Annie St. John, RN, MS

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.