Where to Get Support
Competent care and support can make the difference between satisfaction and frustration in your breastfeeding or chestfeeding journey. Knowing when and where to get support can boost your confidence in achieving your breastfeeding goals and help you overcome challenges with feeding and supply.
There are three types of lactation support: peer, certified and professional.
Peer support is usually free or low-cost and can come in the form of trained La Leche League leaders or WIC peer counselors. They provide breastfeeding information, encouragement, and support to those in their community.
Certified lactation support providers have titles such as Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) or Certified Breastfeeding Educator (CBE) and can be found working in private practices, hospitals, clinics and community agencies. They provide education and guidance for families on basic breastfeeding issues. To be certified, providers must pass a written exam in addition to classroom training.
Professional lactation support comes from International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC). You can find IBCLCs in private practices, clinics, and other perinatal care facilities. These professionals complete college-level coursework, hours of classroom and clinical training, and pass a written exam. They provide professional, evidence based, clinical lactation management; educate families, health professionals and others about human lactation. You can find the nearest IBCLC using our LATCH Directory .
For a complete explanation of the differences between lactation support providers, check out our Who’s Who In lactation Guide.
Local Coalitions
Most counties in California have a local breastfeeding coalition that provides lactation resources and support to the community. You can contact your closest coalition to find out what services are available in your area. Our list of coalitions by county will make your search easier.
INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
This directory is provided by the California Breastfeeding Coalition (CBC) to help families connect with private practice International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) across California. We hope it serves as a helpful starting point in your search for personalized breastfeeding support.
Please note that inclusion in this directory does not imply endorsement or recommendation by the CBC. We do not personally know all individuals or businesses listed. We encourage you to reach out, ask questions, and choose the consultant that best meets your needs.
PERSONALIZED BREASTFEEDING HELP: FIND AN IBCLC
Personalized support to meet your breastfeeding/chestfeeding goals.Â
Please note, the providers listed in this directory are members of the California Breastfeeding Coalition (CBC) and operate independent private practices. CBC is not affiliated with, does not endorse, and has not vetted any provider listed. The credentials and services described have been provided by the individuals themselves and have not been independently verified by CBC. CBC is committed to supporting only WHO Code compliant businesses and providers. Please contact hello@californiabreastfeeding.org with any questions or concerns you may have.
VIRTUAL SUPPORT
BEST FED BABIES® - Virtual Breastfeeding Help
Name: Laurie Haessly, MA, RDN, IBCLC
Email Address:Â bestfedbabies123@gmail.com
Phone: (951) 288-1920
Website:Â www.virtualbreastfeedinghelp.com
Language Spoken: English
All new mothers, no-matter where they are, deserve to have easy access to exceptional breastfeeding help. All moms deserve to experience the deep satisfaction of nurturing their babies at their breasts. At Best Fed Babies® we want you to have a consultation that is both comfortable and satisfying. We believe you should have options. We have been successful at helping moms to breastfeed their baby virtually, via FaceTime, Facebook Messenger Audio/Video, and WhatsApp since 2008. Life is a journey filled with unexpected miracles...We would love to serve you.
Cathy Porter Lactation Services
Name:Â Catherine Porter, IBCLC
Email Address: Catherineporter1963@gmail.com
Phone: (559) 904-7222
Website
Languages Spoken: English
Specialty Areas: Insurance Accepted, LGBTQIA+, Low Milk Supply, Multiples, Prenatal Education, Support Group, Teen Support, Tongue Tie/Lip Tie, Virtual Visits
My approach to care is simply two things: 1 to make sure that baby is fed and 2 to make sure that mother is happy.
IN-PERSON SUPPORT
ALAMEDA COUNTY
Ruth Konoff, OTR
Service Areas: Berkeley and surrounding area
Name:Â Ruth Konoff, OTR/L, IBCLC
Email Address: rkonoff.ot@gmail.com
Phone: (510) 882-3141
Languages Spoken: English
Specialty Areas: Insurance Accepted, Low Milk Supply, Multiples, Prenatal Education, Teen Support, Tongue Tie/Lip Tie, Virtual Visits, Infant Oral-Motor Assessment, Sensory Differences, Bottlefeeding Challenges
KINGS AND TULARE COUNTY
Cathy Porter Lactation Services
Name:Â Catherine Porter, IBCLC
Email Address: Catherineporter1963@gmail.com
Phone: (559) 904-7222
Website
Languages Spoken: English
Specialty Areas: Insurance Accepted, LGBTQIA+, Low Milk Supply, Multiples, Prenatal Education, Support Group, Teen Support, Tongue Tie/Lip Tie, Virtual Visits
My approach to care is simply two things: 1 to make sure that baby is fed and 2 to make sure that mother is happy.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Milkful Breastfeeding
Service Areas:Â San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County
Name:Â Natal Achi, IBCLC
Email Address: milkful.llc@gmail.com
Phone: (909) 740-3094
Website:Â www.milkfulbreastfeeding.com
Languages Spoken:Â Arabic
Specialty Areas:Â Low Milk Supply, Virtual Visits
Supporting parents throughout their breastfeeding journey with compassion and evidence-based information to ensure their babies are are nurtured and given the best nutrition through breastmilk.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
Nourishing Justly
Name:Â Kavisa Wood, IBCLC
Email Address: kavisacwood@gmail.com
Phone: (916) 572-4433
Website:Â https://www.nourishingjustly.com/
Languages Spoken:Â English
Specialty Areas: Insurance Accepted, LGBTQIA+, Low Milk Supply, Prenatatl Education, Tongue Tie/Lip Tie, Virtual Visits
Kavisa provides compassionate and personalized lactation support tailored to each family's specific needs and goals. Her evidence-based practices focus on the physical and emotional well-being of both parent and child. Kavisa is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over 700 hours of training including a clinical externship at UC Davis Medical Hospital and UC San Diego’s lactation education program. She also has specialized training in bottle refusal, low milk supply, tethered oral ties (tongue/lip ties), and oral habilitation (IBCLC Master Class). Her work is centered around nourishing community wellness through yoga, lactation support, and health equity work.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Madeleine Bazar RN BSN IBCLC
Service Areas: Santa Cruz County and the South Bay Area
Name: Madeleine Bazar RN, BSN, IBCLC
Email Address:Â Everybaby@madeleineRN.com
Phone:Â (831) 325-1910
Website:Â www.madeleineRN.com
Languages Spoken:Â English
Specialty Areas:Â Insurance Accepted, LGBTQIA+, Prenatal Education, Virtual Visits
Madeleine has a passion for supporting lactating parents and their babies through the breast/chestfeeding journey. Her compassionate approach creates a safe space for families to seek help and find confidence in feeding their babies. She collaborates with parents to help them meet their goals.
The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program recognizes and promotes breastfeeding as the natural source of nutrition and immunity from disease for infants. The program recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and offers generous support to help families achieve that goal.
If you have a child under the age of 5 and meet certain income requirements, you may qualify for WIC services. There are more than 500 service sites in California, which provide nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding support and referrals to health-care and other community resources.
Find your local office here to see what options are available in your community. You can also visit WIC’s comprehensive breastfeeding resource site, which is available to all families — even if they aren’t program participants.
Breastfeeding USA provides evidence-based breastfeeding information and support, and promotes breastfeeding as the biological and cultural norm.
Their network of breastfeeding counselors includes experienced breastfeeding mothers accredited following completion of a comprehensive breastfeeding education program. Breastfeeding counselors provide information and support to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, in both one-on-one and group situations.
Breastfeeding USA also offers comprehensive resources to educate and support families in achieving their infant feeding goals.
La Leche League USA is committed to helping families reach their nursing goals. Leaders are trained parent volunteers who offer free information and support to help parents like you. Meetings are free to attend and open to those with breastfeeding, pumping, and human milk feeding questions or concerns. Find your nearest La Leche League meeting using the online locator map.
LGBTQ+ Community
All babies benefit from human milk, but heteronormative perspectives can exclude members of the LGBTQ+ community from receiving timely lactation support and evidence-based education.Â
Members of the medical community who want to provide inclusive care to pregnant or lactating patients, should visit our resource page for health-care providers.
If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, the most important thing to remember is you have the same choices as anyone else when it comes to feeding your baby. Whether you choose chest/breastfeeding, seeking the help of a qualified lactation support provider is in your best interests. They can help both with feeding your baby or limiting milk production, depending on your preferences.
Trans Resources
- Transgender parents and chest/breastfeeding (Kelly Mom)
- What it’s like to chestfeed (The Atlantic)
- How do trans men breastfeed their babies (Cosmopolitan)
- How I learned to be a breastfeeding dad (Milk Junkies)
- How to be an ally (GLAAD)