Heather Shabestari - Lactation Consultant

About Heather

Heather is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and Certified Educator in Infant Massage (CEIM) with over a decade of experience supporting families. Since 2012, she has helped thousands of parents and babies navigate breastfeeding and feeding challenges, offering both in-person and virtual care across San Diego and beyond. Her practice is family-focused, tailoring care plans to each family’s unique goals rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions. With advanced training in tethered oral tissues, Heather collaborates closely with holistic professionals to support optimal breastfeeding and bottle-feeding outcomes. She has helped families of twins, surrogates, cleft lips, tongue/lip ties, low supply, oversupply, combo feeding, GI distress, bottle feeding, allergies, latching/positioning, weaning, etc. Compassionate and detail-oriented, Heather is deeply committed to creating individualized plans that honor each baby and parent. Born and raised in San Diego, she feels grateful to live and work in a community she loves, and she pours her heart into helping families thrive.

Lactation Consultant packages and pricing

Non-Insurance, In-Home Lactation Consultation - Initial

Lactation consultation in your home for 90 min - 2 hrs. Infant oral function is assessed, latch, positioning, infant weight is captured, milk intake is quantified at the breast. If there are areas of concern pertaining to low milk supply, thrush, nipple damage, nipple anatomy, infant weight loss, etc, these items will all be addressed. At the end of the appt, a Care Plan will be created for patient to review and ask questions. Email support is provided as part of the fee for 10 days.

$225 USD · Flat rate

Non-Insurance, Virtual Initial Lactation Support

1-Hour lactation appointment virtually to discuss any breastfeeding or pumping issues you are currently experiencing. Flange check, pumping help, latch check, discussion of milk supply and production, bottle feeding help, etc.

$100 USD · Per hour

Non-Insurance, Virtual Pumping Consult

30 Minute Virtual Pumping Consult to go over how to use your pump, pumping strategies to increase output, devise a pumping plan, and check flange size.

$50 USD · Flat rate

Accepted insurance

Aetna Blue Shield of California Cigna UnitedHealthcare Message Heather to confirm coverage for your plan.

What to expect

As an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, I provide compassionate, evidence-based support for families navigating all aspects of infant feeding. Whether you’re experiencing challenges with milk supply, latch, nipple pain, pumping, or bottle feeding, I offer personalized care to help you reach your breastfeeding or pumping goals. My services include infant milk intake assessment and oral function assessments, guidance on positioning/latch, pumping strategies, and support for issues such as oversupply, low supply, clogged ducts, milk blebs, and recurrent mastitis. My goal is to help you feed your baby with confidence and comfort—creating a positive, sustainable experience for both you and your little one. Together, we’ll develop an individualized plan that supports your unique feeding journey, in whatever form that takes.

Reviews for Heather Shabestari

5.0 1 review

5.0

November 13, 2025

I can not recommend Heather enough. She helped me through one of my most vulnerable times and became a key player in my breastfeeding success. Heather accurately identified tongue, lip, and cheek ties in my daughter and helped shed light on why we had been having feeding issues. She supported us through our decision to get her ties revised and helped us navigate her recovery. Heather is an expert in her field and continues to be a main source of support with my breastfeeding journey. I am so happy we found Heather and would recommend her whole heartedly to anyone who finds themselves overwhelmed or struggling with breastfeeding.

— Alexa G.

Ready to talk with Heather?

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Certifications, training, and specialties

Certification and training

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (2014)
Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (2012)
Certified Educator of Infant Massage (2019)

Education

Bachelor of Biological Sciences (1998)

Languages

English

Credentials

CEIM CLEC IBCLC

Specialties

Birth and Lactation Breastfeeding Assistance and Support Breastfeeding Consultation Breastfeeding Support Lactation Consultation Lactation Home Visits Latch Issues Low Milk Supply/Over Supply Massage Newborn Care Newborn Prep Nipple and Breast Pain Prenatal Care Prenatal Lactation Education Telehealth