The Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington

The consultants at the Center were incredibly helpful in navigating the early challenges I faced with breastfeeding. I first emailed in the middle of the night, got a call early in the AM, and a consultant was at my house less than 6 hours later. Since then the ongoing, one-​on-​one support — both technical and emotional — allowed me to persevere through those issues when I otherwise would have quit and moved to formula. The consultants are very practical, too. They understand that exclusive breastfeeding may not be possible for everyone and give you practical tools to make sure your baby is well fed (and you stay sane).
I also attended the support group for new moms and the prenatal breastfeeding basics class, but found the individual help so much more useful.
The office staff are incredibly kind and helpful as well! I highly recommend the Center to anyone needing support with breastfeeding.

Love the free classes and support groups! A great resource for moms with classes on breastfeeding at different ages, solids, sleep, and more!
Wish the Back to Work class/​support group included tips on bottle feeding as well as pumping since that was a very difficult transition.
Extensive store selection for breastfeeding products and apparel and scale to weigh baby to track growth!
Some of the consultants in the group sessions came off as a little judgmental sometimes which was especially hard since many of them are older rather than new moms. There isn’t always a «right» or «wrong,» most moms are just looking for help, tips, and general support.

We are so blessed to have this resource! Free classes, lactation consults and a nice shop. My husband, baby and I have taken full advantage! Thank you for your work in our community. With Aetna insurance, you get 6 lactation visits covered by insurance.

I went to a breastfeeding class here with my husband and also used their lactation consultant services after my baby arrived. The class was great, it moved quickly, covered a lot of material and didn’t waste time (nice for a weekday evening class). The consultation was awesome. Gina was my consultant. She was very kind, encouraging and super helpful. She helped with the small issues I had and generally made me feel more confident in my abilities as well as assured me that I was on the right track with pumping and storage. I highly suggest using them for classes or consultations! Everyone was very kind and welcoming!

I had difficulty with breastfeeding at first. I attended the free weekly breastfeeding support group and found it to be really helpful. The lactation consultant took questions from the group and then spent the session answering them. Other moms chimed in and shared their advice and experience.
I also attended the free pumping strategies and return to work class. This class provided really important information about getting off to the right start with pumping at the office. The advice and guidance I got at the class has worked well for me.
I looked into a consultation with a lactation consultant, but it was too expensive for me. You can get reimbursed through insurance, but the Center is upfront that it’s a big hassle. Not the Center’s fault for this — rather insurance companies make it really difficult.
The shop has a lot of great items — too pricey for me, but since I work nearby, I know if I have a pumping emergency I can go there.

I know I’m in the minority, but I was not impressed by this place. While the availability of consultants was good, I found the advice and facilities poor.
I had an appointment with Amber. The consult took place in what was essentially a glorified storage closet. There was a rocker and a bench, but the rest of the room was taken up with boxes and folding chairs, to the point where we had to climb over stored items to get supplies or get the baby out of the carseat, which barely fit. The room was also about 65 degrees, and as it was the middle of summer the baby and I were both underdressed and freezing.
While Amber did give me some helpful tips on getting the baby to latch, I found the rest of her advice suspect. She seemed like a fortune teller, just throwing things out to see if they stuck. She told me that my baby was «high strung» because he cried the whole time (I think he was just cold, as was I). She told me that he needed an infant massage course — one which they coincidentally taught at The Breastfeeding Center! She told me he must have had a traumatic birth (nope) and that we needed to see a cranio-​sacral therapist for a chiropractic adjustment. She said he had a tongue tie — when we went to the oral surgeon they recommended to check it out, he said there was no tongue tie in sight, but that there was a marginal lip tie which she had not mentioned.
For all of this advice, I was charged $ 180, which the office staff told me would be fully reimbursed by my insurance. Nope again — insurance only reimbursed me for a third of the cost.
And when I was looking for nursing bras, they had none in my size (they did have some that came in S-​XL, but none in my band/​cup size. Their solution? Buy a different size, since I was probably measuring wrong anyway.
Overall, I would not recommend this place and would not go back.

