Steamboat Lactation & Sleep LLC
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487
Phone: 970-439-2703
Email: SteamboatLactationSleep@gmail.com
www.SteamboatLactationSleep.com
Effective Date: July 16, 2026
This Scope of Practice Notice explains the nature and limitations of our lactation support and sleep coaching services.
1. Purpose and Nature of Services
Steamboat Lactation & Sleep ("we," "us," or "our") provides lactation support services and infant/child sleep coaching to families in Colorado. Our services are educational, informational, and supportive. We do not provide medical care, diagnosis, treatment, or therapy of any kind.
Our services include:
Lactation education and breastfeeding/chestfeeding support
Infant and child sleep coaching and consultation
Parenting guidance related to feeding and sleep routines
Practical strategies for establishing healthy sleep habits
Emotional support and encouragement for caregivers
Our services are not a substitute for professional medical, nursing, dietetic, nutritional, psychological, or mental health care.
2. Professional Credentials and Qualifications
Our lactation support and sleep coaching services are provided by Felicity Leach, who holds the following credentials:
Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Felicity Leach is a licensed pharmacist; however, pharmacy services are not provided through Steamboat Lactation & Sleep. The PharmD credential reflects education and professional background but does not expand the scope of services offered by this business. When providing services through Steamboat Lactation & Sleep, Felicity Leach is acting solely within the scope of lactation support and sleep coaching services. She does not provide medication management, medication recommendations, prescribing, medication therapy management, or pharmacist consultation through these services.
We operate within the scope of our training and credentials. We do not hold ourselves out as physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered dietitians, nutritionists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, clinical social workers, or any other licensed healthcare professionals unless separately licensed and acting in that capacity.
3. Not Medical Care or Diagnosis
We do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition, disease, or disorder. We do not:
Perform physical examinations or medical assessments
Order, interpret, or provide diagnostic tests or imaging
Diagnose lactation disorders, tongue-tie, lip-tie, mastitis, thrush, or any medical condition
Diagnose or treat infant or child sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, or parasomnias
Diagnose or treat feeding disorders, failure to thrive, reflux, allergies, or metabolic conditions
Diagnose or treat postpartum depression, anxiety, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), or any mental health condition
Any observations or information we share are educational only and do not constitute a medical opinion.
4. Not Nursing, Dietetic, or Nutrition Therapy Services
Our lactation support services do not constitute the practice of nursing as regulated under Colorado law. We do not perform nursing assessments, provide nursing care, or engage in activities reserved to licensed nurses.
Our services do not constitute dietetics or nutrition therapy as regulated under Colorado law. We do not provide medical nutrition therapy, nutritional counseling for medical conditions, or individualized meal planning for treatment of disease. We provide general feeding education and support only.
5. Not Mental Health Counseling or Psychotherapy
While we provide emotional support and encouragement to families navigating feeding and sleep challenges, we do not provide psychotherapy, counseling, or treatment for mental health conditions. We are not licensed mental health professionals (unless separately licensed and acting in that capacity). If we observe signs of postpartum depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health concerns, we will refer you to appropriate licensed mental health providers.
6. No Prescribing or Medication Advice
We do not prescribe, recommend, adjust, or advise on medications, supplements, herbal remedies, or pharmaceutical products. We do not advise you to start, stop, or change any medication or supplement regimen, including galactagogues, lactation supplements, infant vitamins, sleep aids, sedatives, or over-the-counter medications.
Although Felicity Leach holds a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, medication-related questions are outside the scope of Steamboat Lactation & Sleep services and should be directed to your prescribing healthcare provider or a pharmacist providing pharmacy services.
7. Not Emergency Services
Our services are not appropriate for medical emergencies. We do not provide emergency medical care or urgent medical advice. If you or your infant/child is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Examples of emergencies requiring immediate medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing, choking, or cyanosis (blue/gray skin color)
Unresponsiveness or extreme lethargy
Seizures or convulsions
Severe dehydration (no wet diapers for 12+ hours, sunken fontanelle, no tears)
High fever in infants under 3 months
Signs of severe allergic reaction
Suspected ingestion of toxic substances
Bleeding that will not stop
Severe or worsening illness
8. Requirement for Concurrent Medical Care
All clients must be under the concurrent care of a licensed physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Infants and children receiving our sleep coaching services must have a primary care pediatrician or family medicine provider. Parents/caregivers receiving lactation support should be under the care of an obstetrician, midwife, or family medicine provider for postpartum care.
