Find a Certified Lactation Consultant in San Diego, CA

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Certified, Expert-Vetted Lactation Consultants Near You

Our lactation experts include IBCLCs, IBCLEs, CLCs and more. They are the best of the best and hold the highest standards of evidence-based, inclusive, and compassionate care. Each verified professional on Meela is vetted by a licensed medical professional and comes with multiple client recommendations, active certifications, and has extensive training and experience in perinatal care.

Found 9 Pros in San Diego, CA, USA | Lactation support
EXPERIENCE
0 50
Families served
0 3500
Birth fee
$0 $7500
HOURLY RATE
$0 $500
$ flexible
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Jaqulynn Ardigo

CA

3 reviews • 12 families supported • 1 years experience

3 reviews • 12 families supported • 1 years experience

Birth doula services, lactation consulting, placenta encapsulation

Care philosophy

My aspirations are rooted in a genuine desire to provide women with services tailored to their unique needs and an unwavering belief of womens innate and divinely inspired ability to birth their babies. I hope that with each birth a mother has, she can experience the true feelings of bliss and connectedness that nature intended her to have.

Areas served

  • San Diego County

Reviews

  • Phyllis
    August 30, 2023 at 1:01 am | Client review

    Jaqulynn went above and beyond as my doula. This was my first time giving birth, and without her loving and caring support I am not sure what I would have done. She is very knowledgeable about the birthing process and makes you feel so relaxed. I can’t wait for Jaqulynn to be my doula for my next pregnancy!!

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isabel cuevas

San Diego, CA

3 reviews • 20 families supported • 1 years experience

3 reviews • 20 families supported • 1 years experience

Since I entered the path of motherhood in the year of 2014 my passion in helping expecting parents grew. I have always sincerely helped and guided individuals at their most vulnerable times specifically speaking when I served others as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room for 10 years. However, my path changed after hearing so many stories from different parents as they were entering the path of parenthood. I decided in becoming a Doula and trained through Dona International. Being a momma of two with two different birth experiences I did not want share my experience but share my knowledge, educate and empower expecting parents. I have realized that every parent deserves support, love, compassion, empowerment and education. Every individual is different with different needs and want. In which it turns out that every pregnancy, birth and postpartum is different. I will honor your path and guide you as you are going through pregnancy and birth. I promise I will gather all the information you need and present it to you and encourage you to make your own choice. Follow your own instincts. I promise to support you and listen to you at your most Vulnerable time during pregnancy and birth. I Promise to encourage you and empower through your journey. I come with open mind, heart and soul to serve you and your partner.

Care philosophy

My philosophy it is simple; it is to provide you, and your family with the love and support you need to ensure that you have the pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care that you want. I know there's a lot of noise out there- from books to blogs to experts itching to advice you, but I am here to tell you to listen to your instincts and follow your heart.

Areas served

  • Inland Empire
  • San Diego County
  • Orange County

Reviews

  • Lynette
    March 6, 2023 at 5:35 am | Client review

    I always knew I wanted to deliver naturally but I never knew the preparation it would take. When I was in labor with my second son I made it to 9cm and could no longer tolerate the pain. When I got pregnant with my 3rd I decided to hire a doula. Fully aware of what isabel has been through, I hired her. Everyone deserves a fresh start and her background had nothing to do with her expertise as a doula. Isabel did a phenomenal job preparing me for labor. I was her first client and you wouldn’t have ever known. Isabel was very attentive,caring and made her self available
    She frequently checked on me,.helped me practice exercises to prepare my body and went with me to appointments. When time came she joined me in my home to labor in the tub. She did a great job giving me the exact environment we discussed, a sound machine, essential oils and back rubs.when it was time to go to the hospital she advocated for me to the medical staff when I couldn’t. She gave me the birth I wanted! I would hire her again and again!

