The Evolve Lactation Podcast

Welcome to the Perinatal Professionals Series as presented on the Evolve Lactation Podcast! This series provides access to strategic, evidence-based lactation education for perinatal professionals who are ready to level up their breastfeeding support skills and knowledge.Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here!Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.SummaryIn this episode, I share insights about the essential practices that empower new parents to provide their own milk during the crucial first 100 hours. Rediscover the importance of early and frequent breastfeeding, the role of skin-to-skin contact, and how to navigate the challenges of newborn feeding through the lens of breastfeeding support in the First 100 Hours. Whether you’re a new parent or a healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insights into optimizing milk production and supporting exclusive breastfeeding.TakeawaysParents should be educated prenatally about breastfeeding.Newborns need to breastfeed frequently and early.Skin-to-skin contact is crucial for newborns.Understanding diaper output is important for gauging feeding success.Parents should feel in control of their feeding choices.Milk production begins during pregnancy and increases after birth.Frequent feeding supports long-term milk production.Breastfeeding should be pain-free for mothers.Parents need to understand the rhythm of early breastfeeding.Chapters00:00 Empowering New Parents: The First 100 Hours11:07 Understanding Milk Production and Feeding Rhythms21:17 Optimizing Breastfeeding Techniques and SupportThanks for listening!You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the Perinatal Professionals Series as presented on the Evolve Lactation Podcast! This series provides access to strategic, evidence-based lactation education for perinatal professionals who are ready to level up their breastfeeding support skills and knowledge.Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here!Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.SummaryIn this episode, I share insights about the essential practices that empower new parents to provide their own milk during the crucial first 100 hours. Rediscover the importance of early and frequent breastfeeding, the role of skin-to-skin contact, and how to navigate the challenges of newborn feeding through the lens of breastfeeding support in the First 100 Hours. Whether you’re a new parent or a healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insights into optimizing milk production and supporting exclusive breastfeeding.TakeawaysParents should be educated prenatally about breastfeeding.Newborns need to breastfeed frequently and early.Skin-to-skin contact is crucial for newborns.Understanding diaper output is important for gauging feeding success.Parents should feel in control of their feeding choices.Milk production begins during pregnancy and increases after birth.Frequent feeding supports long-term milk production.Breastfeeding should be pain-free for mothers.Parents need to understand the rhythm of early breastfeeding.Chapters00:00 Empowering New Parents: The First 100 Hours11:07 Understanding Milk Production and Feeding Rhythms21:17 Optimizing Breastfeeding Techniques and SupportThanks for listening!You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the Perinatal Professionals Series as presented on the Evolve Lactation Podcast! This series provides access to strategic, evidence-based lactation education for perinatal professionals who are ready to level up their breastfeeding support skills and knowledge.Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here!Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.SummaryIn this episode, I share insights about the essential practices that empower new parents to provide their own milk during the crucial first 100 hours. Rediscover the importance of early and frequent breastfeeding, the role of skin-to-skin contact, and how to navigate the challenges of newborn feeding through the lens of breastfeeding support in the First 100 Hours. Whether you’re a new parent or a healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insights into optimizing milk production and supporting exclusive breastfeeding.TakeawaysParents should be educated prenatally about breastfeeding.Newborns need to breastfeed frequently and early.Skin-to-skin contact is crucial for newborns.Understanding diaper output is important for gauging feeding success.Parents should feel in control of their feeding choices.Milk production begins during pregnancy and increases after birth.Frequent feeding supports long-term milk production.Breastfeeding should be pain-free for mothers.Parents need to understand the rhythm of early breastfeeding.Chapters00:00 Empowering New Parents: The First 100 Hours11:07 Understanding Milk Production and Feeding Rhythms21:17 Optimizing Breastfeeding Techniques and SupportThanks for listening!You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to the Perinatal Professionals Series as presented on the Evolve Lactation Podcast! This series provides access to strategic, evidence-based lactation education for perinatal professionals who are ready to level up their breastfeeding support skills and knowledge. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here!Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.SummaryIn this episode, I explore the critical importance of exclusive human milk feeding in the first 100 hours after birth, discussing its health outcomes for both infants and mothers. I emphasize the need for parents to be empowered with information and support to navigate the challenges of breastfeeding, highlighting the long-term benefits and the importance of early experiences in building confidence and resilience in breastfeeding practices. TakeawaysIdentify three health outcomes impacted by exclusive human milk feeding.Empower parents with information before and after birth.Breastfeeding is the physiological norm, not a special choice.Protection from infection is a key outcome of breastfeeding.Lactation decreases risks of cancer and metabolic diseases in mothers.Mental health benefits are significant for both infants and parents.Focus on tangible outcomes in the first 100 hours of breastfeeding.Breastfeeding and human milk feeding build self-confidence and resilience in new parents.Improving breastfeeding experiences is crucial, rather than suggesting to stop. Thanks for listening!This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