This review is specifically for lactation consultation services from Amber.
Amber was really the best thing to happen to our family after a difficult pregnancy and birth. We really thought breastfeeding would come easy, and when it didn’t, we were devastated. Amber worked with us weekly for several weeks to help our baby learn to nurse and to help us support her while she learned. We’ve now achieved our goal of exclusive breast feeding and it would not have been possible without Amber’s support. I really hope we won’t encounter these problems again, but if we do, we know who to ask for help.

So far I’ve only visited to buy nursing bras since I’m 36 weeks along with my first baby, but I’m happy to give them 5 stars just for that experience. Having never tried any on before, and with no idea how they worked, I was surprised to discover how different they can look and feel. Comfort really does vary from model to model depending on your body type, but luckily they have a large selection (the largest in the DC metro area apparently) so you can find what works best for you. I’m so glad I came in to try them on in person rather than ordering online or visiting one of the other maternity stores that has fewer options.
Some tips I learned from the lady who helped me — 36 weeks is a good time to get fitted for your first nursing bras, since you are usually close to the size you’ll be after you give birth. Also, they recommend only getting underwire free bras to start, since your size will fluctuate as your body adjusts to nursing and those models are more adaptable. After about 3 weeks you can come back to get fitted for bras with more structure if you want them. The selection of underwire nursing bras was much cuter than I was expecting, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back for those after the baby is born.
p. s. I decided to check their prices before posting this review, and I was pleased to discover that I couldn’t find my products cheaper anywhere else online. In some cases I actually saved a few bucks compared to department stores or Amazon, even at full-​price. Good to know, and another reason I’ll be back.

Saved my life, i was so adamate about breast feeding… until the baby got here. It hurt so bad I was cringing every time my lo was hungry. Thankfully I made an appt for me my baby and my husband. They even fitted me for the correct breast shields and practiced breast pumping with me. They are life savers really and I was able to make a same day appt.

The free new moms classes are so wonderful! The shop has lots of great stuff and the lactation consultants are fantastic!!!

I absolutely love this place. I never knew how difficult breastfeeding would be for me, until I gave birth. My little angel struggled with latching on and I suffered. I was so sad and disappointed, but had a strong desire to breastfeed. My friend recommended changing feeding positions which helped immensely, but I needed something to help emotionally. I began attending the breastfeeding support groups once a week. This was the most helpful experience ever. I learned so much from the facilitator and the other moms. We often discuss issues and we hear from other moms about what worked, what didn’t work, and how things will get better. Having this support has made my motherhood experience great! Even though I still experience minimal soreness, I look forward to bonding with my baby during our feeding times.
I have also attended their ‘Return to work’ class, the ‘Breast pumping’ class, and their ‘Return to work support group’.
I also like their shop, and because they are a non-​profit organization and all of the classes I have attended have been free, I support them by buying various items.

The Breastfeeding center and the LC Amber did an amazing job of supporting me and giving me information to help me have a successful breastfeeding relationship with my baby. My baby had a bad latch and my milk was not coming in on time. A horrible and depressing combination. Amber came to my home and did a thorough evaluation of me and my baby’s latch. She made several recommendations including having my baby’s tongue tie fixed, pumping after feeds, supplementing with pumped milk and taking fenugreek. She came back once a week for 4 weeks to follow up. I can say without a doubt that without Amber’s help, I would not have been able to continue breastfeeding. She was professional and supportive and kept my hopes up that things would improve. My baby is now gaining weight, feeding well and my milk supply is great. I have recommended Amber and the Breastfeeding Center to all my expecting friends. I have also taken a breastfeeding class and had a nursing bra fitting. Both of those experiences were great.

