Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah

In this episode, we’re talking with Allison Alexander of Skilled Lactation Solutions about the beautiful rabbit hole that is lactation care—and why sometimes the best clinical skill you can have is being comfortable saying, “I have no idea, but I’m going to figure it out.”Allison shares how she went from nursing to lactation after noticing a pretty significant disconnect: moms were showing up devastated and struggling, while the paperwork said everything was “fine.” Spoiler alert: the paperwork was not, in fact, breastfeeding the baby.We dig into why every parent-baby pair is completely unique, why there is no magical protocol that works for everyone, and the importance of remembering one tiny but extremely important detail:Your baby did not take the class.“Hope is not a strategy.”In this episode we talk about:Why lactation consultants need curiosity, flexibility, and the ability to be wrong—with absolutely no room for ego.(2:05)The problem with treating breastfeeding like a checklist: Latch? Check. Weight? Check. Mom is crying? Moving on!  (3:26)The importance of helping parents trust their own intuition instead of outsourcing every parenting decision to TikTok, textbooks, or someone’s very opinionated grandma. (13:08)How social media can actually give parents something they desperately need: community at 3 a.m. (16:29)Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!Our next Deeper Dive is about PMOS with Kenita Chenevert, BSHM, MA, IBCLC on September 29, 2026.Links and ResourcesSubscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membershipHave an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborateConnect with Allison:https://www.skilledlactationsolutions.com/https://www.facebook.com/skilledlactationsolutionshttps://www.instagram.com/skilledlactationsolutions/https://www.tiktok.com/@skilled.lactationNursing the Neurodivergent course: https://www.skilledlactationsolutions.com/professional-ibclc-programsIf you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.About UsLeah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit. Thanks to our monthly supporters Gina Pepe Gina Pepe Allison Walsh Allison Walsh Rebecca Leese Rebecca Leese Celia Clark-Randall Celia Clark-Randall Chanelle Andrews Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Mary Muse JOC Team JOC Team Heather Bell Heather Bell Nicole Letizia Nicole Letizia Cathleen Walker Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Theresa Hardy Heather Martin Heather Martin Susan Johnson Susan Johnson Maggie Rezende Maggie Rezende Elizabeth Stapleton Elizabeth Stapleton Heather Mastro Heather Mastro Melanie Tarr Melanie Tarr Molly McMillion Molly McMillion Morenike Tyehimba Morenike Tyehimba Margot Hodes Margot Hodes Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Audrey Thompson Audrey Thompson Beth Brownstein Beth Brownstein Zee Ifan Zee Ifan ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Each month, Annie and Leah take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. They're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.Allison Alexander is a pediatric nurse and IBCLC living and working on Anishinaabe land.Since 2011, she has worked with thousands of lactating families and has a passion for older babies, low milk supply, herbs and food medicine, and oral function. She has worked in outpatient pediatrics, inpatient hospital lactation, and currently co-owns Skilled Lactation Solutions. She provides in-person care at their clinic in Metro Detroit and telehealth lactation support worldwide.She loves working outside with plants, baking, and knitting when she's not working.Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!Links and ResourcesSubscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membershipHave an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborateSubmit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5Connect with Allison: https://www.skilledlactationsolutions.comFollow Allison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skilledlactationsolutionsSubscribers also get access to our next Deeper Dive into PMOS with Kenita Chenevert, BSHM, MA, IBCLC on September 29, 2026. Subscribe at https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership.About UsLeah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit. Thanks to our monthly supporters Gina Pepe Gina Pepe Allison Walsh Allison Walsh Rebecca Leese Rebecca Leese Celia Clark-Randall Celia Clark-Randall Chanelle Andrews Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Mary Muse JOC Team JOC Team Heather Bell Heather Bell Nicole Letizia Nicole Letizia Cathleen Walker Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Theresa Hardy Heather Martin Heather Martin Susan Johnson Susan Johnson Maggie Rezende Maggie Rezende Elizabeth Stapleton Elizabeth Stapleton Heather Mastro Heather Mastro Melanie Tarr Melanie Tarr Molly McMillion Molly McMillion Morenike Tyehimba Morenike Tyehimba Margot Hodes Margot Hodes Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Audrey Thompson Audrey Thompson Beth Brownstein Beth Brownstein Zee Ifan Zee Ifan ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this after-show conversation, we sit down with Rachelle Markham, IBCLC to talk about their corporate lactation program, which somehow turns into a much bigger conversation about work, burnout, hormones, neurodivergence, rest, and why society apparently decided that waking up early and suffering until 5 p.m. was the gold standard for being a productive adult. Rachelle explains their corporate lactation program, where they and their team support roughly 400 families through pregnancy, breastfeeding, pumping, returning to work, and eventually weaning. They call, text, teach classes, answer questions, and generally help parents navigate the fact that babies do not come with an instruction manual. Then comes the real revelation: Rachelle has designed their work life around the fact that their brain and body have absolutely no interest in pretending to be a traditional employee. Rachelle talks about learning to listen when their body says, “Absolutely not today” instead of fighting it, they now build rest days into their schedule. Because, as they learned the extremely hard way, ignoring your body's requests for rest can eventually result in a spectacular two-year burnout vacation that nobody booked. “We do not all have to kill ourselves for work.”In this episode we talk about:Why corporate