I’m Victoria and I’m so glad you’re here with me!
I’m a Lactation Consultant in Orange County, California.
I’ll never forget the moment I felt empowered as a parent. I was sitting in the hospital postpartum trying to make sense of caring for this baby earthside, and realized I had no practical experience for being a mom. Everything I thought I knew about parenting went right out the window the moment my baby found his way into my arms. Feeling overwhelmed, I asked my Lactation Consultant if I could hold my baby while he slept. Expecting her to tell me I’d spoil him, she was the first person to tell me that I should follow my instincts – that this baby needed me to hold him! She made me realize that my body already knew how to take care of him if I just followed my instincts. She showed me how to hold him safely in case I dozed off, and that’s when I realized that I could do this parenting thing. I went on to breastfeed for almost eight years – through pregnancy, tongue ties, an almost full time college course load, and I even tandem fed my boys. I want to be the person who shows you that you already have the wisdom necessary to tackle parenthood.
I came to this profession purposefully later in life after my own personal struggles with breastfeeding and a lack of support from my family. I believe that being a Lactation Consultant is my calling in life – not just a job. I suffered through postpartum depression and anxiety which took me years to overcome, but I’m grateful because these experiences taught me so much about empathy and resilience. I went back to school to become a lactation consultant a few months after my second baby was born in 2014. Unsurprisingly, none of my previous culinary school education related to human biology or lactation consulting, so I started from the ground up.
I became a Certificated Lactation Educator Counselor in 2018, receiving my certificate from UC San Diego.
I graduated from the IBCLC program at UC San Diego and completed my internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange with the fabulous Danielle Sees in June, 2021.
I am familiar with grief, loss, and how difficult becoming a new parent can be which makes me a fierce advocate for new parents – especially those who are struggling.
I pride myself on being a good listener who is non judgemental. I’m here to support your goals by incorporating your beliefs, family traditions, and cultural practices.
Specialized Education
IBCLC – UC San Diego, 2021
BLS – American Red Cross – Current
Maternal Mental Health Disorders Impacts On Infant & Child Development – Breastfeed LA, Lecturer: Emily Bernard, MA, IBCLC, 2021
CLEC – UC San Diego, 2018
Professional Skills
Proper positioning and latch
Pain management
Wound care
Infant oral restriction assessment
Birthing parent mental health
Premature infants
Multiples
Clefts
Blocked ducts/mastitis
Prenatal exams
Relactation
Induced lactation
Chestfeeding
Supplementing at Chest/Breast
Pumping
Starting solids
Babywearing
Bottle feeding
Returning to school/work
It would be an honor to help you and your family through this major transition in your life.
Read my interview with VoyageLA here and learn about how I got to where I am today!
Contact me at victoria@allbodiesnurture.com