The breastfeeding center was a life-​line in the first 2 weeks after my daughter was born. I really wanted to breastfeed but after 10 days of no sleep and constant feeding, I was so tired that I was starting to hallucinate. My husband lucidly called the breastfeeding center to ask for help, and the next day Sheila came to our house. In an hour and a half, she managed to improve my technique, restore my sanity, empower my husband and mother on how to support me and we were all on track again. It’s amazing how a little professional help makes such a difference. After that, I regularly sent my husband (and even my dad, bless his soul) to pick up random breastfeeding gear that I desperately needed. No-​one laughed at them, thank you! The prices are a bit higher than say, buybuybaby, but then you get amazing service. This is just the best place to buy nursing bras, for example.
Once I got over the initial starter period, breastfeeding was a breeze but I regularly came back to the center and sat in their small lounge in the back to breastfeed, on my way back from a doctor’s appointment or so.
I went to one of the group breastfeeding classes. While I’m sure that some women find them helpful, to me it was just too crowded and getting there with a newborn generated too much stress, so I didn’t go back to the class, but that’s really a personal preference.

Not impressed. If you want to be charged for a class that only lasts half of the advertised time and is poorly ‘taught’ then go here. Maybe the breast feeding classes are good but the Baby Basics and asleep Basics combined class was not so good.
My midwife recommended the center and will get my feedback for future patients.
Sorry ladies, but totally disappointed in my experience here.

If you are pregnant — especially if for the first time — you need support. If you are a new mom, you need support. If you are like so many DC residents who are transplants from all over the country, and don’t have family members nearby who can walk you through motherhood, you need support.
Enter the Breastfeeding Center. This place has been such a blessing to me and so many other mothers I know in DC. I found out about the Center at a mothers and mothers-​to-​be brunch hosted by my church back when I was pregnant. One mother casually mentioned it and then a chorus of «OH I just LOVE the Breastfeeding Center”-type responses echoed throughout the room. So I knew I had to check it out.
The Breastfeeding Center has products and classes to help you through your pregnancy, post-​partum issues, the first year of nursing, and beyond! I have come here so many times to buy nursing paraphernalia, weigh my daughter on an accurate infant scale, to attend nursing support groups, nutrition classes, get bra fittings, etc etc.
The Center itself is SMALL, but they sure fit a lot into the space. It is on the first floor of the office building (at the back across from the elevators). That actual room the shop and nursing consultation area where you can meet with a lactation consultant. It is also where you sign in for classes, which meet upstairs in a bigger room.
I could go on and on about the center, but I think by now you understand that I think this place is awesome. Here is what you can do here, mamas (and papas!):
–Get fitted for nursing bras. Believe me, you need to get a proper fitting!!!
–Rent a pump
–Meet with a lactation consultant
–Attend nursing support groups
–Learn how to cloth diaper
–Learn about how to introduce solid foods (stages 1 and 2), and then, how to properly provide nutrition for a toddler
–Get snazzy pictures taken (they have awesome photography fundraisers a few times a year)
–Practice yoga (prenatal or with baby!)
–Learn about making the adjustment of going back to work while nursing
–CPR certification
–Learn how fathers can support with breastfeeding
–Attend a baby wearing class and learn the different techniques for specific carriers
–Buy everything you need from nursing covers, carriers, nipple cream, lactation cookies, nursing bras and tanks and dresses, bottles, support bands, etc etc
If there is a baby in your future, make sure you check this place out. A lot of classes are free, and the ones that aren’t are very reasonably priced. So glad that resources like this exist in DC!!!

Product pushers. That is the only way I can think of describing my experience here. By the time I left, I had spent about 3 minutes of practicing getting my kid the best latch, and about 1.5 hours on how the breast pump, cup, bottle, nipple, bra, supplement, medicine, which I already had, were no good, and how they could readily sell me the alternatives. Atrocious. I’ve waited a long time to write this review but i am now confident about my assessment.
I’d met two lactation consultants before this, and they were primarily interested in getting my kid the best latch, best position to hold my kid in, and with whom ‘products’ were completely tertiary. The reason I went here is because it came highly recommended. I understand this place is a non-​profit, but I’d be very keen to know if the staff get any kind of incentive on product sales.

