What to expect from a consultation.
Sandra V Family Care offers both in-home and virtual lactation and sleep consultations in Ottawa. Here's how each works, and how to decide which is right for you. If you are unsure which to choose, feel free to reach out before booking.
In-Home Consultations
An in-home visit allows for a thorough, unhurried assessment in the environment where you and your baby actually feed. There is no need to travel or manage a newborn away from home.
During the visit, I conduct a full feeding assessment that includes evaluating latch, feeding technique, and signs your baby is transferring your milk. Together we will review your short- and long-term feeding goals and address your concerns.
On the day of your visit, you will receive a written care plan summarizing what was discussed during the appointment — something you can refer to between sessions and share with your health care team.
Session length and fees
INITIAL CONSULTATION
~90 minutes. $210.
FOLLOW-UP VISIT
60–90 minutes. From $140 for the first hour, +$70 per additional 30 minutes.
*TRAVEL FEES
Travel included within 10km from my home base (Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward).
11-15Km: $15 travel fee
16-30km: $25 travel fee
31-40km: $50 travel fee
41+ km: $75+ (or custom quote)
Virtual Consultations
Virtual appointments are conducted over video via Jane App, a secure health platform. They are well-suited to situations where an in-person visit is not necessary or practical.
Infant feeding support
Virtual feeding consultations are a good fit for:
Prenatal planning — discussing feeding goals, what to expect, and how to prepare before your baby arrives
Follow-up check-ins after an initial in-home visit
Concerns that do not require a hands-on assessment
Because a virtual visit has inherent limitations, some concerns are better addressed in person. If you are unsure which is right for you, feel free to reach out before booking.
Infant sleep and unsettled behaviour
Sleep consultations are conducted virtually and are available to families whether or not feeding is a concern. If your baby is struggling with sleep, frequent night waking, or unsettled behaviour, a dedicated sleep consultation can help.
A sleep consultation typically includes:
A sleep history and wholistic assessment of factors that can impact sleep
Review of age-appropriate sleep expectations and biological drivers of sleep
Exploration of the feeding-sleep connection where relevant
A personalised sleep plan to take away
Session length and fees
INITIAL CONSULTATION
~90 minutes. $210.
FOLLOW-UP
60–90 minutes. From $140 for the first hour, +$70 per additional 30 minutes.
Your Questions, Answered
-
You don’t have to delay feeding your baby though please avoid giving a full feed if possible. Often if you just give a small, or “half” feed, your baby will be interested enough to feed during the session.
-
As I work in close proximity to mothers and babies, I ask that if anyone in the household is unwell that you please contact me to reschedule your in-person appointment. As an alternative, a virtual consultation will be offered.
-
I understand that life happens and sometimes you need to make a change of plans. Please give at least 24 hours notice wherever possible so I can offer your appointment slot to someone else. If less than 2 hours notice is given, a $50 late cancel fee will be charged.
-
Sandra V Family Care uses Heidi, an AI-assisted documentation tool, to support clinical note-taking during appointments. Heidi generates a draft of your visit notes, which I review, edit, and finalize before they become part of your record — allowing me to stay present and focused on you during our time together. Heidi is PIPEDA and PHIPA compliant. Your information is stored securely on Canadian servers and is not used to train AI models. You may decline the use of AI-assisted note-taking at any time without affecting your care. If you have questions, please reach out at hello@sandravfamilycare.ca.