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Episode 1: Who Gets to Define Good Care? With Christine Staricka, IBCLC, and Olena Dobczansky, RN, IBCLC Please Follow the Show, Leave Us a Review on Your Favorite Podcast Player, and Share It With A Friend! Supply and Demand is a weekly miniseries examining the promises, power, and business of perinatal care. Yes, we know: neither of us likes the term “supply.” Here it carries a second meaning. This series is about the value of care: who provides it, who pays for it, who profits from it, and who answers for it. In Episode 1, we start with the foundation: who gets to define good lactation care, and how has our own understanding of it changed over decades of practice? The four lenses for this seriesEach episode is grounded in four questions: * Ontology: What is the object of care? What, exactly, are we caring for? * Epistemology: How do we know what is happening? What tells us care was successful? * Ethics: To whom is the clinician accountable? * Economics: What is the value of relational care, and what does it actually require? In this episode * (00:06) What we each understood our job to be when we started. Christine was taught to protect three things: the mother, the baby, and breastfeeding. Lose one and the stool falls over. Olena came to lactation as a pediatric RN and describes how long it took to see the dyad as a relationship rather than two patients. * (00:10) Systems versus the care in front of you. Insurance billing, scheduling, no-show policies, and charting templates are built for managing care en masse. Many solo practitioners are uncomfortable with gatekeeping, and that discomfort has a cost. * (00:13) The dyad has no chart. There is no “dyad note.” When the system documents only one half of the relationship, it shapes what clinicians believe they are responsible for. That is ontology in practice. * (00:16) “Lactation consultant” is an unregulated term, and it doesn’t tell families what we actually do. * (00:18) How do you know care worked? Is the measure dropped shoulders, objective findings, or the absence of phone calls? Most lactation clinicians get almost no feedback unless a system exists to capture outcomes. Olena’s advice: you don’t need a big network, you need one colleague who will pick up the phone. * (00:20) Where does responsibility end? A patient reports a symptom or a knowledge gap. Is “educated on responsive feeding” the end of your obligation? Does the answer change between the hospital and a home visit? (00:25) The only meaningful definition of good care is what it means to the person receiving it. * (00:27) Data without meaning. Exclusive breastfeeding rates and pumping volumes matter only when they connect to care and to what the family wanted. * (00:30) Tracking apps, infant data, and surveillance. Who receives the data parents enter about their newborns, and why is the perinatal population such an attractive target? * (00:32) Medicalization and fragmentation. Birth was systematized for scale, and lactation support is following. Now there are multiple experts, apps, and devices, and the mother no longer owns the experience. * (00:35) Accountability and advice. A clinician with a client relationship is responsible for outcomes. A social media account telling thousands of people what to buy is not. * (00:36) Pump companies and the formula playbook. Responsibility is shifted to “how it was used.” Instructions move online. Industry presence at professional conferences buys favor. Product education still requires a clinician to interpret it for the person in front of them, and that interpretation is why we exist. (00:42) The opposite of what the American Lung Association is doing. Respiratory health organizations are telling the public to talk to a human. Perinatal health has moved toward bots, apps, and venture capital. * (00:44) Economics. One consult, one payment, no relationship: what can you actually accomplish? What is the bare minimum required to provide care at all? * (00:47) Hospital lactation care. Episodic, interrupted feeding teaches families that breastfeeding happens at “feeding times” rather than as a lived relationship. There are de facto discharge pressures even in Baby-Friendly hospitals. Hospital IBCLCs often have no authority over lactation. * (00:52) A $750 sleep consult. Why does every lactation fee get scrutinized while other perinatal services do not? * (00:55) Cognitive dissonance and moral injury. Many lactation consultants change practice settings because they can no longer tolerate the gap between what they know and what the system allows. * (00:59) Is a consult care? A one-time surgical consult and a home lactation visit share a name. They are not the same thing. Reflection questions * When you entered practice, what did you understand your job to be? What has changed? * How has your understanding of good care changed through experience, and how does it shape the care you provide today? * What do you need to see before you call care successful? * Who do you call when you need to talk a case through? * Where does your responsibility end when a family follows your advice and the problem persists? Join the conversation However long you have been in the lactation field, we want to hear what you’ve seen. Reach out about joining us on the podcast by Hitting Reply to this email. Disagree with us, especially on the term “lactation consultant”? Tell us why in the comments below or connect with us on LinkedIn. Mentioned in this episode * D.W. Winnicott and relational/psychoanalytic approaches to the parent–infant relationship * Listening to Mothers survey series (Childbirth Connection) * American Lung Association guidance encouraging people to consult humans rather than chatbots for respiratory health questions Stay Tuned for our Next Episode: What Does a Credential Promise? Subscribe to get this delivered straight to your inbox This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

