Physician care for breastfeeding, for you and your baby together.
What families come in for
- Painful nursing or nipple damage
- Milk blebs
- Engorgement and blocked areas
- Mastitis, including recurrent
- Low supply
- Oversupply
- Difficulty pumping
- Baby not transferring milk well
- Slow infant weight gain
- Any complicating health condition, e.g. thyroid problems, PCOS, or diabetes
- Return to work
- Weaning
- Problems not improving with lactation support
You don't need a diagnosis to book. If something feels off, I'll find out why.
When breastfeeding needs more
- Lab testsTo look for causes like thyroid problems, anemia, or infection.
- Bedside ultrasoundTo check painful or lasting lumps for blocked ducts, inflammation, or abscess during your visit.
- PrescriptionsFor infections, pain, supply, and other treatable causes.
- Chronic medication reviewKeeping you on the medicines you need for any health condition, e.g. depression, anxiety, or high blood pressure, while you breastfeed safely.
Breastfeeding medicine
How it works with lactation support
Lactation consultant (IBCLC)
- Latch and positioning techniques
- Feeding and pumping plans
- Weighted feeds and hands-on coaching
Breastfeeding medicine physician
- Diagnoses medical causes in mom and baby
- Orders labs and prescribes treatment
- Reviews medication safety while nursing
Better together
Many families need both. If you already have a lactation consultant, I work alongside them. If you don't have one but need intensive hands-on feeding help, I'll connect you with one I trust.
Lactation consultants can refer families to me directly and stay their primary lactation provider.
Janhavi Shah, MD
Board-certified in Family Medicine
About me
I'm a family physician and a mom of two living in the foothills. I trained at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and before that at Jan Swasthya Sahyog, a model community health system serving rural central India.
When I struggled to breastfeed my own kids, I was surrounded by physicians, and almost none of them knew much about breastfeeding medicine. I kept going, but I often felt alone. I trained up to start this practice so other families can find the doctor I was looking for.
- Family Medicine ResidencyHarbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA
- Family Medicine ResidencyJan Swasthya Sahyog, Chhattisgarh, India
- MBBS, Medical SchoolBJ Government Medical College, Pune, India
Visits and fees
At home or by video
Every visit is personalized and takes the time it needs. Each visit includes a full history, an exam of you and your baby, and a feeding assessment, with labs or prescriptions when needed.
Self-pay with superbills. You pay at the visit and get a superbill to submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. HSA and FSA cards usually work.
If cost is a barrier, let's talk. Caring for families who are struggling is why I went into medicine. I offer reduced fees case by case, so please reach out before deciding you can't afford a visit.
Service area
Home visits along the foothills
- Los Angeles
- La Crescenta
- Montrose
- La Cañada Flintridge
- Glendale
- Eagle Rock
- Burbank
- Pasadena
- Altadena
- Tujunga
- Sunland
- Telehealth anywhere in California
Questions
Common questions
When should I book?
As soon as something isn't working. Pregnancy visits are welcome too, especially after a hard experience with a previous baby.
Do I still need my pediatrician and OB?
Yes. I focus on breastfeeding and work alongside your regular doctors.
Can I reach you between visits?
Yes, for about a week after your visit, you can send brief, non-urgent messages to clarify your treatment plan. New concerns or a bigger change in plan may need a follow-up visit.
Do you make home visits outside the foothills?
Sometimes. I consider home visits farther away case by case, so reach out and ask.
Who else do you recommend?
Mama's Milk Works, Dr. Colette Wiseman's breastfeeding medicine and lactation practice in Los Angeles.
Are you on Instagram or TikTok?
No. There can be real help on Instagram and TikTok. I've chosen to stay off them because new breastfeeding moms already have plenty competing for their attention at 3am, and I'd rather not add to it.
Is this for emergencies?
No. If you're concerned about something serious, please go to the emergency department or call 911.
Book a visit
Ready when you are.
Online booking is coming soon. Until then, email to find a time.