San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, Inc.

OUR MISSION

The mission of San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation (SDBFCF) is to reduce socioeconomic and racial disparities in chest/breastfeeding support by increasing access to qualified lactation consultants for marginalized groups, such as people of color and low-income families.  

The organization is on a clear path for growth and expansion and has developed a 3-year strategic plan to scale their impact. The goals are to (1) increase representation of lactation consultants and clinicians in the lactation field, (2) meet the need of the community through low-barrier direct care and (3) expand access to lactation support around San Diego County by reducing or eliminating chest/breastfeeding deserts.

HOW WE STARTED

Robin Kaplan became an IBCLC and started the San Diego Breastfeeding Center in 2009.  What became incredibly apparent during those early years at the center were the serious healthcare disparities that exist for families of color and lower socioeconomic status seeking breastfeeding support. The unfortunate reality she witnessed was that chest/breastfeeding support from a qualified and educated practitioner had become a benefit for those who can afford it, while those in chest/breastfeeding deserts and with limited funds were not able to access this crucial support.

To address this lack of access to lactation support for families of color and low-income status, Robin began her nonprofit, The San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation (SDBFCF) in 2016. Since its founding, the organization has provided 1,500+ free or low-cost lactation consultations for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and low-income families. Research consistently shows that representation matters to health outcomes and statistics, which is why SDBFCF provides educational scholarships and support grants to woman of color to diversify the lactation profession in San Diego County.  The SDBFC Foundation scholarship fund, started in 2021, will fund 45+ support grants and education for additional BIPOC individuals to become lactation professionals in San Diego, hopefully changing the landscape of what lactation support looks like in our community.