If you’re thinking “I don’t know what a Rogerian ontology is,” fear not. I didn’t know either until my very special guest, Olena Dobczansky explained it all to me in this episode of the Evolve Lactation Podcast.Yes, that’s right: the podcast is back! I’m very excited to launch Season 4 with this amazing episode. If you like to talk about, study, read about, and generally think about breastfeeding, this episode is for you! Settle in and listen, and when you’re done, if you want to share your feedback, I’ve got just the place for you: The Evolve Lactation Community on Circle.Join for free right here and let’s get the conversation spreading! You can also find me and Olena on LinkedIn:Christine StarickaOlena DobczanskySummaryIn this engaging conversation, Christine Staricka and Olena Dobczansky explore the complexities of breastfeeding and lactation, emphasizing the importance of clear definitions, the impact of commercial interests, and the need for personalized care in maternal health. Olena shares her journey as a clinician and the development of her Rogerian ontology of breastfeeding, which seeks to clarify the distinctions between breastfeeding and lactation. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by new mothers, the role of technology, and the necessity for healthcare professionals to communicate effectively and empathetically with their patients.Chapters and Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Olena Dobczansky02:52 The Journey of a Lifelong Learner05:59 Navigating Information Overload in Maternal Health08:54 Introducing the Rogerian Ontology of Breastfeeding11:58 The Importance of Language in Lactation15:11 Distinguishing Between Breastfeeding and Lactation17:49 Challenges in Postpartum Care20:57 The Role of Technology in Breastfeeding Support23:55 Understanding the Dyad: Mother and Baby Dynamics27:02 The Impact of Commercial Interests on Breastfeeding30:06 The Need for Clear Definitions in Lactation33:00 Personal Experiences and Their Influence on Practice36:09 The Future of Breastfeeding Support38:59 Conclusion and Call to Action Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Join me for my next live video in the app Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Hi friend, I’m Christine, an IBCLC in California. Here, on my Substack, I share what I’ve picked up over my 23+ years working and volunteering in lactation care & support. I write and record a podcast about my personal stories of motherhood, my professional insights from teaching and coaching hundreds of aspiring and current lactation care providers, and things I think can help you on your journey to making breastfeeding and lactation better for others. Come on in, sit a while and read or listen, and join me in musing about how we can change the world a little bit at a time. It’s better when we do this work together.There’s no substitute for learning about breastfeeding and lactation in a peer breastfeeding support group.Facts and knowledge are critical.Clinical experience one-on-one is critical.A background in another health discipline can make a great entry point, though not necessary.But if you’ve never sat in a breastfeeding peer support group, listening and observing, all of those things aren’t fully integrated. If you don’t know the people in your own community who support your patients and clients AFTER they get lactation support from you, you’re missing a crucial piece of information.You don’t know what you’re missing. Take a listen to this episode to hear more about why this learning opportunity is not to be missed by anyone who is entering the field, new to the field, or needing a refresher after years in the field. Links mentioned in this episode:* Pathways to IBCLC© Credential * Baby Café Bakersfield* My book, Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours* My course, Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours: A Masterclass in Early Lactation CareThanks for reading Evolve Lactation! This post is public so feel free to share it.If this spoke to you, I'd love for you to help it grow by sharing it with a colleague or friend who would appreciate it!* Follow or subscribe to Evolve Lactation podcast* Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts* Download Peer Support Observation Checklist PDFEvolve Lactation is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

It started with a Reel on Instagram. Then it became a plan for a conversation about the differences and the shared mission of hospital-based IBCLCs and private practice IBCLCs.On this episode of the Evolve Lactation Podcast, I am joined by Nicole Longmire, MPH, IBCLC, PMH-C and LeeAnn Contreras, BSN, RN, IBCLC for an enlightening and empowering conversation about this challenging topic. Buckle up as we take you through the bumpy journey of a family from pregnancy to labor & birth through the earliest days of lactation and on to the rest of it…and what families need to know about how lactation consultants in all of those spaces can make it smoother.Evolve Lactation is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Here are the links that we mentioned in the episode:Global MilCom BreastfeedingUSANicole Longmire, Mother Nurture Consulting, LLCIBCLC CommissionInland Empire Breastfeeding CoalitionCalifornia Breastfeeding SummitUniversity of North Carolina, Carolina Global Breastfeeding InstituteBaby-Friendly USAWIC (The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, & Children) in the USBaby Café BakersfieldThe First 100 HoursThanks for joining us at Evolve Lactation! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Closing the Gap: Ensuring Breastfeeding Support for All - this is the theme of World Breastfeeding Week this year.Evolve Lactation is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.I recently wrote a book that captures the essence of how to ensure this support in the critical first week of breastfeeding.When mothers don’t get the support they need right from the start, it dramatically decreases the chances that they will continue breastfeeding, ESPECIALLY in developed countries.That’s the key part - accessibility of breast pumps and infant formula in developed countries, while they can be life-saving, also makes it easier to forego providing ACTUAL lactation support, and many hospitals and so-called breastfeeding “supporters” find it easier to simply encourage pumping or formula use when what mothers SAY they wish to do is to feed their babies at the breast.The mismatch of support is confusing and unfair, and the concept of informed choice is all but forgotten when people tell mothers that all these options are essentially equal.I’ve hesitated to call this out because there’s nuance to it and I want to be sure that I can be clear.Recommending the use of a breast pump or formula CAN absolutely be part of a totally appropriate plan that has been constructed by a skilled lactation care provider who has performed an assessment and created the plan in collaboration with the family.What is inappropriate is using pumping or formula feeding as a way to avoid having to provide actual lactation support.While it might look like lactation support from the outside, it is most decidedly not.This happens so frequently in the first 100 hours of a baby’s life, and it’s crucial that we examine this so that we can close the gap.Thanks for reading Evolve Lactation! This post is public so please feel free to share it.Let’s look at some stories and explore this a bit more because it’s a good way to understand how some new families are getting all the support they need while others are being sabotaged by people who think they’re helping or people who don’t care enough to even try.Which of these represent actual support?