Lactation Business Coaching with Annie and Leah

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.

Kenita Chenevert is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), herbalist, and the founder of Milk Drops and M.D. Herbs. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Management and a Master's degree in Maternal & Child Health & Wellness with...

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...

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...

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 p...

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...

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 stre...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Every IBCLC has the client who's read every study and is quietly terrified — and our usual instinct (give them more information) often makes it worse. This Deeper Dive brings in a psychotherapist who works with exactly this client to...

We just finished an hour with Cathy Watson Genna, and our brains are still buzzing. That's how it always goes with Cathy — she has this gift for showing you how everything connects. The web of infant assessment can feel impossibly tangled from the inside, but she helps you see the threads, trace them, and understand why each one pulls on the others. 

One of the things Cathy does so well is remind you how much you've actually learned — and how much there still is to learn. Both of us are c...

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.

In this Deeper Dive, you'll learn how newer research into tongue function, tethered oral tissues, and the fascial system has changed what experienced clinicians are looking for during hands-on infant assessment — and how to bring those insights into your ow...

In this episode, we basically hold up a mirror to our work lives and go, “Oh… THAT’S why we’re tired.” Fresh off a chat with Laura Suttin, MD, MBA, PCC , we unpack the wild idea that maybe sprinting through our careers like we’re being chased by a bear isn’t the healthiest strategy. Turns out, pausing, breathing, and occasionally acting like humans instead of productivity robots might actually help. 

We dive into team culture and realize—surprise!—your vibe as a leader is contagious. If you’re running around stressed and s...

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.

Annie, Leah, and Dr. Laura Suttin MD, MBA, PCC, a physician and leadership coach, get into what it actually takes to build a healthy culture inside a private practice ecosystem. Whether you're managing contractors, mentoring interns, or just trying...

Recorded right after the March Deeper Dive on changing your EHR, this episode goes somewhere unexpected. Rachel walks us through her chart review process for Guiding Bottle Breakthroughs research, we get into using AI for data analysis without losing your mind, and the conversation lands on a question a lot of us are navigating: what do you do when your client already got advice from ChatGPT before they got to you?

“No amount of AI can make someone feel like they got a hug.”

In this episode:

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

If you've ever felt stuck on a charting platform you've outgrown and couldn't quite bring yourself to leave, this one is for you. Annie, Leah, and Rachel O'Brien get candid about the state of EHR options for lactation...

In this episode, we gather for a post-show recap after our Deeper Dive into Sleep Coaching with expert Shelly Taft.

We kick things off by tackling the delicate dance between lactation support and sleep coaching—because helping babies sleep while helping them eat is basically the professional equivalent of juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. 

We also talk about something that helping professionals are famously bad at: self-care. You know, that thing we all enthusiastically recommend to clients and then immediately forget to do ourselves.

...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Let's talk about adding sleep coaching to your lactation business with Shelly Taft LPN, ISE, IBCLC.

Shelly Taft is a dedicated and compassionate healthcare professional with a deep commitment to supporting families through the early...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Educating families about bottles is within the scope of practice for the IBCLC. And despite what some will say, it's NOT against the WHO Code to do so. Rachel O'Brien MA, IBCLC is our guest this month for...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Why is pricing so emotional? We're all torn between wanting make our care accessible, but also valuing the time, training, and expertise we bring to our work with clients. It doesn't help that we're surrounded by online gurus...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Understanding the WHO Code in the context of supporting families who not feeding 100% exclusively at the breast can feel daunting. This session aims to demystify the obligations of the private practice IBCLC to provide comprehensive care for all...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Our first Deeper Dive with Rachel O'Brien, lactation consultant and blogger extraordinaire, was a fan favorite, so Annie and Leah with Lactation Business Coaching asked her back! This hour is packed with insights from her successful private practice.<...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

One more task...and then you'll sit down and enjoy that book in which the bookmark hasn't moved in weeks. Owning a private lactation practice means there will always be tasks that need tending. Granting yourself permission to...

As a lactation consultant, it is important to set boundaries in order to prevent burnout.

Burnout can creep up on you as we found out and it’s not fun!

When it comes to boundaries, it is important to set clear limits for yourself. This means being mindful of how much time you are spending on work-related tasks, and how much time you are dedicating to yourself, your family, and your other interests.

In this episode, we discuss some ways to set boundaries in your private practice and ways to av...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Babies are the best! Let's talk about all the ways we care for and respect them in a clinical setting with Kiara Aponte MSOT, OTR, CEIM, IBCLC.

Kiara Aponte is an occupational therapist (OT), lactation...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Working with insurance can be challenging, but it's not the only way to provide care for families. Let's talk about all the pros and cons of self pay clients plus get marketing ideas and strategy from our expert...

In this rebroadcast episode, have you ever said I’m a terrible lactation consultant?

We have!

It doesn't matter how long you have been in your private practice, we all have those moments that make us feel like we don’t know what we are doing.

We want you to know that you are not alone in feeling this way so, in this episode, we are sharing what makes us feel like terrible lactation consultants and tips on how we deal with those negative thoughts.

“Everything that happen...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

Elizabeth Montez ILC, IBCLC is our guest this month to talk about colostrum harvesting. It's popular on social media, but is there a harmful side to this practice?

