Melanin Milk SD
by Chardá Bell, IBCLC, CBE, CD
(pronounced shar-day)
Melanin Milk SD was birthed in 2018 by Chardá Bell, a Black lactation consultant, doula & mom who wants every birthing person to have a fully-supported and empowering pregnancy, birth & postpartum experience. Marrying her love of birth with lactation, her clinical interest is in the influence of labor and delivery factors, including fetal positioning as well as social determinants of health that may impact initiation and duration of breastfeeding success.
Families and birthing come in all types, sizes and colors. Chest/Breastfeeding is not just a "mom" thing and not all pregnant folks identify as a cisgender, heterosexual and female. The language used in our birth work and on this site will remain as inclusive as possible at all times. Birth is also a dad, partner, and family experience. Our approach is whole person family centered care, and often times our clients say we become like family! Get the relationship based support you deserve. We have a 24/7 text support line free for all of our clients.
Who We Are
Chardá Bell, IBCLC, CBE, CD
is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Doula, Spinning Babies Certified Parent Educator in private practice (Melanin Milk SD) serving families in San Diego, CA and also serves as the Executive Director for the non-profit, San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation.
When she is not immersed in all things lactation, she volunteers her time to causes related to human milk, Black maternal child health & reproductive justice and aims to increase diversity in the lactation field through mentorship. Chardá & her partner are both natives of Southeast San Diego & share 5 children.
Mom Powered. Family Approved.
This video has over 2.5 million views!
Hey Friend! I'm Chardá Bell (pronounced Shar-day), I'm a small one woman/mom powered business. Families love working with me, including grandparents! I'm an auntie to many forever families. I love my job, dancing, and eating good food. I'm an open book for my clients. Ask me a fun fact about me, I'm full of them!
My Credentials:
Lactation Consultant - IBCLC L#-309574
Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator
Doula Trainer & Curriculum Consultant @ Jennie Joseph Commonsense Childbirth Institute
Certified Doula
Childbirth Educator
Certified Lactation Counselor and Educator (UCSD)
Friend to many Mamas & Babies!
Currently Only Offering: LACTATION CONSULTATIONS + BIRTH CLASSES w/Spinning Babies Parent Module.
I'm NOT accepting doula clients. Not attending births. No postpartum work. I can connect you to one, ask here.
Click on my resources tab above for doulas, bodyworkers, birthworkers and more I recommend!
Southeast SD Breastfeeding Clinic
In Clinic Visits
Currently providing in person visits at my Southeast San Diego Breastfeeding Clinic location. Space is provided by San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation. 7227 Broadway Lemon Grove 91945 Suite 303
Telehealth & Home Visits
Pregnant? Newly postpartum? Out of state or overseas? Short on time & don't require in person support? Now offering virtual visits anywhere in the world and offering home visits for babies/postpartum 6-8 weeks and under, any age multiples or recent NICU release, medically fragile. Must be in San Diego county, travel fees may apply if out of radius notified at booking. Please click here to book a home visit and include your address. You can also text 619-841-1160
Lactation support is a human right not a privilege.
Book A Consult For:
Personalized Family Centered Support
Judgment free, Inclusive & Real support to help you meet your individual baby feeding goals. Planning, goal setting & solutions that are realistic & attainable. I do what works best for you & your family! Black/Brown, differently abled, immigrants, LGBTQAI+ all safe with me.
Pregnancy
Prenatal Consults / Feeding Birth Plans
Postpartum
Chest/Breastfeeding, Latch, Milk Supply, Challenges
Bottle Feeding
Transitioning, Cups, Combo, Refusal
Starting Solids
6+ months only
Pumping
Back to Work/School, Occasional, Exclusive
Weaning
Gentle Strategies for All Timelines
Relactation
For this who wish to lactate again
Induced Lactation
Surrogacy, Adoption, Non-Birth Givers (LGBTQAI+ ally)
Lactation Consults
Reduced cost visits if you are Black, Indigenous or Person of Color. Use BIPOC option for $25 - $35 in clinic & telehealth; $35 - $50 home visits.