Evolve Lactation PodcastEpisode: You're Not Supposed to Figure This Out Alone (Introducing Evolve Lactation Circle) https://evolvelactationcircle-d4073296.circle.so/evolve In this solo episode, Christine introduces Evolve Lactation Circle, a new private working space built for lactation professionals. She talks through the isolation so many people in this field feel, why resource libraries alone haven't been enough, and what she's building instead: a space centered on connection, direct access, and honest conversation. In this episode: Why lactation career coaching keeps surfacing the same questions, year after year The difference between clinical continuing education and the professional development support that's missing from it What's changed in the field recently — insurance reimbursement shifts, licensing questions, and the expanding scope of infant feeding work Why Christine built this as a private, distraction-free space instead of on social media What's actually inside: the First 100 Hours framework, the Blind Spots exercises, a developing Practice Philosophy, live Conversations, Co-Working sessions, and 1:1 access Why vulnerability and honesty among professionals matters as much as clinical skill Timestamps:00:00 — Introduction to Evolve Lactation Circle and its purpose01:51 — The importance of community and connection in lactation work04:14 — How coaching helps clarify career vision and goals06:00 — The evolution of lactation education and ongoing professional development07:55 — The role of a private working space in reducing isolation09:52 — Features of the Evolve Lactation Circle platform and resources12:13 — The value of direct communication and peer support14:06 — Group coaching, co-working, and live interactions16:02 — Upcoming presentations and content on platforms like Substack17:59 — The importance of sharing your voice and documenting your work19:53 — Building a professional network and practice philosophy22:12 — Encouraging vulnerability and honest conversations among professionals24:11 — The vision for a respectful, supportive lactation community Evolve Lactation Circle is open now. $20/month. https://evolvelactationcircle-d4073296.circle.so/evolve Keep this Conversation Going Christine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinestaricka/ Olena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-dobczansky-msn-rnc-mnn-ibclc-c-onqs-lcce-878b8263/ If you liked this podcast, please subscribe in your favorite podcast player and give it a 5-star rating! Check out The Breastfeeding Literacy Project here: The Breastfeeding Literacy Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

In this conversation with Gretchen Becker Crabb, I asked her what she believes is the opportunity we have when we first meet someone who is really struggling with breastfeeding. Gretchen, who is an OTR/L and CLC, shares in this episode about how she thinks of the dyad and the breastfeeding relationship and applies her expertise in sensory integration to her work with families. Keep this Conversation Going Gretchen - on IG at @gretchencrabbtherapy website:  gretchencrabbtherapy.comFacebook:  Gretchen Becker Crabb And here is the link to NBO trainings:https://www.brazeltontouchpoints.org/ Christine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinestaricka/ Olena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-dobczansky-msn-rnc-mnn-ibclc-c-onqs-lcce-878b8263/ If you liked this podcast, please subscribe in your favorite podcast player and give it a 5-star rating! Check out The Breastfeeding Literacy Project here: The Breastfeeding Literacy Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

