The Best IBCLC Ever -- Julie Changed My Whole Breastfeeding Journey I cannot say enough amazing things about Julie. With my first baby, I had to exclusively pump due to a tongue tie already released, and the constant pumping and bottle washing while sleep-deprived traumatized me. When I was pregnant with my second, I wanted so badly to nurse--but by day 4 postpartum, I was crying alongside my screaming baby because I just could not get her to latch. I felt like a complete failure all over again. I paid the travel fee for an in-home visit, and Julie was worth every single penny and more. She walked in and got my baby to latch right away! Her calm, knowledgeable presence instantly shifted everything (I'm sure she could tell I'd been crying minutes before). Her social media content is incredibly helpful no matter where you are in your feeding journey, but having her in person was life-changing. Even though I needed a nipple shield (the one she provided which was better than the hospital's!) for 4 months and my supply was just enough, I was able to nurse for 13 whole months while going back to full-time work at 4 months postpartum--something I never imagined possible as a mom who only knew exclusive pumping and tongue ties. I credit that entirely to Julie. She gave me hope, confidence, and the practical guidance I desperately needed. Julie, I hope you know the work you do truly makes a difference. I refer every mom I know who wants breastfeeding support to you. You are the best IBCLC ever! read more

I truly don't know what I would have done without Julie! From the moment we connected, she made me feel supported, empowered, and completely seen. Her knowledge is incredible, but what really sets her apart is her compassion and ability to meet you exactly where you are -- emotionally, physically, and mentally. Julie helped me navigate latching issues, supply concerns, and all the emotional ups and downs that come with early breastfeeding which made such a difference in my confidence as a new mom. Thanks to her, breastfeeding became not just manageable but actually a bonding, positive experience for me and my baby. Julie is a true gem, and I can't recommend her enough to any parent needing guidance and gentle, expert care. read more

My breastfeeding story was a complex one. I am SO deeply grateful to have had Julie by my side for the ride! I do not know what I would have done without her help and support. I gave birth via c-section and had delayed milk supply due to the medications connected to my birth and pregnancy. My daughter also had trouble latching. The first days and weeks of attempting breastfeeding were so stressful that I would have quit had it not been for Julie. Julie came to the hospital day 2 and 4 postpartum and got us started on our breastfeeding journey during those most vulnerable and difficult moments. Her presence was a HUGE comfort. Julie helped us learn how to latch, harvest colostrum, feed colostrum and navigate the normal weight loss that happens in those first days (but is VERY frightening when you're a new parent!). Due to the all the drugs I took in the hospital and during my pregnancy (I was a very high risk pregnancy), my milk supply did not come in fully for 5 full weeks. During that time Julie made herself available to meet over and over for appointments and quick, reassuring phone calls. She kept helping me adjust and adapt until my daughter and I synced up and found our way. At 5 weeks postpartum we transitioned from partial formula to solely breastfeeding and have been doing so ever since...my baby is now almost 7 months old! I LOVE breastfeeding, and I never would have stuck with it long enough to find out were it not for Julie's support. Julie is so incredibly passionate about what she does. She genuinely cares about you and your baby. She is down to earth, real and kind. I highly recommend her and her team! LA Lactation is making breastfeeding more than possible...they are making it ENJOYABLE! Thank you so much, Julie! read more

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I'm so grateful to have found Julie for my second baby. I saw lactation consultants before with my first baby and still ended up exclusively pumping due to vasospasm. With Julie, she actually helped me have a successful breastfeeding experience AND she was supportive of pumping as an option too. I couldn't believe that I was using the wrong sized flange for my entire breastfeeding journey with my first and I easily could have done the same if I hadn't met her. She is funny, completely non-judgmental, research-informed and very encouraging and supportive. I had thought I was going to wean and then changed my mind and thought I'd feel embarrassed to tell her, but she didn't even bat an eye even when I mentioned supplementing with formula. She can visit you at your own home or at her office in Hermosa, plus she offers Zoom visits - there's literally no reason not to see her! If you've had a discouraging BF experience, please see Julie - she can really help! read more

Amazing experience with Julie. Our appointment was truly a gift. I felt leaving more confident and capable. I will be recommending her practice to all new mom friends. read more

