Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruth Hale.
Hi Ruth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story starts in San Diego; I was born and raised here. My first job was working in the afterschool program at Jamacha Elementary. I really enjoyed working with kids and started taking child development courses. During college, I met my husband Matthew, an ET in the Navy. We instantly fell in love got married, and moved to Yokosuka Japan. Here I started working with younger and younger ages until at 21 years old I became pregnant with my first, Valentine. I think this is what started my path toward learning about lactation. Breastfeeding and babywearing helped me parent my child in a way that met their needs while letting me explore Japan and accomplish daily tasks.
In 2016, my family moved home to San Diego. I began nannying for an amazing family with a baby the same age as my daughter. We started talking about child development, lactation, and parenting. I realized I love partnering with parents. This is when I started my path to becoming an IBCLC. It was a long path, that took 4 years. During this time my husband and I had a second kid Calvin and I became a certified doula. I began my business Birth to Breast while facilitating the Lactation circle at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. Today I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, postpartum doula, and birth doula. All my experiences of child development and both birth and postpartum doula care has shaped how I show up as a lactation consultant.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Sometimes everything feels like it is falling in place, other times nothing is going as planned. Becoming a non-RN IBCLC and Doula is a very unclear path where you need to make your opportunities because it’s not a job you’ll find on indeed.com. Luckily, I am drawn to entrepreneurship. I’ve learned a lot about running a business from both my dad a General contractor and my aunt a real estate agent. I do get overwhelmed by the huge learning curves associated with website design and social media but I also enjoy learning and creating so challenges are rewarding even with the sleep deprivation.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the founder of Birth to Breast, and I offer in-home lactation consultations, doula care, and free community groups. I’m known for my warm client-led approach. When I come to my client’s homes for a lactation consultation, it’s like having a friend visit. Yes, I do all the clinical things like gloves, infant oral structure/function exams, weighted feeds, and care plans, but it doesn’t feel clinical. My consults feel like you are chatting to your friend about what’s going on with your life/breastfeeding and how you wish it to be going. With the information gathered from the clinical aspects, we talk about options to reach your goal and we create your plan.
What sets my practice apart from others is my continuity of care through the trimesters and beyond. Clients can start being supported by me during early pregnancy through my free pregnancy groups or doula care. Then they can be supported by me postpartum with in-home lactation consultations and lactation support groups and community park days.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Joining birth worker Facebook groups is a great way to meet and learn from birth workers and lactation consultants. My best advice is don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. The birth worker and lactation world is very open and accepting to those passionate about helping families during the four trimesters.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@birthtobreast.com
- Website: www.birthtobreast.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birthtobreast/
Image Credits
Victoria Taylor (VTaylorCaptured)
