Star Lactation

01/12/2026

Good News! Star Lactation is now in network with Anthem BCBS! It's wonderful that Anthem is now covering private IBCLC lactation care for Virginia families. To book your visit, visit starlactation.com

01/10/2026

Most conventional baby formulas (e.g. enfamil and similac) were found to contain heavy metals. Organic brands like Kendamil were cleaner. Here is a list from the article:
Bobbie Infant Formula: NONE
Bobbie Organic Infant Formula: Mercury
Bubs Goat Milk Based Formula: Mercury
ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula: NONE, under active recall
Enfamil AR Powder: Mercury
Enfamil Gentlease Powder: Mercury
Enfamil Gentlease NeuroPro Ready to Use: Arsenic, mercury
Enfamil Infant Concentrate: Mercury
Enfamil Infant NeuroPro Ready to Use: Cadmium, mercury, lead
Enfamil Infant Powder: Arsenic, mercury
Enfamil Prosobee: Arsenic, cadmium, mercury
Holle Organic Infant Formula Stage 1: NONE
Holle Organic Infant Goat Milk Formula Stage 1: NONE
Kendamil Classic: NONE
Kendamil Goat Milk Based Formula: NONE
Similac Advance Concentrate Liquid: Mercury
Similac Advance Powder: Mercury
Similac Advance Ready to Feed: NONE
Similac Sensitive Powder: Mercury
Similac Sensitive Ready to Feed: NONE
Similac Soy Isomil Ready to Feed: Mercury
Similac Soy Isomil Concentrated Liquid: Mercury
Similac Soy Isomil Powder: Arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead
Similac Total Comfort Powder: Arsenic, mercury

BARTOW, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Bartow on Friday morning to announce the results of baby formula testing the state has been conducting. He was joined by First Lad…

12/09/2025

Congratulations to our very own Emily Morris for passing her IBLCE Board Exam! You worked so very hard for this accomplishment - we are so proud of you!!

Emily will continue to see patients here at Star, on Monday and Thursday mornings. She currently sees cash pay patients only, but we will be working to get her credentialed so she can see insurance patients as well.

11/28/2025

There are important considerations here with regard to baby bottles and formula preparation. The article notes:
* avoid microwaving or heating formula in plastic
* rinsing heat sterilized bottles before adding breastmilk or formula
* consider using glass bottles

I would also wonder about micro/nano plastics being dislodged from pump parts after sterilization. As with bottles, perhaps rinsing them prior to use would be helpful?

Microplastics may contribute to heart disease, lung disorders, and other health problems. Use these 12 tips to reduce your exposure.

07/05/2025

Did you know that Anthem BCBS is the only major insurance company that does not cover lactation care with IBCLCs? This needs to change! If your family has Anthem insurance and you have used IBCLC care in the past - or plan to do so in the future - your letters are needed to convince Anthem to cover lactation care!! All you need to do is write a quick email saying:

* You are an Anthem insured
* You have used and value IBCLC care in the past - or plan to do so in the future
* You demand that they contract with IBCLCS so that you can receive expert-level care for you and your baby!

Two IBCLCs are spearheading this effort and are meeting with Anthem execs soon. Send your email ASAP to: kristin@milkguide.com

07/01/2025

NEWS FOR LACTATING PARENTS INSURED BY ANTHEM BCBS: LACTATION NETWORK NO LONGER PROVIDING COVERAGE TO ANTHEM MEMBERS AS OF 7/15/25

BACKGROUND

When a family is in need of lactation care, most will turn to an IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant like Star Lactation. Unlike most other insurance companies, Anthem BCBS will not cover lactation care provided by IBCLCs. They will only cover lactation services provided by a doctor, NP, PA or midwife.

In 2020, a company called Lactation Network stepped in to help Anthem members get coverage. They created a network of contract-based IBCLCS that provide services to Anthem families across the nation. Lactation Network would bill Anthem on an out-of-network basis for the services rendered by its IBCLCs, and then they were paid by Anthem accordingly.

On June 30, 2025, Lactation Network announced to IBCLCs that as of July 15, 2025, due to lack of payment by Anthem, it will no longer work with families insured by Anthem BCBS.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU:
* If you already have been approved for coverage by Lactation Network, Lactation Network states that you will still be covered up to the # of visits you've been approved for. Please note that things are rapidly changing at Lactation Network and it’s certainly possible that they may discontinue coverage.
* Lactation Network states that it will still take coverage requests until 7/14/25.
* On 7/15, Anthem members will not be covered for lactation care provided by private practice IBCLCs like Star Lactation. Anthem members will need to self pay. Star Lactation can provide a superbill (receipt) that can be submitted to Anthem for possible reimbursement.

We are so sorry that this has happened. This is affecting every private practice IBCLC and millions of Anthem families across the country. It's our hope that with public pressure, Anthem will change its policy and contract with IBCLCs directly - just like Aetna, UHC, Tricare, Cigna and many other health plans.

If you have questions, we can try to answer here, but we also suggest you reach out to Lactation Network (if you already have coverage) as well as, and more importantly to, Anthem itself.

05/29/2025

Please share! For a limited time, Star Lactation's student IBCLC Emily Morris is offering free lactation consultations. Emily needs to help a few more families before sitting her Boards in September. Emily has worked closely with Star Lactation owner and IBCLC Katherine Havener since 2021 and is well trained in all aspects of advanced practice lactation consulting.

Offer details:
* First come, first served. Availability of visits will depend on demand.
* You must complete all required forms prior to visit
* Emily has limited schedule availability so flexibility is a must
* Visits will be at Star Lactation offices on Starkey Road. Televisits also available.
* To request a consult, you must text Emily at Star Lactation at: 540-253-1984

04/08/2025

This is a fabulous explanation of why overnight milk removal is vital to overall milk supply!

01/02/2025

2024 was a wonderful and very busy year. We're so grateful for your trust in us! Here are some other notes about 2024:
____________________________________________________
~ Star Lactation now has 4 employees – 2 IBCLCs, 1 advanced student IBCLC and 1 medical scribe!
~We now can help families insured by Aetna, United Health Care, Tricare, Anthem and Humana (through Lactation Network) and Cigna (through Wildflower Health)!
~60% of clients used chiropractors prior to seeing us
~55% of mothers were breastfed as children themselves
~73% of mothers had a vaginal birth
~It was a year of girls! 55% girls and 45% boys
~Star Lactation owner Katherine Havener’s children’s best selling nightweaning book “Nursies When the Sun Shines” was published as a board book this year!
----------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to everyone for letting us be a part of your breastfeeding journey! We look forward to a fabulous new year.👋

01/01/2025

Book your visit with Emily today at Starlactation.com!

07/22/2024

It was such a pleasure to see Genya and Stan for their prenatal visit! Prenatals are such a wonderful way to gather more information about breastfeeding and pumping and all those burning questions you have plus have a support system in place after baby is here! We love doing prenatals!