Meet Julie Matheney | Lactation consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Matheney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Always keep a posture of learning. The healthcare field is constantly advancing and growing. There is more research and education every day. If you get stuck in doing things “how they’ve always been done”, you can do a great disservice to patients.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I was 10 years old I told my mom I wanted to feed babies for a living. I became a speech pathologist because the same things you speak with, you eat with. I’ve been a speech pathologist in a hospital for over a decade with a specialty in feeding and swallowing disorders. In working in the NICU setting, I realized I wanted a more intimate approach to working alongside families as they worked to feed their babies. I became a board certified lactation consultant and have really fallen in love with what I do. There’s nothing better than empowering families to reach their feeding goals, wherever they are in their journey. Speech pathology has given me a unique lens for approaching breastfeeding and I’m grateful or my unique journey into working with breastfeeding families.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week in the South Bay is a perfect blend of laid-back beach vibes, outdoor adventures, and vibrant dining spots. We would spend mornings biking or walking The Strand, taking in the ocean breeze head to neighboring towns like Redondo Beach or Manhattan Beach. We’d grab lunch at local favorites like Captain Kidd’s Fish Market, then spend the afternoon lounging on the sand, playing volleyball, or trying paddleboarding. Evenings are for soaking up the sunset, usually with drinks at Tower 12 or The Chart House. Balancing beach days with side trips to local gems like the scenic Malaga Cove Plaza, the hiking trails at Palos Verdes, or the colorful vibe of the Redondo Beach Riviera Village would make it a memorable trip. The trip would be rounded out with some live music at Saint Rocke or maybe even hit a comedy night at the Comedy and Magic Club. Wrap up the week with a rooftop brunch at Strand House or a sunset bonfire at Dockweiler Beach to make it unforgettable.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband. He has been a constant support throughout not only my career, but also my parenting journey. He has pushed me to think bigger than I could have dreamed to help me see potential I didn’t see for myself. He has also been a spectacular father to our two young daughters.

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