For Lactation Professionals

Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC
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Join Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC, on her mission to become an extraordinary lactation consultant—and elevate your own practice along the way. In solo episodes, Suzanne dives deep into the research articles and tools that shape lactation practice. When guests join, she extracts the tips, techniques and insights that make amazing lactation consultants.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Supporting the Mental Health of my Postpartum Patients | Jesica Demumbreum PMHNP-BC

    Episode (7) | Recorded October, 2026 As a lactation consultant, I get to spend a lot of time with parents during some of their most vulnerable moments. In this episode, former lactation consultant turned mental health provider, Dr. Demumbreum, shares how I can support and empower my patients to care for their mental health. Guest Bio: Jesica Demumbreum DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, IBCLC, PMH-C worked for 15 years as a lactation consultant before continuing her education to become a Perinatal Mental Health Nurse Practitioner where she now works at Women’s Transitional Healthcare In This Episode: ​How to identify mental health concerns in postpartum patients​How to assess my patients: from what questions to ask, to how to ask, to using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale​How to spot an emergency and what to do if I am concerned my patient is experiencing a mental health emergency​Specific things I can do during our lactation appointments to support my patients’ mental health​What if I have a mom who feels guilty about weaning? ​What if I have a mom who really wants to breastfeed but is not caring for her own mental health?​How to create a referral list for my patients Resources: Postpartum Support International ​Support Groups for patients to join (in person or virtual) https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-online-support-meetings/​Find a provider https://psidirectory.com/​EPDS (screening recommendations) https://postpartum.net/professionals/screening/​PSI Helpline https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-helpline/ Mass General Health center for Women’s Mental Health ​Weekly virtual rounds for mental health providers https://womensmentalhealth.org/virtual-rounds-at-the-cwmh/ With Dr. Lee Cohen and Dr Marlene Freeman You can even call in and ask questions! ​Resource for patients (including guides on various topics) https://womensmentalhealth.org/resource/patient-support-services/ The suicide and crisis helpline  https://988lifeline.org/ Evidence based information on the benefit/risk of to medications and other exposures during pregnancy or breastfeeding Mothertobaby.org Books: Kleiman, Karen. Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers Kleiman, Karen. What About Us? : A New Parents Guide to Safeguard Your Over-Anxious, Over-Extended, Sleep-Deprived Relationship References: For a full list of references visit this episode’s webpage at ForLactationProfessionals.com EPDS Scoring (19:30 min) doi: 10.1136/bmj.m4022 The 2006 study on breastfeeding, sensitivity, and attachment (51:00 min) doi: 10.1542/peds.2005-2916 Whooley Questions (16:00 min) doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.026 Asking about suicidal thoughts (25:00 min) doi:10.1017/S0033291714001299 Iron deficiency (36:20 min) doi: 10.7759/cureus.82413 EPDS cut off for partners (48:20 min) doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09441 EMDR after traumatic birth (44:20 min) doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2025.07.051 Neonatal outcomes in untreated perinatal depression (49:00 min) doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0934 B12 and breastmilk (37:13 min) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534419/ EPDS Scoring (19:00 min) doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005200 Telling your story to a kind listener can be a corrective experience (45:00 min) https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20248 Anemia and depression (36:00 min) doi: 10.71480/nmj.v66i4.959 Breastfeeding cessation and anxiety and depression (1:05:00 min) https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-12-36 One night of missed sleep increases odds of postpartum psychosis in bipolar disorder (39:00 min) doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.11.005 It is actually 1 in 12 women not 1 in 15 according to this study that experience postpartum thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune thyroid condition that can affect thyroid function and cause mood and anxiety changes. (38:00 min) doi:10.1177/10507256261445624

  2. Jul 7

    Shadowing an LC | Business Management Grad turned IBCLC shares how she runs her private practice

