Peer Breastfeeding Support Groups Are Essential In Your Lactation Training

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 at ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe