Leora Robles, BS, IBCLC
Owner and Founder of The Breastfeeding Center of Orange County
Hi, Im Leora. I’m so glad you found The Breastfeeding Center of Orange County. I’ve been working with families for over 10 years, listening to their concerns, strategizing solutions, reassessing obstacles and rejoicing in their achievements. Many people ask what led me to the world of breastfeeding. Aside from breastfeeding all three of my boys (click here to read about my personal breastfeeding story), what ultimately helped me realize my calling as a lactation professional was when my sister had her first baby.
I was so excited to have the opportunity to help my sister transition into motherhood. I just had my third son, and she was having her first baby. Less than an hour after her home birth, I arrived to her house just in time to witness the first breastfeeding moments. My sister looked up at me with big question marks in her eyes. Her stare screamed, “Am I doing this right?”. I smiled, vividly remembering that feeling of uncertainty. I reassured her and helped her latch her baby.
My sister and I nursing our babies together - her first and my third. This is the same weekend she had her baby!
I talked her through expectations and goals for her first 24 hours of motherhood and breastfeeding. I encouraged her, reassured her, and guided her. It was a moment I will never forget.
My sister was wise enough to call a Lactation Consultant for a home visit when her daughter was just 24 hours old. She wanted professional reassurance that everything was going well. My sister invited me to stay for the consult. I watched. I admired. I participated. I was hooked.
The Lactation Consultant I observed that day encouraged me to pursue a career in lactation and she became my mentor. I did not realize at the time that I had connected with one of the best Lactation Consultants in Southern California!!
One year later (after hours and hours of research, interviews, and family discussions), I dove head first into the world of lactation and have not stopped since.
Education
My work with families began about 15 years ago when I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelors degree in Child and Adolescent Development.
I received my first lactation certification as a Certified Lactation Educator Counselor and subsequently earned my IBCLC, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, certification through the University of California, San Diego. My skills were expanded through an internship at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA. There I was able to hone my skills through hands-on experience, working with moms and babies immediately after delivery and in those early weeks postpartum through their breastfeeding support programs.
I have had the honor of working with many moms and babies in their homes through private consultations and continued providing support as they needed during those crucial first few months, more appropriately called “the fourth trimester”.
Through all my studies I had the time to consider what role I wanted to play as a professional in the breastfeeding world. I loved my time working in the hospital with brand new moms and the cutest, little newborns; but ultimately the families who came back for breastfeeding help after leaving the hospital were the ones who stole my heart. I knew these were the families I wanted to support - and The Breastfeeding Center of Orange County was born.