A woman with brown hair and a headband, smiling and sitting on a wooden bed frame with a blanket, wearing pink scrubs, in a well-lit room with a light-colored wall and a plant in the background.
Close-up of a bundle of beige dried ornamental grass against a white background.

Hi, I’m Cailen

Fire wife, mama, nurse, and lactation consultant.

My path to lactation work began long before I became a mother myself. Early in my nursing career, I felt deeply drawn to the sacredness of motherhood — the tenderness, strength, and transformation that unfolds as a woman welcomes her baby into the world. As a labor & delivery nurse, I had the privilege of walking alongside mothers in those first powerful moments after birth, witnessing the awe, vulnerability, and connection that comes with that very first nursing attempt.

I saw how often mothers felt unsure in those early moments — wanting to do everything “right,” yet craving reassurance and guidance. I also saw how much confidence can shift when a mother feels supported, informed, and trusted in her own instincts. That’s where my passion took root. I’ve always loved teaching, and I knew I wanted to help mothers feel empowered before their baby ever arrives.

Wholehearted Lactation was born from that calling — and later shaped by my own experience as a mother. I know the middle-of-the-night feedings, the endless researching, the tears when things don’t go as planned, and the fierce love that makes you keep going anyway. I know what it’s like to want the very best for your baby while also needing someone to care for you.

My years as a registered nurse laid the foundation for the care I offer today — calm, compassionate, and rooted in both experience and intuition. Because breastfeeding is rarely “just feeding.” It’s physical, emotional, and deeply personal. My goal is to help you feel seen, understood, and confident in your body and your choices — because when a mother feels supported, everything shifts.

My philosophy is simple: when we nurture the mother, we nurture the baby.

Each session is a safe space — free of judgment, full of encouragement, and tailored to your family’s rhythm. Whether you’re preparing during pregnancy, navigating the early newborn days, or finding your footing months in, I’ll meet you exactly where you are.

Credentials and care

✓ Registered Nurse, BSN, IBCLC ✝︎

✓ Serving families in North San Diego County & beyond

✓ Contracted with The Lactation Network (TLN)

✓ Office & home appointments available

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