Confident, joyful feeding for you and your baby
Personalized feeding support from a pediatric nurse practitioner and certified lactation counselor, in-network with major insurance plans.
What is a lactation consultant, exactly?
A lactation consultant helps you work through feeding challenges so you can reach your goals and enjoy feeding your baby. So many things can affect feeding, including latching, milk production, pain, oral dysfunction, neurodiversity, disabilities, and even societal pressure.
For families searching for a lactation consultant covered by insurance in St. Louis, Chesterfield, and the surrounding area, Your Village offers in-network feeding support with Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and UMR. Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, or bottle feeding, you'll get a no-pressure plan built around what feeding looks like for you.
What brings families to us
Tap anything that sounds familiar. Every feeding journey is different, and these are some of the reasons parents reach out for support.
Latch & pain
Maybe feeding hurts, or your baby has a hard time latching, and you're not sure what's going wrong.
Milk supply
You might be worried about low supply, or dealing with oversupply, plugged ducts, or mastitis.
Pumping
Flange fit, exclusive pumping, or finding a routine that works can feel confusing without the right guidance.
Breast or bottle refusal
When your baby refuses the breast or the bottle, it can feel so stressful. There's usually a reason, and a way forward.
Fussy infant
A fussy baby can leave you wondering if feeding is part of the picture. A closer look can bring real peace of mind.
Returning to work
Heading back to work brings new questions about pumping, bottles, and keeping feeding on track. Planning ahead helps.
This list isn't exhaustive. If something feels off, trust that instinct and reach out.
Is lactation support right for you?
Check anything that sounds familiar. There's no wrong answer. This is just a starting point for the conversation.
Check a few boxes above to see where to go from here.
Still deciding? A few things worth knowing
- ✓Visits help whether feeding is going great or falling apart
- ✓Your plan is mutually agreed upon, with no pressure
- ✓Support is available for breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle feeding
- ✓Reaching out, even just to ask questions, is never a wasted step
What to expect
Whether feeding is going wonderfully, you aren't sure how it's going, or it feels like everything is falling apart, a visit can bring peace of mind. We'll start by listening, then build a plan together.
- First visitMedical history & feeding concerns
- Weighted feedLatch, attachment & milk transfer
- Baby's assessmentOral function & anatomy
- Hands-on helpBreastfeeding, pumping or bottle feeding
- Pump supportFlange fitting & pump assistance
- EducationEvidence-based guidance
- Looking aheadFeeding, infant behavior & sleep
- Your planPersonalized & mutually agreed upon
- Care coordinationReferrals & notes to your provider
Private pay rates
- New patient visit$200
- Follow-up visits$150 (varies by visit length)
- In-networkAetna, Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, UMR
Questions about scheduling or costs? Reach out and we'll talk it through together.
Why there's no pressure here
Feeding looks different for every family, and there's no single right way to do it. Every visit starts with listening to your goals, your family details, and what matters most to you. Your plan is created together, with no pressure, so you can build a confident feeding bond with your baby, whatever that looks like for you.
What sets Your Village apart
One team, every specialty
Speech, occupational therapy, behavior support, and more work together under one roof, so your family isn't coordinating across separate offices.
Play Village
A dedicated, non-clinical play space where kids build skills and confidence outside of a typical therapy setting.
Insurance-friendly
In-network with major carriers including UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, UMR, BlueCross BlueShield, and Cigna, with private pay also available.
Plans built around your child
Every evaluation and treatment plan is shaped around your child's specific needs and your family's goals.
You're not just a client here
Your Village STL was built on community and real relationships. Families and providers work together, with your child at the center of it all. Whatever your child or family needs, you don't have to navigate it alone.
Get Started
Three simple steps to get started
Reach out
Fill out the form below and share a bit about your child and what's on your mind.
Schedule your evaluation
We'll find a time for your child's evaluation, about 2 hours, and answer any questions about pricing or what to expect.
Begin sessions and parent training
Start one-on-one sessions and hands-on parent training, with frequency based on your child's evaluation and goals.
Meet your behavior analyst
Stephanie Merker
Stephanie is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensed in Missouri, with a master's degree in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas. Over more than 20 years in the field, she has worked in homes, clinics, and schools, and she's excited to return to her true passion: early intervention with young children of all abilities.
Her approach uses Natural Environment Teaching (NET), which weaves learning into a child's everyday surroundings so new skills are meaningful and carry over into daily life. She believes families are central to the process, and that teaching parents to use ABA strategies leads to more successful outcomes. Stephanie lives in St. Louis with her husband and two kids, and in her free time she loves traveling, reading, and volunteering at her kids' schools.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We're in-network with Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and UMR. Private pay is $200 for a new patient visit and $150 for follow-up visits, depending on length.
No. We support breastfeeding, pumping, and bottle feeding. The goal is a confident feeding bond with your baby, whatever that looks like for you.
Yes. We offer prenatal visits and prenatal mental health planning, so you can feel prepared before feeding begins.
We'll review your history and feeding concerns, do a weighted feed to check latch and milk transfer, assess your baby's oral function, and build a plan together.
Yes. We offer flange fittings, breast pump assistance, exclusive pumping consultations, and return-to-work planning.
Yes. We offer fussy infant consultations and bottle refusal support, plus weight checks when you just want reassurance.
Yes. Documentation from your visit is shared with your primary care provider, and we'll make appropriate referrals when needed.
Reach out. We're happy to talk it through before you commit to anything.