$ flexible
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Jacqueline Garcia

CA

3 reviews • 20 families supported • 5 years experience

3 reviews • 20 families supported • 5 years experience

The journey into motherhood is nothing short of transformative. Yet, our modern lives lead us to believe that pregnancy and birth are something you push through and quickly bounce back from. La Madre Holistic Practice is the antithesis of modern day practices . I want to encourage you to take it slow, to really savor your pregnancy and love your expanding womb. To nourish your body and your baby with the optimal foods during pregnancy and postpartum. To move and balance your body so it may work in symphony with the mechanics of gestation and labor. To connect with your baby through breathwork and journaling while pregnant, and through loving touch and bonding once they've arrived. I believe every woman deserves a loving, knowledgeable, grounded companion by her side during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. My ultimate goal is to Mother you in whatever sense of the word that means to you, so that you may best Mother your baby. To mother you during your pregnancy with reassurance and guidance in making the decisions to best support your desired birth. To mother you during your labor with strong yet gentle, knowing hands and a soft voice. To mother you during your postpartum with warm, nourishing foods, healing touch and body work, and a non judgemental, open heart that is here to hold you during this most vulnerable and beautiful time. ~Mother The Mother~

Care philosophy

Hello and welcome! My name is Jacqueline Garcia, you can call me Jackie :) I have a passion for birth and postpartum and I have been called to support women in this metamorphic transition. After the birth of my first child, I found myself immersed in this world and want nothing more than to be that loving energy beside you during your birth and that sacred time postpartum.

Areas served

  • I serve all of San Diego County

Reviews

  • Emily
    June 8, 2022 at 4:30 am | Client review

    My pregnancy was complicated, scary, and emotional- as many were in 2020. But it was also one of the most magical, calm, tender and balanced times I’ve ever experienced in my LIFE. Jackie was a KEY component in this balance and strength. What she provided me was more than just a service- she was a GIFT to myself and my family with the support, knowledge, compassion and always provided a SAFE space for me to lean into the woman and mother that I am and want to become.

    Also- the support she gave my spouse was so helpful especially while I was on bedrest… she gave him help with nutritional meals up until my son was born 2 months early.

    She is just a well rounded and loving human being!

$ flexible
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Anissa Cornelius

San Diego, CA

5 reviews • 100 families supported • 6 years experience

5 reviews • 100 families supported • 6 years experience

Anissa Cornelius is a CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator and DONA-trained birth doula who loves supporting families. She has been serving families as a doula since 2016 and teaching comprehensive childbirth classes since 2017, after training with CAPPA, obtaining her certification in November 2018. She is also a trained midwife assistant and certified Breastfeeding Specialist. Her interest in birth work started with her first pregnancy and quickly grew into a full blown passion for supporting birthing people, their birthing needs and their families.

Care philosophy

Families deserve options, support and respect on their birth journey.

Areas served

  • San Diego county
  • North County
  • La Mesa
  • Chula Vista

Reviews

  • Heidi
    April 14, 2022 at 7:57 am | Client review

    Anissa was incredible. She supported me through having my first child which of course is a difficult experience since you really can only learn as you go. Firstly, Anissa empowered me to have the labor and delivery I wanted; I was able to have my child in a cozy birth center with no medical interventions. She helped me maintain composure throughout labor and to feel confident, safe, and strong. She was honest and straightforward yet empathetic. I really can’t believe emphasize enough how skilled she is with her “bedside manner” with an experience like labor that can be so grueling. Most of all, she was there in the very challenging early weeks (and beyond) providing excellent advice, support, and encouragement. She always encouraged me to reach out for resources and kindly, promptly, professionally provided quality ones every time I did — which was often! I can’t thank her enough. I hope that she will have availability for my next pregnancy because she was simply incredible, I will be so disappointed to work with anyone else!

$ flexible
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Diana Antheaume

San Diego, CA

0 reviews • 12 families supported • 2 years experience

0 reviews • 12 families supported • 2 years experience

**Postpartum care** I believe that the postpartum period is a sacred and transformative time. I'm here to provide the emotional, physical, and informational support you need during this crucial phase of your journey into motherhood. **Nutrition** As a firm believer in the power of nourishment, I offer personalized guidance to help you make healthy food choices that will aid in your postpartum recovery and energy levels. **Lactation support** Breastfeeding can be a beautiful but challenging experience. I'm here to lend a helping hand, offering expert advice and techniques to make breastfeeding a joyful and successful part of your motherhood journey.

Care philosophy

Personalized Postpartum Support with warmth, empathy, and experience. I'm committed to helping you navigate the joys and challenges of new motherhood. With a passion for nurturing mothers and newborns, I specialize in postpartum care, baby care, nutrition, aromatherapy and lactation support.