Free & reduced cost visits are funded by the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation www.sdbfcfoundation.org
Insurances Currently Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Anthem PPO, Cigna PPO, United Health Care PPO
Now booking through the Lactation Network (TLN), check your coverage here
Package Offerings
Milk Doula
Lactation Support
A doula approach to your chest/breastfeeding journey. Can be a mix of in home, in clinic and Telehealth.
Includes assessment, weight check, milk transfer check and ongoing plan of care; all visits are 60 mins; First visit is 90 mins. This package is up to 4 visits per month total (2 in-home, 2 in-clinic or Telehealth)
Also includes, ongoing 24/7 text support, leave a text with your question or concern and I’ll respond within 24 hours. (1) 10 mins call per week; unlimited email support. I will assist you with your feeding goals and help you evaluate them over time. I'm like your favorite auntie who has breastfed 1,000 babies! Investment starting at $500/month, Inquire Here
Birth Plan, Class & Prenatal Lactation Consult
For Chest/Breastfeeding Success
This package includes a Prenatal lactation consult, like a private breastfeeding class and prep. A private or small group birth class. A virtual consult for personalized birth plan provided via digital download within 7-14 days. I'm a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator. A birth plan is not something that guarantees the way your birth will go, but rather a set of tools and options to have along the way to help create a more positive birthing experience as well as postpartum. If you are concerned about how breastfeeding will go, I can help you create a birth plan that will make your breastfeeding journey get off to a good start. Birth experiences and outcomes are directly tied to lactation success. Let me explain this more on a pregnancy lactation consult! Investment starts at $500 - Inquire Here
Mothering the Mother Postpartum Ceremony
Birth Processing + Healing Ritual
I offer birth story listening for those who have had traumatic births or just wish to honor their transition to motherhood through story sharing, in a safe sacred space. This is an in home service; up to 3 hours. This can include: chakra aligning foot soak with fresh flowers, healing crystals, salt & herb, write & burn candle session, affirmations/guided meditation, singing bowls session, baby first bath ceremony with breastmilk, artisan tea sourced locally, or a warm meal prepared by a private chef. Referrals to trusted list of mental health providers, including a list of local Black therapists. Click Here to inquire about investment starting at $550.
"Pick My Brain" Sessions & Mentoring
Lighting Your Path to Birth Work
I offer private mentoring sessions to new and experienced birth workers. Need guidance or want to "pick my brain"? $125/hr non-Black birth professionals, $0 - 25/hr Black birth professionals Let's Connect.
Curriculum & Program Development
Professional Birth Workers
I create curriculum, content and program development for institutions and organizations that are seeking guidance from an experienced birth worker and entrepreneur. I develop curriculum, teach it, and consult with you on your program goals. If you have something else in mind, I'm open to discussing! Nonprofits, clinics, universities, doula training programs are some examples of businesses I work with currently and in the past. Let's Talk!
NOT accepting doula clients. Lactation support & birth planning only! Please use the "book" tab above to schedule a consult. No advice will be given by email, text or DM.
As Featured On
Need help with your (.)(.) or your baby?
Lactation Consultations In Home, Telehealth & In Clinic
Need some support with chest/breastfeeding? I got you!
Radiant Family Chiropractic
Dr JJ is a member and trained with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and is Webster Technique certified. She is a board member of the San Diego Birth Network and currently working on her Masters in Nutrition and Functional Medicine. She is passionate about chiropractic health and wellness and loves caring for her practice members. She focuses on women’s health, pregnancy and pediatrics. She hopes to inspire and educate her community to strive for better health.
We make pregnancy, birthing & chest/breastfeeding a relaxing and fun experience!
If you're looking for curriculum development, doula training or an IBCLC lactation consultant, let's chat!
*I'm NOT accepting ANY new birth or postpartum clients.
Born & Raised in San Diego, CA
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