We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant (pending)/RN at SDBFC! Yvonne joined us on August 2nd and will be doing office visits starting August 31st! Here is our interview with Yvonne. We can't wait for you all to meet her!
Yvonne, tell us about yourself!
Hello! Let’s see, I spent my year 0 through 25 in a small town in Sweden called Trollhattan (basically translates to Troll’s Hat). We were a multicultural household with an American dad and a Swedish mom. My parents met in San Francisco while my mother was working as an Au Pair for a year after high school and then they moved to Sweden to raise a family (18 months of parental leave, yes please). Sweden is great in a lot of ways, however I don’t think I would trade it for all of the sunshine days we get here in San Diego. A couple years after receiving my BSN, I felt adventurous and moved to San Diego. I’ve been here 12 years now! I have a husband, Sean, two daughters, Elise and Clara (6 and 3 years old) and a 10 year old cat Zoe. We love to travel, otherwise I bet we would have a dog too!
In my free time I’m an avid baker, often found whipping up cream cakes, cookies, breads, you name it. I have a crazy sweet tooth that I try to balance with exercise and otherwise healthy eating like a true Swede. Did you know that Swedes eat the most candy per capita in the world? 35 pounds per person per year! Career-wise I have always felt the happiest helping people. I have worked as an Emergency Room Nurse for almost 15 years (definitely doesn’t feel like it’s been that long).
What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?
I absolutely fell in love with breastfeeding after having kids of my own. I always thought breastfeeding was something beautiful and envisioned doing it one day. Little did I know how difficult, yet absolutely amazing the journey can be. Being a bit of a researcher I started reading more and more about lactation. It kept piquing my interest and I developed a new passion!
What are you most excited about working for the SDBFC?
I can’t think of anything more satisfying and heartwarming than helping families reach their breastfeeding goals, whatever that may look like for them. I want to empower families and be a positive cheerleader in their corner. I’m very excited that the SDBFC has a foundation so that we can reach more families.
What are your top 3 tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?
Go with flow and be your most flexible you. Often things aren’t going to be exactly as you had envisioned from the get go with a new baby. If you stay positive and embrace the challenges, you end up with so much less stress. If there are any breastfeeding questions or concerns we're here ready to help!
Accept and/or reach out for help. The saying “it takes a village” is so true! What’s helpful varies from family to family. It could be for someone to hold your baby while you shower, for someone to take over household chores, or bring food so you can focus on the baby. Make a list of things that would be helpful for -you-, then people offering to help can choose items off that list (we all know well meaning helpers sometimes need a little *cough* direction so that they are in fact being helpful).
Surround yourself with positive people who understand your goals. There are so many different ways to parent and it makes the most sense to take advice from people who share your parenting vision and goals. Find a support group that speaks to you! SDBFC offers a great one every week.