Areas served

  • Carlsbad
  • Clairemont
  • All San Diego Area
  • La Jolla
  • Scripps Ranch
  • Coronado Island
  • Del Mar
  • Cardiff
  • Carmel Valley
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Brittany Taylor

San Diego, CA

0 reviews • 20 families supported • 9 years experience

0 reviews • 20 families supported • 9 years experience

I've had the privilege to educate and support families in San Diego for almost a decade. In 2013, I became a CAPPA Certified Childbirth Educator and continued my education with UCSD (Extension) obtaining my Lactation Educator-Counselor certificate that same year. I've taught over 30,000 families in Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Baby Care classes and support groups while working for a busy women's & infant hospital.

Care philosophy

My goal is to empower, educate, and encourage you as you get to know your baby. Your family deserves rest while recovering and learning what's normal for your baby. Support should not end upon with the birth of your baby, but extend into your new parent journey.

Areas served

  • Areas within 20 minutes of downtown San Diego
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Heather Taylor

San Diego, CA

2 reviews • 110 families supported • 5 years experience

2 reviews • 110 families supported • 5 years experience

I have been a birth doula for five years. The birth of my second son took all kinds of twists and turns and really showed me that feeling safe is of the utmost importance. I provide all of my clients up to four prenatal visits to discuss birth plans, decision making skills, comfort measures, lactation, and postpartum expectations. It is vital to me to build trust between myself and my clients, so they understand that I only step in when needed, and stay hands off when appropriate. Birth support is unique to each family, and each family deserves to be supported in they way they need, not in the ways others tell them they need.

Care philosophy

Birth works best when we leave it alone. I feel that in an absence of a true emergency or high risk situation, interventions cause more trauma than they do good. I work with my clients to build trust (if needed) in themselves and their bodies to birth their babies wherever they feel safest, whether at home, a birth center or at the hospital.

Areas served

  • All of San Diego County

Reviews

  • Natalie
    September 23, 2022 at 1:20 am | Client review

    I cannot say enough good things about Heather and would recommend her to anyone. She was the key to helping me fulfill my wish of having a natural, empowered birth. She was ready with recommendations of an OB that fit my birth wishes, education resources to prepare for birth and connected us with lactation consultants for in home assistance. I felt extremely valued by her as a person and never felt like “just another client”. Throughout my pregnancy and postpartum period she promptly answered my questions and always made me feel supported. She was an invaluable coach and advocate in the delivery room and I am just so grateful that she got to be part of our birth story. She is worth her weight in gold and we truly can’t recommend her enough.

$ flexible
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Tabitha Lynn

Chula Vista, CA

4 reviews • 250 families supported • 20 years experience

4 reviews • 250 families supported • 20 years experience

In 1994 I acted as a gestational surrogate for a family in Israel, giving birth to their twins. Shortly after, I started a surrogacy agency to help families and their surrogates as they navigated the surrogacy world. It wasn't long until I found myself acting as a doula, although I'd never heard the term "doula" before! When I learned about doulas, I knew it was something I wanted to do! By 2001, I shifted my focus from surrogacy to doula work.

Care philosophy

As a Birth Doula, I feel my role is as an educator. I want the support person as involved as possible. I have given birth to 10 children, and have been a doula for many years, so I have a lot of experience to draw from. As a Postpartum Doula, I assist new families in adjusting to their new roles, provide resources, reassure parents, and even walk the dog!

Areas served

  • San Diego County

Reviews

  • Iana Gabrielle
    June 2, 2021 at 5:19 pm | Peer review

    Tabby the doula is the truth when it comes to birth work. She is compassionate, thorough, and truly sincere. I have worked alongside her these past 4 years. Tabitha is an amazing community educator, birth work specialist and PAIL advocate. I couldn’t be happier serving expecting parents alongside anyone else. She is forever learning, continuing her education and levels of certification in this field. Tabby shares her knowledge to equip parents and peer educators alike. The birth industry thrives with caretakers like Tabitha in it! I can’t wait to see where her goals take her and hope I am right beside her along the way! Come on Midwife To Be!