Evolve Lactation Media is an independent platform for lactation knowledge — rigorous, accessible, and free of commercial influence. We publish, we teach, and we examine the forces that shape lactation care — for clinicians, public health professionals, and families. We connect breastfeeding to its full context — scientific, cultural, political — because the conditions that determine whether an individual breastfeeds are never purely clinical. What Happened? “Boutique” formula manufacturer Bobbie made 2 major announcements this week: * they published their own code of ethics in marketing; it starts by minimizing the WHO Code and contains multiple lies * they announced the rollout of their AI chatbot and “three-layer support system” Understand What This Means As explained by Len the RN, IBCLC, “That means the company manufactures the product, builds the AI, employs the clinicians, creates the educational content and defines the pathways through which parents receive support. Regardless of the quality or integrity of the people involved, this represents a fundamental shift in how infant feeding guidance has been organized.” Why Now? Check your calendar. That’s right, it’s just in time for World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month. That’s not a coincidence. Don’t keep this a secret - share this with someone else who needs this update If you spend any amount of time on Bobbie’s website, which is linked above in the What Happened section, you will notice that they make many claims about what they offer moms, which is strikingly similar to what YOU offer the dyads you serve. The implication is strong: that THEY offer this support and that no one else is doing that. Are you not providing wraparound feeding support? Do you not teach formula feeding to moms who want to or need to use formula? Are you not building community for the parents you serve? Have you not been working your whole career on this, only to have a commercial entity swoop in with their venture capital cash to market their products right over the top of you? That’s where we are. Please tell me what we are going to do next because I honestly do not know. Love Us or Fight Us Send us your feedback, argue with us about what we’re sharing on the podcast, tell us your ideas or request for things we should cover. Evolve Lactation Media is for YOU. And for our listeners who are outside the US, your feedback is most welcome here!! Our global credential deserves a global conversation as much as it deserves a national one. We’re here for it all. Hit Reply to this email to tell us what you need to say, and find us both on LinkedIn! Olena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-dobczansky-msn-rnc-mnn-ibclc-c-onqs-lcce-878b8263/ Christine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinestaricka/ Thanks for reading Evolve Lactation Media! Subscribe for free right here www.EvolveLactation.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

When I asked my friend and colleague Fleur Bickford to come on the podcast, I should have known she would arrive with an outline and a comprehensive plan for teaching. Fleur’s expertise in trauma-informed care is deep on so many levels. Fleur Bickford is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with a background in labour and delivery, postpartum care and healthcare education. She currently serves as Director of Educational Programming for GOLD Learning. Drawing on her years of clinical experience and a deep commitment to evidence-based, person centred and trauma‑informed education, Fleur designs unique and impactful learning experiences for a global audience of maternal child health care professionals. Her personal areas of interest and expertise are the nervous system, trauma and post traumatic growth. She can be found on Instagram and Threads under the handle @nurturinghealing. To get the whole guide and companion workbook, click and subscribe here: https://ibclcinca.substack.com/p/emerginglactationconsultant1 Keep this Conversation Going on LinkedIn Olena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-dobczansky-msn-rnc-mnn-ibclc-c-onqs-lcce-878b8263/ Christine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinestaricka/ If you liked this podcast, please subscribe in your favorite podcast player and give it a 5-star rating! Check out The Breastfeeding Literacy Project here: The Breastfeeding Literacy Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

I made a whole thing and I wanted to tell you about it. That’s the Episode in a nutshell. What you’re hearing is Section 12 of my 12-part series The Guide for The Emerging Lactation Consultant. To get the whole guide and companion workbook, click and subscribe here: https://ibclcinca.substack.com/p/emerginglactationconsultant1 Keep this Conversation Going on LinkedIn Olena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-dobczansky-msn-rnc-mnn-ibclc-c-onqs-lcce-878b8263/ Christine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinestaricka/ If you liked this podcast, please subscribe in your favorite podcast player and give it a 5-star rating! Check out The Breastfeeding Literacy Project here: The Breastfeeding Literacy Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

Things We Talked About in the Episode The movie Christine & her husband were watching Evolve Lactation Guide for Emerging Lactation Consultants - https://evolvelactation.org Annie Frisbee's Email and Resources - https://paperlesslactation.com/about/ Understanding Insurance Policies in Healthcare - https://www.healthaffairs.org Nestle/Helaina Partnership Momcozy Education Event Keep this Conversation Going on LinkedIn Olena - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olena-dobczansky-msn-rnc-mnn-ibclc-c-onqs-lcce-878b8263/ Christine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinestaricka/ If you liked this podcast, please subscribe in your favorite podcast player and give it a 5-star rating! Check out The Breastfeeding Literacy Project here: The Breastfeeding Literacy Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