I found this place through a friend while we were both pregnant. We took a breastfeeding course early on in our pregnancies, and it was a good experience. I can say that the room got a little crowded (mostly because those who came in late refused to walk to the back of the room to find a seat) but it was still comfortable and the information was great. They have a ‘no turn away’ policy, which I think is great.
After having an intense natural water birth, I thought breastfeeding was going to be a breeze. After taking multiple classes that included breastfeeding information, plus a class here, and another one at a hospital, I thought I had it down. I was wrong, and breastfeeding my infant son became a source of pain and depression. After seeing two other consultants, we finally decided to pay the money to see one here. I was so torn up about everything that I burst into tears as soon as we sat down with the consultant. She was amazing and really made me feel understood and didn’t pressure or manhandle me or my breasts. She was able to identify a few key things that were a little off and was the only one to tell me that my nipples were infected! She gave me some cream that really helped and, most importantly, she really made me feel empowered to make my own decision regarding how I was going to feed my baby.
Before I got pregnant I couldn’t understand why any mother wouldn’t breastfeed her baby, but now that I’ve had a hefty dose of reality, i know that the mothers physical and mental health are just as if not more important than the breastfed vs formula debate. I ended up going to pumping and when my husband left us at for work overseas just 6 weeks after the birth, a month later I made the decision to move to formula because breastfeeding and pumping was still not working for us at that time. My son is happy and healthy and so is his mother.
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone, especially if you are having trouble with breastfeeding. They can help you get down the latch and they will follow up to make sure things are going well.

The help that I have recieved here has been exceptional. My consultant Leslie Axelrod from day one has exceeded any expectation that I had. She has help ease my concerns from going back to work and leaving baby to being back at work and supply dropping. Her calming voice and demeanor immediately puts you at ease.
I look forward to continueing to use this as a tool in keeping a healthy happy baby.

Nothing but good things to say about this place! I went when I was still pregnant to buy a baby carrier — the staff showed me how to put on each of the carriers and let me practice so I could choose which one would work best for me. I also got fitted for some comfy nursing bras for the first few weeks after my baby was born. Once my son was here, we went for an appointment with a lactation consultant (Margaret), who adjusted her schedule and came in early to fit us in the week of Christmas — above and beyond! I also got fitted for some more supportive nursing bras.
Every time I’ve called the center or stopped by, everyone has been extremely nice and helpful. You can tell these ladies care about what they do! I’ve recommended their services to a few pregnant friends, who also have great things to say. Oh, and it’s worth following them on Facebook — they sometimes have giveaways, and I’ve won some really cool (and useful) stuff!

Wow! Really great, affordable classes, a small shop with competitive prices, and a number of services… I am so incredibly glad I found out about this place!
I’m an RN but I’m living 3,000 miles away from my family and friends… and I spent the first two trimesters of my pregnancy with no real clue what real moms do in the real world after they leave the hospital. After two classes here I feel empowered – the best feeling ever considering I was terrified the past few months.
I’ve taken two classes so far: Baby Wearing and Cloth Diapering. Both were extremely useful, we got to «play» with a number of different products without any pressure to buy anything. If you don’t have someone to show you how to use a baby carrier safely – take this class! If you are completely confused by all the choices in cloth diapering and/​or if it is even doable when you’re renting an apartment without a washer & dryer, take this class!
The prices in their little shop are completely reasonable, and their sales are phenomenal. I bought a Baby K’Tan (carrier) – not only did they have a better selection than Amazon, but it was cheaper, too! I also bought a few basics for cloth diapering because the expensive components happen to be on sale, buy one get one free (Hello!!!). I can’t wait to go back and buy nursing bras when I’m closer to my due date – I’m amazed they might actually have bras in my size–42 °F (based on what I saw in their shelves).