Please complete all 5 steps below before we meet!

Lactation Consultant and Craniosacral Services for the Boise Area

Hi! If you’re here, please know — you are not alone. As certified lactation consultants in the Boise area, it’s our passion and mission for you to have a successful breastfeeding journey — however that may look for your family. We can’t wait to meet you and your baby!

  1. Fill out online paperwork

This paperwork goes over pertinent medical history and information that helps me serve you and your baby better. Please don’t hold back. I’ve been doing this for many years and I’ve heard it all. I’m here to support your family!


Click the online portal button to fill out, review, and sign the consent form on a secure patient records platform. Then move on to Step 2!

2. Check your Insurance Coverage

Your insurance may help cover the cost of lactation services – don’t miss out! You do still have to apply-so see link below. I work with the following insurance carriers for most plans and even with moms who are not lactating can still get coverage for services if baby is having feeding issues (tongue tie):

If you’re not covered with Lactation Network or have out-of-network insurance, I can give you a super-bill that you provide to your insurance company for hopeful reimbursement. This option requires you to pay out of pocket for your visits.

The Lactation Network is a resource that works with your insurance to cover costs of lactation services. Please click on the LACTATION NETWORK LINK BELOW to fill out the necessary information before our first visit to see if you are covered.

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

  • Blue Cross of Idaho

  • Anthem PPO

  • Regence

  • Cigna PPO

  • Surest

  • United

  • Blue Cross of most states

  • PNOA

  • CHAMPVA

  • HMA

  • VA CCN

  • Any plan with a Multiplan Logo

  • Humana PPO

  • Aetna - Multiplan

  • United - Multiplan

  • Medicaid if mom or babe has another insurance listed above

  • TRICARE and AETNA are covering 6 visits but it is private pay and then you submit a superbill for reimbursement. You do NOT need to apply for Lactation Netowork.

3. Schedule an Appointment

Feel free to go to the link and select an appointment time. If it is URGENT and you do not see something that works with your schedule, please text 208-991-4488 to see if I can fit you in sooner. Please read to the bottom of this webpage to see the FAQ to prepare for our visit.

4. Review Tongue Tie Information

Tongue-tie is a complicated and controversial breastfeeding issue for babies. We have extensive experience and knowledge in this area as tongue tie savvy certified lactation consultants. It tremendously benefits us all if you review this guide on tongue-tie before we meet.

5. Review Office Illness Policy and FAQ

Please wash your hands upon entering the clinic in the hallway bathroom, or with the hand sanitizers on the tables.

Please reschedule if you or your baby have ANY signs of illness. Please text me to reschedule for the following week.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Have a question that’s not answered here? Feel reach to reach out!

  • Yes you can. It is ideal if you find other care but we understand if you can’t.

  • I want to make sure every family and baby gets the time they deserve. Please call me if you’re going to be late and if you’re more than 15 minutes late, we may need to reschedule.

    Because I have set an hour aside for you, if you’re a no-show or cancel the day of, you will be charged $100 unless it is a valid emergency. Please give at least 24-hour notice to change or cancel appointments.

  • All visits are considered an office consult unless you have requested a home visit. Home visits are an additional $50 to cover travel time.

    As a lactation consultant near you, I completely understand pets are family, but unfortunately, I’m allergic to cats and dogs. Please put animals in another room. This also limits distractions and allows us to focus on our important mission of breastfeeding your baby.

    Thanks so much for understanding. Other than that, all I really need is you and baby!

  • I’m a phone call away for your questions and concerns during this special time from 8 am — 8 pm MST. The number used for this communication is 208-991-4488. Texting is preferred if you have a quick question. I will get back to you as soon as I am able. If I need to call you, I will be calling from a Portland number 971-235-8773.

  • 8601 W. Emerald St. Suite 160 Boise, Idaho.   

    It’s on the back south side of the building. It’s easiest to enter from Benjamin St. You’ll see a large Baby Bonds sign on the building next to Renew Physical Therapy. The reserved parking by the clinic is for you Mama!

  • Craniosacral therapy is the calming of the central nervous system through light touch. Baby Bonds is also trained in fascial work which helps to release tension while we follow the movement of the central nervous system and feel the fascial strain.

  • Yes, we offer both in-person & virtual services depending on your needs & location. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about a particular service offering.

