BREASTFEEDING ESSENTIALS' LOCAL LACTATION SERVICES

Breastfeeding Essentials is located in Kingsport, Tennessee in Colonial Heights on Fort Henry Drive across from Pizza Hut and beside Compuworld. It is owned and operated by Becky Flora, BSed, IBCLC, RLC, a board certified lactation consultant. Rachel Copenhaver and Amy Landers also help Becky serve the breastfeeding moms in our area. They bring significant experience and enthusiasm to the store as they are both nursing moms themselves. Lactation services are offered both prenatally and postpartum from birth to weaning. Store and office hours are Tuesday-Friday 10-5 with extended hours until 7 pm every Thursday. We are also open on Saturdays from 10-2. Breastfeeding consultations are by appointment only.

Product Availability

  • Medela breastpumps for sale or rent. Click here for breastpump rental information.

  • Medela Electronic Baby Weigh Scales for rent. Click here for scale rental information.

  • Full selection of Medela breastfeeding products, including Medela nursing bras

  • Breastfeeding Resource Books

  • Full line of replacement parts for Medela breastpumps

  • Special ordering available for Medela breastfeeding accessories not in stock

  • A wide selection of Avent breastpumps and breastfeeding supplies at prices lower than local retail stores

  • Avent bottle-feeding supplies (Avent bottles are often recommended for breastfed babies) at prices lower than other local retail stores

  • Nursing tops, gowns, dresses, etc.

  • The Lansinoh Breastfeeding Collection disposable nursing pads and milk storage options

  • Nursing Pillows

  • Soothies Gel Breast Pads and Bust Buddies Hot/Cold Packs for management of sore nipples and breast engorgement

  • Herbs to enhance lactation and help with baby's colic symptoms

  • Shipping is available throughout the local area via Priority Mail for your added convenience.

  • Gift certificates available for easy and convenient gift-giving.

  • All major credit cards accepted as well as personal checks and money orders.

    Lactation Consulting Services

    Please note there is a fee for those services marked with an (*). See fee schedule below.

  • Prenatal one-to-one breastfeeding preparation classes. (*)

  • Pump Selection Consultation (*)

  • Pump Condition Assessment (*)

  • Pump Operation Teaching (*)

  • Counsel on medication or herbal use during lactation

  • Telephone consultations for minor difficulties or concerns that can be addressed in less than 15 minutes

  • Office, home, or hospital consultations for situations which demand a hands-on approach and visual assessment or which go beyond the scope of a telephone consultation (*)

  • Breastfeeding Support Group for expecting and nursing mothers - NEW and FREE

  • Bra fittings

  • Baby Weight checks

    Fee Schedule for Lactation Consulting Services

    Prenatal Consult:

    $25 for office consult; $50 for consult in your home

    This consult provides the client with one-on-one time with the lactation consultant to discuss any questions or possible concerns regarding breastfeeding.

    Pump Selection Consult:

    $20 for consultation in the office only - applied towards any pump rented or purchased from Breastfeeding Essentials.

    This type of consult provides a thorough demonstration of any and all pumps that might be applicable to the client's needs and advice on which one to choose.

    Pump Condition Assessment

    $10 for clients who did not purchase their breastpump from our store. Free with all pumps purchased from Breastfeeding Essentials. Done in office only.

    This assessment will help determine if your pump is working correctly. If it is determined that it is not, Becky will make suggestions concerning part replacement, operation, etc. to improve your results.

    Pump Operation Teaching

    $10 for clients who did not purchase their breastpump from our store. Free with all pumps purchased or rented from Breastfeeding Essentials. Done in office only.

    This teaching includes pump operation, cleaning, pumping tips, etc.

    Office Breastfeeding Consultation

    $60.00

    This consult usually is advised when there is a problem or difficulty which requires a visual or hands-on assessment by the lactation consultant. Each consult includes a thorough history taking on both mother and baby, baby weight check, observation of a feeding, assessment of baby's suck and oral structure, assessment of mother's breast and nipple health, measurement of breastmilk intake if warranted, and acknowledgment of mother's questions and concerns. The average length for a consult is 1.5 hours. Fax reports of consult notes are always sent to the mother's and/or baby's physician. This consult includes unlimited telephone support following the office consult. Insurance superbill, doctor's prescription, and instructions on filing a claim for the consult are provided.

    Home Visit Consultation

    $100.00

    This consult is identical to an Office Visit Consultation but is done in the client's home.

    Hospital Consultation

    $75.00.

    This consult is identical to the office and home visit consultation but is done in your hospital room prior to discharge.

    Medela Breastpump Rentals

    We rent the Medela Lactina Select, a hospital-grade double, electric pump. Rates are as follows:

  • Daily: $2.25 not to exceed the weekly rate
  • Weekly: $15.00 not to exceed the monthly rate
  • Monthly: $35.00

    All prices are in addition to local sales tax (9.50%). There is no deposit fee and no minimal time required to rent the pump. Once you check it out it is yours to keep as long as you need it and as long as you make regular payments. Because pump billing is done by automatic credit card/check card transaction, you must have a credit card/check card in order to rent a breastpump. At checkout, the MONTHLY rate is required. Refunds will be given if the pump is turned in prior to the allotted time. Please note that the rental pump requires an accessory kit (breastshields, tubing, collection bottles, etc) for each mother. If you do not already have an accessory kit that fits the Medela rental pump, you will also need to purchase this the first month. Then the kit is yours to keep even after you return the pump. Kits range in price from $38-$50.

    Medela Baby Weigh Scale Rentals

    The Medela Baby Weigh Scale is an electronic scale which is as accurate as the nearest 2 grams. In addition to being a tool to monitor weight gain in infants less than 25 lbs, it can also measure breastmilk intake during a feeding when a closer, more accurate assessment of the infant's intake is necessary. Scales rent as follows:

  • Daily: $5.00 not to exceed the weekly rate
  • Weekly: $25 not to exceed the monthly rate
  • Monthly: $75

    All prices are in addition to local sales tax (9.50%). There is no deposit fee and no minimal time required to rent the scales. Once you check them out they are yours for as long as needed and while payments are being made in a regular basis. Because scale rental billing is done through automatic credit card/check card transaction, you must have a credit card/check card in order to rent the scales. At checkout, the WEEKLY rate is required. Refunds will be given if the scales are turned in prior to the allotted time.

    Contact Information

    Breastfeeding Essentials may be reached by calling 423-239-5885.. We are also available via email at breastfeed@yahoo.com.