* Baby born at 35 weeks in a hospital under the care of a midwife who is also an IBCLC; thorough assessment of feeding throughout first 48 hours of life; feeding outcomes are not within normal limits; parents and midwife discuss options together which include continued breastfeeding plus hand expression of milk to feed baby using a cup, using a supplemental nurser to feed formula while baby breastfeeds (after assessment to ensure this young baby with immature feeding skills can actually handle a higher flow of milk), and using a bottle to provide formula as a supplement to breastfeeding while milk production is increasing, family is educated about how infant formula affects microbiome and how to ensure baby is not overfed. Family makes decision about how to proceed.* Baby born at 38 weeks in a hospital and is examined by a pediatrician at 24 hours to determine health for discharge; mother reports that baby fed nearly every hour during the night; physician becomes concerned about baby getting enough despite baby having normal diaper output and being otherwise healthy, informs mother that it would be “a good idea” to give some formula after every breastfeeding session “just to make sure.” No other education about breastfeeding is provided.* Baby born at 39 weeks in a hospital and struggling to latch over first 36 hours; formula feeding instituted in first 3 hours of life per hospital staff concerns about establishing breastfeeding; no lactation consultants are available to the patient; no education about hand expression is provided; a breast pump is set up and instructions for use given by nursing staff at around 24 hours postpartum; upon discharge, official instructions are to continue pumping and a “friendly” encouragement is given to “just pump, it’s easier than trying to get a lazy baby to latch anyway.”* Hospital struggling financially, decides not to renew their Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative status, decreases staffing for lactation support, eliminates their outpatient lactation clinic; resumes receipt of formula at no charge from formula manufacturer so that “we can make sure ALL babies get fed.”* Baby born at 40 weeks, 4th time mother informs hospital staff that she intends to exclusively formula feed. Staff ensures that she is educated about how to manage onset of milk production to avoid engorgement and provided with contact information should she need additional information or assistance with suppressing milk. Staff ensures she is provided information on safe preparation of infant formula and paced bottle feeding.* Pediatrician sees mother and baby in office at 1 week, mother is tearful as she describes her constant struggle to understand if her baby is getting enough milk, mentions that she had postpartum depression with a previous baby. No assessment of breastfeeding is done, no education about breastfeeding is provided. Mother is encouraged by pediatrician to “start pumping so you can see how much your baby is getting” and given no instructions on how to obtain or use a breast pump, nor any information about safe bottle feeding and storage of expressed milk, nor any discussion of warning signs to watch for in her mental health status. Pediatrician reassures mother that she, herself, was an exclusive pumper and her baby turned out fine.* 1-month old baby is assessed thoroughly by a highly-trained IBCLC who notes dysfunctional sucking and restricted movement of tongue; refers to ENT. Mother calls ENT’s office for an appointment to have baby evaluated for possible diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctional feeding and is given an appointment time in 3 months time. When she asks how she should feed the baby in the meantime, doctor’s office staff tells her to “just keep trying” and if the baby gets hungry enough they’ll figure it out.* Baby born at 37 weeks in the hospital with a doula present; doula follows up at home for postpartum care and assistance several times in first week and twice weekly thereafter. At 3 weeks, mother takes baby to a lactation clinic because baby has still not regained birth weight and milk production seems to be decreasing. IBCLC works with mother to create a full lactation management plan to increase baby’s intake and mother’s milk production. When doula next visits, mother fills her in on the plan and doula dismisses it, saying that the baby “just needs to breastfeed and don’t worry about doing all that extra stuff.”* Mother of a preterm baby in the NICU is discouraged when staff discusses possibility of adding human milk fortifier to her expressed milk and asks to talk to an IBCLC. A meeting is arranged where an IBCLC, a registered dietitian, and a neonatal physician’s assistant are all present to engage in conversation with mother about using fortified human milk, information about risks and benefits is provided to mother in advance so she can think about it, mother is encouraged to ask questions and the team works with her to consider all options, including waiting a bit longer, starting it right away, and avoiding it completely.Lots of babies get formula, and lots of new parents use breast pumps.The issue at hand is how they end up there.Did they actually have the information they needed to choose them?Did they actually get the lactation support they needed at the time they needed it?Is it what they wanted to do or what they ended up doing because they didn’t know what else to do?Did anyone really help them and show them the respect they deserve?So many times, we hear from mothers who do not feel they were supported.But there are also times we hear from people who don’t even realize how unsupported they were.They think that their “breastfeeding-supportive doctor” was really helping when they patted them on the back and said “it’s so good that you tried but since it’s not working you should stop.”They think that the postpartum nurses who helped them work on latching really did everything they could before bringing in some formula.They think that the person on their social media feed who said that pumping was just easier so they should not stress so much about breastfeeding really had their best interests in mind.They think that the formula ads they read which promised them that a little bit of formula would save their mental health and ensure they got more sleep were factual health information and the company really cares about them.Fake lactation support can be hard to spot if you don’t know what to look forI hope that if you are here, reading this, that you already understand the difference between true and fake lactation support.But if you are feeling a bit shaky about what I’ve said here because you’re not sure where the line in the sand really is, or you’ve received this article as a Share from someone else, here are some rules of thumb:* If you’re not trained in lactation, the kindest and most effective thing you can do is to ensure that your friend/relative/coworker/stranger in the coffee shop knows exactly how to get qualified lactation help. Avoid the urge to give advice you are unqualified to give.