Combining my experience in pediatric nutrition with my training in breast/chest feeding and lactation strengthens my ability to support families through every step of nourishing their child. Providing guidance prenatally through the early days postpartum, and throughout the 4 th trimester is an honor that I do not take lightly. I initially focused my career in the clinical realm, serving infants and children with various medical conditions including pediatric feeding disorders. I remain passionate about serving this population and I love collaborating with multidisciplinary team members to help ensure that every child can maximize their feeding potential. With my work in private practice, I have been pleased to expand my services focusing more specifically on lactation as well as maternal and child nutrition. I am happy to offer a variety of consultations regarding infant/child feeding, lactation support, and prenatal/postpartum nutrition.
Outside of work I enjoy traveling, yoga, skiing, hiking, and hanging out with my cat!
Approach and Philosophy
My goal as a dietitian and lactation consultant is to meet families where they are, listen to their concerns and help co develop a plan to better meet their unique feeding goals. If I’ve learned anything throughout my career, it’s that no client is the same, and what works for one family may not be successful or feasible for another. When focusing on prenatal or postpartum nutrition, I take a whole foods and non-diet approach that focuses on gentle nourishment. When working with infants and children, I focus on responsive feeding techniques that help lay the foundation for a life-long positive relationship with food and eating.
Education and Training
I was born and raised in California with opportunities to live in various parts of the state while
attending school and starting my career. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) San Luis Obispo in 2020, then completed my
dietetic internship at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center in 2021. Shortly
after passing my RD exam, I moved to San Diego to start my first job as a Clinical Dietitian at a
tertiary care pediatric hospital called Rady Children’s. During my training as a pediatric dietitian, I found a special passion for working with infants and supporting families through a variety of feeding challenges. To pursue my dream of becoming a lactation consultant, I enrolled in the lactation education program through UC San Diego and pursued a mentorship at a local private practice—which later turned into a part time job to compliment my clinical work.
Membership and Certifications
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Commission on Dietetic Registration (2021 –
Present) - International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (2024 – Present)
- Member, Oregon and Washington Lactation Association
Shelby will be taking new clients at the Portland office starting at the end of February 2026.