
Chardá Bell, IBCLC
LACTATION SUPPORT + MENTORSHIP + BIRTH CLASSES
Melanin Milk SD was birthed by a passionate, progressive and experienced Black IBCLC Lactation Consultant, doula & mom who believes every birthing person should have a fully-supported and empowering pregnancy, birth & postpartum experience.
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. Hence, 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 event.
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Get the relationship based support you've been seeking. Not currently accepting doula clients, check back later! Lactation support & birth classes and plans only.
I'm a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator!
Also, offering content creation, business consulting, curriculum development, doula training, lactation and doula mentorship, teaching for organizations and institutions.
Mom Powered. Family Approved.
This video has over 2.5 million views!
Chardá Bell is a mom to 5 of a blended family 2 birth + 3 bonus. My name is pronounced Shar-day!
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!
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Currently Offering: LACTATION CONSULTATIONS + BIRTH CLASSES ONLY
I'm NOT accepting doula clients.
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Click on my resources tab above for doulas, bodyworkers, birthworkers and more I recommend!
As Featured On

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. Open Every Tuesday & Thursday 9am - 3pm.

Telehealth & Home Visits
Need me to come to you? Or out of state or overseas? Short on time, don't require in person support? Now offering virtual visits anywhere in the world! Offering home visits for babies/postpartum 6 weeks and under, multiples or recent NICU release. Must be in San Diego county, will determine if eligible to book if you are within travel radius limit. 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
Including Combo Feeding Support
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)


Insurances Currently Accepted: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Anthem PPO, Cigna PPO, Humana PPO
Now booking through the Lactation Network (TLN), check your coverage under booking (insurance tab)
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Sorry NO Tricare: Please Try - SDBFC or Carly Marks
or Jarrah Foster
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Reduced Cost & Free visits if you are Black, Indigenous or Person of Color. Use BIPOC option for $25 - $35 in clinic & telehealth; $35 -$50 home visits. Free on a case by case basis, Ask about the freedom discount.
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FREE visits if you are in Global Communities Healthy Start or Black Infant Health
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Free & reduced cost visits are funded by the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation www.sdbfcfoundation.org
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Package Offerings
Milk Doula
Lactation Support
Ongoing lactation consults with me can be booked here, like a birth doula but for your chest/breastfeeding journey.
Mix of in home, in clinic and Telehealth.
Includes weight check, transfer check and ongoing plan of care all visits are 60 mins; First visit is 90 mins.
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, like your favorite sister/auntie who has breastfed over 100 babies! Investment starts at at $400
Birth Plan, Class & Prenatal Lactation Consult
For Chest/Breastfeeding Success
Book Here. 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 $300
Mothering the Mother Postpartum Ceremony
Birth Processing + Healing Ritual
Click Here to inquire about investment and booking. I offer birth story processing for those who have had traumatic births or just wish to come full circle into their transition to motherhood. This is an in home service; 2 hours. I listen without judgment to your birth story and allow you opportunity to process it. This includes: flower and herb foot salt soak, write & burn session, candles, crystals and affirmations/guided meditation, digital singing bowls, baby "first bath", tea. A warm meal of your choice may be prepared by a private chef if desired for an additional investment. This is a sacred postpartum healing ritual and time to move forward from the past and into the future of your new role of mothering and bringing closure to your experience for an improved family dynamic.
Doula Training & Mentorship
Lighting Your Path to Birth Work
I work as a doula training instructor at the Jennie Joseph Commonsense Childbirth Institute. Try doula certification at CCI! I offer private mentorship to Black individuals seeking to learn how to become a lactation professional, birth worker and provide connections to practice comfort measures on pregnant people. I can help you figure out what kind of doula you want to be, there are many types of doulas! Let's Connect.
Curriculum &Â 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. I can offer one or all of the services mentioned, not limited to just these items. If you have something else in mind, I'm open to discussing! Will travel for work, independent freelance contractor option only. Hospitals, 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.

Need help with your (.)(.) or your baby?
Lactation Consultations In Home, Telehealth & In Clinic
Need some support with chest/breastfeeding? IÂ got you!
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!
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*I'm NOT accepting ANY new birth or postpartum clients.
Born & Raised in San Diego, CA


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