* No matter who you are and how you are trained and certified, never make up an answer to a question about breastfeeding or lactation; this isn’t about your best guess or what you “think” is right. Refer to someone who is trained to answer the question.* If you are qualified to provide peer breastfeeding support and lactation education (information only), do that and do it well. However, beyond educating on the normal physiology of breastfeeding, it’s out of your scope. Refer up to someone who can figure out why this dyad isn’t falling within normal limits.* If you are qualified to “counsel” on lactation, do that, and if the problem exceeds your scope of practice, knowledge, or experience level, refer up

Thank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it.Happy IBCLC Appreciation Day! In celebration, I have a really special episode of the podcast for you. I am so excited to share with you my conversation with my dear friend and fellow IBCLC, Adrienne Guirguis. I cannot begin to count up how much I have learned from Adrienne over the years. She is everything you want your IBCLC to be: brilliant, compassionate, humble, confident, open-minded and accepting. She is a whiz at lactation triage on the hospital inpatient floor, patient and gentle with everyone who is in the room for a lactation consultation, and absolutely ravenous for new knowledge and information. I would never hesitate to refer a client to her for any lactation issue, and I believe she represents the ideal in an IBCLC. Let’s get to know Adrienne!Adrienne Guirguis, a board certified lactation consultant, has over 25 years experience in helping breastfeeding infants and their families. She began her journey into the world of lactation after struggling to breastfeed her oldest son. She became an accredited La Leche League leader and was able to help babies breastfeed. Her experience with La Leche League led Adrienne to become a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has been board certified for 20 years and has experience with a wide range of problems that may be experienced by new families. Adrienne has worked in hospital for over 10 years and then worked in community health for many years. She is a clinical practitioner, working hands on with families to improve feeding outcomes.Adrienne continues her lactation education, constantly attending conferences and courses to stay up-to-date on the information and skills needed to benefit those who most need breastfeeding help. She is a certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology. In 2022 Adrienne completed the Holistic Integrative/Functional Lactation course, a year long program followed by a residency. This course has increased her skills to provide the best care for the families with whom she works.Adrienne also is an educator, working within the community to teach others the skills necessary to become lactation counselors and eventually board certified lactation consultants. She is the President of the Central Valley Lactation Association, an official chapter of USLCA. Thank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it.Adrienne joined me on the Evolve Lactation Podcast for a conversation where we take a look back over all of the settings in which she has practiced lactation care. The diversity of practice settings really sets her apart and gives her unique perspectives on how best to care for mothers and babies. Over the span of more than 25 years, she has seen breastfeeding unfold over the hours, days, months, and years along the entire spectrum of infant and child development. From teaching prenatal breastfeeding classes to private prenatal consultations, from seeing newborns nursing in the hospital to the community clinic to the home visit, and babies and toddlers of all ages in support groups, Adrienne has seen a lot in her lactation career. One of her strengths is connecting with mothers and fathers, building relationships with them so that they can trust her with their lactation needs. Having a newborn brings the new parent into a vulnerable space, and Adrienne has a gift for engaging them in a way that brings them comfort and support so that they can enjoy their baby.In fact, her connections with her clients are so strong and so important to the parents she serves that her private practice’s strongest referral source is word of mouth. People trust her with the lactation care of the people they love, and there is no greater testimonial than that. In this episode, we take a ride in our time machine (because we’ve known each other and worked together for a LONG time!) and reflect on how lactation care has evolved over the years since we first met when she was my La Leche League Leader with my second and third daughters. I love interviewing people on this podcast - even when I already know them, I learn a surprising amount about them by asking questions I’d never think to ask otherwise. Come along with me and Adrienne for our conversation about our work, together and separate, as IBCLCs over the years! If you’d like to learn more about (and from!) Adrienne, check out these links:Visit Adrienne’s Website HereFollow Adrienne on InstagramSee Adrienne’s recent presentation at the 2023 GOLD Tongue Tie Symposium Mentioned in the Episode:Learn more about Baby Café Bakersfield here Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

