Annie was incredibly helpful and saved my breastfeeding experience. First, she does home visits with a weighted feeding and care plan - with a newborn oh my goodness that was so helpful since it was just so overwhelming to think about packing baby up to see an LC. Second, she is totally no nonsense. Third, she is very supportive of what you need. Last, she was very accessible. At first I was a little taken aback because she was so no nonsense but I quickly realized that didn't mean she didn't care. She was very caring and open to listening to what my issues were before she started figuring out how to help. She was not judgmental and she was very positive in how to support me. I felt like I was failing my baby but after her visit I actually felt better. I called her up the second time around because I just wanted another opinion and while the second one was simpler, I still found it helpful to have her input and advice. I told her it wasn't an urgent problem (with the first baby, it was one of those desperate calls...) with the second baby but I would like to have a visit and she responded quickly and also found a spot that worked right away. She is not in-network and doesn't do insurance but will provide a complete invoice so you can submit for insurance if your insurance will cover it. She leaves you or will send you a care plan at the end summarizing the visit as well as steps to take. And after the appointment she was available via email and text when I had different issues pop up. I recommend her all the time and she even did a home visit down to Redwood City (there was a small additional charge to make up for the extended travel she had to do). read more

I hired Annie as a Lactation Consultant after getting a solid recommendation from a nurse who knew her. The recommendation was well deserved. Annie made herself available quickly, offered invaluable advice and checked in regularly after the initial 2-hour home visit. She draws on her many years of experience to tailor-make her advice without the usual wishy washy "everyone is different" routine I hear so often. I wanted ideas, answers, a plan based on lots of expertise -- and that is what I got. She doesn't have a my-way-only attitude. She's open to breastfeeding, pumping, formula, a combo -- any program that suits the mom and will feed and nurture the babies. She also balances the worlds of western medicine (she's a RN and correctly realized that I needed a prescription for some medication) and natural remedies. She also happens to be an incredibly appealing person -- smart, very positive and cheery, but with a calm and soothing demeanor. A perfect combination of attributes. I highly recommend Annie. Great for parents of multiples. read more

When I suspected my baby's food sensitivity issues were breast-feeding related I called Annie at the recommendation of our pediatrician. She responded to my email right away and was able to fit me into her schedule almost immediately. She came to my home and watched me feed my baby and gave me some great tips and a care plan of how to manage our issues. She has such a kind and compassionate approach and it's clear that she draws on an extremely broad knowledge base and many years of experience. Annie really put my mind at ease and gave me the confidence to keep breast-feeding my baby. She checked in with me a couple times after the appointment to make sure that things were going well. You should definitely meet with her if you have trouble breast-feeding have questions feel frustrated or just need some reassurance. I will definitely reach out Annie again when ready to start solid foods! read more

Annie is wonderful. I called/emailed/texted her in a panic and she got back to me right away. Which is so important for a new overwhelmed mama. Annie came to the house, scale in hand, and was super helpful in creating a plan of care for myself and my new daughter. I had clogged ducts and damaged nipples (TMI?) -- we decided to pump and bottle feed for 2 days to allow for healing (we were afraid of nipple confusion which ANnie assured us would be very unlikely with just 2 days of bottles). Annie then came back and helped with technique for breastfeeding and we've been doing well ever since. Annie's demeanor is very down to earth, and her open communication style (before, during and after our visit) has been so important to me. I highly suggest giving her a call to help you in this trying but wonderful time. read more

Had our first home visit with Annie St. John and could not be more reassured about breastfeeding our little one. We are first-time parents and, to be honest, didn't have the greatest experience with a couple of our hospital's lactation consultants - I was a bit traumatized. We're grateful Annie was very accommodating and professional. She explained things in a manner that was easy to understand. Her feedback was constructive, non-judgmental, and supportive. We felt very accomplished and more confident after her visit. Annie was/is warm and real. We weighed our little one before and after feeding. She reassured us and made sure our needs were met and questions were answered. She was never pushy or preachy like some of the others. She's a great nurse, mother, and lactation consultant! She has already far exceeded our expectations. Happy to promote a great person! read more

My wife hired Annie as a Lactation Consultant after getting a stellar recommendation from a doula and our pediatrician. The recommendation was well deserved. Annie made herself available quickly. She came to the hospital shortly after our daughter was born and offered invaluable advice, support and encouragement. Annie is direct and offers expertise in the form of non-judgmental advice which my wife and I appreciate. When my wife and daughter had a little bit of a "stall" after a couple of weeks, Annie provided more advice and tips to help them get through it. Annie has proven to be easy to communicate with and responsive. Annie was such an important part of our initial team. We appreciate what she has done for our family. read more

