Dacia Carruthers – Lactation Consultant

«Breastfeeding is a part of motherhood, but it’s not the point of motherhood.» Dacia helped me come to terms with this after I struggled painfully with breastfeeding and pumping, and finally made a decision to switch to formula. Dacia was the fifth lactation consultant I worked with (I saw two while I was in the hospital and two for follow up visits), but she was the only one who actually did a thorough physical evaluation of my son (who turned out to be tongue tied) and she was the only one who actually assessed our WHOLE FAMILY unit. Dacia gave me what the other lactation consultants didn’t: researched information and CHOICES for how best to feed my child. She helped us come up with a feeding plan that was right for me, my husband and our son. She was with me every step of the way through the weaning process when I finally decided to stop pumping. She was always available through email, text or phone.
One of the things Dacia constantly reiterated to me was that when a mother (especially a new mom) and family feel supported, it is to the benefit of the child and the whole family unit. Her objective was always to make me feel unconditionally supported and informed, and to allow me to come to decisions on my own without pressure. Her ability to care for her patients in such a non-​judgmental, compassionate way is what is sorely missing from so many healthcare providers who work with women post partum. Dacia allowed me to be a better mother to my son by helping me see that while breastfeeding is ideal, it’s not ideal for every family, and it is but a very small part of caring for your child. If you find yourself in a less than ideal circumstance in trying to feed your child, whether it be breastfeeding, pumping, combo feeding or formula feeding, Dacia is the perfect person to collaborate with to figure out the best feeding options for your family. She will no doubtably make a lasting impact on you and your family :)!

I couldn’t say enough good things about Dacia. My son was born at Kaiser and was tongue-​tied. None of the LCs at Kaiser noticed, even though I kept insisting that something was wrong. His pediatrician was not concerned because «he was gaining weight». But anyone who has had a tongue-​tied baby knows that you can’t simply ignore the pain that comes with breastfeeding. It wasn’t until Dacia came to see my son that it was confirmed. Her explanations, and knowledge were more than outstanding. And she was able to refer us to a great doctor to perform a frenotomy. She followed up with us too, and she was always there for support. I could not have been luckier to have met Dacia, and would recommend her anytime, to anybody who has any questions about breastfeeding. She is the one. My son is now almost 8 months, and breastfeeding has never been easier. Thank you, Dacia! We would have been on F/​T formula if it weren’t for you.

This review is many years forth coming… I cannot recommend or say enough wonderful things about Dacia. She is the sole reason I was able to breast feed my first son through many, many difficulties– bad patch, painful plugged ducts, sore nipples, over supply and big let down. I had already seen FOUR lactation consultants when Dacia arrived at my house, and I was in desperate need of help. She was patient, kind and well informed and helped me through the many, very difficult times. She was readily available by phone or email. Without her help. I definitely would have given up on breastfeeding.
While I was pregnant with my second son last year, I reached out to Dacia again because I did not want a repeat of the traumatic breast feeding experience I had with my first. She called me back immediately and spoke to me for a long time (without charge!) and sent me some useful information to prepare for breast feeding. She was available to come to my house, if needed, and even sent me a text when my son was born offering her help. Luckily, my second was a natural at nursing and I did not need her help. However, I was so happy to know she was there if I needed her.
If you need a lactation consultant, call Dacia. She will do everything to try and help you through the many possible difficulties of breast feeding. She is such a wonderful person and resource to have by your side!

I was fortunate enough to know of Dacia prior to giving birth. She gave my husband and I a private lactation class so that we knew what to look out for and the best strategies. What I didn’t know was how important this one to one meeting would be, my husband is somewhat uncomfortable with female anatomy in front of others so he would have never asked questions or been engaged in a ‘class’ situation. The private class was welcoming to him and to me as it converted him from an observer to a helper and encourager. We all need the support, especially with something as important and challenging as breast feeding.
Post birth, we were so glad to have a trusted consultant in our tool belt so that once we encountered challenges we already had a trusted contact to help us and do house visits.

We’ve all heard the saying «It takes a village to raise a child.» If you have made a choice to breast feed its not about if you will need help, but a matter of when for most all women. Oh the journey! What a truly exhausting but rewarding experience, and I can’t thank Dacia enough for empowering me with all the knowledge, articles, and tidbits possible. It helps immensely to have someone come into your home and see how your family is set up. Then the follow up care from Dacia (including putting up with my numerous 3 am emails!) was essential to leaning this breastfeeding dance with our son. She is patient, she is smart, and she is passionate. We could not have done it with our healthcare provider alone. For some reason in the last few days I have heard of several extended friends/​family who have tried breast feeding and couldn’t make it work for one reason or another. The new mamas «didn’t have enough milk» and ended up formula feeding within the first few days and that was it. My guess is they didn’t have and/​or didn’t utilize lactation support. Hearing these stories made me feel sad for those new moms because I know the struggle. The hurdles I have overcome in the last six weeks with our new baby felt SO overwhelming, but now are behind us. When I watch Baby W relax his hands, open up big and lean in on cue it strikes me how much of a dance we have learned together, and the leaps and bounds we’ve come. This would be a great gift for any new mama – SUPPORT! I couldn’t have come this far without Dacia.

Dacia is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. I would highly recommend her — she definitely provided a ton of value at some crucial times in my learning curve with the whole vast motherhood and nursing thing. She is also just very kind and supportive. Sometimes it’s hard to reach out for help, especially during those sleep-​deprived times when you are not chipper, eloquent or sociable. But Dacia is really comforting, easy talk to, and very accessible/​available when you need the help.

I met with Dacia two weeks after my baby girl was born — it was one of the best investments I made into making sure that everything was going smoothly with breastfeeding. Prior to meeting with her I was frustrated and in pain (ouch!) from oversupply issues. Dacia was extremely helpful in educating my husband and I about what we could do to remedy the situation as well as helping us create an individualized plan that we could follow. Dacia is kind, very knowledgeable and is committed to figuring out an personalized plan for you and your needs. I highly recommend her and now feel very comfortable and happy with breastfeeding my baby. Thank you Dacia!

I was having so much trouble with breast feeding my daughter, the hospital offered me help so i went and seen their «lactation consultant» and she told me my 1 week old baby had thrush and really offered no follow up help. My sister told me about this amazing lady she knew of and was able to get me an appointment that friday. I walked in feeling defeated that i had started to lose my milk supply and that i wasn’t going to be able to breastfeed my daughter. I had an appointment at 10:30am and was seen by 10:33am, Dacia Carruthers was absolutly amazing. She sat and just watch my baby for a while seeing what her natural instincts were and was talking me through every step of her thinking process. she noticed that my daughters tounge never leaves the roof of her mouth so my nipple wasn’t getting far enough back and was able to give me ways to train her tounge to stay down. she even emailed me links to sites that could help me and my daughter things from suck training to how to make the body produce more milk. she even did a follow up call to make sure everything was going ok and see if i needed any more help. love this lady and would recomend her to any body who needs help or just has a question. you can find her on facebook as well, thats how i ask her my questions.