If my sisters have struggled with milk production, will I have a problem?Join me in the Lactation Consultant's Inbox as I discuss a question about the link between milk production and genetics. We'll talk about why getting advice from a trusted, professional source is crucial because family and friends might unknowingly share misinformation. It's important to work with a professional to assess personal risk factors and learn specific information about milk production when you are planning to breastfeed.If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone else who needs to hear it, and while you're here, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review so that others can find out about it! Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Why hire a lactation consultant if you can just look up breastfeeding information online?Join me in the Lactation Consultant's Inbox as I discuss why people still need lactation consultants despite the abundance of information on the internet. We'll talk about the ways people access information and how they have changed significantly with the internet, compared to the early 2000s when they relied on books, magazines, and healthcare providers. We'll discuss the importance of understanding these changes to market lactation consulting services in today's information-rich environment effectively.If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone else who needs to hear it, and while you're here, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review so that others can find out about it!Learn more at my website, www.christinestaricka.com Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.As healthcare workers, we should not be creating drama in the first days of breastfeeding. When you’re a parent in the throes of learning to breastfeed your new baby, it’s normal to have questions, doubts, concerns, and anxieties. But if you’re a healthcare worker, you should have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of human lactation; you should be able to avoid adding to the confusion or struggle. Join me on this episode of the Evolve Lactation Podcast where I discuss the vision, the mission, and the realities of early lactation support. (You can click Transcript above to read it if you prefer.)Thank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it.Have you read my new book, Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours? It is now available at this link. You may also be interested in my Free Guide to the 3 Best Questions to Ask in the First 100 Hours. Grab your copy here!I’d love to hear your feedback in the Comments after you’ve listened. Please share your experiences so we can keep the conversation going! Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

I wrote a book about early lactation care, but not everyone is going to like it. Many health care providers are going to have a hard time with this approach, even though it’s entirely evidence-based. Join me on this episode of the Evolve Lactation Podcast where I read a chapter from my new book, Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours. The book is available now at this link. You may also be interested in this free guide to the 3 Best Questions to Ask in the First 100 Hours. Grab yours here!If you work with someone who has a really hard time advocating for breastfeeding, this might be the episode (and the book!) they need. A clear understanding of breastfeeding and milk production is critical, but even that is not enough for people who have a bias against breastfeeding. Healthcare providers have an obligation to advocate for protocols that are known to result in healthier outcomes, and breastfeeding is one of the most important health behaviors for both mothers and babies. In this chapter of the book, I explain why so many people seem to resist advocating for breastfeeding, even some lactation care providers.If you enjoyed this episode of The Evolve Lactation Podcast, please leave a review AND share it with a friend!  Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it.Hold on to your hats - this is a long, amazing, wide-ranging conversation!I’ve been following the blooming IBCLC career of Nicole Longmire (@MotheringNurtured on IG) for several years now on social media. Last week I reached out to her to praise her for a post she made that really resonated with me, and before I knew it, we were each in front of our podcasting microphones, pressing record. In this conversation, we talk about so many things:* mentorship of aspiring lactation consultants* The First 100 Hours and my book* our thoughts on the relevance of the WHO Code today* ethics* lactation career growth* and so much moreCome along with me and Nicole for this important conversation!Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.If you’d like to learn more about (and from!) Nicole, check out these links:Visit Nicole’s Website HereFollow Nicole on Instagram Subscribe to Nicole’s Podcast The Milk Shakes Podcast Is HereMentioned in the Episode:My New Book, due to release on April 2, 2024 Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

My day-to-day work revolves around supporting the current and the aspiring lactation care provider with the resources they need to continue learning, to practice evidence-informed lactation care, and to treat people with kindness and compassion in their contacts with them for the purposes of lactation support. I am immersed in the world of lactation care and the universe of lactation supporters every single day. I am fully committed and I don’t intend to retire anytime soon. That’s why I read that New York Times article with alarm. There are some very damaging tropes being perpetuated within it. (I refuse to link to it and give them even more website traffic. A quick Google search will bring it up.)The New York Times has pulled out the American journalistic playbook on breastfeeding and lactation once again. They’re checking off the boxes on all the false narratives that confound all efforts to truly support people with their breastfeeding goals. Those false narratives:* everyone who is pregnant is pressured by everyone to breastfeed for the whole time their baby is a baby* lactation consultants are overpaid people who exist to take your money and shame you into breastfeeding* if you have problems with breastfeeding, you have to stop and do something else instead* pediatricians are experts in breastfeeding* the Affordable Care Act means that everyone has access to lactation care through their health insurance and insurance companies reimburse lactation consultants for their work* hospitals push breastfeeding beyond the limits of safety* clinical issues in lactation are easily explained or dismissed by people who have not studied them in depth or ever worked with a lactating dyadThank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it.Here’s what I can’t wrap my head around: they could be using their platform to amplify information about how breastfeeding has been found to decrease the rate of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, reduce first-year infant mortality, and reduce lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer in women and people who give birth, but instead The New York Times is publishing an article that calls lactation support into question and breaks the public trust in the IBCLC. We don’t have time for this. Many, many people want to breastfeed and cannot access the clinical and peer lactation support they need to do so. Publishing debate about a complex clinical scenario which impacts a small percentage of lactating dyads in a mainstream publication and then conducting