Did you know Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG) was the first Baby-Friendly certified hospital in San Francisco? This certification acknowledges that ZSFG follows evidence-based care guidelines that promote, protect, and support breastfeeding and mother-infant bonding.
Breastfeeding is both an instinctive bonding experience and, occasionally, a process that requires some help. That’s where Lactation Consultants Amalia Deck and Catalina Perez come in.
Their work ranges from providing prenatal education about breast and chest feeding all the way to manually helping struggling babies latch. Whether through a direct patient request or referrals from fellow nurses, their services are available to all birthing parents.
“It’s the city’s hospital,” Amalia said. “We take care of everyone and support all families.”
Amalia and Catalina add that for many babies, latching is intuitive and do not often need guidance. Even for mothers who did not have prior education on breastfeeding, the initial postpartum feeding, occurring soon after birth during the immediate skin-to-skin period, is oftentimes instinctive.
For this reason, lactation consultants like Amalia and Catalina often do not see patients until later in their hospital stay. When called upon, they follow the “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,” a system that includes facilitating skin-to-skin contact and providing extensive education on breastfeeding and alternatives if necessary.
“This hospital is very supportive,” Catalina said. “It’s so nice being able to advocate for women and families and feel like you can get the right support.”
Catalina also shares why human breast milk is the ideal sustenance for babies. Infants are born with a marginal immune system and breast milk provides unmatched protection while those babies grow and develop their own immunity to viruses and bacteria.
Human breast milk can also adapt according to the child’s needs. For example, if the baby is developing an infection and feeding directly at the breast, the mother’s body can sense the difference in health and create antibodies to address the invader in reponse.
Amalia adds that breastfeeding also decreases a woman’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer, along with providing support against diabetes, obesity, ear infections, and general illness for the child.
Essential in guiding and supporting new families through their lactation journeys, Amalia and Catalina are two friendly faces that meet every patient with respect, compassion, and a wealth of knowledge. They both speak on the meaning they find in their roles and the beauty that comes with seeing a mother and child bond.
“There’s a commitment to the patients here; it’s a good team and I like that no one is turned away,” Catalina said. “It makes you proud.”
Lactation support is available to all birthing parents, including staff at ZSFG. To receive immediate phone support, call the team at (628) 206-6455.
ZSFG is hosting their 3rd Annual Milk Drive on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on David Sanchez Way in front of the hospital. By donating excess frozen breast milk, you can help give newborns a strong start. Even small amounts provide life-saving nourishment for babies across the country.