The Latch Revolution

Katie James & Johanna Sargeant
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Parenting

The Latch Revolution is a straight-talking lactation podcast for midwives, IBCLCs & doulas. Join Katie James & Johanna Sargeant as we explore our real-life breastfeeding practice—no holding back, saying it like it is, sharing the tips and pivots that got us through, the debates in our heads and hearts, and the odd topic that might get some knickers in a twist. If you live this work with passion and heart, this is for you. Follow and catch every drop.

  1. Sep 28

    S2 Ep 4 - IT FEELS LIKE TEETH

    IT FEELS LIKE TEETH When babies clamp instead of suck Why breastfeeding pain isn't always caused by the nipple. "It feels like my baby's gums are biting me." It's a phrase many mothers use. There's no wound. No crack. No teeth. Just deep bruising pain that doesn't seem to make sense. In this final episode of the Stop Guessing Series, Johanna Sargeant IBCLC and Katie James IBCLC explore babies with tight jaws and feeding compensations, explaining why clamping is often a sign that a baby is solving another underlying problem. Rather than treating the symptom alone, they discuss how recognising compensations can help uncover what's really happening beneath the surface. In this episode • Why some babies clamp or "chomp" instead of suck • The difference between bruising pain and nipple damage • How babies compensate when normal sucking isn't working • Why understanding compensation changes the way we support families Continue the learning journey Download the free Clinical Observation Framework for Babies with Sucking Difficulties. Inside you'll receive: ✓ The companion observation framework ✓ The complete Stop Guessing Series ✓ Clinical reflections ✓ Invitation to our live Clinical Q&A   Clinical reflection Think about a mother who described breastfeeding as feeling bruised, tight or like "teeth." Could that pain have been telling you something about the baby's oral function rather than the latch alone?   About The Latch Revolution The Latch Revolution creates practical education for healthcare professionals supporting babies with feeding difficulties. We believe better observation leads to better questions, and better questions often lead to better support.

    S2 Ep 4 - IT FEELS LIKE TEETH

  2. Sep 21

    S2 Ep 3 - THERE ARE NO LAZY BABIES!

    THERE ARE NO LAZY BABIES! Low vacuum explained Why long feeds don't always mean babies are feeding well. Some babies feed for an hour. They click. They lose suction. They fall asleep. Then they're hungry again. It's easy to assume they're simply sleepy or "lazy." But what if they're working incredibly hard just to maintain a feed? In this third episode of the Stop Guessing Series, Johanna Sargeant IBCLC and Katie James IBCLC explore one of the most commonly overlooked feeding challenges—low vacuum. Together they explain why understanding function, rather than simply watching the latch, can completely change the way we assess babies with sucking difficulties. In this episode • What low vacuum looks and feels like during a feed • Why clicking and losing suction matter • How babies compensate when they cannot maintain an effective vacuum • Why looking beyond milk transfer helps identify the real challenge Continue the learning journey Download the free Clinical Observation Framework for Babies with Sucking Difficulties. Inside you'll receive: ✓ The companion observation framework ✓ The complete Stop Guessing Series ✓ Clinical reflections ✓ Invitation to our live Clinical Q&A   Clinical reflection Think about a baby you've described as "sleepy" or "lazy" at the breast. Could they have been working much harder than they appeared? Coming next Episode 4 It Feels Like Teeth   About The Latch Revolution The Latch Revolution creates practical education for healthcare professionals supporting babies with feeding difficulties. We believe better observation leads to better questions, and better questions often lead to better support.

    S2 Ep 3 - THERE ARE NO LAZY BABIES!

  3. Sep 14

    S2 Ep 2 -WHY WON'T THIS BABY FEED?

