Laura Howells, IBCLC
COFOUNDER + LACTATION CONSULTANT
Hi! I am Laura Howells, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Postpartum Doula.
I am a Bay Area native and I have been working with families since 2005. My passion is making the time after birth and early parenting easier and more relaxing while helping you meet your own parenting goals. Whether your goals are breast/chestfeeding, helping your baby to latch, increasing your milk supply, taking space to heal after birth, or finding ease in newborn care, I’d love to support you.
East Bay Birth Collective is a space I have envisioned for many years, where families could come in-person and get all the care they needed in one space. Whether you’ve found us prior to birth, or have found yourself in the early days with a newborn and feeling at a loss for community and holding -we’re here for you. I am excited to invite you into a joyful space to get all your early parenthood needs met, at whatever part of your journey you’re on.
At East Bay Birth Collective….
I offer private lactation consults (eligible for coverage by insurance) through my practice Woven Lactation for anyone needing support through challenging lactation experiences, or wanting more feedback and support to feed with ease. I also see clients in-home when needed. My blog has lots of articles covering breastfeeding topics and resources, and information on how and when to get help.
I run a donation-based weekly drop-in breastfeeding/bodyfeeding support circle for the collective! You can see Woven’s other breastfeeding support groups and online classes here.
I provide lactation and newborn care education. You can join my Lactation & Newborn Care section of EBBC’s Core Offerings. You can also check out Woven’s online class, Breastfeeding Basics, for short videos and other resources answering all the common questions my clients ask.
I’m working really hard on expanding my ability to ensure breastfeeding support & services are covered by clients’ health plans. Currently this includes Aetna, Cigna, and other providers, but I’m working to accept MediCal and Kaiser.
Why lactation consultants and postpartum doula support at EBBC?
Breastfeeding/chestfeeding struggles can be one of the biggest challenges in the first days, weeks and months after the birth of your baby. Families deserve to have the support they need to thrive and meet their feeding goals as they evolve in those early weeks. Lactation support is not just for those having complex challenges. Most families have questions related to lactation or even infant sleep and newborn behavior. I love helping families to find solutions to challanges that work well for them an answer their questions in this transformational time.
A fact often overlooked is that the birth of the placenta leaves a large wound to heal interally. Our culture’s expectation that birthing parents be up and about soon after the birth is detrimental and shortsighted. The more rest that is possible, the more healing that is possible, the more bonding that his possible, the more health that is possible for the whole family unit. As a postpartum doula I help families identity their specific needs for rest, healing, bonding and health. Sometimes it’s baby care, giving parents time to eat, rest and shower. Other times it’s helping families maintain a snuggly nest by bringing meals to bed and supporting comfortable positions for breast/chestfeeding. For some families I am just that extra set of hands, to take the dog out, play with the older kids, throw in a load of laundry or make dinner so they don’t have to worry. These early days are meant to be supported!