You know me, it's time to mix it up again! I love learning in all formats and from a variety of places. I recently got to meet Katie Cohen, a local IBCLC, for coffee. Through our discussion, we thought that another important lactation topic for birthworkers would be to learn about low milk supply so we can help spot problems early on with potential clients and make sure they get the support they deserve. So, come join us for the next Birth Connection meetup so we can learn together and see how we can best support our clients!
Who: Birthworkers
What: Risk Factors for Low Milk Supply
When: Wednesday, October 16th @ 5:30pm
Where: My Home (RSVP for address)
Why: Join us for opportunities to connect within the Tucson birth community & dive deep into topics for Birthworkers related to all things reproduction, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, etc.
Katie Cohen of Thrive Theory Lactation & Infant Feeding has graciously agreed to do a presentation for us on the Risk Factors for Low Milk Supply (you can check her out on IG: @thrivetheorylactation or their website). Katie is amazing International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and experienced Maternal-Child Health Registered Nurse (RN). Through her own personal experience with low milk supply due to PCOS, she has developed a passion for supporting lactation and infant feeding. Families can schedule In-Home, Virtual, or In-Office visits with her. She offers prenatal visits to prepare parents before baby arrives, can help with pump selection, and prenatal education in addition to lactation support after baby is born. AND she is covered by most major insurance plans but also has self-pay packages and gift certificates! In addition to all this, she has just announced that she will be offering weekly breastfeeding classes. So, make sure to check out her website for her services or to refer clients.
NOTE: There is no book, article, or documentary for us to read/watch in preparation for October's meetup. Because this will be a presentation style meetup, we will be meeting at my house. Also, I would like to do a potluck for this gathering. You can bring your favorite Halloween/holiday/festive treat.
Many of us work with lactating parents and so it can be helpful to be armed with knowledge on what potential risk factors there are for low milk supply. There are typically two opposing camps, “Breast is Best” and “Fed is Best”. Obviously, research has quite clearly shown the benefits of breastmilk but that does not take into account personal preference or medical factors for why someone may not choose to or be able to breastfeed. So shouting breast is best at everyone without looking at their unique circumstances can be quite harmful. Then there is fed is best & quite frankly, feeding your baby is the bare minimum & I do not find this stance to be helpful at all. It can leave people struggling who want to breastfeed without proper support and feeling like failures. I am not about toxic positivity or fear mongering. I want the people I serve to feel well supported, acknowledged, validated and armed with knowledge to make the decisions that are right for their unique situation and family. This is why I choose to say “Support is Best” because I want to support all my postpartum clients in their journey of feeding their babies and meet them where they are at. Katie also goes as far to say "Supported, Informed, and Empowered is Best". I hope you will join me to learn about this very important topic to recognize risk factors for when there is a valid concern about low milk supply. That way we can get them lactation support to help meet their goals and not do it based in fear but rather empowerment.
Although there is no official book for the October meetup, there are additional resources & ways to continue learning about lactation listed below.
You can also check out these additional resources (see January blog for more):
Local Lactation Support
Thrive Theory Lactation & Infand Feeding
Katie has a blog post on low milk supply (this also has additional resources)
This meetup is open to all birthworkers and individuals who may directly or indirectly work with pregnant or postpartum people. I encourage everyone to try to look at one of the additional resources above to further our discussion for October's meetup. However, even if someone is not able to look through the additional resources, you are still more than welcome to come. This is a fantastic way to connect with fellow Tucson birthworkers and learn from each other.
Reminder: Birth Connection is intended to be an inclusive & safe space where difficult topics may come up that push us and are inclusive of the entire birth community. Please be mindful of your words and actions and always be respectful of others.
***If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP by emailing me and I will give you my address.***
Note: None of the links in this blog are affiliate links.
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