    WHY WON'T THIS BABY FEED? High palate clues Some babies seem to struggle with everything. The breast. The bottle. The dummy. Even your finger. Parents often describe a baby who gags easily, feeds for long periods, starts well but gradually begins to struggle, or suddenly plateaus in their weight gain. In this second episode of the Stop Guessing Series, Johanna Sargeant IBCLC and Katie James IBCLC explore how a high palate and oral sensitivity can quietly affect feeding, and why these babies are often misunderstood. Rather than focusing on the palate alone, they explain how to recognise the wider pattern of compensations and observations that help build a more complete clinical picture. In this episode • Why a high palate is only one piece of the assessment • The feeding behaviours that often point towards oral sensitivity • How finger assessment can reveal valuable clinical information • Why listening carefully to the mother's story is one of your most powerful assessment tools Continue the learning journey Download the free Clinical Observation Framework for Babies with Sucking Difficulties. Inside you'll receive: ✓ The companion observation framework ✓ The complete Stop Guessing Series ✓ Clinical reflections ✓ Invitation to our live Clinical Q&A   Clinical reflection Think about a baby who seemed to struggle with breastfeeding, bottle feeding and dummy use. What clues might have suggested that oral sensitivity or a high palate was contributing to the bigger picture?   Coming next Episode 3 Your Baby Isn't Lazy   About The Latch Revolution The Latch Revolution creates practical education for healthcare professionals supporting babies with feeding difficulties. We believe better observation leads to better questions, and better questions often lead to better support.

    S2 Ep 2 -WHY WON'T THIS BABY FEED?

  4. Sep 9

    S2 Ep 1 - STOP CHASING TONGUE TIE

    STOP CHASING TONGUE TIE - Look at the whole baby Why feeding assessments need a whole-baby approach. When a baby is struggling to feed, it's tempting to look for a single explanation. But what if feeding difficulties are rarely caused by just one thing? In this first episode of our Stop Guessing Series, Johanna Sargeant IBCLC and I (Katie James IBCLC) introduce the clinical observation philosophy that underpins our work with babies experiencing sucking difficulties. In this episode • Why isolated symptoms rarely tell the full story • The five areas that guide every assessment • Why curiosity is often more valuable than certainty • How better observation leads to better support Continue the learning journey Download the free Clinical Observation Framework for Babies with Sucking Difficulties. Inside you'll receive: ✓ The companion observation framework ✓ The complete Stop Guessing Series ✓ Clinical reflections ✓ Invitation to our live Clinical Q&A Clinical reflection Think about the last baby whose feeding "didn't quite make sense." What observations might you revisit if you stepped back and looked at the whole picture? Coming next Episode 2 - Why Won't This Baby Feed? - Hidden Clues of a High Palate About The Latch Revolution The Latch Revolution creates practical education for healthcare professionals supporting babies with feeding difficulties. We believe better observation leads to better questions, and better questions often lead to better support.

    S2 Ep 1 - STOP CHASING TONGUE TIE

  5. Season 1 Trailer

    Season 2 Is Coming… Four Cases. One Big Question: Why?

    Season One may be over… but we’re only just getting started. We’re taking a short summer break before returning in August with a special four-part mini-series unlike anything we’ve released before. Together we’ll work through feeding case studies, taking you behind the scenes of our clinical reasoning. Rather than simply discussing symptoms or diagnoses, we’ll explore how experienced lactation consultants begin to ask better questions. What are the clues? What is the baby’s body telling us? Why is this feeding challenge happening? And perhaps most importantly… what are we missing when we focus on treating the symptom instead of understanding the cause? If you’ve enjoyed the conversations throughout Season One, this series will take you one step further inside the decision-making process we use every day with the families we support. If you’re a midwife, lactation consultant, speech pathologist, health visitor, doctor, paediatric clinician or anyone supporting breastfeeding families, we think you’re going to enjoy this one. We’ll see you in August. Until then… Thank you for listening, sharing the podcast, leaving reviews and being part of The Latch Revolution. Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review, subscribe so you don’t miss the new mini-series, and if you’d like to support the show, you can join us on Patreon. Keywords The Latch Revolution, oral function, infant feeding, breastfeeding education, IBCLC, lactation consultant, midwife education, breastfeeding support, feeding assessment, sucking difficulties, oral assessment, tongue function, bottle feeding, breast refusal, breastfeeding challenges, case studies, Decoding the Suck, breastfeeding professionals