By engaging our services, you confirm that:
Your infant/child has or will establish care with a pediatrician or family medicine provider
You (the parent/caregiver) have or will establish postpartum care with a qualified healthcare provider
You will continue routine well-child visits and recommended medical care
You will seek medical evaluation before beginning sleep coaching if your child has any known or suspected medical conditions affecting sleep
9. When to Seek Medical Evaluation
You should consult your physician, pediatrician, or other healthcare provider before or during our services if any of the following apply:
Lactation and Feeding Concerns:
Poor infant weight gain or weight loss
Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 5 of life, or fewer than expected stools (typically at least 4 yellow stools per day by day 4 of life)
Persistent breast/chest pain, redness, fever, or flu-like symptoms
Suspected tongue-tie, lip-tie, or other anatomical issues
Infant difficulty latching, excessive fussiness at breast/chest, or refusal to feed
Blood in milk or infant's stool
Suspected milk supply issues
Infant jaundice
Suspected food allergies or intolerances
Sleep and Behavioral Concerns:
Loud snoring, gasping, or pauses in breathing during sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate nighttime sleep
Sudden changes in sleep patterns or behavior
Head-banging, night terrors, or concerning nighttime behaviors
Developmental delays or regression
Suspected sleep disorders or underlying medical condition affecting sleep
We reserve the right to pause or discontinue services and refer you to appropriate medical providers if we observe concerning signs or symptoms.
10. Infant Safety and Safe Sleep Practices
All sleep coaching recommendations will be consistent with current safe sleep guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other recognized authorities. We strongly recommend that all families follow safe sleep practices, including:
Back to sleep for every sleep
Firm, flat sleep surface approved for infant sleep
No soft bedding, pillows, blankets, bumpers, or toys in sleep space
Room-sharing without bed-sharing for at least the first 6 months
Smoke-free environment
Appropriate room temperature
Bed-sharing and co-sleeping carry risks. While we respect family choices, we will provide education on risks and safer alternatives. We do not recommend practices that contradict AAP safe sleep guidelines.
Parents and caregivers are solely responsible for ensuring the safety of their infant/child's sleep environment and for making all final decisions regarding sleep location and practices.
11. Client Responsibility and Informed Decision-Making
You, the client, are solely responsible for all decisions regarding your infant's/child's care, feeding, and sleep. Our role is educational and supportive. We provide information, strategies, and encouragement, but you retain full authority and responsibility for:
Implementing (or choosing not to implement) any suggestions or strategies we provide
Monitoring your infant's/child's health, safety, and well-being
Seeking timely medical care when needed
Stopping any strategy that does not feel right or appears to cause harm
Making feeding and sleep decisions that align with your family's values and circumstances
We encourage you to discuss our recommendations with your healthcare providers and to trust your parental instincts.
12. Telehealth and Remote Services
We may provide services via telehealth (video, phone) or asynchronous methods (email, text, messaging platforms). Remote services have inherent limitations:
We cannot perform hands-on assessments or physical examinations
We rely on your descriptions and any photos/videos you provide
Technical issues may disrupt communication
We cannot respond immediately to urgent concerns
Remote services are not appropriate for emergencies or urgent medical situations. If you need immediate assistance, contact your healthcare provider or call 911. By engaging in telehealth services, you acknowledge these limitations and agree to seek in-person medical care when appropriate.
13. Mandatory Referrals and Collaboration
We will refer you to appropriate licensed healthcare providers when:
We observe or you report signs/symptoms requiring medical evaluation
Your concerns exceed our scope of practice
We believe medical clearance is needed before proceeding with sleep coaching
You or your infant/child may benefit from additional professional support (e.g., occupational therapy, feeding therapy, mental health counseling)
With your written consent, we may collaborate with your healthcare providers to ensure coordinated, safe care.
14. No Guarantees or Outcomes Promised
We make no guarantees regarding specific outcomes or results. Every family and infant/child is unique. Factors affecting lactation success and sleep improvement include infant temperament, developmental stage, medical conditions, family circumstances, consistency of implementation, and many other variables beyond our control.
Our services do not guarantee:
Successful establishment or continuation of breastfeeding/chestfeeding
Increased milk supply
Resolution of sleep difficulties
Sleeping through the night by a certain age
Elimination of night wakings
15. Limitations and Exclusions
We do not provide services for:
Infants or children with active, unmanaged medical conditions affecting feeding or sleep (until cleared by a physician)
Situations where child abuse or neglect is suspected (mandatory reporting obligations apply)
Families unwilling to engage with appropriate medical providers
High-risk medical situations requiring clinical oversight
16. Amendment and Updates
We reserve the right to update this Scope of Practice Notice as laws, regulations, professional standards, or our service offerings change. The current version will be available at www.steamboatlactationsleep.com/scope-of-practice and provided to clients at the start of services.
17. Colorado Jurisdiction
Our services are provided in and governed by the laws of the State of Colorado. We comply with all applicable Colorado statutes and regulations governing our scope of practice.
18. Questions or Concerns
If you have questions about our scope of practice, credentials, or the nature of our services, please contact us at:
Steamboat Lactation & Sleep LLC
Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487
Phone: 734-2703
Email: SteamboatLactationSleep@gmail.com
www.SteamboatLactationSleep.com