    Episode 6 | Recorded June, 2026 Natalie Blythe, IBCLC used to work in business/finance, she graduated with a business management degree and went on to work in that field for nearly a decade. After having her own babies, she took 5 years to earn her IBCLC and then launched her own private practice in 2018. Initially, she had lactation consultants work with her and now she operates as the sole provider. I had an opportunity to sit and observe her in action during some of her lactation consults. Listen in on our chat about what I observed during her consults and questions I had about her being a business management graduate owning her own private practice. She also tells us about her personal experience using AI Scribe as a lactation consultant. In This Episode: Beginning: Cozy and comfortable, how she sets the tone of her appointments 12:00 How she decided to start her private practice 20:00 How she grew her private practice 24:00 How she switched careers to become an IBCLC 33:00 Owning a private practice: is it actually profitable? 37:00 Building a business with OUT relying on social media. 60:00 Her personal experience using AI Scribe 70:00 Consider finding a business mentor 77:00 She is part of a multidisciplinary team approach to oral assessments, along with a dentist and chiropractor Resources: Not endorsements, and not recommending these products/services, they are simple resources that Natalie found helpful on her own personal journey: Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)  https://sbtdc.org Annie Frisbee Paperless Lactation https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/home AI Scribe Heidi https://www.heidihealth.com/en-us More on Natalie with The Milky Mermaid The Milky Mermaid https://www.themilkymermaid.com/ ​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themilkymermaid​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkymermaidnc/​Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieward-ibclc-themilkymermaid/ Bonded Beginnings, TT Clinic at Cape Fear Smiles (multidisciplinary team that Natalie is a part of) https://www.bondedbeginningsnc.com Hosted by Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC As of the recording and publishing of this June/July 2026, neither myself nor Natalie Blythe receive any funds from the products or services that she spoke about. We are not endorsing any products or services, they are simply part of her story. This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only and is for informational purposes. Content is not medical advice and should not replace professional judgment or individualized patient care. Exercise your own clinical judgment before applying any information discussed. Product or service mentions do not constitute endorsements.

  3. May 29

    IBCLC Recertification | Angela Love-Zaranka

    Episode 5 | Recorded May 8, 2026 Angela Love-Zaranka shares everything you need to know about recertifying for the IBCLC. In This Episode: ​Recertify through Continuing Education: The Types of CERPs, Taking the CE Self Assessment, and How to record and find your old CERPs​Recertify by retaking the Exam: Why, How, and What to Study​All the resources you need to know​Bonus: How to learn about lactation from different cultures Websites ​IBCLC Commission Prepare for IBCLC Recertification https://ibclc-commission.org/how-to-become-an-ibclc/step-1-prepare-for-ibclc-recertification/​IBCLC Commission Important Dates and Fees https://ibclc-commission.org/step-2-recertification-fees-and-key-dates/​IBLCE Recertification Guide https://ibclc-commission.org/ibclc-information/recertification-guide/ ​Individual CERPs Guide https://ibclc-commission.org/ibclc-information/individual-cerps-guide/ (How to count educational activities towards your CERPs if they have not yet been recognized as CERPs)​Track your 250 Clinical Hours https://ibclc-commission.org/ibclc-information/lactation-specific-clinical-practice-calculator/​Recertification FAQ: https://iblce.org/?faq-group=recertification ​Detailed Content Outline (to help determine what to study for the exam) https://ibclc-commission.org/ibclc-information/detailed-content-outline/ ​Login to the IBLCE Portal: https://portal.examstudio.com/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f%3fid%3d500102&id=500102​To keep up to date with IBCLC recertification information and changes go to IBLCE.org and IBCLC-Commission.org​LER blog on recertification: https://www.lactationtraining.com/resources/blog/entry/your-last-minute-guide-to-recertifying-by-cerps (We did not discuss this in the episode, but I, Suzanne, personally found it very helpful. Angela is the program director at LER.)​To learn more from Angela go to lactationtraining.com or email support@lactationtraining.com Books *Ensure you get the newest version of the book* ​LEAARC; Spencer, Becky and Hetzel Campbell, Suzanne and Chamberlain, Kristina Core Curriculum for Interdisciplinary Lactation Care - This is in outline form and you can go through all of the different topics in the Detailed Content Outline.​Lawrence, Ruth A. and Lawrence, Robert M. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession - If you want to learn more about hospital-based practices and heavy duty medical topics.​Walker, Marsha Breastfeeding Management for the Clinician: Using the Evidence - Phenomenal. Clinical practice​Mohrbacher, Nancy Breastfeeding Answers - Also available via pdf. Highly consider this if you work in the hospital and have less experience with extended breastfeeding.​Wilson-Clay, Barbara and Hoover, Kay The Breastfeeding Atlas - Full of pictures and a very light book​HMBANA Best Practice for Expressing, Storing, and Handling Human Milk in Hospitals, Homes, and Childcare Settings Visit ForLactationProfessionals.com to see the blog post for this episode Hosted by Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only and is for informational purposes. Content is not medical advice and should not replace professional judgment or individualized patient care. Exercise your own clinical judgment before applying any information discussed. Product or service mentions do not constitute endorsements.