*I am in no way affiliated with the IBCLC Commission or IBLCE (other than actively holding the IBCLC credential) and do not purport to speak on their behalf. You can find information about the IBCLC credential at www.ibclc-commission.org. It may be helpful to consider the process of becoming an IBCLC© in terms of “hard and soft skills.” * Preparing to actually be a board-certified lactation consultant takes so much more than just meeting the requirements to sit for and pass the exam. Think of the requirements as the “hard skills”: the lactation-specific education, the health science knowledge, and the clinical hours. The soft skills are what make you effective. Your ability to counsel someone, your approach to teaching people, your communication skills and methods - these are the building blocks of skilled lactation care. You may have acquired these in the process of earning your current qualifications or licenses. Clinical lactation care adds more to the equation. Almost anyone could memorize some lactation facts and pass an exam. But the practice of skilled lactation care as an IBCLC isn’t about memorizing facts. We don’t tell our clients what to do, and in that way, we are pretty different than many other health care professionals. We educate and offer suggestions, we teach clinical skills and techniques, we create plans with our clients for navigating their lactation journeys, and we provide encouragement and human connection. Behind the scenes, we read and interpret research using critical reasoning and thinking skills, we apply and integrate knowledge about the current public health environment, and we endeavor to practice ethically and without conflicts of interest that would bias our care. Skilled, clinical lactation care combines the ability to listen; to teach important skills that people need in order to breastfeed, express their milk, and feed their babies away from the breast; to give the right information at the right time in a manner that a person can receive it; and to communicate effectively, ethically, and responsibly with clients, the health care team, and the general public. We have to remain open to new knowledge, new concepts, and new ways to help people. This humility sets us apart and allows us to work in relationship with our clients rather than as authoritarian figures. Thank you for reading Evolve Lactation with Christine Staricka IBCLC. This post is public so feel free to share it. Acquiring and practicing this particular set of skills is designed to be included in the work you are doing during the lactation-specific clinical experience portion of your exam preparation journey. By working with a mentor, you will have the opportunity to observe their abilities in the consult room, and you will develop your own as you begin to practice under their supervision. Their feedback will allow you to improve those skills over time, and by the end of your clinical experience hours, you should have demonstrated to them that you are a very competent counselor, educator, and consultant and that you can provide skilled, clinical lactation care with a global worldview. Here I will outline some useful ways to make the most of your lactation-specific clinical experience hours, regardless of your Pathway or the setting in which you will be in contact with breastfeeding families. This is especially important in the case of Pathway 1 candidates. If as a Recognized Health Professional you plan to obtain your clinical hours through your job or work setting or through independent clinical practice, here’s how to transform your clinical hours into an experience that serves you AND your clients better. * Market your services clearly and ensure your clients understand that you are preparing to be an IBCLC, which means that if their lactation concerns or problems exceed your scope of practice or expertise, you will be referring them to a current IBCLC. (Keep in mind that the term “IBCLC” is not permitted to be used in any way by an individual who has not earned the credential as stated here.) * Define your precise parameters for referral to an IBCLC. This will likely be a big list of lactation situations and scenarios. After all, you are not an IBCLC, and if your client needs one, you have not yet qualified to provide that level of care. Creating your list of parameters for referral includes determining exactly how you will be learning from these cases: will you be able to accompany your client for their IBCLC appointments? Will you be communicating with the IBCLC directly about the care plan they create with the client? Will you be following up with the client after the IBCLC releases them from their care? * Identify at least 1 IBCLC with whom you can discuss clinical cases and questions. Include in your financial budget the expectation that you will pay them for their time as they are providing you with a professional service that is part of your investment in learning and preparing for your IBCLC career. * Join (or create, if necessary) a small group of IBCLCs and aspiring IBCLCs - perhaps 8-10 people - with whom you can discuss lactation in general, career questions, etc. A large online group of people you don’t really know (like an existing Facebook group) is not the same as a small group environment where there is personal sharing, accountability to one another, and the free exchange of ideas and insights. * Schedule your support group observation sessions. There is no substitute for the learning you can do in a breastfeeding support group. Communicate with the facilitator in advance so that they are not surprised by your presence, and respect their leadership of the group. Expect to listen and learn only; you are not there to help or teach, and especially not to market your own services. Plan to spend some time with the facilitator immediately afterward or in the days following the group so that you can discuss what you learned, any questions that came up for you, and any insights the facilitator can offer. Keep in mind that many support group facilitators are volunteering in this role, so respect their time and offer to pay them for the time they spend mentoring you. Even if they refuse, they still might appreciate a donation for their group. Click the button for a helpful guide to Observing Peer Support Groups. * Use the clinical competencies document as a guide to check off lactation care skills and competencies you are acquiring over time. Alternately, you could use it as a planner in advance by determining which types of encounters and lactation problems you need the most help with and including those in your parameters for referral to an IBCLC. The idea is to gradually gain confidence in each area by collaborating with an IBCLC and learning from their experience. * Take the time to invest in your own mindset by processing your own lactation experiences as well as your professional experience with lactating people and babies. It is critical that you approach your work as a lactation care provider without bias or trauma leaking out of you in your encounters with new parents. It is common for an individual’s personal experiences or personal knowledge about lactation to lead them to pursue a career in lactation support, and this can also awaken an intense passion or enthusiasm for lactation. You want that enthusiasm to work for you instead of against you. This doesn’t mean you should dim your light or keep your own story to yourself - it means you need to process it and package it in a way that serves your clients and audience with education, information, encouragement, and hope. The value of you becoming an IBCLC is for you to combine and integrate the information, personal experiences, and professional expertise you already had with a strong foundation of knowledge about human lactation and how to provide skilled lactation care. The flexibility of the process of becoming an IBCLC as set forth by the IBCLC Commission is that you design the specifics of your preparation journey, and in this way you build in the training you know you need to gain competence. The responsibility is upon you to take the time to intentionally create a robust plan that will ensure that when you earn the IBCLC credential, you are ready and qualified to provide high-quality, skilled lactation care. If you liked this podcast, please subscribe in your favorite podcast player and give it a 5-star rating! Check out The Breastfeeding Literacy Project here: The Breastfeeding Literacy Project This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

