Golnar Fakhrai

(SHE/HER) IBCLC

Golnar completed her training to become an IBCLC through the University of California, San Diego in May 2024. Prior to this, she was living and working as a filmmaker in Los Angeles alongside her husband, Kevin, for more than a decade. Born and raised in San Diego, Golnar returned to the city to be closer to family when her daughter was born. In those early postpartum months, a new passion was ignited and she pursued a second career as a lactation consultant.

Golnar’s story:

When my daughter was born, I knew I wanted to breastfeed her, but was struggling at each attempt. When we went to the pediatrician and they said I needed to bottle feed her with formula, I was heartbroken. I was also uninformed, and in that next week I didn’t know I was tanking my own supply each time I gave her a bottle and didn’t pump in place of that feed. As the weeks went on, my goals seemed further and further out of reach, until I went to see a lactation consultant at a friend’s suggestion. It was there that I learned how to latch my baby, how often I needed to pump to get my supply going, and how to get back on track. Over the next month I saw my baby and I improving our breastfeeding skills together, and was thankful I sought out help. As I talked to new mom friends about my journey, and listened to theirs, I realized I wanted to be a helper in this space, to provide information and support to those who need it. Becoming a lactation consultant has shown me just how needed the field is, and I’m looking forward to providing care for parents in our community.