  6. Jun 24

    The Friend, The Client, and The Lactation Consultant - E18

    Years ago, Katie stopped attending births for friends. The boundaries felt clear. But one simple conversation sparked an uncomfortable realisation: Why was she still providing lactation support for them? In this honest and surprisingly personal episode, Katie and Joh explore the complicated space where friendship, professional expertise and breastfeeding support collide. Episode Summary As lactation consultants, midwives and birth professionals, many of us become the unofficial breastfeeding hotline for friends, family members and colleagues. But what happens when those relationships become blurred? In this episode, Katie and Joh unpack the emotional realities of supporting friends through breastfeeding challenges. They discuss the pressure of feeling responsible for outcomes, the difficulty of setting boundaries, and the unexpected emotions that can arise when friends seek support elsewhere or make different feeding decisions than we hoped. Together they explore how their thinking has changed over the years, why some professional boundaries are easier to recognise than others, and how friendship can quietly become entangled with clinical responsibility. Along the way they share personal stories, professional reflections and a few moments of humour that many birth professionals will recognise immediately. In This Episode We Cover Why supporting friends often feels very different from supporting clients The emotional responsibility many professionals carry Why friendship and clinical care can become blurred The challenge of giving unsolicited advice Managing expectations when support is offered informally What happens when friends seek support from someone else Why helping someone and being responsible for their outcome are not the same thing Feelings of disappointment, guilt and professional self-doubt The importance of clear boundaries in protecting relationships How both Katie and Joh have changed their approach over time Why there is no single right answer when it comes to supporting friends   Want More From Katie and Joh? Check out our courses for professionals: Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals Pregnant or a new mum? Find more support from Katie: The Feeding Couch – Breastfeeding SOS – for new mums Newsletter Join our newsletter for evidence-based education, podcast updates and practical insights from Katie and Joh. Instagram Katie: @katiejameslactation Johanna: @milkandmotherhood   We’d Love To Hear From You Have you ever supported a friend, colleague or family member through breastfeeding? How did you navigate the boundaries? Did it strengthen the relationship or make things more complicated? Send us a message on Instagram or email us hello@thelatchrevolution.com  We’d genuinely love to hear your story.   Medical Disclaimer Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content. Keywords lactation consultant boundaries, breastfeeding support, supporting friends, IBCLC, midwife boundaries, doula boundaries, professional boundaries in healthcare, friendship and professional relationships, breastfeeding professionals, lactation consultant burnout, postpartum support, reflective practice, client relationships, birth professional boundaries, breastfeeding counselling, maternal health professionals

  7. Jun 10

    Should This Mum Keep Feeding? How We Make That Decision- E17

    When breastfeeding is causing significant pain or nipple trauma, should a mother keep feeding through it? Or are there times when a temporary change in the feeding plan may actually protect breastfeeding long term? In this episode, Katie and Joh explore one of the most challenging clinical decisions faced by lactation consultants, midwives and breastfeeding supporters. Episode Summary Breastfeeding professionals are often taught how to support mothers to continue breastfeeding. Sometimes harder is knowing when continuing exactly as things are may be contributing to ongoing pain, tissue damage, stress, and feeding difficulties. In this episode, Katie and Joh discuss how they approach severe nipple pain and trauma in clinical practice. They explore the factors that influence decision-making, including wound healing, maternal wellbeing, feeding goals, pumping, nipple shields, and the importance of individualised care. The conversation highlights the reality that many breastfeeding situations sit firmly in the grey zone. Rather than rigid rules, the discussion focuses on clinical reasoning, transparency, and working collaboratively with mothers to develop plans that feel achievable and supportive. As always, this is an honest conversation between two experienced clinicians navigating the complexity of real-world breastfeeding support. In This Episode We Cover Why severe nipple trauma is rarely a simple clinical decision When continuing to breastfeed may be helping or hindering healing The role of maternal wellbeing in feeding decisions How pumping may fit into a temporary feeding plan When nipple shields might be useful Supporting wound healing while protecting milk supply Why breastfeeding support must remain individualised Clinical reasoning versus rigid protocols The importance of collaborative decision-making Helping mothers feel seen, heard and supported The emotional impact of ongoing feeding pain Balancing short-term challenges with long-term breastfeeding goals Want More From Katie and Joh? Check out our courses for professionals: Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals Pregnant or a new mum? Find more support from Katie: The Feeding Couch® – Breastfeeding SOS – for new mums Instagram Katie: @katiejameslactation Johanna: @milkandmotherhood YouTube: The Latch Revolution Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5 star review - please scroll a bit further down and do it now! ;) Support the show on Patreon: Medical Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content. Keywords nipple trauma, nipple pain, breastfeeding pain, breastfeeding support, lactation consultant, IBCLC, breastfeeding complications, wound healing, pumping and breastfeeding, nipple shields, breastfeeding management, breastfeeding challenges, breastfeeding education, lactation support, midwife education, doula education, breastfeeding professional development, maternal wellbeing, clinical lactation skills, breastfeeding counselling

