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  • Podcast | Milk Production & The Ethics of Breastfeeding Devices

    Podcast | Milk Production & The Ethics of Breastfeeding Devices
    Jan 12 2026
    As we prepare for 2026, we encourage you to let go of outdated practices and embrace new opportunities for growth and community support.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 Proshttp://www.thefirst100hours.com - Book & Free GuideI 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 ProductionLet’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 ToolsThe 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 ProductsAs 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 ConsultantsAs 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 JourneyMany 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.Chapters00:00 Understanding Milk Production04:21 Ethics in Lactation Products09:19 Bias and Assumptions in Lactation Care17:52 The Science of Lactation35:24 Managing Milk Production53:49 Simplifying Breastfeeding PracticesEvolve 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 ...
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    1 Std. und 5 Min.
  • Podcast | Wrapping 2025, The Year When the Pump Companies Were in Our DMs and Inboxes

    Podcast | Wrapping 2025, The Year When the Pump Companies Were in Our DMs and Inboxes
    Dec 20 2025

    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'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe
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    59 Min.
  • Podcast | Navigating the Complexities of Lactation Support: The Power of Active Listening and Self-Reflection

    Podcast | Navigating the Complexities of Lactation Support: The Power of Active Listening and Self-Reflection
    Dec 10 2025

    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'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe
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    14 Min.
  • Podcast | Holistic Approaches to Breast and Nipple Pain

    Podcast | Holistic Approaches to Breast and Nipple Pain
    Nov 22 2025

    This conversation delves into the critical role of pain in lactation, emphasizing how it affects hormonal balance and milk production. Christine Staricka, IBCLC explains that pain is not just a symptom but a significant factor that can disrupt the breastfeeding process, impacting both the mother and the baby.

    Takeaways

    Pain isn't neutral.

    Pain indicates that there's a problem.

    In lactation, pain can disrupt the release of oxytocin.

    Pain disrupts the hormonal milieu during breastfeeding.

    Pain disrupts the milk ejection reflex.

    The baby gets less milk if there's pain.

    Using a breast pump can yield less milk if there's pain.

    Understanding pain is key to lactation support.

    Oxytocin is crucial for breastfeeding success.

    Addressing pain can improve breastfeeding outcomes.

    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'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe
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    35 Min.
  • Podcast | What Lactation Professionals Actually Need (That No One Else Is Providing)

    Podcast | What Lactation Professionals Actually Need (That No One Else Is Providing)
    Nov 13 2025
    In this episode, I share what I’ve been building for 2026 - Evolve Lactation Pros, a membership that address what lactation professionals actually need beyond clinical skills and business tactics. We talk about the gap in our training around processing our own experiences, the three pillars of advancing professionalism (sustainable ethics, physiologically-grounded practice, and public health integration), and why examining our own biases is essential work that no one else is providing. Plus, I introduce the first workshop coming to members: Lactation Practice Without Fear - helping you identify the hidden assumptions that can shape your clinical decisions.For too long, lactation consultants have practiced in isolation, navigating ethical dilemmas without guidance, watching tool-dependent approaches dilute the field’s integrity, and struggling to sustain practices that honor both their values and their need to make a living.Professional organizations lack the resources to provide real community or practical support. The field is fragmenting across generational divides about ethics. Commercial pressures are pushing IBCLCs toward conflicts of interest. Social media rewards clickbait over evidence. And few are talking about how to navigate AI, develop IBCLC-specific clinical protocols, or position lactation support as the essential public health work it truly is.This cannot continue.The mission is clear:Advancing professionalism in the lactation field through sustainable ethics, physiologically-grounded practice, and public health integration so that integrity-driven practitioners thrive and families receive the breastfeeding care they deserve.The field needs a new infrastructure.We’ve already got professional organizations with membership dues and big conferences.We have training programs that teach tools and billing codes, clinical mentorships for before and after IBCLC certification, and plenty of options for continuing education.What do we need? A movement of integrity-driven practitioners who refuse to let the field lose its way.Evolve Lactation Pros is building that infrastructure and that movement.We provide what practitioners desperately need but cannot find anywhere else:Sustainable Ethics - frameworks for practicing with integrity while building financially viable careers, navigating WHO Code and professional standards in real-world scenarios, and resisting commercial pressures without martyrdom.Physiologically-Grounded Practice - clinical decision-making rooted in understanding how breastfeeding actually works, moving beyond tool-dependency to evidence-informed practice, and developing the “critical faith in breastfeeding on its own merits” that creates true expertise.Public Health Integration - positioning lactation support within broader public health frameworks, advocating for professional recognition and resources, and connecting individual practice to population-level impact.Evolve Lactation Pros is creating the community that doesn’t exist.We are building the resources the field lacks.Frameworks for ethical decision-making. Protocols developed by and for IBCLCs. Guidance on emerging challenges like AI. Marketing strategies that work without compromising integrity. Clinical reasoning tools based on physiology, not products. Advocacy training that gives practitioners voice in policy conversations.We are elevating the entire profession.Because when individual practitioners practice with integrity, the whole field benefits.Because when enough of us understand physiology deeply, we shift what’s considered normal practice.Because when we position ourselves as public health professionals, we change how the healthcare system sees and values our work.Because families thrive when they’re cared for by resilient, skilled, ethical lactation consultants who are supported in their own growth.This is not about judgment. This is about standards.We’re not dividing the field into “good” and “bad” practitioners. We’re inviting committed practitioners to do the ongoing work of professional growth. We’re acknowledging that none of us is perfect, all of us have biases, and excellence requires continuous reflection and learning.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!00:00 Introduction to Office Hours and Reflection02:45 Navigating Changes in Lactation Care06:06 Resilience in Private Practice08:56 The Importance of Professional Organizations11:43 Diverse Credentials and Education in Lactation15:07 The Historical Perspective on Breastfeeding17:57 Zooming In and Out:...
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    56 Min.
  • Podcast | Late Preterm Babies CAN Breastfeed!