  • Almost all appointments are around 60 minutes. Home visits for newborns often go longer up to 120 minutes.

  • Baby Bonds usually sees clients one time prenatally and then one to five times once baby arrives. Each visit consists of weighted feeds, writing a care plan, body work for babe and a massage chair for mom. Our clinic is a relaxing environment that we know you will feel very welcome in.

  • We do not offer free consultations, however, most insurances will cover your visit with us at 100%

  • We are here to support you during this difficult time. Baby Bonds offers body work, tongue tie assessment, wound management along with ensuring infant is gaining and we are protecting mother’s supply. We are almost always able to get babe back to breast especially when we catch ties early.

  • Yes, we offer both home and clinic consults to fit your family’s needs. If you’re determined to breastfeed or experiencing difficulty, we’ll make sure you reach your goals with the support and resources you need. All consults are considered office consults unless you requested a home visit. Home visits are an additional $50.

  • Yes, we currently offer a Prenatal Breastfeeding class that covers getting off to a good start, benefits of breastfeeding and positions, milk supply and supplement, nipple care and shields, and common newborn problems. A $70 value gift bag is included for free!

    We also have an Online Breastfeeding Self Guided course that has all the valuable information you need at your fingertips for your breastfeeding journey. It is a 66 page guide that we send directly to your email after purchase!

  • 1. Fill out the online paperwork

    2. Check for insurance coverage

    3. Schedule an appointment

    4. Review the Tongue Tie guide

    5. Review the Office Illness Policy & FAQ. Please reach out if you have any questions!

  • Your insurance may help cover the cost of lactation services – don’t miss out! You do still have to apply. We work with the following insurance carriers for most plans and even with moms who are not lactating can still get coverage for services if baby is having feeding issues (tongue tie).

    If you’re not covered with Lactation Network or have out-of-network insurance, we can give you a super-bill that you provide to your insurance company for hopeful reimbursement. This option requires you to pay out of pocket for your visits.

  • The benefits of breastfeeding are astounding. They include bonding, immunological protection, palate formation to help with airway, and for sure convenience.

  • We help with all things breastfeeding from prenatal consults, tongue tie, mastitis, nipple damage, thrush, breastfeeding position assistance, latch help, induced lactation for adoptive parents and surrogate parents.

  • We offer home and clinic breastfeeding consults, tongue tie assessment, Craniosacral Fascial Therapy, prenatal consults, virtual consults, induced lactation for adoptive and surrogate babies, as well as a Prenatal Breastfeeding class for expecting mamas!

Testimonials

  • "Our sweet boy had to spend 5 days in the NICU and had a severe lip and tongue tie making nursing incredibly challenging. Melanie was amazing at discovering concerns with our baby through an oral assessment and, referred us to specialists to get the ties released, assisting with getting him to nurse, and getting mom and baby well on their way! Her confidence and calmness were such an asset. She was truly a blessing when we needed it the most. Could not recommend her highly enough!"

    -Shawnee P.

  • "Melanie was wonderful to work with! She had answers and insight I was unable to find other places. I’m grateful for her experience, and it made a huge difference. I appreciated she was willing to come to us. It took the stress out of having to pack all the little ones up, find parking, etc. I would definitely recommend Melanie to anyone looking for lactation help. "

    -Andrea H.

  • “Having my daughter was a very big change for me, and I worried constantly about breastfeeding because I had to figure out unique positions for us. Melanie was so very patient with me. She deserves some type of award for how patient she was! She’s very knowledgeable and genuinely cares about her clients. She wants you to succeed and feel confident, not only with breastfeeding but with all things related to being a mom. I definitely recommend her!”

    -Jennie C.

  • “Melanie was the only lactation consultant out of the 3 I went to that was able to assess and refer us for my baby with a tongue tie, lip, and two cheek ties. She was able to set up his tongue tie release and ever since he’s been a totally different baby. If it weren’t for her I probably would have given up on breastfeeding but he’s exclusively breastfed!”

    -Allison

Join Our Facebook Group and Join a Supportive Community of Breastfeeding Mothers

Our Facebook page is for the local community of Boise breastfeeding mothers. Ask questions, learn from others, and help one another. They say it takes a village and this is a little piece of it! Also, would love a follow on Instagram where you can also see many of the stories of moms and babies along with learning more about breastfeeding and tongue ties @Babybonds_boise