Julie is the BEST of the best. She is so kind, compassionate, knowledgeable, and patient, and truly cares so much about all the moms and babies she works with. My biggest regret is not working with her sooner, but I am so grateful to have found her now. My entire feeding journey has changed because of Julie. If you need any sort of support, or even if you are pregnant and interested in breastfeeding, book a session with her. Plus she is so great with babies, my daughter absolutely loves her. I cannot recommend Julie enough! read more

THANK YOU SO MUCH, JULIE!!! I couldn't be more thankful that my baby and I are finally where I was hoping to be. My older baby had trouble with taking to a bottle and was exhibiting a strong bottle aversion. Julie guided us with a few strategies and really tuning into how we felt while bottle feeding. Babies are in tune with we feel, so if we are stressed while feeding, the baby will internalize that stress as well. Julie answered all of my questions via text and was available for a follow up when I needed it. My baby is now 6 months and is finally taking a bottle. Thank you so much for your support, Julie. We wouldn't be here without you. read more

We were able to talk to Julie through Zoom when our baby was developing a bottle aversion. She worked really closely and thoroughly with my wife and I even through remote communication. How much she was able to glean and communicate via video call speaks to how much of an expert she is. We ended up having several sessions with Julie. Every time we got stuck, we would reach out and she would always be excited and willing to help. She was always so instructive and informative in the calls, guiding us through the steps and giving us things to try. What ended up working for me especially was a bit of a reframing Julie did for me. She said to think of it less like a tank I'm trying to fill and more like a time to bond with my baby that happens to have a bottle. She suggested I sing to her, both to keep me calm and to comfort her. We're a few weeks into doing this, and she drinks a full bottle twice a day. We're still working through it, but it's getting better every day. Whether this is the thing that sticks for her or not, Julie helped take something that was a huge source of stress for both of us and turned it into a beautiful bonding session between my baby and I. I feel a really deep connection to her as a result, and that alone is worth 5 stars. read more

I honestly couldn't ask for a better experience in a Lactation Consultant! I recently had a baby and was feeling down about progress in breastfeeding until someone gave me Julie's contact information. I reached out and she was super quick to respond to my inquiry and told me exactly how to register my insurance and secure an appointment - I had no idea that my insurance covered this type of service! When I met with Julie at her office in Hermosa, I was instantly at ease. This woman knows her stuff! She was able to watch me and assess how I could improve my approach and position to feeding my baby in about 2 seconds flat! My whole appointment I felt comfortable and free of judgement. I left feeling confident and relieved and that I had the tools I needed to be able to be successful at breastfeeding. After a couple of days, breastfeeding became challenging again. I reached out to Julie via text - she's so great at quickly responding with all the answers I was looking for - and secured another appointment where I made the decision to stop breastfeeding. She was there to reassure me that this was also something she was able to help me with, no problem at all. And again, I felt so supported, empowered and free of judgement. This time I left with a new set of tools to help me down my new feeding journey. Fed is best, afterall! I would recommend Julie and LA Lactation to anyone 100x over. She is so informative, understanding of something so personal, and supportive to whatever decision you settle on. She has a very active and informative Instagram and YouTube page that I have found super helpful for all the unknowns going into this journey. Thank you again for everything Julie!!! :) read more

I have been working with Julie since my daughter was one month old--she is now ten months. Julie was such an amazing support as we dealt with breastfeeding challenges and throughout our pumping journey. She is so encouraging, so caring and supportive, and such a cheerleader as we've determined the feeding journey that works best for us. Julie is incredibly knowledgeable--such a wealth of information on all things from breastfeeding to pumping to introducing solids. I highly recommend working with her and continuing to ask your questions and gain support from her as your child grows and progresses. She is a real gem and you'll feel so seen, heard, and supported throughout your time working together. Thank you, Julie!! read more

Julie is one of a kind! She truly cares about her patients and puts her heart into helping mothers feed and take care of their babies. She has a bright and loving personality and is truly a gem to work with. She is also very informed and knowledgeable and gives you all the resources to get you through the journey of feeding your baby. She is also extremely experienced in almost anything baby related. She makes herself reachable and available for when in need. Thank you, Julie, for everything! You're amazing! read more

