Berkeley Parents Network: Lactation Consultants

Berkeley Parents Network

Lactation Consultants

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Health & Medical > Lactation Consultants

2006 - 2008 Recommendations

Jan 2008

Can anybody recommend a doula & lactation consultant for a first time mom? I'll be having my baby in May and would like to have the support of a lactation consultant in addition to a doula. I had breast cancer 10 years ago and I'm not sure if I will be able to manage breastfeeding (although I'd love to try). So far I only have found women with expertise in one of the areas, not both, and Janaki unfortunately is booked as a doula around my due date. Hopeful mom-to-be

I don't she's a doula but just in case I thought I'd tell you about an amazing lactation consultant that we found by accident at Alta Bates. After a parade of nurses and other consultants streaming through my room with different advice for four days, Ann Haus, was a dream. She focused on me (more than the baby, who was fine as opposed to me who was a wreck!) and quickly figured out a plan that worked for me. Then, we hired her to come to our house after the baby was born. In the end, I decided not to breast feed but her support and great ideas helped a really difficult decision to be okay. You can find her through Alta Bates at (510) 204-7701. thrilled with ann

Carol Shattuck-Rice was our post-partum doula, and she works with Janaki. While she isn't technically a Lactation Consultant, she saved us with the breastfeeding -- she really has a knack for seeing what's going on and helped us get it going well! We would highly recommend her - she's smart, kind, thoughtful, practical and really helpful! Laura

I would highly reccomend Ann Haus as a lacatation consultant. In fact, the breast feeding support group at Alta Bates is a wonderful service. One on one lactation consultants can be very expensive and through the breast feeding support group you can get advice from Ann or Michelle (who is also wonderful but I don't know her last name) for free the frist time and then $10 for other visits to the group. (It's also nice just to see other mom's struggling with similar issues.) My daughter is turning 1 and Ann still answered emails from me without charge last month when it looking like maybe my daughter was self weaning. I believe that for a higher fee you can also get one-on-one sessions with Ann. I'm not sure if Ann is also a doula. Best of luck to you! thank you Ann!

June 2007

I am a new mom of four week old twins. I am looking for recommendations for a lactation consultant who has experience with twins. My milk supply is good and the babies are getting all breast milk from a bottle, but, the babies were 5 weeks early and are still not latching well as their mouths are small and I have flat nipples. I really want to be able to get the babies to the breast and, though I am happy I am able to pump so much, I am worried that they will never really get the hang of breast feeding. Any recommendations very much appreciated! Natalie

I used go to the Twins by The Bay new parents support group and there were several moms who had the same problem. They highly recommened the Medela Nipple Shield which is geared to helping w/ latching on. Here's a link to their website: http://www.medela.com/NewFiles/specialtyfdg.html I've seen the nipple shields at Target, so they aren't hard to find. Good luck! mama of twins

Hello new twin mama...I would like to recommend a couple of lactation consultants. Denise Barkasy is wonderful 925-945-7100 and Tricia Soliz (a mother of twins herself) at 925-355-8199.
Karen Founder, DoubleTalk & Babies2Sleep and a mother of twins! Karen

May 2007

i would appreciate recs for a lactation consultant who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding after reduction surgery (bfar.) i also have no idea how much they charge, assuming it's pricey, a sliding scale would be helpful. in addition, if anyone has information about renting a hospital grade pump and/or purchasing a medela supplemental nursing system or lact-aid, i'd appreciate that, too. thanks! hoping to breastfeed

I highly recommend Janaki Costello as a lactation consultant. She is located in Albany and her phone number is 510-525-1155. I personally found her helpful, and have heard recommendations for her from many other people. I am an adoptive mom who breastfed my son from birth, initially using a supplementer and eventually developing a full milk supply. I found it a highly rewarding experience, for both my son and myself, and well worth the extra challenges involved. The experience of breastfeeding with a supplementer due to breast reduction surgery is similar to adoptive breastfeeding, although there are some differences. Sally

I also had a breast reduction and saw a wonderful lactation consultant in Albany. Her name is Janaki Costello. She worked with me to make a plan to increase production, and we kept in touch via phone to monitor how things were going. She is very warm, experienced, and knowledgeable and I recommend her highly! Her office is on San Pablo, not too far from Solano. Her phone number is 525-1155. She also sells supplemental nursing systems. As far as renting a pump, I rented a top-of-the-line one (Medela Symphony) from Alta Bates. Best of luck! albany mom

Hi - Pat Ross in Walnut Creek Kaiser is amazing. Also Apria Healthcare has hospital grade pumps you can rent. Good Luck!

