The first time when a parent holds their baby, that instant love is overwhelming. But feeding doesn’t always come naturally. Working as a maternity and newborn photographer in the Bay Area, I’ve been invited into countless homes during those early, tender days.
I’ve seen the quiet happiness when a baby latches well for the first time. I’ve also seen the frustration when it doesn’t go as planned – the tears, the worry about supply, the feeling of being unprepared.
Over the years, one thing has become very clear to me: families who work with a lactation consultant carry themselves differently. They have a calmness about them. Feeding feels less like a struggle and more like bonding. And that confidence shows in every photograph.
Below, you’ll find some of the most trusted lactation consultants in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Each of them brings something unique, but they all share the same mission: helping families feel supported, capable, and confident during their feeding journey.
Lactation Consultants Who Make a Difference in the Bay Area
- Jennifer Suffin, IBCLC
Jennifer Suffin, an IBCLC-certified lactation consultant in Bay Area, has been practicing for over 15 years, and she brings both skill and a gentle, judgment-free presence that puts people at ease.
Jennifer supports all kinds of feeding journeys — breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or combinations. She’s also experienced in more complex issues like tongue ties, low milk supply, and premature infant feeding.
Families describe her as warm and inclusive.
She travels to homes in Vista Del Monte and other Bay Area neighborhoods, which makes her support even more accessible.
Website: https://careinthecurve.com/
- Serena Meyer, RN, IBCLC
Serena has worked with more families than most of us can imagine – close to 45,000, with around 2,500 consultations each year. That experience shows. As both a registered nurse and an IBCLC, she’s especially skilled with complex cases: tongue ties, failure to thrive, previous breast surgeries, painful nursing experiences.
She serves a wide area in the East Bay, from Oakland to Walnut Creek. Beyond her one-on-one work, she leads a support group with over 11,000 members.
Families I’ve photographed often share how relieved they felt after working with a lactation consultant. Feeding stopped being a daily battle and became something that finally felt doable.
Website: https://www.bayareabreastfeedingsupport.com/
- Aki Sugaya, IBCLC – Bilingual Lactation Support
Aki brings both professional expertise and personal understanding. She’s bilingual in Japanese and English and has more than ten years of experience in hospital settings, including Stanford Children’s and UCSF.
Her background is impressive – UC Santa Cruz, San Francisco State, and UC San Diego’s lactation program – but what families appreciate most is her empathy. Having been part of a NICU family herself, she knows firsthand how overwhelming feeding challenges can be.
She’s comfortable handling everything from premature babies to multiples to induced lactation.
Parents who’ve worked with Aki often carry themselves with a new kind of confidence, like they’ve been given tools that truly make a difference.
Website: https://lactation.webflow.io/
- Katie Howser, IBCLC
Katie has supported over 5,000 families during her eight years of in-home visits. What makes her stand out is her pace. She doesn’t rush. She takes as much time as families need.
That unhurried approach makes such a difference, just like I do when photographing my clients – no rush, only calm and pampered newborn and maternity sessions that they fully enjoy.
Katie is also in-network with Aetna and has coverage agreements with companies like Facebook, Google, and Pinterest, which makes her services accessible to many families.
Beyond her one-on-one care, she serves as a board member for Bay Area Lactation Associates, helping improve resources for families across the region.
Website: https://www.katiehowser.com/
- Sarah Tyack, RN, BSW, IBCLC
With 25 years of combined nursing and lactation experience, Sarah offers both clinical knowledge and practical, down-to-earth support. She works in San Francisco, Oakland, and the East Bay, and also offers virtual consultations.
Sarah emphasizes teamwork, often communicating directly with healthcare providers to ensure everyone is on the same page. That kind of coordination makes families feel secure, knowing they’re not navigating challenges alone.
In my newborn and maternity sessions, families who’ve worked with a lactation consultant like her come across as prepared and relaxed.
Just like their consultant, with me as their Bay Area maternity & newborn photographer, they’ve someone walk with them through every detail, and it shows in the way they handle their babies with confidence.
Website: https://babenyou.com/
- Jen Kiatta, IBCLC
Jen has helped over 1,000 families, and her philosophy is refreshingly realistic. She doesn’t expect perfection. She believes in finding a middle road – one that balances healthy feeding with parents’ mental and emotional well-being.
That outlook is invaluable. Feeding isn’t just about the baby; it’s about the whole family. When parents feel pressured or judged, stress skyrockets. Jen helps remove that pressure, giving families permission to do what works best for them.
She also partners with The Lactation Network, which means many families can access her services through insurance coverage.
Website: https://jenkiatta.com/
- Sydney Jones, LM, CPM
Sydney brings something especially practical: no out-of-pocket costs for many families, thanks to her work with The Lactation Network. Based in San Francisco but serving the entire Bay Area, she makes professional support available to families who might otherwise skip it.
Her services include troubleshooting visits, group classes, and prenatal planning. That last one is huge. Parents who meet with her before birth often start their feeding journey on much stronger footing. I see that confidence in maternity sessions – expectant parents who already feel ready for what’s ahead.
Website: https://www.sydneyfanmsaj.com/
The Photography Connection
You might wonder why a photographer is writing about lactation consultants. The answer is simple: I see the difference. Families who’ve had this kind of support feed with ease, settle into routines faster, and bring more relaxed energy into their homes. And that ease shows up in photographs.
A stressed parent is often distracted, worried about the next feeding. A supported parent is present. Present parents create the kinds of timeless, joyful portraits that every family treasures.
Building Your Support Team
Choosing a lactation consultant isn’t just about solving feeding issues. It’s about investing in your family’s well-being. Just as you’d choose your Bay Area maternity and newborn photographer carefully to document your story, it’s worth choosing the right consultant to guide you through those first weeks and months.
Each of the professionals I’ve highlighted brings their own strengths.
Some specialize in complex medical cases. Others focus on personalized, in-home care. Some provide bilingual support, while others prioritize accessible insurance coverage.
The important thing is to find the lactation consultant in Bay Area whose approach aligns with your needs and values.
Final Thoughts
Feeding your baby is part instinct, part skill, and like any skill, sometimes it takes practice and guidance. If you’re in the Bay Area, you’re fortunate to have an incredible network of lactation consultants available. These women are more than experts; they’re lifelines for new families.
Your feeding journey is part of your family’s story. Having the right lactation support can transform it from something stressful into something beautiful. And when you feel that shift, from worry to confidence, it doesn’t just show in the way you feed your baby. It shows in the way you live these early days, and in the photographs that capture them forever.
When feeding feels less stressful, parents are free to simply enjoy their babies. And those are the moments I love to document. Reach out if you’d like to document your motherhood journey with natural, heartfelt maternity and newborn portraits.
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