Julie is amazing and went above and beyond to support me on my breastfeeding journey! My doula recommended Julie for help because we suspected my child might have tongue tie. The appointment was comprehensive, understandable and Julie provided thorough instructions on getting the right latch, facial stretches and recommended Doctors to get tongue tie revised (we chose to go this route). Everything felt bespoke for your situation and she is SO thorough that I left confident and set up for success. There were multiple times post-revision where I need help and Julie was always available. I had plugged ducts and didn't know what to do and Julie made room in her schedule to see me at the last minute and provide recommendations as well as suggested resources like physical therapists and craniosacral therapists. I truly think her help was the reason it didn't turn into mastitis. Julie is a wealth of knowledge and support. I honestly don't think I would still be breastfeeding at 8mo pp if it wasn't for her help. Her breastfeeding support group Is wonderful as well and a safe space to talk and discuss all things babies and feeding. She also has amazing YT videos. My insurance didn't cover appointments however I can 100% say one appointment with Julie is worth 5 with an in network provider. I 100% recommend having Julie in your "village" of people for your breastfeeding journey. read more

Julie is the most amazing. I can't describe how much I appreciated having her as a resource! Navigating being a new mom, breastfeeding, tongue ties and latch issues, pumping and flange sizing, and milk supply gets really confusing. The convenience of virtual appointments as a new mom is invaluable & it has been incredibly comforting to know I can reach out with any questions and have her experience, expertise, and support! read more

I cannot recommend working with La Lactation enough. Evelyn is the most kind and caring individual. She gave us such helpful advice and work through any issues. We saw her when our baby was less than a week old and again at 4 weeks to introduce pumping/bottle. I wish I'd done a prenatal session with her as well! read more

Just met with Julie today. Super knowledgeable, my questions and concerns were all answered I am so happy I made the decision to make the appt with my first born I had trouble with latching so I became an exclusive pumper. I did not want to go through becoming an exclusive pumper this time around with my second. Quick and simple fixes, the tips and advice she gave me left me feeling confident that this time around I will be breastfeeding my little one. She also sized me for my breast shield/pump another thing I had trouble before. Overall if you're having second thoughts of coming here don't! She is god send nipple, breastfeeding whisper. I will definitely be recommending her to any moms that have trouble with breastfeeding. read more

Julie is the absolute best! I am in NY so I met with her virtually. She was able to answer and guide me through every question I had. She was always responsive and helpful. HIGHLY recommend! I have been breastfeeding for a little over a year and don't think I would have made it this far without her. read more

I cannot recommend LA Lactation enough! Julie is so knowledgeable, kind, and supportive. As a first time mom I started with her breastfeeding class before my LO was born. Then, after I gave birth Julie helped me make my breastfeeding journey a success. Even now, 8 months later, Julie helped me get my LO back nursing after a nursing strike. If you are looking for a lactation consultant, LA Lactation is the way to go! read more

I had been struggling to get my baby to latch even after a tongue tie release and was ready to give up. After 6 different lactation consultants and 3+ months of breastfeeding struggles, I came across some of Julie's oral motor training videos. I tried some of the exercises for a few days and for the first time in weeks was able to get my baby to latch. I. immediately made an appointment with Julie as it was the first time I had hope. She was able to provide explanations for some of our struggles and gave me a plan for each week to give me the confidence to move forward with breastfeeding. I am super grateful for her and her work. read more

Julie is the best! As a first time mom, overwhelmed by sleep deprivation and having lots of pain while nursing, Julie really came to the rescue! She is so kind, compassionate and supportive! Julie is also incredibly knowledgeable and was so thorough in each of our sessions. Julie was also so patient helping me flange fit for pumping. Everything hurt at that time but her recommendation for a better fitting flange was crucial for comfort when things settled down later and I needed to pump. I'm so grateful for all of Julie's help, she was truly instrumental to my breastfeeding journey! read more