So far the best lactation in SF. I tried many of them but Annie is best. Her fee $200/ visit and she come to our house which worth it for us. She gave us advices, help me passed the process and follow up. Easy to contact and very prompt response. She even brought baby weight scale to check on our girl and recommend where I could bring my daughter to get a free weight check. Highly recommend to all the mom ! Thank you again Annie to make my life easier and stress free! read more

Annie is awesome. She is an incredible counselor and a source of nurturing support for anyone breastfeeding. I would recommend Annie to any new mom -- even if you do not encounter any breastfeeding "issues," she is a wonderful person to have in your corner. My daughter was tiny at birth, so were were concerned about establishing good nursing and weight gain from day one. Annie did two home visits with us. Each time, she weighed our daughter before and after a feeding. Just to know that my daughter was taking in x ounces in a given feeding was powerful, dispelling the mystery of how much milk my baby was actually getting. Annie offered great counseling on breastfeeding holds, frequency of feeding, etc. She later advised on pumping and keeping up my supply for return to work ... even how the family might get more sleep at night! Annie has consistently offered quick and thorough responses to any questions and concerns. I had initially worried that it might be strange or uncomfortable to bring someone in on such an intimate thing -- but Annie is incredibly intuitive, thoughtful, and professional. read more

This woman is a miracle. There is so little support for initiating breastfeeding, that having her on your team is an absolute must. A friend of mine recommended Annie and I spoke with her by phone three months before my daughter was born. However, I had no idea how valuable she would be until I made it home from the hospital and had several "failed" feeding sessions, during which my daughter was struggling hard to latch. Both of us were frustrated and stressed. Enter Annie. Annie entered our home and a sense of calm settled over us. Her years of experience are immediately evident and her confidence is contagious. With her input and adjustments, we knew we would be able to figure it out. Annie came armed with equipment (scale, nipple shields, etc.), so we were able to try something on the spot. Her advice made an immediate difference and we have been successfully breastfeeding since. She was also able to explain the use of the breast pump (an overwhelming apparatus when you're working on no sleep) and suggested additional things to order that would ease our way down the road. The thing you can't put a price on is the absolute reassurance Annie provided and the morale boost we experienced upon her departure. It was only a few hard days before she arrived, but the difference she made has set us upon a successful path. It's just incredible what one person can do. If I had to do it over again, I would have had Annie meet me at the hospital and potentially again at home to avoid even a short time of immense struggle. Hopefully this review helps you in that regard. You will be so glad to know her! So many thanks for all that you do, Annie! read more

She was a life saver, she was the 3rd lactation consultant we used and by far the best. She put us at ease during a stressful time. I would recommend her to anyone. read more

I have seen 2 OB docs, 2 midwives, 1 acupuncturist, and Annie is my 4th lactation consultant. Of all the people I have seen, she has been the most helpful by far. She is calm, cool, smart, compassionate, and realistic. She is open-minded and respectful of your decisions - guiding you through them instead of trying to sway you in one direction. I had heard breastfeeding could be tough but I never imagined it would be as difficult as it has been. While many women suffer from underproduction, my problem has been an extreme case of the opposite -- since my milk came in three months ago, I have been too full with milk - 16 oz full. Sounds like a blessing? Yes, but also a curse. It's heavy, uncomfortable, and extremely painful. While my exact problems are not completely solved, I never could have dealt with them up to this point without her. Whenever I contacted her via text, email, or phone, she got back to me within hours, sometimes minutes. On several occasions she called my OB to consult with her so I had both Annie's experience and compassion but with medical support too. She helped me sort out and prioritize among the many potential remedies for my situation. Annie helped talk me through options, not making me run through things I had already tried. She ultimately advised that I try peppermint and sage essential oils and serious icing, and then after that, advising me to try a low-dose estrogen birth control. I only wish I had seen her first instead of last! Thank you Annie. read more

My OBGYN, Dr. Hsiao, was exceptional! So, I completely trusted her when she recommended Annie. My newborn daughter was not gaining adequate weight after we left the hospital. I had seen two lactation consultants the days following her delivery. They gave helpful advice, but I was still unsure if she was latching correctly. Annie spent a lot of time coaching me over the phone, visited me twice, as well as checking in by email. She made me feel very secure about how I was breastfeeding. My daughter finally put on the weight needed before her dreaded 3 week pediatric appointment. I would certainly recommend her to any mother in need of help breastfeeding. read more