What is a lactation specialist?

A lactation specialist is a clinical professional with advanced training in lactation care. The term covers several credentials:

• International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), who complete hundreds of clinical hours and pass a board examination
• Nurse practitioners with lactation certifications, holding advanced nursing degrees plus IBCLC certification
• Advanced practice nurses with perinatal mental health certification, combining clinical mental health expertise with lactation care
• Board-certified lactation medicine physicians, MDs who have completed the NABBLM-C board examination in Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine

At Breastfeed Atlanta, our team includes lactation specialists at every credential tier. Most of our nurse practitioners are dual-credentialed as both nurse practitioners (advanced practice nurses) and IBCLCs. One of our Medical Directors, a board-certified pediatrician, is one of only three physicians in Georgia who hold board certification in Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine through NABBLM, alongside her IBCLC credential.

This range of expertise under one roof is what defines a multi-specialty lactation practice, and it is the reason families with complex clinical concerns find Breastfeed Atlanta worth the drive from across metro Atlanta.

What is the difference between a lactation consultant and a lactation specialist?

The terms overlap but are not identical.

A lactation consultant typically refers specifically to someone certified as an IBCLC. This is the gold standard in lactation care, the only credential earned through full board certification, and the one patients most often encounter. Every clinician at Breastfeed Atlanta either holds the IBCLC credential or works in direct partnership with a clinician who does.

A lactation specialist is broader. It includes IBCLCs but also covers nurse practitioners, physicians, and other clinical professionals whose practice focuses on lactation care. A lactation specialist may be able to prescribe medications, order labs, or perform clinical evaluations that a lactation consultant alone cannot.

At Breastfeed Atlanta, we use both terms because our team includes both. When you book with us, you may see a lactation consultant, a lactation specialist with prescribing authority, or both during the same visit. The clinical match depends on what your specific concern requires.

Lactation services at Breastfeed Atlanta

Our team provides the full range of clinical lactation services, in office, in your home, or virtually.

• Clinical lactation consultations. A comprehensive evaluation of your breastfeeding or pumping situation, including a feeding observation, weighted feed assessment when appropriate, latch evaluation, and review of your medical and breastfeeding history.
• Specialized lactation services. Our clinical team treats a wide range of lactation conditions including low milk supply, mastitis, clogged ducts, engorgement, sore or cracked nipples, persistent nipple and breast pain, vasospasm, oversupply, latch problems, tongue tie, and complications related to pumping.
• Breastfeeding medicine. For families with complex clinical needs, our breastfeeding medicine service provides extended evaluation, medical workup, and coordination with your other providers. This is particularly valuable for cases involving underlying medical conditions affecting milk supply or feeding.
• Perinatal mental health support. Our advanced practice nurse with Perinatal Mental Health Certification provides clinical mental health support around breastfeeding and overall postpartum wellness. Many families benefit from this support during the early weeks and months postpartum.
• Lactation counseling and education. In addition to one-on-one clinical visits, we offer prenatal breastfeeding classes and Centering Motherhood group visits where families learn together with clinical guidance from our IBCLCs and nurse practitioners.
• Pump support and equipment. We rent effective, efficient, and comfortable multi-user double electric pumps, commonly called hospital-grade, from Medela, Ameda, and other brands. We also facilitate insurance-covered personal pumps. Our MilkCrate program provides IBCLC-curated pump accessories through your insurance benefit.

Our credentialed clinical team

Lactation credentials across metro Atlanta vary widely, and many practices are consultant-only. Our team brings together multiple specialist credentials, with most providers holding dual or triple credentials. This is intentional. Lactation problems often have causes that single-credential providers cannot fully evaluate or treat.

Our nurse practitioner lactation consultants

Three of our four nurse practitioners are dual-credentialed as both nurse practitioners (advanced practice nurses) and IBCLCs. This combination allows them to do everything an IBCLC can do (latch evaluation, feeding assessment, lactation consultation) plus everything an NP can do (medical evaluation, prescribing authority, ordering labs and tests).

