MELANIE ACON, MA, IBCLC
Owner and Operator
Serving Culpeper, VA and surrounding areas
Hello! Thanks for stopping in! My name is Melanie Acon and I am the owner and operator of Bee Nourished Lactation Services. I am married, have four children all of who were and are breastfed/breastmilk fed and live in Culpeper, VA!
My vision for a private practice for lactation consulting began many years ago after struggling to breastfeed my first child. I had minimal support and was faced with a lot of obstacles during the entire 12 months I breastfed. Once my son turned 12 months, I let out a huge sigh of relief and thought to myself “WOW no one else should ever have to go through that alone.” That is when I realized I wanted to dedicate my career to being a part of the solution for the lack of lactation support available to breastfeeding families.
In 2017, I began the pathway II program to IBCLC at Union Institute and University. I earned a Master of Arts degree in Health and Wellness with a special concentration in Human Lactation in 2019. During the program I spent eight months in an internship working directly with a RN, IBCLC on the post-partum floor of WVU Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV. My preceptor is a highly trained lactation consultant and taught me everything I know about lactation consulting in the clinical setting. We worked with a wide range of breastfeeding families, all the way from premature babies in the NICU to breastfeeding toddlers.
I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) in December of 2020 and opened Bee Nourished Lactation Services in March of 2021. I took a full time position at UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center in April of 2022 running their lactation department; concentrating on the re-designation of Baby Friendly and serving their families through education and support. I am still serving families at UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center part time in addition to serving Bee Nourished clients and taking care of my large family!
I am currently offering in-home and virtual consultations. Scroll down on the website for more information on how to schedule a consultation with me!
LILLY SENG, IBCLC
Serving Loudoun County
Lilly Seng is a mother of 6, and for over thirteen years she has had a passion for supporting and educating families specifically throughout pregnancy, birth, and lactation. She is located in Loudoun County, VA and has previously supported families at Prince William Medical Center in their L&D, Postpartum, and NICU units as well as Stonesprings Hospital in their LDRP unit.
Her experience includes being certified as a childbirth educator through CAPPA (Childbirth And Postpartum Professionals Association) from 2010-2020, being certified to serve families as a birth doula through DONA international from 2014-2021, and served breastfeeding families in the community through La Leche League as an accredited leader from 2011-2020. She has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2017-present and an AHA BLS instructor from 2019-present.
From 2016-2022 she worked for two separate hospitals (HCA Stonesprings Hospital and NOVANT/UVA Prince William Medical Center) providing lactation support and prenatal education. Over the last 13 years she has founded breastfeeding support groups, mentored LLL leaders, and lead countless group meetings, in Manassas, Haymarket, and Warrenton, as well as provided support for families in Fairfax and Western Loudoun. Virtually, on Facebook, she is the founder/moderator of the active group "Northern Virginia Breastfeeding Support".
She also obtained certifications and for years served her community as a volunteer Advanced Emergency Medical Technician as well as an AHA BLS CPR instructor. Her wide range of experience and skills allow her to bring many different aspects of patient care and lactation support to the unique needs of the families she’s honored to serve.
She truly believes in the importance of empowering families throughout this stage of their lives. Support is essential through out all of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and so on. She is here to educate and assist parents with what they need to know as they embark on this remarkable journey with their little ones!
Lilly was born in Puerto Rico and was raised bilingual here in Northern Virginia. She specializes in providing support and education in both English and Spanish. When not serving families, she is fully dedicated to her own family as a homeschooling mother of her six children. Her hobbies include crocheting, reading, photography, homesteading, and hiking/camping with her kids.
All of what she does, she does for families. Lilly believes that a strong foundation is the key for success in all areas of life. It is thanks to her family and all their support that she is able to help others as she does. Her hope is to inspire those around her as she has been inspired herself.
LACTATION CONSULTATIONS
***Now accepting health insurance***
Prices range from $100-$250. All payments are due at time of service.
A superbill will be provided for all self-pay lactation consultation services.
Lactation services may be purchased as gifts.
Forms of payment accepted: Paypal, Venmo and credit card.
*3% + $0.30 fee added to all credit card transactions*
To request a consultation with Melanie Acon, MA, IBCLC in Culpeper County, please fill out an inquiry form at the bottom of the website.
To book a consultation with Lilly Seng, IBCLC in Loudoun County, please click the links provided below.
*A travel fee of $35 will be added to all in-home consultations when the IBCLC travels to you*
LEESBURG IN-OFFICE CONSULTATION
In- person consultations in our new office space will be offered starting Wednesday Sept. 7th, 2022!
Location: 821 King Street Suite B Leesburg, VA 20175
Hours: Wednesdays 7:30am-2:30pm
In-person consultations include an assessment of breasts and nipples, assessment of baby's mouth and suck, pre and post feed weights, observation of a feeding, troubleshoot and management of breastfeeding concerns, latching and positioning techniques shown and a manageable care plan given based on the feeding goals of the breastfeeding mother.
Roughly 60-90 minutes.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN OFFICE VISIT WITH LILLY SENG, IBCLC AT OUR LEESBURG LOCATION
IN-HOME CONSULTATION
In-home consultations will be offered on a case-by-case basis to clients in the Loudoun County, VA area and Culpeper County, VA area.
In-home consultations include an assessment of breasts and nipples, assessment of baby's mouth and suck, pre and post feed weights, observation of a feeding, troubleshoot and management of breastfeeding concerns, latching and positioning techniques shown and a manageable care plan given based on the feeding goals of the breastfeeding mother.