For a lactation consultant, I would add my rave reviews to those already listed on BPN for Janaki Costello, in Albany at 510-525-1155. I don't know if she has experience with BFAR, but I'm sure she'd tell you whether she does. As for pumps, I have a Medela Pump In Style but I rented the hospital grade Symphony from the breast feeding office at Alta Bates, and I find it far superior. It is quieter, much more comfortable (it feels like it's sucking less hard), while at the same time actually pumps more milk. The downside of the Symphony (and perhaps all the hospital grade ones) is that it is much more cumbersome to tote with you. (Pump In Style is great for that.) You might want to start with the rental, since it's less money to start out than buying one. If you haven't had the baby yet, and you deliver at a hospital, you can try out whatever pump they have there. Also, if you do deliver at Alta Bates, check out the Breast Feeding Office -- they have pumps to rent and lactation consultants. The lactation consultants in the hospital might know enough about BFAR to get you started so you won't have to pay for a private one.

Once you have the baby, if you're needing more help, I think paying for a visit with Janaki, while pricey (though she may slide for you), may be a good deal. She is SO NICE. She has given me (free) advice over the phone NUMEROUS times since our initial consultation about all kinds of new questions. She remembers me and is eager to hear how things are going. Good luck! lg

A word of caution on the lactation support group at Alta Bates....it's cheap ($9/session) and convenient, but the lactation consultants are obsessed with ounces. They weigh babies before and after a feeding, and make moms feel awful if the baby is not eating the right number of ounces at each feeding and exactly on the growth curve. The health educators make you feel guilty in a sweet, singsongy voice, and recommend formula if you're off the growth curve. So much for lactation support. My advice on the Alta Bates ''support'' group - let your doctor worry about the weight, and skip the weighing at the support group and focus on the support and latching techinques. - Anon

2005 & Earlier Recommendations

Feb 2005

I'm looking for a lactation consultant who has experience working with women with very large, pendulous breasts. I'm having problems finding a comfortable position to breastfeed my baby, avoiding crushing her, and having her latch and keep her latch, as my breasts are bigger and heavier than she is. Thanks! anon

Janaki Costello was a life-saver when we were struggling with breastfeeding our son. Though our issues were different than yours, you might just want to call her and ask her if she can help you. She is excellent all-around and can be reached at her office at 525-1155. Yours, Breastfeedingly-challenged

janaki costello - she did wonders for a friend in the same situation. anon

Janaki Costello is an absolutely superb lactation consultant. I did not see her for your particular problem, but I am sure she would be very helpful to you. I had many breastfeeding problems and saw a number of lactation consultants, and Janaki was by far the best. She's smart, practical, friendly, intuitive, generous with her time, and very knowledgeable. Her office is in Albany near Solano; her number is 525-1155. anonymous

Hi- Saw your post about having problems keeping your baby latched on. I have nursed two children for the past 4 years. I find that I must hold the breast while the baby is nursing, lifting it slightly. This makes a huge difference in keeping the milk flowing. Once you get used to it, you will find holding the breast is much easier than not, and the baby will nurse longer. I also want to suggest, as I always do, that you learn to nurse lying down. This is an absolute must for all nursing moms. If lying on your right side, you would extend your right arm, the baby would lie under your upper arm, and you would use your left hand to hold your breast. Vice versa for the left side. I can't overemphasize how important it is to learn to nurse lying down. You will be able to nurse very relaxed, even fall asleep with your baby easily. But you may need to take precautions so that baby doesn't fall out of bed later! Bed rails, moving the bed against the wall.... Check the La Leche website, for more hints on latch, also, search on ''breast compression'' I just found this on the web: http://www.bflrc.com/newman/breastfeeding/compres2.htm Good luck- you are giving your baby and yourself a wonderful gift- hang in there! Nursing Mommy

I highly recommend Janaki Costello, located on San Pablo near Solano. I'm sure she's in the white pages or you can find her on the internet. I saw her after the birth of my son last year and she was very helpful. I don't have particularly large breasts but I know she's been doing this for a long time and has lots of experience. Good luck! Kim

I don't have a lactation consultant to recommend but I also have very large pendulous breasts and had similar issues - with 2 kids. Maybe my solution can help you. The most comfortable way for me to breastfeed my daughter is to lie on my side on the bed and have her lie next to me but on her back. I know they always say ''tummy to tummy'' but with her on her back, she's pulled away from my breast more and then it doesn't smother her. Also, the bed helps hold the breast in place so she stays latched on. I use my hand to support the breast also and push and flatten the top part of it away from my baby's nose. Finally, after she is latched on, I check to make sure her nose is clear and if not, I shift slightly down and away from her until it is. She doesn't seem to mind at all and is getting quite chubby so something is working. I did the same with my older daughter. Hope this helps. Big Boobs Too

