Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Shabestari.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heather. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) had been in the back of mind since the birth of my first child in 2003. This is when my interest was first sparked. My educational background was in the biological sciences, but I was always drawn to helping people more so than research. My life became very busy after the birth of my second child in 2006 and I decided to stay at home for a few years to be more hands on. Instead of working during this time, I volunteered to stay busy and active in the community. Once my youngest was in kindergarten I started researching how to become a lactation consultant (IBCLC). After taking the necessary post-graduate coursework and getting the certifications completed at UCSD, I sat for the IBCLC exam in 2014. It was an exciting day when I became an IBCLC. I knew that I wanted to work for myself so that I could provide prenatal and postnatal care to families in a calm and relaxed setting as well as offer them exceptional service. Over the past six years, I have worked with many families and newborns and continue to offer services in lactation, supplemental feedings, tethered oral tissue evaluations, newborn behaviors, infant massage, adoptive breastfeeding, induced lactation, low milk supply issues, pumping and various other maternal/newborn topics.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Creating my business had its struggles, but it was mostly because I needed to learn how to set up and run a business. I did everything on my own from the technical business side to the social media side. Learning how to create a website and ways to market my business took most of my time for the first 6 months. Building my business was a slow and steady process, but it has paid off. Currently, most families find me through internet searches or other online platforms as well as physician and client referrals. Keeping current on all the new technology to help streamline the client experience is also challenging. The most challenging part of my job though is changing the mindset of other healthcare practitioners of how important breastfeeding is. Thankfully, there has been a shift in recent years towards more holistic feeding practices such as breastfeeding and less promotion of bottle feeding, but we have a long way to go. Education is crucial to make breastfeeding the norm, but we also need to have support systems put in place. Prenatal/postnatal lactation care for all women regardless of race or economic standing is a vital part of this process.
Please tell us about your business.
My specialty is in lactation, but I am also a certified educator of infant massage (CEIM) through the International Association of Infant Massage. Most of my business though is helping new families with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not always easy. It takes the support and determination of the breastfeeding parent to see it through. The milk making process is a huge component to making the breastfeeding relationship a positive experience. The fact that milk can be made in the breast for the nourishment of infants is amazing. When that system fails or comes upon obstacles, interventions take place. How an infant breastfeeds is the other part of the breastfeeding puzzle. Infants are designed to consume human milk, so essentially if an infant cannot breastfeed or receive the necessary milk, there is a crisis. The fulfillment my profession gives me is knowing that there is always a reason why breastfeeding issues arise, and I can figure out the reason, come up with a corrective plan, and educate families while doing it. Sometimes new or more realistic goals are put in place. Other times, a few adjustments might need to be made. My clients tell me that I am a great listener and have a special way of connecting with babies. When I meet a new family, I always put myself in their shoes and meet them where they are currently at. I think that because I love my job so much, families see how invested I am in their success and trust that the information I give them is accurate and backed by science. Each day I intend to deliver exceptional care, give my best to my clients, and be gracious.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
The success of my business is in part from the mentors that I trained under during my IBCLC certification process. Rose Devigne-Jackiewicz, RN, IBCLC and Leighann Grice, RN, IBCLC gave me exceptional education and confidence as an IBCLC. Additionally, my family and friends have always supported me and pushed me to continue to excel and do more with my business. Ultimately though, client feedback is what keeps me pushing forward. Knowing that I am making a difference in people’s lives, helping feeding outcomes, and improving maternal care keeps me loving my profession.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bfcofsd.com
- Phone: 619-677-2730
- Email: heather@bfcofsd.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingConsultantsofSanDiego/?ref=bookmarks
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/breastfeeding-consultants-of-san-diego-san-diego?osq=Lactation+Consultant
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