what they called an “investigation” by people who are not experts in clinical lactation is not at all productive and it is, I would argue, harmful. There is tremendous harm in perpetuating the myth that lactation consultants are greedy, unethical people whose only objectives are, according to the American journalistic playbook on breastfeeding to a)overcharge you for their services and b)make you feel bad for how you are feeding your baby. Nothing could be further from the truth in either aspect. I’ve spent the better part of the past 15 years specifically serving IBCLCs and advocating for the profession and the credential. I’ve volunteered with ILCA and USLCA, served on the Board of USLCA, served on local organizations and for non-profit AND for-profit companies which serve the IBCLC. I offer specialized services for IBCLCs and those aspiring to earn the credential.I’ve been a practicing IBCLC since 2009, proudly serving families in California.I could write an entire book about what I have learned from all of those experiences. Thank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it.What I know is that people get into the field of lactation because they uncover that they have a passion and/or determination to break down the barriers to breastfeeding that they or others close to them have faced. It’s a good thing they don’t get into it for the money because the math does not track. Most private practice lactation consultants do not make enough money to support their families and rely on their significant other’s income as well. This is because the market does not allow them to charge as much as they should for private consults. People won’t pay it. (And please don’t come for me with the insurance reimbursement stuff. Sounds great the way it’s written into the Affordable Care Act, but in the real world, insurance companies have made it next to impossible for lactation consultants to be reimbursed, and even when they do, the rates are far below reasonable for the expertise and work that goes into a lactation consult.)Also, let’s think about the breakdown of the field for a minute, too. Most IBCLCs in the US are RNs, and most work in hospitals. They are paid an RN salary by their hospital of employment. Their salary is nearly always dictated by their RN license, not by the fact that they have earned the IBCLC credential. (This is why if you look up “average salary for a lactation consultant,” you’ll see a number which looks pretty unrealistic.) For non-RN IBCLCs working in hospitals, which is another rarity, the rate of pay is generally lower than for an RN IBCLC. (Most hospitals use their RN IBCLCs in RN roles as well as lactation roles, so that means they have to be paid as RNs.) In my 10 years of hospital practice, my rate of pay was less than half that of an RN IBCLC. It is also a fact that there are a number of IBCLCs in private practice around the country. In some states, there are many, while in other areas, there are incredibly few IBCLCs at all, let alone any in private practice. It is a specialized service of which the general public mostly has a loose awareness only during the timeframe in which they or their loved ones might need it. That’s why these falsehoods about lactation consultants are so damaging. We know that many people want to breastfeed because the data shows us that a vast majority of those who give birth breastfeed at least once in the hospital. This is not because of, as the Times puts it, “intensifying pressure to nurse.” (Note that they linked this phrase to, inexplicably, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidance for pediatricians on Newborn and Infant Breastfeeding, a publication which does not in any meaningful way hold anyone accountable to pressure anyone to do anything, nor is it something the general public would routinely come into contact with.) In fact, many mothers report that neither their OB nor their pediatrician actively encouraged them or educated them about breastfeeding; many report that they were told to switch to using a breast pump or formula if they had problems feeding at the breast. These are commonly offered solutions by people who do not know how to assist with breastfeeding, but they do not solve breastfeeding problems. That can be problematic for people who intended to feed at the breast and now find themselves in a cycle of pumping and bottle feeding or using more formula than they intended. Ok, so if there isn’t an intensifying pressure to breastfeed their babies, why do so many new parents put their babies on their chest and help them to latch right after they are born? It’s because they want to. They may decide after that to never do it again, or they may do it a few more times, or they may keep on going for days, weeks, months, or years. It’s always a personal choice to actually do it, no matter what people are told or what messages are put in front of them (excluding situations of coercive control by a partner who is forcing them to do so.) The emotions around how babies are fed are always going to be intense because parenting a tiny, helpless human brings terrifying responsibility and the physiological reality of pregnancy, birth, and lactation brings waves of shifting hormones that re-shape how people think and act. Lactation care providers use a variety of styles and communication methods to educate the public about lactation, and in one-to-one conversations and consultations with individuals, they work to build a relationship and trust so that they can provide answers, suggestions, and potential solutions to problems. Within that framework of relationship- and rapport-building, they do their best to communicate with empathy, clarity, and respect. What if it’s not “pressure to nurse” that is creating this situation where people want to breastfeed but are unable to sustain it, but instead it’s a combination of:* lack of widespread access to skilled lactation care by an IBCLC* lack of referrals to clinical lactation care AND peer breastfeeding support * over-reliance on pediatricians to provide information and assistance with lactation, something they are not routinely trained to do* pressure to resume pre-baby activities and outside activities* lack of support for new parents to care for their other children * lack of widespread access to adequate paid family leave * alienation and isolation or harassment of working parents who need to use a breast pump while at work* constant, unceasing marketing of infant formula and other products which interfere with human lactationI’ve taken criticism for my advocacy for the IBCLC; no process or certification is perfect, and there’s plenty of opportunity to get better. We’re still a young profession and we should collectively keep our minds and ears open for all of the ways we can improve it. I also embrace that many, many people want to serve families through their pregnancy and lactation journeys without becoming an IBCLC; there are also many who simply cannot due to the resource constraints of the imperfect and evolving process. The impact of the IBCLC credential is documented with strong evidence and has been for a long time. There is also ample evidence of the effectiveness and importance of lactation support provided by individuals who are trained as peers and/or lactation counselors and educators who have taken co