  4. May 20

    2 Very Simple, Very Powerful Documents

    Episode 4 | Recorded May 2026 In This Episode: ​Two changes I will make in my practice after re-reading the Clinical Competencies and the Scope of Practice See the blog post here, at ForLactationProfessionals.com Resources IBLCE, Scope of Practice for IBCLCs, Effective Date: December 2018 https://iblce.org/about-iblce/bylaws-iblce-documents/ under the category IBCLC Professionals Standards IBLCE, Clinical Competencies for the Practice of IBCLCs, Effective Date: December 2018 https://iblce.org/about-iblce/bylaws-iblce-documents/ under the category IBCLC Professionals Standards Hosted by Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only and is for informational purposes. Content is not medical advice and should not replace professional judgment or individualized patient care. Exercise your own clinical judgment before applying any information discussed. Product or service mentions do not constitute endorsements.

  5. Mar 17

    WHO Growth Chart: How did it come to be and why rely on it?

    Episode 3 | Recorded December, 2025 I rely heavily on the WHO weight-for-age Growth Chart when assessing littles. Let’s dig in and learn all about this tool.  In This Episode: How was the WHO Growth Chart created?What’s the difference between a standard and a reference?How to describe percentiles to patientsShould I assess developmental milestones in combination with the growth chart when looking at a child’s growth? Resources: 1. “WHO child growth standards: length/height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-length, weight-for-height and body mass index-for-age: methods and development.” World Health Organization. 2006 Nov. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/924154693X 2. “WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Motor Development Study: windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones.” Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2006 Apr;450:86-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2006.tb02379.x. PMID: 16817682. 3. “Understanding baby growth charts” Pregnancy Birth and Baby. Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care. Last updated May, 2024. Accessed May, 2025 https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/amp/article/understanding-baby-growth-charts Hosted by Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only and is for informational purposes. Content is not medical advice and should not replace professional judgment or individualized patient care. Exercise your own clinical judgment before applying any information discussed. Product or service mentions do not constitute endorsements.

  6. Mar 17

    Does Maternal Diet Impact the Flavor of Breastmilk?

    Episode 2 | Recorded December, 2025 Satiate your curiosity: Does the food that mom eats change the flavor of her breast milk? We dive into the systematic review "Influence of maternal diet on flavor transfer to amniotic fluid and breast milk and children's responses" to explore how maternal nutrition shapes infant taste experiences through breastfeeding. In This Episode: ​The authors’ conclusion​How researchers actually measured and detected flavors in breast milk​Which flavors make the journey: the specific flavors that have been shown to transfer to breastmilk Systematic Review: Spahn JM, Callahan EH, Spill MK, Wong YP, Benjamin-Neelon SE, Birch L, Black MM, Cook JT, Faith MS, Mennella JA, Casavale KO. Influence of maternal diet on flavor transfer to amniotic fluid and breast milk and children's responses: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019 Mar 1;109(Suppl_7):1003S-1026S. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy240. PMID: 30982867. Read the blog post for more info on this topic: ForLactationProfessionals.com Hosted by Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only and is for informational purposes. Content is not medical advice and should not replace professional judgment or individualized patient care. Exercise your own clinical judgment before applying any information discussed. Product or service mentions do not constitute endorsements.

  7. Mar 17

    Becoming an IBCLC: Pathway 3 | The How and Why

    Episode 1 | Recorded January 2026 My journey to becoming an IBCLC, and other things you may want to know about your host - like my experience, qualifications, and where I'm still growing. In this Episode: Why I launched a podcast and blogMy experience as a lactation consultantBecoming an IBCLC: The unexpected twists and turns on my journey to earning those five letters after my name Learn with me on my blog ForLactationProfessionals.com Hosted by Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only and is for informational purposes. Content is not medical advice and should not replace professional judgment or individualized patient care. Exercise your own clinical judgment before applying any information discussed. Product or service mentions do not constitute endorsements.

  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
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About

Join Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC, on her mission to become an extraordinary lactation consultant—and elevate your own practice along the way. In solo episodes, Suzanne dives deep into the research articles and tools that shape lactation practice. When guests join, she extracts the tips, techniques and insights that make amazing lactation consultants.

Information

  • Creator
    Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC
  • Show Website
    For Lactation Professionals