The Hidden Power of Hand Expression in Breastfeeding Success Olena Dobczansky and Christine Staricka are back sharing practical insights from how to normalize hand expression for both professionals and parents to the urgent need for clear language and community-based support that honor the embodied experience of breastfeeding. We break down how current marketing, technology, and policy choices often undermine natural breastfeeding processes. Maternal and infant health suffer when we neglect simple, free, effective tools like hand expression and skin-to-skin that can profoundly impact long-term breastfeeding outcomes. This episode reinforces the importance of manual techniques rooted in intuition and embodiment—crucial not only for immediate relief but for nurturing confidence and resilience in new moms. This episode is essential listening for professionals aiming to elevate care, parents seeking empowerment, and advocates committed to preserving the ancestral wisdom of breastfeeding. If you're ready to challenge the status quo and embrace a more embodied, practical approach—this is your blueprint. Christine Staricka, IBCLC, is a holistic lactation expert known for her advocacy of embodied breastfeeding practices and systems-level change. Olena Dobczansky is an experienced RN and IBCLC dedicated to integrating science, communication, and community to improve lactation support worldwide. Note: This episode emphasizes the importance of embodied support tools like hand expression, systemic communication, and community-based practices to foster a healthier, more inclusive breastfeeding culture. Be sure to share your thoughts and contribute to ongoing dialogue! http://www.thefirst100hours.com - Book & Free Guide Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

What the IBCLC Actually Is and Why It Matters In this episode, Christine Staricka IBCLC discusses the significance of IBCLC Day and the unique role of IBCLCs in supporting breastfeeding. She emphasizes the professional achievement represented by the IBCLC credential, the extensive training required, and the challenges faced in the lactation field, including the influence of commercialism and the emotional labor involved. Christine calls for systemic change and encourages IBCLCs to engage actively with the community to foster a supportive environment for breastfeeding families. https://ibclcinca.substack.com/about - Join Evolve Lactation Pros http://www.thefirst100hours.com - Book & Free Guide Evolve Lactation Pros is building a space where practitioners can admit uncertainty, examine their assumptions, make mistakes, and grow - together. You’re invited. You belong here. What we build together is going to change the field. What you will gain and how you will grow is going to change your practice and your career trajectory. You are so welcome to join us at https://ibclcinca.substack.com/. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