In this talk, I discuss the challenges of talking about formula as a lactation care provider and provides ideas to stay inspired and ready to discuss formula with clients. I share my own experiences with infant feeding so that you know my context and emphasize the importance of understanding where clients are coming from when discussing formula. I also provide guidance on how to approach conversations about formula, including assessing the need for formula, exploring clients' concerns and preferences, and reminding them that formula can be a temporary tool if necessary. I highlight the role of lactation care providers in educating and supporting parents in making informed decisions about infant feeding.It can be hard to talk about formula, but I’ve got ideas and guidance for you.It’s our role as lactation care providers to help our clients and patients explore, learn, and make informed decisions when they’re thinking about using formula.These frameworks that I discuss here on the podcast can help you approach those conversations in a neutral way and stay organized as you offer education and support.This is a huge topic, so you can expect more to come on this. Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it.Why am I so serious about my work? How can we emphasize the importance of uncomplicating breastfeeding for individuals and on a population level?In this new episode of the Evolve Lactation Podcast, I’ll discuss the need for over-education and continuous learning in the field of lactation care. I’ve got some encouragement for aspiring lactation care providers to seek out local connections, observe experienced practitioners, and engage in rich learning experiences. I’m so excited to be back behind the mic, recording and producing my podcast! What used to be called The Lactation Training Lab Podcast is now Evolve Lactation Podcast, and all the original episodes are there, too. Remember, you can listen to all of it (from the beginning to the current episode) right here from this page, and you can also copy and paste this RSS link directly into your podcast player (like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) to get new episodes right there alongside everything else you listen to. https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/460460.rssAs always, please reach out and let me know how this episode made you feel, think, or act! You can send me a DM on Instagram @IBCLCinCA or email me here at Christine@EvolveLactation.org. Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I discuss my holistic approach to building resilience in your lactation career, why it's important, and how Evolve Lactation can help.We review 5 strategies for thriving in your lactation career:- prioritizing your own physical and emotional health- writing and re-assessing your practice philosophy- uncovering your own biases- being intentional in choosing your continuing education- nurturing your connections and communityEvolve Lactation is where current and aspiring lactation care providers find the inspiration, resources, and connections they need to thrive in their lactation practice.Additional resources are located at www.EvolveLactation.orgI am on Instagram as @IBCLCinCAI offer 1:1 coaching calls to help you with your lactation career needs. Learn more here Get full access to Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to my IBCLC© Day 2023 Series! Each day I’ll share with you one piece of insight about our work. (If you’re too excited and you just want to read them all now, go here and download the whole list) Let me know in the comments if you agree, disagree, never thought about it this way, or whatever you’re feeling! 1. Even when you are an IBCLC, you won't know the answer to every question your client or patient asks.Really - you won't. They will have questions you could never have imagined. This goes for questions you will be asked by nurses, doctors, neighbors/strangers who found out you "do" lactation, and more.But here's the beauty: you will know how to find the answers they seek. There will be time to locate it. As you gain experience, you will begin to more easily navigate between those questions which actually have answers and those which do not ("there's really no research about this; that's why we base our practice on what we DO know and what makes sense biologically.")You have your textbooks and study materials, you know about great websites for credible, evidence-informed lactation information, and you're building your network of lactation colleagues so you can seek guidance and expertise. You are helping, even when it takes a bit more time to locate the answers your client is seeking.We don’t know everything we need to know right now, and science takes time because science is a process, not an endgame. Keep your mind open always to the wonder of human lactation and how it hits differently for every person. Keep asking questions.Keep learning (and not just from formal continuing education opportunities - learn from those you serve, read your journals, spend time discussing cases and concepts with your peers, including those in other health disciplines).Most of all, keep listening. We may hold expertise as IBCLCs, but there is always more we can learn.2. The lactation plan you & your client or patient created might not be the one they decide to use.Circumstances change. People change their minds. Regardless of how much time you and your patient spent creating the "perfect" plan for them and their goals, by the next time you see them or speak to them, they may have moved on to a different plan.It's not a reflection of your worth as an IBCLC, nor is it an indication that your plan was not good. Your responsibility is to create the lactation management plan with your patient (and to document it).The patient is in charge of using the plan, and they can use it any way they want - as a strict guide to exactly what to do, as a list of suggestions, or as a way to understand what it will take to meet their goals and then make a decision about what they really want.When you learn that the plan is no longer in place, adjust your thinking, clarify what they need next, and be there for this next step. Show up for your client and their goals, even when they're shifting, and you can rest assured you are doing your job well.You cannot have an agenda in this work. You are not here to make people fit into a plan that feels right to