$ flexible
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Jennifer Cole

San Diego, CA

2 reviews • 83 families supported • 3 years experience

2 reviews • 83 families supported • 3 years experience

The decision to become a doula has been life-changing for me and I’m eager to share my passion for labor support with families throughout San Diego County. After spending 21 years working in the commercial real estate industry and raising two sons with my husband, I experienced a life event which prompted me to reexamine what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My epiphany was simple: I wanted to be of service to others, and what better way to do that than to assist women and their partners during one of the most significant experience of their lives? It’s a rare privilege to bear witness to the wonder of childbirth and hold space for women during their incredible journey; my commitment is to continue to cultivate my skills in order to provide the most comprehensive support I can, whether it be informational, physical, emotional or spiritual. My goal is to help women have empowering births so that they can meet their baby with confidence, assured in the knowledge that they’re gloriously strong creatures who can face the challenges of motherhood with poise and grace. Bottom line: Mothers are rock stars and deserve to be treated as such.

Care philosophy

When thought is given ahead of time to the atmosphere baby will enter when transitioning from womb to world, it can transform an already profound moment into a truly magical experience. It’s also a benefit for the birthing person to understand what is happening within their bodies to create this miracle, recognizing & honoring the truly awesome power they possess to bring life into the world.

Areas served

  • San Diego County

Reviews

  • Korina
    May 6, 2022 at 8:29 am | Client review

    Jennifer is absolutely amazing! She is incredibly knowledgeable and provided me with so many helpful tips and recommendations to prepare me for my labor. She has such calm and nurturing energy. I would highly recommend Jen to anyone! I could not have gone through this process without her!

Lactation Consultant: FAQs

A certified lactation consultant is a professional that helps parents address and solve their breastfeeding problems. Many new parents believe that breastfeeding is easy, only to find more obstacles than anticipated. 92% of parents say they are having problems with breastfeeding their new baby within only 3 days.

Nursing doesn’t always come naturally.

Breastfeeding can be overwhelming and all-consuming. A lactation consultant in San Diego, CA can identify issues such as low milk supply, latching problems, or nipple engorgement. They also offer advice and techniques to help parents understand existing issues, improve how they read their baby’s cues, and feel empowered about breastfeeding despite existing social norms.

Every parent’s journey is unique, and there might be specific challenges or obstacles in your particular situation. The ultimate goal of a lactation consultant is to support parents who choose to breastfeed their children. A lactation consultant in San Diego, CA can often save parents time and energy, and also give them some peace of mind.

Many mothers also face issues where they cannot breastfeed in the workplace or lack the family support or time to ensure that their child is breastfed correctly. A lactation consultant in San Diego, CA can also provide a significant amount of moral support, diagnose breastfeeding issues, and solve latching, positioning, and scheduling issues.

To find a lactation specialist in San Diego, CA, most parents recommend creating a job post on Meela and having uniquely qualified lactation experts near you (in your budget) reach out to you through the Meela app.

You can interview and chat with as many lactation specialists as you wish and hire a lactation consultant with confidence. It is completely free to create a job post on Meela and find a lactation consultant. There are no commitments to hire any of the qualified and expert vetted experts Meela brings you.

Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:

  1. Post a job for free: Answer some questions and receive responses from top-rated lactation specialists near you. It takes less than 30 seconds to post your job.
  2. Get your list of lactation consultants: In a few hours, you will have a collection of lactation consultants near you who are qualified to meet your needs. You can compare pricing, experience, and read reviews. You can chat with each lactation specialist to learn more about them.
  3. Hire a lactation consultant with confidence: Schedule virtual or in-person interviews with your top choices. Hire your top lactation specialist and start getting the care you deserve.

To find a lactation consultant, you can also browse the available professionals near you in San Diego, CA and read reviews, compare pricing, experience and fit. Send the lactation consultants you are interested in a message, introducing yourself and setting up an interview. We recommend reaching out to and interviewing at least three lactation consultants before hiring a lactation specialist near you. After interviewing, hire the most qualified lactation specialist near you and start getting the care you deserve.

The cost of a lactation consultant can vary based on a variety of factors, including their experience, their services, and their skills or specializations. Overall, the average cost of a lactation consultant in San Diego, CA is $185 per hour based on a survey of 120 lactation specialists in the San Diego, CA area.

