insurance for lactation visits?

Starting in July 2026, insurance reimbursement will be available for lactation visits. I will provide you with a bill to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please call your insurance company to confirm reimbursement for a home or telemedicine visit by an IBCLC.

You can use your FSA/HSA debit card for lactation visits.

What issues do you help with in lactation consults?


Common concerns include latch pain, low milk supply worries, pumping and return-to-work planning, bottle refusal, paced feeding, slow weight gain concerns, oversupply/forceful letdown, and weaning.

How can you pay for doula support? Do you take insurance?

While we do not take insurance for doula services, there are a few ways to pay:

  • Your FSA or HSA debit card

  • Carrot: Carrot is a benefits platform that some companies offer as part of their employee benefits package. Through Carrot, employees may get reimbursement and support for fertility care and pregnancy support (including doulas). Kathleen Stern is a Carrot-approved doula and has worked with dozens of families using the Carrot benefit, including those who work at CVS, Microsoft, PNC Bank, Salesforce, Stripe, HashiCorp, Target, WalMart, X/Twitter. Ask your employer and HR representative if they have Carrot.

  • Doula reimbursement program or doula benefit programs like Maven or Progeny: ask your HR point person if they have a benefit to reimburse for doula services. Many companies may offer this benefit, like Amazon, Vertex, Toast, Bain & Co., DoorDash, Comcast, Datadog, Spotify, Akeneo, and InterSystems.

  • Lastly, if there are financial barriers to working with a doula, we offer payment plans.

How can I book support?

For lactation support, you can schedule on our appointment page here. If none of the appointment times work for you, please call or text Kathleen (857) 600-1907) and we can coordinate a time.

For postpartum doula support, you can reach out through our contact form or give Kathleen a call or text (857) 600-1907), or email: kathleen@strongnestconsulting.com.

What does postpartum doula support include?

Postpartum doula care can include newborn care education, feeding support, soothing/settling, partner support, light household help, and helping parents rest and recover.

When should I book postpartum doula support?


Many families book during pregnancy to secure their preferred dates. It’s also okay to reach out after birth — availability varies.

How do I know whether I need lactation support or postpartum doula support?


If your main concerns are feeding (latch, pain, pumping, supply), start with lactation. If you need broader newborn/parent support and rest, postpartum doula care may be the best fit. Many families benefit from both.