lactation support can be a powerful employee benefit (3:45)Creating your own schedule based on your body’s needs (10:45)How your body may know your work style better than you (15:11)Why you don’t have to do something just because everyone else is doing it (17:43)Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!Our next Deeper Dive is on building community with Rachelle Markham.Links and ResourcesSubscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membershipHave an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborateConnect with Rachelle : https://www.pocketlcpro.com/Find Rachelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pocketlcpro/Follow Rachelle on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564963953922If you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.About UsLeah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit. Thanks to our monthly supporters Gina Pepe Gina Pepe Allison Walsh Allison Walsh Rebecca Leese Rebecca Leese Celia Clark-Randall Celia Clark-Randall Chanelle Andrews Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Mary Muse JOC Team JOC Team Heather Bell Heather Bell Nicole Letizia Nicole Letizia Cathleen Walker Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Theresa Hardy Heather Martin Heather Martin Susan Johnson Susan Johnson Maggie Rezende Maggie Rezende Elizabeth Stapleton Elizabeth Stapleton Heather Mastro Heather Mastro Melanie Tarr Melanie Tarr Molly McMillion Molly McMillion Morenike Tyehimba Morenike Tyehimba Margot Hodes Margot Hodes Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Audrey Thompson Audrey Thompson Beth Brownstein Beth Brownstein Zee Ifan Zee Ifan ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Each month, Annie and Leah take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. They're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.Rachelle Markham, owns and operates Wellness Lactation, in San Diego, CA where she helps new parents and families navigate their infant feeding journey.Rachelle has been working with families for over 27 years. Twenty of those years have been as an IBCLC. She has a passion for learning and keeping up to date with all things human lactation. This desire to “know-all-the-things” means she can frequently be found traveling to trainings or enrolled in multiple online classes. As of August 2022 she just finished up a year long intensive program on Holistic Lactation.When she doesn't have a client in front of her you’ll almost always find Rachelle with a giant iced black tea in hand, wearing something black, and ready for an adventure!Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!Links and ResourcesSubscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership**Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate**Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5Connect with Rachelle : https://wellnesslactationsd.com/Find Rachelle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellness_lactationFollow Rachelle on Facebook: https://wellnesslactationsd.com/Subscribers also get access to our next Deeper Dive into K-Tapping on August 27, 2026. Subscribe at https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership.About UsLeah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit. Thanks to our monthly supporters Gina Pepe Gina Pepe Allison Walsh Allison Walsh Rebecca Leese Rebecca Leese Celia Clark-Randall Celia Clark-Randall Chanelle Andrews Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Mary Muse JOC Team JOC Team Heather Bell Heather Bell Nicole Letizia Nicole Letizia Cathleen Walker Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Theresa Hardy Heather Martin Heather Martin Susan Johnson Susan Johnson Maggie Rezende Maggie Rezende Elizabeth Stapleton Elizabeth Stapleton Heather Mastro Heather Mastro Melanie Tarr Melanie Tarr Molly McMillion Molly McMillion Morenike Tyehimba Morenike Tyehimba Margot Hodes Margot Hodes Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Audrey Thompson Audrey Thompson Beth Brownstein Beth Brownstein Zee Ifan Zee Ifan ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, we set out to discuss working with Type A parents... and accidentally ended up in a group therapy session for lactation consultants.Along the way, we discovered that everyone—from new parents to seasoned IBCLCs—are just trying to earn an imaginary gold star in the Olympics of "Doing Everything Perfectly."So if your nervous system feels like it's been running a marathon, take a long exhale, remember that perfection is a myth, and maybe let the tiny elf in your brain go scream into the street for a minute. It's doing important work. "It's so easy to have compassion for other people, and it's so difficult to have it for yourself." In this episode we talk about:Why "What's your success rate?" is a question capable of launching an existential crisis (3:06)The bittersweet moment when you realize you've graduated from "relatable mom" to "wise breastfeeding crone." (7:21)How taking one really long exhale is cheaper than therapy and almost as portable (11:39)The emotional support provided by sending one tiny part of your brain outside to scream while the rest of you continues nodding professionally (13:41)Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!Our next Deeper Dive is on building community with Rachelle Markham.Links and ResourcesSubscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membershipHave an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborateIf you like what you heard today, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.About UsLeah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit. Thanks to our monthly supporters Gina Pepe Gina Pepe Allison Walsh Allison Walsh Rebecca Leese Rebecca Leese Celia Clark-Randall Celia Clark-Randall Chanelle Andrews Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Mary Muse JOC Team JOC Team Heather Bell Heather Bell Nicole Letizia Nicole Letizia Cathleen Walker Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Sarah Shapiro, IBCLC Theresa Hardy Heather Martin Heather Martin Susan Johnson Susan Johnson Maggie Rezende Maggie Rezende Elizabeth Stapleton Elizabeth Stapleton Heather Mastro Heather Mastro Melanie Tarr Melanie Tarr Molly McMillion Molly McMillion Morenike Tyehimba Morenike Tyehimba Margot Hodes Margot Hodes Denise McDonald Denise McDonald Audrey Thompson Audrey Thompson Beth Brownstein Beth Brownstein Zee Ifan Zee Ifan ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★