you. You have to learn how to identify your personal biases about childbirth, lactation, and health in general; then you need to learn how to allow your professional responsibility to your client to override your personal biases.Supporting someone to meet their lactation and infant feeding goals is about building a relationship with them. It’s not easy for people to trust you, a stranger, when they are in the midst of experiencing the emotions and the whirlwind of life with their new baby. Remembering that can help you enter into each new dyad’s space with grace and respect. And keeping that perspective can help you navigate one of the more difficult - and sometimes surprising - realities of lactation care.3. You won't "click" with every client.It's just not going to feel comfortable with everyone. You may get off to a rocky start in conversation, you may feel unqualified to help them for some reason, or you may even actually be acquainted with them in some other arena of life, leading to some bit of awkwardness.Build your relationships on respect and trust, and you'll find that people who may not seem to "like" you are actually quite glad to have your help. Show them that you are reliable and competent, and if there is a connection outside your lactation relationship, be very upfront with them about your commitment to confidentiality and protecting their private information.You are going to connect easily with many of the people you serve, and when you encounter clients who leave you feeling a bit challenged, always be honest with yourself and take time to consider why it feels strained. Lean on your network of lactation colleagues to help you understand these moments, and you'll find that everyone has these kinds of different relationships.What it looks like when you imagine a day in the life of a lactation consultant can be very different from the reality. You might envision feeling a real sense that you are making a difference every single day - changing lives, making people happy, squishing adorable babies. But the reality can feel very different. It’s important to know that going in so you can be prepared to remind yourself what you need to do to safeguard your own well-being in this career.4. You may not feel like you accomplished very much at the end of a day of lactation work.There's no inbox and outbox in lactation work. Even if you work somewhere that provides you a list of patients to see on your shift or you start the day with your schedule of client appointments, results are not obvious and easy to see in this job.You may walk away from a day feeling as if you worked really hard and have no idea if you actually helped anyone. You may wonder if you are making a difference. Useful feedback can be hard to come by.Focus on this: your role - and the commitment you made as an IBCLC - is to show up for people who are seeking or who require lactation support and clinical expertise, and to provide that to them in a competent and compassionate way. Did you do that?You did. Even if you could never get that one baby to latch, and the mother you've been working with for 5 weeks is still struggling with milk production, and the parent on the phone is not seeming to accept the realities of the lactation plan you helped them create - you showed up for them and gave them the support they needed in that moment.It can be really hard to see how much your presence, support, and clinical assistance mean to people. It can be even harder if you work in a setting where your co-workers do not value your knowledge or what you do, or where they question your impact because they misunderstand breastfeeding in general. It is in these moments that you must widen your gaze - look up and out to the larger lactation field and seek the professional support you need from your network of colleagues. You are part of something much bigger, and it helps to remember that every day.5. It may take time for your clinical lactation input to be accepted by the rest of the health care team - even if they knew you before as an expert with a different credential.It's true. Think of it this way: when you declared your intention to become an IBCLC, a slight separation emerged between you and the people you knew. You felt it. Some of them were incredibly supportive and respectful, while others put up a little wall (or a big wall). Why did this happen?It's the passion thing. They don't have it, and they might have some resentment and conflicts built up around it. They're putting that on you. YOU represent breastfeeding and lactation now, and some people are going to have a problem with that (which can feel like they have a problem with you). It can feel like you are being accused of “going to the other side.”Accepting this is something that is often unexpected when becoming an IBCLC. After all, we think lactation is fascinating and awesome, and it can be difficult to comprehend that others do not. It's ok - the world is made up of people who are fascinated with all kinds of different and amazing things. That's what makes life interesting!However, when there's a lack of respect, that's when it starts to impact your work. If you're included in multi-disciplinary rounds in the NICU, but your input is consistently dismissed or ignored outright, it may be time to gently inquire of leadership as to how you can best fulfill your role there. If the pediatricians are not referring patients to you as the in-house lactation consultant, you may need to address how your role has been presented to them.Essentially, these situations are usually opportunities to clarify your roles and responsibilities, and they are a great way to spread education about lactation. The most important point you can often make in these cases is a clear reminder that all health care workers have a responsibility to avoid their own personal biases about lactation when providing health care.On the surface, it seems like a passionate interest in human lactation and a deep commitment to learning and serving others would be all you need to become a truly wonderful lactation care provider. However, we are (like everyone else) human beings with complicated internal lives, and there’s more to it than that.6. Your personal lactation experiences can have a positive or negative impact on your practice.Yes, you read that right. It's not just others in health care who can develop biases which impact their practice - we passionate supporters of lactation can have this problem, too!Here’s why: though you may have learned tons of information, accumulated hundreds of hours of clinical experience, and passed a rigorous examination for board certification, you may not have had the opportunity to debrief your own personal lactation and birth experiences in a way which highlights your potential problem areas.Biases can also form as a result of events that occur along the way in your lac