Julie is a savior for all moms, especially new ones just learning to navigate Mommyhood! She is extremely KNOWLEDGEABLE, PROFESSIONAL, FOLLOWS THRU and really goes OVER AND BEYOND to take care of her families. I am just 6 weeks in with my first baby and have seen her 6 times already for a variety of issues. Every single time - her responses are quick, I get an appointment within a few days, or she calls me immediately when it's urgent and soothes my anxious mommy worries like - am I losing my supply? which is the best pump? How do I pump? Etc. Mommyhood is HARD, but she gave me the support I needed not just with lactation, but also with my anxiety and "mommying" in general. Just one of many examples... I was in a pickle, where MY PUMP BROKE! and had no reserves in the freezer. I needed to pump a few bottles for upcoming babysitting if 6+ hrs. Julie responded to questions on how to navigate the situation WITHIN HOURS and even lent me her pump!! She truly cares and it shows!! There are many lactation specialists out there, and a few we saw in the hospital, but Julie really is the best. She continues to give me the CONFIDENCE you to SUPERMOM my way through this journey. If you have not already scheduled an appointment with Julie, you are missing out! read more

A friend recommended Julie to me and I'm so, so grateful for her. She is a wealth of information, extremely helpful with a no-nonsense attitude and a non judgemental approach, which is a breath of fresh air in that field. If you're delivered anxiety-inducing news from your pediatrician, she jumps in with concrete advice to help you understand, optimize and feel empowered. Her Pumped series is so helpful. Thanks for everything Julie. read more

Meeting Julie was the best thing that happened for my baby and I. This is my first baby and I had some complications after my labor. This really effected my breastmilk supply. My baby lost weight and was struggling to regain her weight. I had no idea what I was doing. Even pumping wasn't going well as I could barely make enough milk to satisfy her and had to supplement. She was a sleepy feeder and I was breastfeeding for up to an hour sometimes. I was beyond exhausted. Julie came to my house and I love how she started the visit with asking me what my goals were. After discussing my issues and my history she told me my goals were achievable and went through different ways to reach my goals that worked for me and my life. She is so calming and unbiased. She very quickly discovered my baby had a severe tongue tie. She also helped me get properly fitted for my breast pump and that made a significant difference in the amount of milk I was able to pump! After having the tongue tie release done she came back for a follow up. I can happily say I am now successfully breastfeeding my daughter! I saw other LC's through my insurance and no one can compare. Best money I've spent. I wish I would have called her sooner! read more

Julie is one, if not the, absolute best Lactation Consultants. My first baby and I had an interesting journey, meeting many lactation consultants regarding my overproduction and multiple cases of mastitis. They were fine and we made it through okay. While I was pregnant with my second, I met Julie through a local event and knew she would be my go-to if I needed someone. Sure enough, I was overproducing and needed help getting "the ladies" under control. Julie has a way of not only being professional and brilliant, but extremely approachable and warm. Breastfeeding is such a vulnerable journey and something not widely discussed in society so it's a tricky thing to navigate--at least that was my experience. Having Julie made me not only feel better, but confident in our planning and our relationship moving forward. We fortunately didn't need to speak again until my baby was 8 months and I developed mastitis. Julie was there for me again with her warmth, good humor, and incredible expertise. There was a moment where I was concerned there may be a deeper issue than an infection, and she immediately had the right folks to refer me out to. Glad to say I didn't need them, but thrilled to know Julie has these connections and specialists ready to refer. And big bonus, she takes insurance. I highly recommend Julie. read more

Took Julie's class at Gracefull and absolutely loved it! Loved her approach, and how available she makes herself to the students. Everything about the class was very encouraging, which is great considering how much anxiety can surround breastfeeding. I've already reached out to Julie with questions and she's been responsive and helpful. Take her class, she's awesome! read more

Two things: 1. Julie Metheney should be renamed compassionate magical breast lady. 2. If you are pregnant and considering a lactation consultant but are thinking you will be able to do it on your own - stop right there, contact Julie and have her on call for around when your baby is born. You will save yourself a lot of anxiety and stress. I know the breastfeeding classes talk a lot about your milk ducts looking like grape and the composition of your breast milk, when it comes in, that baby's belly is the size of a marble. ALL WELL AND GOOD; but guess what. There is a HECK of a lot of technique with positioning and form that you cannot possibly know if you do not already have your baby. My newborn baby and I have struggled with feeding and Julie VASTLY helped us, and has continued to be a pillar of support, and an amazing resource, as we figure out this process together. The first time she came to our house I was totally sleep deprived, in pain, overwhelmed and feeling inadequate. I'll literally never forget how she flicked a nipple shield onto my breast like she was pulling a rabbit out of a hat. She is knowledgeable, straightforward, reassuring and PASSIONATE. Run, don't walk to the realm of LC. You DO need the help, and it's the best money you'll ever spend JULIE- THANK YOU. We are so grateful. read more