May 2004

Hello to all and especially to those with whom I had the privilege to assit with breastfeeding challenges over the past 20 years. I thank you for the positive feedback. Yes, the BayArea Lactation Center had to close due to financial and personal reasons. I moved out of the area to Mendocino Cty, but still return once or twice a month to see clients in the Bay Area. Also, I still work at Alta Bates when I come down.

I give free phone (510-541-4000) and internet advice. Please feel free to contact me. If you need immediate home visit assistance, I will refer you to those that I trust and value their expertise.

Take good care,
Bonnie L. Bruce RN, IBCLC
bbruce AT pacific.net

2001

Does anybody where the Bay Area Lactation Center has gone? I noticed that the office across from Alta Bates is vacant, and when I called the phone number got no answer. They were so great when I had problems with baby #1, and even though I'm hoping I don't have problems with baby #2, would like to be able to contact them if needed, if they're still in business. Thanks, Jody

I hadn't noticed that they had moved/closed but you might want to try calling Alta Bates' maternity ward's nurses desk. Bonnie Bruce has been a lactation consultant and nurse at AB for years. They should know how to find her. Please post the new location if you find it. I was really grateful for their excellent help in navigating nursing after breast reduction and was hoping for their support w/ baby # 2 due in Sept. should we need! Colleen

Unfortunately, the Bay Area Lactation Center has closed. We just had a private breastfeeding class from Bonnie Bruce, and she told us that she is returning to private practice, so you would need to contact her on an an individual consultation basis. Karen

Bonnie Bruce's number is still 510-428-0791. She is still available for consults even though the center is closed. Sherry

Sorry, I do not know about the Bay Area Lactation Center, but there are a few resources still available to nursing mothers. La Leche League has groups in Oabland, Berekeley, Alameda, Walnut Creek and others. Call the referal line for location and phone nos of leaders closest to you. Women's Health Center in Walnut Creek has a big staff of fabulous lactation consultants, classes, and support groups. The new Nurture Center in Lafayette has pump rentals, support groups and friendly people. Hope you won't need help with baby #2, you are an old nursing pro by now, but as each baby is different, different issues might come up. Going to LLL meetings or other support groups could be of great help to review and connect with people and resources. Good luck. Ksenija

my understanding is that the bay area lactation center is closed permanently. if you would like a referral to a private practice lactation consultant, who will come to your home and work with you for a couple horus , and do follow-up, etc., i would be happy to give you some numbers! Lyla

About 1-2 months ago I went over there to look at some furniture they were selling. Surpisingly, they are not relocating. One of the two owners/operators was leaving the country (if my memory serves me correctly) and the 2nd one decided to move to a different type of work. Krystyna

The Bay Area Lactation Center has closed down. The Lactation Consultant who did private consultations there is Bonnie Bruce, IBCLC, and she still does consultations at her home in Oakland (510-428-0791). Prior to closing, Yvette Webster (who ran the Center) was referring customers to The Nurture Center in Lafayette. We provide referrals to lactation consultants and do breast pump sales and rentals, carry replacement parts and nursing bras and other gear. We can be reached at 925-283-1346 or info at nurturecenter.com

Oct 1999

I highly recommend Bonnie Bruce from the Bay Area Lactation Center--if it weren't for her, I would have given up! Bonnie was extremely professional, reassuring, supportive, and most of all practical. She phoned me every day after our meeting to see how I was doing and I still call her with questions (my daughter is now 3 and a half months old). I called a few other lactation consultants before I (thankfully) found Bonnie and the few I spoke with were a little woo-woo, and frankly made me feel worse than I already felt at the time. All is can tell you is that Bonnie is the best in my book--and I've since spoken to many other women who went to see her and got lots of sound advice for everything from problems with latching to going back to work. Hope this helps.