Under the Affordable Care Act, many insurance companies should be covering the cost of lactation services. However, there are a number of factors that determine whether insurance will cover the cost of a certified lactation consultant in San Diego, CA. You should contact your insurance company for more information.

Here are some factors to consider regarding insurance and your lactation consultant cost:

  • Your insurance provider
  • Your individual health plan
  • The type of lactation specialist
  • The specific service provided

Meela’s network of lactations specialists in San Diego, CA offer both in-home lactation support sessions or virtual lactation support sessions. Both types of sessions typically last between 1 and 3 hours. In your sessions, your lactation specialist will spend time understanding the issues you are facing and work with you and your baby to diagnose the issues have and also provide specific guidance and hands-on practice and exercises.

Lactation consultants help parents understand the best way to comfortably breastfeed their baby and help them navigate breastfeeding social norms. They can also help reduce stress and anxiety about breastfeeding, or help with specific challenges (such as breastfeeding twins, for example). Other parents might just want emotional support that doesn’t currently exist within their family, workplace, or network or friends.

Certified lactation consultants can also help with specialized issues that may arise with premature children or sick children. A parent may not have thought about breastfeeding help until they notice that their baby isn’t gaining weight properly, and finally realize that they might need some support and knowledge before continuing to breastfeed. On the other hand, some parents might prepare with a lactation consultant months before the baby is born.

Whether you are planning ahead or are thinking about a lactation now that you are having breastfeeding issues or concerns, a lactation consultant can be incredibly helpful and useful for parents.

Lactation counselors in San Diego, CA can often help parents with breastfeeding and offer breastfeeding advice, training, and troubleshooting. Many of these counselors have taken the CLC exam, or the Certified Lactation Counselor exam. A certified lactation counselor has typically undergone 45 hours of training.

On the other hand, a certified lactation consultant in San Diego, CA has undergone a specific amount of clinical training hours, which is not a requirement to become a lactation counselor. These lactation consultants are certified by the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants, as well. A lactation consultant typically has a bachelor’s degree in a health field and has undergone 90 hours of training and has somewhere between 300 and 1,000 hours of experience with parents.

Lactation consultants in San Diego, CA are often working with other healthcare teams in collaboration with postpartum nurses to ensure that parents understand how to breastfeed their babies. Both lactation consultants and lactation counselors can provide support, develop feeding plans, and offer actionable advice with respect to breastfeeding.

The best approach is for parents to hire a lactation specialist early in their pregnancy so that they can help you prepare both mentally and physically. Parents don’t need to wait until your baby is born to begin thinking about breastfeeding support and education.

Some parents might be anxious about breastfeeding in public or feel like they want access to a breastfeeding expert to help both inform and support them. A lactation consultant in San Diego, CA can also help young professional parents schedule their breastfeeding efficiently so that they can return to work quicker, while others might specialize in helping with breastfeeding anxiety issues.

It is never too late to hire a certified lactation consultant in San Diego, CA. These breastfeeding consultants can also offer emotional breastfeeding support that can be valuable to those who lack family or workplace support. A lactation consultant can also be critical in identifying warning signs that might indicate more serious growth or developmental issues.

There are many documented benefits to breastfeeding, and parents often believe that it will be an easy and natural experience. Unfortunately, many parents run into issues such as low milk supply, nipple engorgement, or latching problems that can affect their baby’s health. These lactation specialists can be useful for troubleshooting, advice, or emotional support.

Certified lactation consultants can strengthen the bond between parents and their babies through breastfeeding advice, tips, and support. This might include showing parents how to help their baby latch properly, establishing feeding schedules, or dealing with sore nipples or engorgement. A lactation consultant can help new parents better understand their baby’s needs in general, and monitor the baby’s growth and development.

Lactation specialists in San Diego, CA also offer emotional support and help parents breastfeed more efficiently so that they can get back to work and allow them to better manage expectations. Many parents face issues where they cannot breastfeed in the workplace, or do not have the family support or time to ensure that their child is breastfed properly and with care. These expert consultants can also provide a significant amount of moral support, diagnose breastfeeding issues, while also solving issues such as latching, positioning, and scheduling.

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