Just attended a wonderful Birth Doula class with Julie! She is incredibly informed, very seasoned in experience--and funny and warm. She was able to get very in depth in a short amount of time, yet hit all the highlights to help prepare Birth Doulas to get a new mommy going right after birth. Plus, she held her class at Gracefull, a birth center that I adore. We also got some guidelines regarding when to call in an IBCLC Lactation Constultant, which is extremely critical for successful breastfeeding. Additionally, she gave out informative handouts with pictures, samples and other materials for us to take away for our Doula bags. And it was great to get some hands-on tips with dolls to help understand how to position baby for a good latch! High recommend her for both wisdom and good bedside manner. read more

Julie is an angel! My baby was born 6 weeks early and I was having difficulty increasing my milk production. While I did take a breastfeeding class prior to my son's birth, everything I learned had to be adjusted since I was dealing with a preemie baby. Around one month after my baby was born, I was happy (and lucky) that my body was still producing milk - I was still breastfeeding and pumping, just not as much as I should have been. It was at this time that I decided I needed a lactation consultant to help me reach my breastfeeding goals - I was (and still am) determined to exclusively breastfeed my baby. Julie was a godsend! She came to my house and spent time with me and my baby. She did a weighted feeding, examined my baby's mouth and gave me tips, tricks and recommendations. I'm happy to report that after following her recommendations, here are my current pumping results: Sun: 1.5 oz Mon: 2.25 oz Tue: 5.5 oz Thank you Julie! read more

I can't recommend Julie enough to everyone! Julie was a lifesaver helping figure out why my son was struggling with bottle feeding. I was returning to work and stressed out about having to leave my son who would refuse to take a bottle. Julie was an amazing in helping to figure out which bottle to use and teaching different tips and tricks for bottle feeding. She also helped to identify his tongue tie which was causing some of the issues. Julie provided great resources for bodywork, pediatric dentist, and was a continuous resource/support throughout the whole process. read more

Julie is a breast-savior!! After a month long struggle in our breastfeeding journey, triple feeding to get my babies weight up & problems with latching, I have now transitioned to exclusively breastfeeding my baby!! She has been so helpful answering all my questions and empowering me to listen to my body and my motherly instinct. I cannot recommend her enough! She's also a text or phone call away Incase of an emergency which is so so helpful. read more

I cannot recommend Julie enough! I did not receive the help with breastfeeding I thought I would before being discharged after having my daughter. From day one at home, I was having nursing issues and breast/nipple pain, and my daughter was struggling to gain weight. After finding Julie at LA Lactation, everything shifted; some things began to improve immediately! Breastfeeding is more comfortable and sustainable, and my daughter is happy, healthy, and growing! Julie is the most informative, non-judgemental, kind, understanding person I've talked to about breastfeeding and I am so grateful to have been connected with her! read more

There is no chance I would have stuck with breastfeeding if it weren't for Julie's support and guidance. She is incredibly knowledgeable and informed about breastfeeding, but is never pushy or judgmental, and does not come in with an agenda about how long you should breastfeed, etc. She simply wants to help you reach your own personal feeding goals. I wish I could gift a session to every new parent, that is how much I feel like everyone would benefit from working with her. She's the best! read more

Julie deserves a 100 star rating. If my boobs could type they would say the same thing! My Husband and I met Julie at a prenatal breastfeeding class. We both felt so comfortable with her and wanted to stay connected. I had more anxiety about breastfeeding than the birth of our first child. After I delivered I emailed Julie and she instantly got back to me. We scheduled a home visit a few days after I was home from the hospital. Julie answered every question. She spent time in our home getting me and baby into comfortable nursing positions. My Husband asked a million questions and Julie shared all of her knowledge and patience. She checked in with me everyday following the home visit. I also attended the weekly support group. My Daughter is gaining weight and we are really into a great groove nursing. Our success is because of Julie's knowledge. Mom's, do this for you, have someone in your corner. read more