Elizabeth Montez, pronouns are she/her/kwe is a...

Are you a risk taker or do you tend to overthink before taking action?

In this episode, we dive into the nuanced world of risk-taking, particularly in the context of growing a private practice.

Leah shares her tendency to be risk-averse and the overthinking spiral that can result from facing risky decisions. Annie, on the other hand, describes herself as someone who jumps into ideas quickly, often figuring things out as she goes. 

We explore the idea that both cautious planning and spontaneous action require their own forms of bravery and c...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

This month we are learning how movement can help your clients become and stay comfortable in their bodies while feeding and pumping with physical therapist Dr. Sheherezad Dubash.

Sheherezad (Sherry) Dubash is a board-certified physical...

This week, we’re getting personal, ethical, and just a little fired up. 

We’re talking about the formula-fueled elephant in the room: Bobbie’s new “free support” collab with NAPS, led by two IBCLCs. Yep, a formula company funding lactation support. 

This news has sparked strong emotions as it contradicts the core principles of our profession, particularly regarding the WHO code that seeks to regulate the marketing of infant formula. 

But fear not! We’re not just here to rant—we are here to rally. There are...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

We are chatting all things low milk supply with Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC, FILCA, co-author of Making More Milk.

Lisa Marasco has been working with breastfeeding mothers for over 35 years and has been Internationally Board...

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the emotional topic that is client communication, especially the kind that happens when everyone’s stressed, sleep-deprived, and possibly holding a crying baby (or crying themselves). 

As a lactation consultant, it turns out, your mood matters. Shocking, right? If you're under-caffeinated, over-caffeinated, or just generally cranky, your ability to be empathetic can fly right out the window. 

Good communication means actually listening (and not just waiting for your turn to talk), choosing our words carefully, and never, ever...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

This month Nichelle Clark, BS, IBCLC, IFC, HSC will take us through her journey supporting a family with triplets born at 32 weeks.

Nichelle Clark is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Infant Feeding Counselor (IFC), Holistic...

Today we are the ones being interviewed.  Julia, a rockstar student in UCSD's Pathway to Lactation program, slid into our DMs to share her journey and fangirl over the podcast (and reminded us that, yes, people actually listen to this thing).

The conversation begins with an exploration of a typical workday, punctuated by our varied responsibilities as lactation consultants. We also share what we love about our jobs like baby snuggles and supporting new mothers.

But let’s keep it real—our job isn’t all a...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

This month we talk about keeping our businesses going while working through burnout with small business coach Michelle Ward.

Michelle Ward (she/her) is a business coachsultant (yup, she made up that term and is sticking with...

In this episode, we take on the high-stakes world of office supply management, because nothing says “thriving professional” like frantically searching for a missing flange insert.

We discuss how to stockpile just enough essential supplies without drowning in a sea of unnecessary purchases. Plus where we store them in our small office spaces.

But it’s not just about space; it's also about the emotional rollercoaster of supply management. Annie confesses to the soothing yet regrettable power of retail therapy, which once resulted in an office overflowing with p...

In this episode, we dive into how our surroundings can make or break a parent’s already fragile sanity. Turns out, everything from the way we breathe (yes, even that) to where we sit down in someone’s living room can impact whether a parent feels supported.

From home visits to clinic spaces, we discuss how décor, lighting, and the strategic absence of clutter can prevent sensory overload (for both babies and adults). We also explore the delicate dance of being an "uninvited guest" in a family’s home—because n...

Today we are diving into the crazy world of scheduling. From juggling multiple locations to dealing with holiday madness, we are sharing our secrets and survival tactics. 

Leah explains her scheduling system, which involves multiple providers and locations, and the crucial role that her administrative assistant, Amanda, plays in orchestrating the chaos (and why she should get a raise). 

Annie explains how she navigates the nuances of handling interns and a recently expanded office schedule by implementing a more automated system to minimize the back-and-forth with her cl...

It’s the New year and with that comes making resolutions but this year we are not excited about it.

The idea of setting goals has become daunting. Plus we usually don’t keep them anyway. It’s time to take a more intentional approach and remember that good enough is good enough.

Listen in as we set a goal to not put so much pressure on ourselves and just realize that we are doing the best we can (just like everyone else).

 ”We...

Bring some tissues to this episode because we are talking about not only us getting older but also our kids.

We candidly share our experiences of growing older while still relating to a client base primarily entrenched in the childbearing years. We reflect on how our experiences differ profoundly from those of our clients and how that fosters a need for empathy, understanding, and adaptation in our approach.

We also dive into the nostalgia of reflecting on previous parenting stages and discuss the sentimental emotions that arise...

We’re back! Did you miss us?

We are reconnecting after a summer break where Leah was recovering from major back surgery, a significant event that shifted not just her physical circumstances but profoundly affected her approach to both life and business. 

Also, Annie reveals her previous mindset regarding health issues and the unrealistic standards she sets for herself, which led to detrimental consequences. The painful truth is that, too often, we delay seeking medical attention until our conditions require urgent action.

“It’s...

Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

This month, we talked with Allison Alexander, LPN IBCLC about  the contentious debate surrounding tongue tie.  We explore the recent uproar ignited by a clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which has set the la...