  8. May 27

    Why Some Babies Prefer Bottles Over The Breast- Ep 16

    Bottle Preference vs “Nipple Confusion” | Flow, Breast Refusal & Paced FeedingLast episode, we unpacked bottle refusal in breastfed babies.This week, we’re tackling the other side of the feeding conversation:what happens when babies begin preferring the bottle over the breast — or what many people still call “nipple confusion.”Except… babies usually aren’t confused by nipples at all.In this episode, lactation consultants Katie James and Johanna Sargeant explore what’s actually happening when babies begin refusing the breast after bottles are introduced — and why flow, sucking mechanics, oral function and feeding dynamics matter far more than most people realise.We discuss:• bottle preference vs “nipple confusion”  • flow preference in breastfed babies  • why some babies begin refusing the breast  • how milk flow changes sucking behaviour  • fast flow vs slow flow feeding dynamics  • paced bottle feeding that genuinely mimics breastfeeding  • how to bottle feed without sabotaging breastfeeding  • bottle feeding positions and latch mechanics  • non-nutritive sucking and letdowns  • oral function signs that often get missed  • late-onset low milk supply linked to feeding mechanics  • teat shape, bottle flow and feeding behaviour  • mixed feeding and combination feeding support  • breastfeeding politics and fear-based messaging  • how to support families without shame or black-and-white adviceThis episode is for:midwives, lactation consultants, IBCLCs, speech pathologists, maternal child health nurses, doulas, infant feeding professionals, and parents trying to navigate breastfeeding and bottles without panic, guilt or confusing advice.One of the biggest themes in this episode is nuance.Because bottles are not poison.  Teats are not poison.  And one bottle does not automatically ruin breastfeeding.But feeding mechanics matter.And the way we support families around bottle feeding matters too.Mentioned in this episode:• paced bottle feeding  • flow preference  • breast refusal  • oral function assessment  • bottle feeding mechanics  • late-onset low milk supply  • mixed feeding support  • responsive feeding approachesListen to the previous episode:Why Babies Refuse Bottles - And What Gets MissedSupport The Latch Revolution Podcast:If these episodes help you, leaving a 5-star review genuinely helps more parents and professionals find the podcast.You can also support the podcast and access extra content here with Patreon: Connect with us:Instagram:@katiejamesibclc  @milkandmotherhoodCourses & Education:Katie James & Johanna Sargeant - Decoding the Suck training for professionals The Latch Revolution - Exercises for parents to support their infants suck challengesThe Feeding Couch — breastfeeding education for parents:Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals — professional education for birth workersDisclaimer:This podcast is for education and information only and should not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek support from your own healthcare provider, IBCLC, midwife or medical professional for individual concerns.#breastfeeding #bottlefeeding #pacedfeeding #nippleconfusion #breastrefusal #lactationconsultant #IBCLC #oralfunction #mixedfeeding #newbornfeeding #breastfeedingpodcast #postpartum #midwife #speechpathology #infantfeeding

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About

The Latch Revolution is a straight-talking lactation podcast for midwives, IBCLCs & doulas. Join Katie James & Johanna Sargeant as we explore our real-life breastfeeding practice—no holding back, saying it like it is, sharing the tips and pivots that got us through, the debates in our heads and hearts, and the odd topic that might get some knickers in a twist. If you live this work with passion and heart, this is for you. Follow and catch every drop.

Information

  • Creator
    Katie James & Johanna Sargeant
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Latch Revolution
  • Show Website
    The Latch Revolution

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