I just wanted to add my very positive experience of Bonnie Bruce to the recommendations already given. I had a very difficult post-partum experience 3 and a half years ago -- breastfeeding was difficult and on top of that I had serious medical complications. She was great in all the ways mentioned by others. In addition, I was very appreciative of her non-judgmental attitude about breastfeeding. Even though in the event I was able to continue breastfeeding despite the difficulties, I felt that she would have been fully supportive if I had decided to switch to bottle-feeding instead. That seems to me to be very important in a lactation consultant -- you don't want someone who is going to make you feel bad if you're not able to carry through with it. Hannah

I would like to put in a plug for the new Bay Area Lactation Center behind Alta Bates Hospital. While I have never done a full consultation with them, both Bonnie and Yvette have been extremely helpful during casual conversations while I was there to purchase Bravado nursing bras, Avent supplies and Pump-in-Style replacement parts. They do offer complete consultation services. It is a wonderful little store and resource for the community. Please help support them. It would be wonderful to see them thrive. Lisa

I highly recommend Bonnie Bruce, the co-owner of Bay Area Lactation Center located behind Alta Bates Hospital on Regent. The number is 209-9703 and the web site is www.bayarealactation.com . Bonnie is absolutely great! When I had problems she saw me on an emergency basis. She then made several follow-up calls to check up on me and baby. Bonnie has some 20 years as a L&D nurse about 17 years as a registered lactation specialist. She carries a wide variety of pumps and nursing equipment (such as pillows, tubing, supplemental feeders, tea, etc.). She also stocks nursing bras and premie clothes. Bonnie is great! I highly recommend her. I still drop by from time to time just to say hello! Jeanette

In response to the person looking for a lactation consultant to make house calls, I highly recommend both Bonnie Bruce and Janaki Costello as I have used the professional services of both. Bonnie Bruce operates Bay Area Lactation Center and is an R.N. at nearby Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley. I met Bonnie when my son was 2 weeks old because he was slow in regaining his birth weight. His (former) pediatrician was pushing me to supplement with formula, an action I wanted to avoid because I was concerned about nipple confusion, and the effect of supplementing on my milk supply. At my request the pediatrician gave me a referral to Bonnie, whose home visit was covered by our HMO (Healthnet) after much haggling with Alta Bates Medical Group. Bonnie was extremely thorough, professional and reassuring and her advice was very effective. Our son made tremendous gains in weight only 3-4 days after our initial appointment. Bonnie was always generous with free advice and support when I was in the neighborhood and stopped by to say hello (our son's pediatrician is nearby). I can't say enough good things about either of these caring, professional women. Paula

I can highly recommend Bonnie Bruce/Care After Birth: (510) 428-0791. Bonnie is an RN at Alta Bates as well as a lactation consultant who does home visits. She is knowledgeable, warm and reassuring, rents breast pumps (and sells used pumps too). She was also savvy enough to tell me to ask my OB or pediatrician to write a prescription for her services so that I could get reimbursed by insurance for her visits. jen (6/99)

From: Dylyn (6/99)

I used Joanne Bergeson (not sure if that's the right spelling) and highly recommend her. She came recommended by our pediatrician who coordinated everything from getting in touch with her to getting her set up with Health Net so that the visit would be covered under our insurance. Joanne is warm, friendly and is also a labor and delivery nurse at Summit Hospital. She came to my home the day after we got home from the hospital and was also very helpful over the phone.

Caroline 10/99
I highly recommend Janaki Costello who is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who is just passionate about her work. She has been helping nursing moms in the East Bay for years and is caring and very experienced. Janaki can be reached at 510-525-1155.

From: Paula (6/99)

In response to the person looking for a lactation consultant to make house calls, I highly recommend both Bonnie Bruce and Janaki Costello as I have used the professional services of both. Janaki Costello is also a certified Doula and a certified Childbirth Educator who lives in El Cerrito. Janaki was our "back-up" Doula whom we met one time before our baby was born. My husband and I had liked her immediately! When our son's weight began dropping at 6 weeks of age, her proximity to our home made her a natural choice. Following her initial lengthy visit, Janaki spent extensive amounts of time in person and on the telephone providing free instruction, encouragement and emotional support that helped us successfully weather a very challenging period. Our son is now 9-1/2 months old and still nursing and growing well. I can't say enough good things about either of these caring, professional women.

Janaki Costello is a wonderful lactation consultant. She can be reached at 525-1155. You can read recommendations about her doula work at the parents website (you'll be able to get a sense of how great she is to work with).
Laurie (6/99)

Janaki Costello is the best there is. She can be reached at (510) 525-1155.
MH (6/99)

Re: Lactation Consultants at Kaiser (Oct 2002)

I don't know about Kaiser but I've recently had two lactation consultants do home visits and both were good. Tina Benitez phone number is 639-4845. She is sick right now so I also had Fritzi Drosten 652-1173. It is expensive but they were both quite available for follow-up by phone and spent a lot of time. Leah

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