Roughly 60-90 minutes.
Travel fee of $35 added to all in-home consultations.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN IN-HOME CONSULTATION WITH LILLY SENG, IBCLC, IN LOUDOUN COUNTY
TO BOOK AN IN-HOME CONSULTATION WITH MELANIE ACON, MA, IBCLC, IN CULPEPER COUNTY, FILL OUT AN INQUIRY FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WEBSITE
VIRTUAL CONSULTATION
Virtual consultations will assess and discuss difficulties as we develop a plan that will work best for the entire family! We work with your providers to make sure you receive the best care possible for yourself and your infant(s).
These types of visits are perfect for non-urgent prenatal visits, follow-ups, and or to answer your list of questions! Assessments may also be done virtually on a case-by-case basis.
Roughly 45-60 minutes.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL CONSULTATION WITH LILLY SENG, IBCLC
TO BOOK A VIRTUAL CONSULTATION WITH MELANIE ACON, MA, IBCLC, FILL OUT AN INQUIRY FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WEBSITE
BEE NOURISHED CLASS OFFERINGS!
To register for a class, please click the links provided below each class description.
All classes are offered in-person in our new office space: 821 King Street Suite B Leesburg, VA 20175
Forms of payment accepted: Paypal, Venmo and credit card.
*3% + $0.30 fee added to all credit card transactions*
BREASTFEEDING: GETTING STARTED
$150/COUPLE
Dates offered: June 10, 2023, July 8, 2023, August 12, 2023, September 9, 2023, October 14, 2023, November 11, 2023, December 9, 2023, January 13, 2024 and February 10, 2024
On your marks, get set, go! We're now offering a ‘Getting Started’ class for breastfeeding! This will be perfect for parents who benefit from hands on learning! We’ll be going over all the basics and “how to’s” of nursing with couples in mind. Join us for an evening of learning how to love at first latch!
To sign up for this class, fill out an inquiry form at the bottom of this website- make sure to specify which date you would like to sign up for.
Class Location: 821 King Street Suite B Leesburg, VA 20175
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INFANT CPR
$60/PERSON OR $100/COUPLE
Dates offered: May 27, 2023, June 10 & 24, 2023, July 8 & 22, 2023, August 12 & 26, 2023, September 9 & 23, 2023, October 14 & 28, 2023 November 11 & 25, 2023, December 9 & 23, 2023, January 13, 2024.
We're now offering an in person infant CPR taught by our very own AHA Certified BLS Instructor Lilly Seng, IBCLC. Slots are limited so please register early. This class will cover the basics of how to respond when an infant requires rescue breathing, CPR, and choking support. Hands on practice will be provided. Come learn skills that are important when caring for an infant and leave feeling prepared!
To sign up for this class, fill out an inquiry form at the bottom of this website- make sure to specify which date you would like to sign up for.
Class Location: 821 King Street Suite B Leesburg, VA 20175
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
I have never worked with a lactation consultant before, but have really been struggling with nursing my second child. I reached out to Bee Nourished last week and they got an appointment scheduled for me so quickly and have been amazing at their communication with scheduling and follow-up items. The appointment I had was with Lilly and she was absolutely amazing. She put me at ease, was very thorough and knowledgeable. I feel more equipped to continue as needed and wish I would have reached out sooner. I already have my next appointment scheduled and would recommend Lilly and Bee Nourished to all nursing mothers!
Rachel Pumphrey
I have worked with both Melanie and Lily and they are both wonderful. Melanie I saw early postpartum for some initial breastfeeding challenges. She was so kind and knowledgeable and really helped me be successful.
Lily I saw virtually close to the one year mark to talk about gradual weaning and extended breastfeeding. She took so much time to listen to my questions and concerns and come up with a plan that worked for me and my son. I especially appreciate that her advice is based on evidence and not just her personal opinion (which I didn’t always experience with other lactation consultants).
I highly recommend these kind, supportive, knowledgeable providers!
Jacqueline Ontell
We loved working with Lilly and I’m so thankful for her! We started seeing her when my daughter was just a few days old up until she was just about 7 months old! At my daughters first pediatrician appointment following birth we realized she was close to a 9% weight loss which was alarming. Lilly helped us make a plan to make sure Francesca’s weight went back up and in a little over 2 weeks she was all caught up. I truly felt like Lilly was in it with us. She was so invested in seeing my baby girl succeed with breastfeeding and weight gain. Every time we had a victory with her weight she was just as happy as us. Lilly not only helped us through that and the typical troubles of early breastfeeding but another minor dip in weight around 5 months old. Again she helped us make a plan and we set up a few follow up appointments to make sure Francesca was on track. Just like the first time we got her all caught up + some!
Lilly truly loves what she does. She is VERY thorough, dedicated and 100% invested in her clients!!
Lea Piccoli
I cannot find enough good things to say about our experience working with Melanie. We had a very rocky start to our feeding journey, and had no lactation support from our hospital. When we got Melanie involved, it was evident from the start that she was not only extremely knowledgeable, but that she cared about our family. She was so compassionate, supportive and nonjudgmental in finding feeding solutions that would work best for both myself and my baby. She was a light in the hectic early postpartum days when you just want to ensure that your baby is thriving. I would recommend Melanie to any of my friends, and would absolutely work with her again.