Kelly Durbin's book, Protecting Your Potential for Breastfeeding In this conversation, Christine and Kelly Durbin discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities surrounding breastfeeding. They emphasize the importance of data in understanding breastfeeding trends, the need for improved education and community support, and the role of lactation consultants in protecting breastfeeding potential. They also address the decline of community support post-pandemic and the necessity of reframing breastfeeding education to better prepare parents. The conversation highlights the ethical considerations in lactation support and the importance of fostering a supportive environment for breastfeeding families. Takeaways Data is crucial for understanding breastfeeding trends. States should collect breastfeeding data at local levels. Community support for breastfeeding has declined post-pandemic. Prenatal education on breastfeeding needs to be improved. Lactation consultants play a vital role in supporting breastfeeding. Breastfeeding education should be reframed to focus on real experiences. Protecting breastfeeding potential is essential for mothers. Conflicts of interest in lactation support must be addressed. Community knowledge of breastfeeding is vital for success. The breastfeeding culture in the U.S. needs significant upgrades. Titles Breastfeeding: Data, Support, and Education Navigating the Challenges of Breastfeeding sound bites "The data is incredibly important." "We need to strengthen our outcomes." "This isn't a get rich field." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Breastfeeding Conversations 02:49 The Importance of Data in Breastfeeding 05:47 Challenges in Breastfeeding Support 08:29 The Need for Improved Education 11:31 Community Support and Its Decline 14:28 Reframing Breastfeeding Education 17:30 Protecting Breastfeeding Potential 19:55 The Role of Lactation Consultants 23:03 Navigating Conflicts of Interest 25:44 Future Directions in Breastfeeding Support https://ibclcinca.substack.com/about - Join Evolve Lactation Pros http://www.thefirst100hours.com - Book & Free Guide Evolve Lactation Pros is building a space where practitioners can admit uncertainty, examine their assumptions, make mistakes, and grow - together. You’re invited. You belong here. What we build together is going to change the field. What you will gain and how you will grow is going to change your practice and your career trajectory. You are so welcome to join us at https://ibclcinca.substack.com/. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

We have thoughts. From the recent NYT opinion piece on marriage equality and formula feeding to the difference between an AI chatbot answer and lactation care from a qualified healthcare practitioner, we need to talk about what is going on in the infant feeding world. Let’s get into it. https://ibclcinca.substack.com/about - Join Evolve Lactation Pros http://www.thefirst100hours.com - Book & Free Guide Evolve Lactation Pros is building a space where practitioners can admit uncertainty, examine their assumptions, make mistakes, and grow - together. You’re invited. You belong here. What we build together is going to change the field. What you will gain and how you will grow is going to change your practice and your career trajectory. You are so welcome to join us at https://ibclcinca.substack.com/. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

