Meet SDBFC's Newest Lactation Consultant - Valori Sharp
Aug 2, 2026 • Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC
We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant at SDBFC! Valori completed her training to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) through the University of California, San Diego in 2026. She has been part of the San Diego Breastfeeding Center team since 2023, serving as the Administrative Assistant and support group leader. She is now available for lactation appointments, as well as doula benefit appointments! Here is our interview with Valori. We can't wait for you all to meet her!
ABOUT SDBFC
The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent. Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges. SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!
Valori, tell us about yourself!
Hi, I'm Valori! I was born and raised in San Diego but have called the small mountain town of Pine Valley, tucked away in rural East County, home for the past 10 years. It's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and my family is proud to be raising the fifth generation of Sharps here.
My husband and I have two daughters. Our oldest, who my husband has raised since she was 2 years old, is now 18, and our youngest is 5. And if you don't know, toddlers and teenagers are THE SAME! They both keep you on your toes, keep you incredibly humbled, and have a remarkable talent for testing your patience. As a family, we spend many weekends camping in the desert with friends and family. I proudly serve as the camp chef and one-person pit crew during off-road races.
My 30s have truly been the best years of my life. I found the career I was meant for as a lactation consultant and postpartum doula. Supporting, educating, and empowering new families has become so much of my identity. But along the way, I've also learned that I can't pour into others if I don't take time to pour into myself. As a wife, mom, and working professional, making space for the things that fill my own cup has become just as important.
Outside of work and my family, I've discovered two hobbies I never imagined I'd love: gardening and reading. A few years ago, I couldn't make it through a few pages of a book without falling asleep, and I definitely wasn't someone you'd find spending time in the garden (bugs and dirt? No thank you!). In fact, I was the person who couldn't even keep a succulent alive! Now, several times a day, you'll find me outside tending to a garden with more than 15 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs, usually with a coffee in hand while listening to a good audiobook.
What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?
My passion for lactation and postpartum support grew from two very different experiences of motherhood.
I became a mom at 17, completely unprepared for what came after birth. My postpartum recovery was difficult, but breastfeeding was by far the hardest part. Yet I had no idea lactation professionals even existed. After concerns about my baby's weight, I was told to stop breastfeeding immediately because I was "starving my baby." Those were the exact words used (ouch!), and they're forever burned into my memory. Without education or support, I gave up breastfeeding and quickly spiraled into postpartum depression, a journey that took nearly six years to heal from.
Thirteen years later, when my husband and I decided to grow our family, I was determined to have a different experience. Then, the same week I found out I was pregnant, COVID shut the world down. Once again, I found myself navigating pregnancy feeling isolated, attending appointments alone, and struggling to access the education and support I knew I needed.
This time, I became my own advocate. I immersed myself in learning everything I could about breastfeeding and postpartum recovery. Although breastfeeding still had its challenges, we found our rhythm. With the education and support I needed, I built a full milk supply, nourished my own daughter, and had the unexpected privilege of also providing supplemental breast milk for my niece, who was born just 10 days before her.
Those two experiences taught me just how life-changing compassionate, evidence-based support can be during the postpartum period. Today, I have the privilege of being the support person I once desperately needed.
What are you most excited about working for SDBFC?
I've spent the last three and a half years in an administrative role alongside many incredible women at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center, constantly in awe of their knowledge, skill, and compassion. It has been an incredible opportunity to learn from the team that has inspired me since my very first day. I'm excited to continue growing with SDBFC as I transition into this new role.
I'm equally excited about the opportunity to expand access to out of hospital lactation support for Medi-Cal families and communities that have historically had limited access to these services. Living in a rural healthcare desert has given me firsthand insight into the barriers many families face when seeking lactation and perinatal support. Being able to bring SDBFC's model of compassionate, evidence-based care into communities like my own is incredibly meaningful to me.
What are your 3 top tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?
Invest in Prenatal Education
Not just for breastfeeding, but for postpartum as a whole. There are so many layers to healing while learning to care for a newborn and establishing your milk supply. Preparing before you're in the thick of postpartum gives you the knowledge, confidence, and support you'll be grateful to have if challenges arise. Build your care team before your baby arrives so you already know who to turn to when you need help.
Sometimes You Have to Slow Down to Move Forward
There are times when not even a lactation consultant can help a baby latch on the first try, and that's okay. Support isn't one size fits all, each plan is highly individualized. We're looking at the entire picture: you, your milk supply, your baby's feeding patterns, oral function, positioning, and any other factors that may be affecting feeding. Together, we'll work through each layer one step at a time. Progress often takes patience, practice, and trust, but every small win matters, and we'll celebrate each one with you. Give yourself grace. You're learning one of the hardest jobs in the world while doing it in real time.
Breastfeeding Isn't All or Nothing
Whether you're exclusively breastfeeding, exclusively pumping, nursing and pumping, supplementing with formula, or using a combination that changes over time, your feeding journey is still valuable. Every ounce of breast milk provides benefits to your baby, and every feeding is an act of love. Feeding your baby isn't about perfection, it's about finding what works for your family. Be proud of yourself and all that your body is doing no matter the amount or method you feed your baby!
Valori is available for lactation appointments, as well as infant-feeding focused prenatal/postpartum doula appointments.
SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.
About the Author
Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018. Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.
