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Meet SDBFC's Newest IBCLC - Kathleen Smith-Mercado

We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant (pending) at SDBFC! Kathleen joined us on September 16, 2022 and started seeing her own clients on October 28, 2022  Here is our interview with Kathleen.  We can't wait for you all to meet her!

Kathleen, tell us about yourself!

I grew up on the east coast in Virginia and Maryland. My family moved to San Diego when I was 16 years old.  I went to college in San Francisco where I met my husband.  We continued to travel in our 20’s, living in Australia and eventually moving back to San Diego where we both have family.  I was a pastry chef and he is a beer brewer, after we got married we moved to Nashville, TN.  It was here were we welcomed our two beautiful daughters into the world.  We quickly realized how difficult it was raising a young family without the support of our extended family around.  Shortly before my second daughter was born, my mom passed away from her battle with breast cancer.  With the loss of mother, a lack of support in raising two babies under the age of three, and a colicky infant, I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety.  My husband was incredibly supportive and as therapy helped me cope, I realized that I never wanted another parent to feel as alone as I had felt.  At the end of 2019, I trained to become a postpartum doula and my journey into the world or birth work had begun.  I fell in love with supporting families helping parents reinforce their parental intuition.  There is something magical about watching a family not just survive parenthood but truly thrive in it.  I now work part-time as a lactation consultant and part-time as a postpartum doula while spending as much time as possible with my amazing family. 

Check out Kathleen’s bio page

What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?

I struggled to breastfeed my first daughter and had little to no instruction on how to do it. I did not even know I could make an appointment with a lactation consultant outside of the hospital! Our first night home was a disaster and I ended pumping and bottle feeding her. I was an exclusive pumper for her for over 6 months and had a massive supply that I was tied to. When my second daughter was born, I was more prepared. We got off to a rocky start, the lactation consultant in the hospital shamed me for “caring too much” and “trying too hard”.  I sought the help of a lactation consultant once we got home, and they were very supportive.  My daughter had a tongue tie that I was told would not cause a problem and to not revise it.  I spent the entire first year of her life triple feeding because of her tie (nursing, then pumping and bottle feeding).  My breastfeeding journeys were difficult and in my postpartum doula work I saw how many parents struggled regularly with this.  I was inspired to learn as much as I could about breastfeeding.  I was empowered to help normalize that breastfeeding can have its difficulties, but they can be overcome with proper support and kindness.  I believe that everyone deserves access to breastfeeding support and that the way we speak to our new parents can truly impact their nursing journey. 

What are you most excited about working for the SDBFC?

I have been a longtime admirer of Robin Kaplan’s work and the work that SDBFC does within the San Diego community.  I truly believe that breastfeeding support should be provided to families of all incomes.  I am excited to work with an organization that makes it possible for support and education to be accessed by all families. 

What are your top 3 tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?

  1. Remember that your first few weeks are a lot of “practice” in breastfeeding. Every nursing session serves as a practice for how to get in a good latch and good transfer.  This practice means lots of focus on nursing, less distractions, and lots of time with your shirt off so surround yourself with people you are comfortable with.

    2. Patience, for yourself, your partner and your situation. Remember, we are learning who baby is and their likes and dislikes.  Just as baby is learning to live outside of the womb, it is important to give yourself grace and patience with every moment.

    3. Accept help and ask for it when you need it! We are always so quick to let offers of help fall to the wayside but remember your friends and family want to help you!  That’s why they are your friends and family.  Let them bring you dinner or do your laundry. There will be another time for you to do the same for them but now is your time to be mothered as well.  Parenthood is a journey that is truly built within your community.  Parents with strong support systems thrive in parenthood.

Welcome to the team, Kathleen!