• Daniela Hazelwood, NP-C, IBCLC: Nurse Practitioner and Lactation Consultant
• Stephanie Vandellen, FNP, IBCLC: Family Nurse Practitioner and Lactation Consultant
• Elizabeth Myler, APN, PMH-C, IBCLC: Advanced Practice Nurse, Perinatal Mental Health Certified, Lactation Consultant
• Maureen Starnes, CPNP: Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Elizabeth Myler's triple credential (APN, PMH-C, IBCLC) is uncommon. Working alongside our IBCLC team to guide care, she integrates clinical mental health support with lactation care for families navigating postpartum anxiety, depression, or related concerns. Her availability for these visits is limited, so we recommend asking about scheduling early.

Our Medical Directors

Breastfeed Atlanta's care is overseen by two board-certified physician Medical Directors. Neither sees patients directly. Both provide clinical oversight, case consultation, and chart review that ensure the care our team delivers meets evidence-based lactation medicine standards.

Dr. Hiral Lavania, MD, IBCLC, NABBLM-C is a board-certified pediatrician with the IBCLC credential and is one of only three physicians in Georgia who hold board certification from the North American Board of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine (NABBLM-C). NABBLM-C is the first board certification of its kind for physicians, recognizing specialized expertise in clinical lactation medicine including complex cases involving milk supply disorders, breast conditions, and feeding challenges that require physician-level evaluation.

Dr. Karla Booker, MD is a board-certified OB/GYN physician. Her oversight and case consultation bring an obstetric and gynecologic perspective to complex cases, particularly those involving maternal medical conditions, postpartum recovery, and the connection between lactation and broader reproductive health.

Our founder

Christie Coursey, IBCLC, founded Breastfeed Atlanta in 2016. Christie holds the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant credential and serves as Executive Director, overseeing both clinical operations and the team's collective approach to lactation care.

How to find a lactation specialist near you

If you are searching for a lactation specialist in metro Atlanta, here is what to look for:

• Credential transparency. A reputable lactation practice will publicly list its providers' credentials, including IBCLC certification, nursing credentials, and any specialized training. At Breastfeed Atlanta, our clinical team is listed publicly with full credentials and NPI numbers.
• Clinical depth, not just consultation. Lactation consultants can identify issues; lactation specialists with prescribing authority can also treat them. If you have a clinical concern (mastitis, persistent nipple pain, supply issues with potential medical causes), you will likely need both.
• Insurance coverage. Most lactation visits are covered at 100 percent by major insurance plans. A practice that bills directly through insurance, rather than requiring upfront cash payment or external billing services, removes friction from your care.
• Visit flexibility. Look for a practice that offers in-office, in-home, and virtual lactation consultation options. Different concerns benefit from different formats.
• Coordination with your other providers. A good lactation specialist sends clinical notes to your pediatrician and OB, ensuring continuity of care across your entire perinatal team.

Why Breastfeed Atlanta

We are metro Atlanta's multi-specialty lactation practice, serving Sandy Springs, Roswell, and surrounding communities. Our distinguishing features:

• Multi-credentialed clinical team. Three of four nurse practitioners hold dual NP and IBCLC credentials. One holds triple credentials including perinatal mental health certification. Our two Medical Directors are board-certified in pediatrics and OB/GYN, and our pediatric Medical Director is one of only three physicians in Georgia with NABBLM-C board certification in lactation medicine. Most metro Atlanta lactation practices are consultant-only.
• In-house billing team. No third-party billing services between you and your care. We verify your insurance benefits before your first visit and handle claims directly. Most families pay nothing out of pocket.
• Insurance access. In network with all major commercial insurance plans (Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, Humana, Ambetter) and every Georgia Medicaid CMO. No surprise fees.
• Multiple visit options. In-office at our Sandy Springs or Roswell breastfeeding centers, virtual visits across Atlanta with the same clinical team, and home visits by arrangement for newborns in our service area.
• Coordination of care. Clinical notes go to your pediatrician and OB after each visit. We work as part of your perinatal care team, not separately from it.

Frequently asked questions