As we prepare for 2026, we encourage you to let go of outdated practices and embrace new opportunities for growth and community support. https://ibclcinca.substack.com/about - Join Evolve Lactation Pros http://www.thefirst100hours.com - Book & Free Guide I thought I would start off the year with an episode building on one of Evolve Lactation’s 3 Pillars: Physiologically-Grounded Practice. But don’t worry: there’s also some Sustainable Ethics in here! In fact, this episode is part of the 3rd Pillar as well. Putting this information out is part of Public Health Integration. We’ve kept these kinds of presentations behind the closed doors of lactation consultant training for too long. We lament how new parents aren’t being educated about lactation, but then we paywall the best information? How does this make sense? If we are committed to making sure that everyone understands how breastfeeding works and the science of human lactation, we’ve got to break down the paywalls, open the gates wide, talk to the masses the way we talk amongst ourselves. Let’s get into it. This is an exploration of milk production in breastfeeding. I emphasize the importance of understanding the process of milk production rather than just focusing on the concept of milk supply. This understanding is essential for mothers and care providers alike to support successful breastfeeding journeys. Section 1: The Process of Milk Production Let’s clarify a common misconception: milk supply is not a finite resource. Instead, it is a dynamic process that can be influenced and manipulated. This perspective is vital for mothers who may feel overwhelmed by the pressures of breastfeeding. Understanding that in most cases, milk production can be supported and maintained through various techniques, rather than relying solely on tools or devices, empowers them to take control of their breastfeeding experience. Section 2: Techniques Over Tools The podcast highlights the distinction between using techniques and relying on tools to support milk production. Knowledge about the lactation process is key to helping mothers meet their breastfeeding goals. For example, care providers can and should foster conversations with mothers about their unique situations and challenges, rather than pushing generic solutions or products. This personalized approach ensures that mothers receive the most relevant information to help them succeed in their breastfeeding journeys. Section 3: Ethical Considerations in Lactation Products As many mothers are marketed a plethora of products that claim to enhance breastfeeding, care providers must approach recommendations with a mindset of scarcity. This means prioritizing evidence-based practices and only suggesting tools when a clear need has been established. By advocating for a critical evaluation of marketing claims and ensuring that mothers are not pressured into using unnecessary products, we can all do a better job supporting breastfeeding. Section 4: The Role of Lactation Consultants As lactation consultants, it is essential to provide evidence-based information, critique the effectiveness of devices, and understand the physiology of lactation. It is not enough to be knowledgeable about products; lactation consultants must also be aware of how these products interact with the natural breastfeeding process. This responsibility includes avoiding biases and potential conflicts of interest when engaging with product companies, ensuring that the well-being of mothers and babies remains the priority. Section 5: Supporting New Mothers & Parents in Their Journey Many mothers come with a wealth of information they have gathered from various sources, and it is the role of lactation consultants to support and guide them. By validating mothers’ commitment to do the best for their baby and providing tailored advice on infant feeding, lactation consultants, educators, and counselors can help mothers navigate their unique challenges and enhance their milk production through informed techniques. In summary, understanding milk production as a process rather than a fixed supply is crucial. By focusing on techniques that support milk production, approaching lactation ethically, and providing personalized support, we can empower mothers to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Remember, every mother’s journey is unique, and we must all strive to provide compassionate and evidence-based guidance. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Milk Production 04:21 Ethics in Lactation Products 09:19 Bias and Assumptions in Lactation Care 17:52 The Science of Lactation 35:24 Managing Milk Production 53:49 Simplifying Breastfeeding Practices Evolve Lactation Pros is building a space where practitioners can admit uncertainty, examine their assumptions, make mistakes, and grow - together. You’re invited. You belong here. What we build together is going to change the field. What you will gain and how you will grow is going to change your practice and your career trajectory. You are so welcome to join us at https://ibclcinca.substack.com/. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

In this 2025 wrap-up episode of the Evolve Lactation Podcast, hosts Christine Staricka and Olena Dobczansky reflect on the significant events and themes of 2025, emphasizing personal growth, the importance of foundational knowledge in lactation, and the ethical responsibilities of lactation consultants. We discuss the impact of commercialism on breastfeeding narratives, the need to influence other clinicians, and the power of personal experiences in shaping the conversation around lactation. As we prepare for 2026, we encourage you to let go of outdated practices and embrace new opportunities for growth and community support. Evolve Lactation Pros is building a space where practitioners can admit uncertainty, examine their assumptions, make mistakes, and grow - together. You’re invited. You belong here. What we build together is going to change the field. What you will gain and how you will grow is going to change your practice and your career trajectory. You are so welcome to join us at https://ibclcinca.substack.com/. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com

In this episode, I discuss the importance of building trust through active listening in lactation consulting, the role of personal experiences in professional practice, and the need to identify and address hidden biases that can affect clinical decisions. I also talk about my upcoming workshop aimed at helping lactation professionals examine their beliefs and improve their practice. Takeaways Building a relationship with clients requires active listening. Sharing personal stories can sometimes detract from client focus. Trust is built through understanding and listening, not just sharing experiences. Practitioners should not feel obligated to share their personal stories. Personal experiences can create blind spots in professional practice. Identifying hidden biases is crucial for effective lactation support. The hardest work in lactation is self-examination of biases. Training often lacks focus on personal beliefs affecting practice. Workshops can help practitioners uncover their hidden biases. Real confidence comes from self-awareness and understanding biases. Evolve Lactation Pros is building a space where practitioners can admit uncertainty, examine their assumptions, make mistakes, and grow - together. You’re invited. You belong here. What we build together is going to change the field. What you will gain and how you will grow is going to change your practice and your career trajectory. You are so welcome to join us at https://ibclcinca.substack.com/. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com