    Podcast | Late Preterm Babies CAN Breastfeed!
    Nov 10 2025

    In the latest episode of my Perinatal Professionals series, I explore the unique challenges faced by late preterm newborns, particularly in relation to breastfeeding and parental support. I review the characteristics of late preterm infants, the importance of understanding their developmental needs, and the critical role of professional support in improving breastfeeding outcomes. This episode emphasizes the need for parents to be informed about their baby's vulnerabilities and the implications for feeding and care.

    You can learn more and enroll in the First 100 Hours Masterclass right here.

    Takeaways:

    Late preterm infants are born between 34 and 36 weeks gestation.

    They face increased risks for various health issues compared to term infants.

    Understanding the unique needs of late preterm babies is crucial for effective care.

    Breastfeeding challenges are often linked to the neurological and muscular immaturity of late preterm infants.

    Professional support significantly improves breastfeeding rates for these infants.

    Parents need to be educated about the vulnerabilities of late preterm babies.

    Exclusive human milk feeding can reduce hospitalization risks.

    Breastfeeding self-efficacy is important for mothers of late preterm infants.

    Parental guidance should be tailored to the specific needs of late preterm babies.

    Awareness of developmental differences can help parents make informed feeding decisions.

    Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here!

    00:00 Understanding Late Preterm Newborns

    02:45 Challenges in Breastfeeding Late Preterm Infants

    06:04 The Importance of Parental Education

    08:56 Professional Support and Breastfeeding Success

    11:39 Optimizing Feeding for Late Preterm Babies

    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.

    Thanks for listening!

    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'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe
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    18 Min.
  • Podcast | Inside Look: Coaching Call with Christine

    Podcast | Inside Look: Coaching Call with Christine
    Nov 1 2025

    In this coaching call, Evolve Lactation Community member Kristen Navia and I discuss the cyclical nature of doula and lactation work, strategies for utilizing downtime for business growth, and the importance of community support. Kristen shares her insights on preparing for the IBCLC exam, the emotional rewards of supporting families, and the unique challenges faced in lactation consulting. Our conversation emphasizes the integration of doula and lactation roles and the significance of feedback, relationships, and community in building a successful practice.

    You can learn more and enroll in the First 100 Hours Masterclass right here.

    Takeaways:

    The doula and lactation business is cyclical, with busy and slow periods.

    Utilizing downtime effectively can lead to business growth.

    Community support is crucial for emotional well-being and professional development.

    The Lactation College provides valuable resources for exam preparation.

    Short, bite-sized learning materials can enhance retention and understanding.

    Feedback from clients and peers is essential for growth and improvement.

    Building relationships with clients can lead to referrals and repeat business.

    Managing expectations is key in client interactions.

    Integrating doula and lactation roles can provide a holistic approach to care.

    The emotional rewards of supporting families are profound and fulfilling.

    Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here!

    04:02 Navigating Business Cycles in Doula and Lactation Services

    07:02 Utilizing Downtime for Business Growth

    09:54 The Impact of Lactation College on Exam Preparation

    13:01 Modern Learning Methods in Lactation Education

    15:53 Resources and Strategies for Effective Study

    21:23 Understanding Lactation from a Medical Perspective

    24:08 The Evolution of Lactation Knowledge

    27:32 Integrating New Research into Practice

    31:21 Navigating Consultations with Families

    36:56 The Importance of Community and Feedback

    41:00 Building a Referral Network in Lactation Support

    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.

    Thanks for listening!

    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'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe
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    50 Min.
  • Beyond Societal Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding

    Beyond Societal Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding
    Oct 23 2025

    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.

    In this episode of the Evolve Lactation podcast, I talk about the various barriers to breastfeeding, differentiating between societal, physiological, and clinical challenges. I emphasize the impact of misinformation, the lack of fundamental lactation support, and the use of tools that can mask breastfeeding problems. I also highlight the importance of education and professional development in addressing these barriers, advocating for a more informed and supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers.

    You can learn more and enroll in the First 100 Hours Masterclass right here.

    Takeaways:

    00:00 Understanding Barriers to Breastfeeding

    02:47 Misinformation in Lactation Support

    05:51 Lack of Fundamental Lactation Support

    08:40 Tools That Mask Breastfeeding Problems

    11:03 Clinical Barriers in Healthcare Settings

    14:13 The Role of Education in Lactation Support

    16:59 Addressing Psychological Barriers

    20:10 The Importance of Accurate Information

    22:56 Navigating Pediatric Care

    25:40 The Need for Professional Development

    28:25 Conclusion and Call to Action

    Thanks for listening!

    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'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe
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    41 Min.