NuBloom vs MilkNotes
Both are built for lactation. MilkNotes is a charting tool. NuBloom is 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 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. There's also no invoicing, insurance claim tracking, or reporting in MilkNotes. It added credit card processing and a booking calendar (Pro plan), but it doesn't track what's been paid vs what's outstanding across your whole practice.
NuBloom covers the clinical assessments and the business side: billing, invoicing, 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 invoicing, insurance 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) | |
| Appointment reminders (SMS) | ||
| Waitlist management |
Billing & Payments
| Feature | NuBloom | MilkNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-loaded lactation billing codes | ||
| Superbill generation | Auto-filled from visits | |
| Invoicing | ||
| Online patient payments (Stripe) | ||
| 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 and telehealth, not billing or 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 billing separately and want a lower price point