Welcome to Melanie Henstrom Lactation and Craniosacral Therapy
Welcome! I am so glad you are here!
The early weeks with a new baby can be beautiful, overwhelming, emotional, and sometimes challenging—especially when feeding is not going as smoothly as you hoped. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, heard, and safe as we work together to help both you and your baby thrive.
My approach to lactation care is relationship-based. I believe the best outcomes happen when we take the time to truly understand your baby, your body, and your unique situation. During our time together, my focus is not only on feeding, but on the whole picture—comfort, connection, and confidence for both parent and baby.
A Collaborative Approach
Many families come to me after hearing about issues such as tongue-tie or other oral restrictions. It is important for you to know that I do not diagnose medical conditions and I do not perform or promote surgical procedures. My role is to carefully observe feeding, assess oral function, and support you with evidence-based strategies that can improve feeding and comfort.
If concerns about oral function arise, I may discuss what I observe and help you understand your options. Any medical diagnosis or decisions regarding procedures are always made by the appropriate medical providers and by your family.
My goal is to help you gather information, feel empowered, and make the decisions that feel right for you.
What to Expect
Meaningful change in breastfeeding and infant feeding often happens over time rather than in a single visit. For most families, I typically work together with you over four to six sessions. This allows us to:
• Observe patterns and progress
• Support your baby’s development and feeding skills
• Address comfort for both parent and baby
• Adjust strategies as your baby grows
Each baby is unique, and we will move at a pace that feels supportive and manageable for you.
A Commitment to Yourself and Your Baby
Seeking support is an important step. When you commit to this process, you are making a powerful investment in both your baby’s well-being and your own confidence as a parent.
My commitment is to provide a calm, respectful, and judgment-free environment where you feel comfortable asking questions, expressing concerns, and celebrating progress—no matter how small.
Together we will focus on helping you feel more confident, your baby feel more comfortable, and your feeding relationship grow stronger.
It is truly an honor to support families during this special season of life.
Warmly,
Melanie Henstrom, IBCLC
Please follow all 3 steps below before we meet.
1. Schedule an Appointment
*CLINIC, HOME, & VIRTUAL CONSULTS*
1. Please reschedule if your family is ill.
2. Please place animals in a different room.
3. We generally have a more successful
visit if other children are elsewhere.
Please move to step 2 and to check insurance.
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 for some insurances-so see instructions below for those who do need to apply. 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:
Medicaid might be covered if mom or baby has one of the insurances listed below.
First Choice Health, Sunrest, United, UMR, HMA, VA CCN, Humana PPO, CHAMPVA you will be billed through The Lactation Network. Please use this link to enter your information before our visit. Most families receive 6 visits at no cost to you with no deductible or co-pay.
Cigna, Anthem, Providence, and St. Luke’s Plans apply through Wildflower for 6 visits at no cost to you. Apply here.
Aetna - We are in network with and can submit a claim for you. Please bring your card to our appointment. You do not need to do anything to apply.
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross of Idaho, Blue Cross of other states, Premera, and Regence. Please enter your insurance info as soon as possible before our visit on this google doc link. Please sign into your Google account to complete.
Any other insurance not listed above, we still may be able to bill as an out of network claim. If your policy lists lactation as preventative it may still be covered at 100%. Feel free to reach out. The most likely plans include those that say PPO or EPO on your card.
Many families in the Treasure Valley use health share programs instead of traditional insurance. Several health share organizations may allow members to submit receipts for lactation consultations as part of maternity or postpartum care. Families participating in programs such as Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries, or Christian Healthcare Ministries have often been able to receive partial or full reimbursement for lactation services.
After your visit, you will receive a detailed receipt (superbill) that can be submitted directly to your health share for possible reimbursement. Because each program has different guidelines and member responsibilities, we recommend contacting your health share to ask about their current policies regarding lactation consultation coverage.
For those with no insurance coverage and financial need, you can request a discount to ensure quality care for all breastfeeding dyads.
When done, please MOVE TO STEP 3 BELOW.
3. Medical Portal and Sign Consent to Treat
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. Use Boise Lactation when it asks for practice name and please make sure and sign the Consent to Treat in the documents portion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Have a question that’s not answered here? Feel reach to reach out!
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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.
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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!
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I’m a phone call away for your questions and concerns during this special time from 8 am — 8 pm MST. 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.
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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.
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Almost all appointments are around 60 minutes. Home visits for newborns often go longer up to 120 minutes.
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Each visit consists of weighted feeds, and body work for babe. We will take the time to listen to your medical history and do our bet to write a care plan that is best to help your breastfeeding journey succeed.
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We do not offer free consultations, however, most insurances will cover your visit with us at 100%
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We are here to support you during this difficult time. We offer body work, tongue tie assessment along with ensuring infant is gaining and we are protecting mother’s supply. We are almost always able to get babe back to breast with early intervention.
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1. Fill out the online paperwork
2. Check for insurance coverage
3. Schedule an appointment
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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.
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.
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The benefits of breastfeeding are astounding. They include bonding, immunological protection, palate formation to help with airway, and for sure convenience.
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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.
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We offer home and clinic breastfeeding consults, tongue tie assessment, Craniosacral Fascial Therapy, prenatal consults, virtual consults, induced lactation for adoptive and surrogate babies.
Testimonials
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