I took a prenatal breastfeeding class with Julie though my birth center and it was amazing! I came in totally blind with no idea of what to expect. She is extremely thorough and makes the classes fun for both moms and dads. When she told me it could be a 3 hour class at first I was like what the heck there's no way I'm going to be able to sit (comfortably) thought that. However It actually could have gone on longer. She is super knowledgeable as she is also trained as a speech therapist and answered everything question we threw at her with ease. I plan to see her again once the baby is born at one of her lactation groups at Gracefull birthing center. I now feel a little more at ease about the world of breastfeeding! Just waiting for my little one to get here so I can practice all of the techniques! read more

It's the first time I've ever had "leave a review" on my to do list-- on my own accord! I am immensely grateful for Julie, the resources she provides, knowledge and in my case providing a donated spectra pump out of sheer kindness. She has a holistic approach to her guidance and truly cares that your breastfeeding journey is successful!! More than that, cares that your baby is evaluated properly by herself and other professionals who may be able to help your baby with their particular needs. I felt very validated with my concerns and relieved of all my doubts. She's so sweet, funny and makes you feel so comfortable in a vulnerable position. Above all, I have such a soft spot in my heart for her as she helped me when I needed it most. I purchased an outdated old pump as I could only afford that at the time and she sent me home with a newer one that was donated for clients in my situation. My heart overflowed w/ gratitude as I was sent home w/ new found confidence, resources and a new pump. I got so much more than I could have imagined. Thank you Julie!!! read more

We were so lucky to find Julie, who is amazing and we would recommend to anyone. We were really struggling with breastfeeding for our first week home from the hospital and we were on the verge of giving up when we went to see her. She was kind, thorough, deeply knowledgable, and helped finally get our little guy to latch. It was a completely different level of support and expertise than we got from the LC at Cedars. She also had great tips and tricks beyond breastfeeding - different holds to help calm him down, sleep advice, etc. Can't recommend her highly enough! read more

Julie is the best! I was referred to her by two of my coworkers who had an incredible experience with her and I have also had the same! We did a pre baby session where she taught me the ins and outs of breastfeeding and then came to our house the day we got home from the hospital to help get things flowing. 3 months post baby and and headed back to work soon made things a bit stressful and she coached me along the way over text and in person at appointments. She helped so so much to get my head back on straight and continue to feed my baby. She lifted a weight of stress and guilt off my shoulders and really got things flowing! read more

Before I even left the hospital, I knew that all was not quite right for my baby and me when it came to breastfeeding. After coming home and finding myself with bleeding nipples within a couple of days, I frantically searched for help. I found Julie's reviews on Yelp and picked her - and I'm so lucky I did! Within 48 hours, Julie and I were on the phone and setting up an appointment for the very next day. Lo and behold, Julie is not only a lactation consultant, she's also a speech pathologist - the PERFECT person to help my son and I, since it turns out he had a tongue tie! She confirmed the suspicion of the hospital's lactation consultant (and countered the hospital's pediatricians who assured me my son did not have the condition) and suggested resources I could turn to for a revision. And when I left, Julie didn't stop helping! She stayed in touch daily by text, checking in and offering valuable feedback until my son's tongue tie had been revised and I was seeing improvement in his nursing. I can't say enough about Julie's professionalism and commitment to helping mamas who want to commit to breastfeeding their babies! read more

As FTM I had a lot of stress and anxiety about breast feeding. Julie was the second lactation consultant that I worked with after having my newborn baby. The first one never mentioned to me that my baby had a lip tie and wanted to get a second opinion from a tie specialist. Low and behold my baby had a lip tie which thanks to Julie, she provided me with the resources on how to correct it and how to know if my baby was getting a full feeding. Any question and concern I may have had she was a text away and is always so kind to answer them. Due to covid restrictions she was able to come to my home which I didn't mind because I felt more comfortable to have her do that. Her background in SLP is also a plus!! Highly recommend her services read more

A true lifesaver!! I went to Julie because I was having an extremely painful time with breastfeeding (crying in pain every time I had to feed). Julie fixed the problem in a single consultation, we walked out of there totally pain free! She was warm and kind and made me feel very comfortable and confident as a new mom. read more

I took Julie's breastfeeding 101 course. It was very valuable to me. She is extremely knowledgeable, and is an expert in her field. She provided a very informative course that helped prepare us for our journey as new parents, who plan to breastfeed. She was able to answer my many questions at the end of the course, and provided individualized advice. Would recommend this course to any new parents who plan to breastfeed! read more