My name is Ana R Saldivar. I am a bilingual International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who speaks Spanish. My interest in lactation support began when I became dissatisfied with my firstborn’s nursing journey shortly after graduating from cosmetology school. A lack of nursing assistance with oral restrictions was more widespread 18 years ago, reinforced by cultural attitudes that “it will just happen, keep trying.” “The nipples had to get used to it,” it was regularly mentioned to me, but this did not happen. After months of pumping problems and continuous nipple bleeding, I gave up. 

I decided to pursue a career in breastfeeding after reading about peer counseling and requiring WIC services during the 2008 recession for my second child. I began as a peer counselor, then earned my CLC and IBCLC certifications in July 2022. I left WIC in January 2023 to start my lactation support practice, and I’m thrilled to be able to offer lactation services in our community through both health insurance coverage and self-pay.