NuBloom vs MilkNotes
Both are built for lactation. MilkNotes is lighter-weight. NuBloom is full practice management.
MilkNotes was created by an IBCLC with 30+ years of experience, and it shows in the charting. The lactation-specific templates are solid. It also has embedded HIPAA-compliant telehealth. NuBloom now includes managed video visits too, so the real difference is charting-only simplicity vs full practice management.
Where MilkNotes stops is clinical depth and the heavier business side. NuBloom includes LATCH and IBFAT assessment scoring, structured jaundice assessment with lab tracking, PHQ-4 and EPDS postpartum mood screening, and evidence-based snippets from ABM protocols. MilkNotes now lists scheduling, credit card processing, e-faxing, and superbill generation, but NuBloom still goes further with a full invoice lifecycle, claim tracking, prepaid package balances, reporting, and offline home-visit support.
NuBloom covers the clinical assessments and the business side: billing, invoicing, packages, claims, payments, booking, reporting, and a patient portal with growth charts. The tradeoff is that MilkNotes has e-faxing and customizable care plans, which NuBloom doesn't.
Pricing
NuBloom
$59/month or $49/month annual
Additional providers: $39/month ($33 annual)
Every feature included.
14-day free trial, no credit card.
MilkNotes
$29.99/month Starter ($26.99 annual)
$59.99/month Pro ($49.99 annual)
Per-user pricing. Group discounts for 3+ users.
10-day free trial.
MilkNotes is cheaper if charting and a lightweight telehealth flow are your main needs. NuBloom costs more but adds prepaid packages, a full invoice lifecycle, claim tracking, reporting, and offline home visit support.
Feature Comparison
Charting
| Feature | NuBloom | MilkNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Lactation-specific charting | ||
| Breast exam, latch scoring, infant assessment | ||
| LATCH and IBFAT scoring tools | ||
| Jaundice assessment (visual, labs, risk factors) | ||
| PHQ-4 and EPDS postpartum mood screening | ||
| Structured feeding plans (supplementation, taper protocols) | General care plans | |
| Return-to-work pump planning (flange assessment, stash timeline) | Pump inventory tracking | |
| Evidence-based snippets (ABM protocols) | ||
| Auto-save during charting | ||
| Immutable signed notes with version history | ||
| Customizable care plans |
Scheduling & Booking
| Feature | NuBloom | MilkNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment scheduling | ||
| Online patient booking | Parent Calendar (Pro) | |
| Home-visit service area gating (ZIP / radius) | ZIP list or radius | |
| Appointment reminders (SMS) | ||
| Waitlist management | ||
| Forms signed during booking, before the appointment is created | Intake after booking, before visit |
Billing & Payments
| Feature | NuBloom | MilkNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-loaded lactation billing codes | ||
| Superbill generation | Auto-filled from visits | |
| Invoicing | ||
| Online patient payments (Stripe) | ||
| Prepaid packages / visit bundles | Portal + public booking purchase, balances, auto-apply | |
| Insurance claim tracking | ||
| Revenue reporting |
Communication
| Feature | NuBloom | MilkNotes |
|---|---|---|
| HIPAA-compliant messaging | ||
| Patient portal | Parent Portal | |
| WHO growth charts in portal | ||
| Self-service intake forms | ||
| Urgent message flagging | ||
| Video telehealth | Managed video visits | Embedded (HIPAA-compliant) |
| E-faxing to other providers |
Offline & Mobile
| Feature | NuBloom | MilkNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Offline charting | Full offline-first with selective sync | |
| Mobile app | Coming soon | |
| Web app | ||
| On-device encryption |
Practice Management
| Feature | NuBloom | MilkNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Unified work queue | ||
| Reports and analytics | ||
| Multi-provider teams | Group discounts | |
| Pump tracker / inventory |
The Honest Take
Choose NuBloom if:
- You want charting and practice management in one tool
- You want LATCH/IBFAT scoring, jaundice assessment, and PHQ-4/EPDS mood screening built in
- You need invoicing, online payments, and revenue tracking
- You do home visits and need offline charting
- You want patients to book online and see their growth charts
Choose MilkNotes if:
- You mainly need charting, telehealth, and simple payments
- You want the lowest-cost charting plus video visit tool
- You need e-faxing to send care plans to pediatricians or OBs
- You're happy handling claims, invoices, packages, and reporting separately
Thinking about switching?
Switching tools is the part everyone dreads. We'll help you move your patient list over and get you set up. Book a free call with the founder to walk through it, and there's no commitment to sign up.
Book a free migration call