In this episode, I share what I’ve been building for 2026 - Evolve Lactation Pros, a membership that address what lactation professionals actually need beyond clinical skills and business tactics. We talk about the gap in our training around processing our own experiences, the three pillars of advancing professionalism (sustainable ethics, physiologically-grounded practice, and public health integration), and why examining our own biases is essential work that no one else is providing. Plus, I introduce the first workshop coming to members: Lactation Practice Without Fear - helping you identify the hidden assumptions that can shape your clinical decisions. For too long, lactation consultants have practiced in isolation, navigating ethical dilemmas without guidance, watching tool-dependent approaches dilute the field’s integrity, and struggling to sustain practices that honor both their values and their need to make a living. Professional organizations lack the resources to provide real community or practical support. The field is fragmenting across generational divides about ethics. Commercial pressures are pushing IBCLCs toward conflicts of interest. Social media rewards clickbait over evidence. And few are talking about how to navigate AI, develop IBCLC-specific clinical protocols, or position lactation support as the essential public health work it truly is. This cannot continue. The mission is clear: Advancing professionalism in the lactation field through sustainable ethics, physiologically-grounded practice, and public health integration so that integrity-driven practitioners thrive and families receive the breastfeeding care they deserve. The field needs a new infrastructure. We’ve already got professional organizations with membership dues and big conferences. We have training programs that teach tools and billing codes, clinical mentorships for before and after IBCLC certification, and plenty of options for continuing education. What do we need? A movement of integrity-driven practitioners who refuse to let the field lose its way. Evolve Lactation Pros is building that infrastructure and that movement. We provide what practitioners desperately need but cannot find anywhere else: Sustainable Ethics - frameworks for practicing with integrity while building financially viable careers, navigating WHO Code and professional standards in real-world scenarios, and resisting commercial pressures without martyrdom. Physiologically-Grounded Practice - clinical decision-making rooted in understanding how breastfeeding actually works, moving beyond tool-dependency to evidence-informed practice, and developing the “critical faith in breastfeeding on its own merits” that creates true expertise. Public Health Integration - positioning lactation support within broader public health frameworks, advocating for professional recognition and resources, and connecting individual practice to population-level impact. Evolve Lactation Pros is creating the community that doesn’t exist. We are building the resources the field lacks. Frameworks for ethical decision-making. Protocols developed by and for IBCLCs. Guidance on emerging challenges like AI. Marketing strategies that work without compromising integrity. Clinical reasoning tools based on physiology, not products. Advocacy training that gives practitioners voice in policy conversations. We are elevating the entire profession. Because when individual practitioners practice with integrity, the whole field benefits. Because when enough of us understand physiology deeply, we shift what’s considered normal practice. Because when we position ourselves as public health professionals, we change how the healthcare system sees and values our work. Because families thrive when they’re cared for by resilient, skilled, ethical lactation consultants who are supported in their own growth. This is not about judgment. This is about standards. We’re not dividing the field into “good” and “bad” practitioners. We’re inviting committed practitioners to do the ongoing work of professional growth. We’re acknowledging that none of us is perfect, all of us have biases, and excellence requires continuous reflection and learning. Evolve Lactation Pros is building a space where practitioners can admit uncertainty, examine their assumptions, make mistakes, and grow - together. You’re invited. You belong here. What we build together is going to change the field. What you will gain and how you will grow is going to change your practice and your career trajectory. You are so welcome to join us at https://ibclcinca.substack.com/. Follow, Rate, and Review the Evolve Lactation Podcast right here! 00:00 Introduction to Office Hours and Reflection 02:45 Navigating Changes in Lactation Care 06:06 Resilience in Private Practice 08:56 The Importance of Professional Organizations 11:43 Diverse Credentials and Education in Lactation 15:07 The Historical Perspective on Breastfeeding 17:57 Zooming In and Out: Balancing Individual and Global Perspectives 20:51 Ethical Considerations in Lactation Practice 23:43 Creating a Framework for Ethical Decision Making 28:28 Impact of Clinical Lactation on Families 29:26 Integrating Advocacy into Lactation Practice 30:45 The Role of Public Health in Lactation 32:37 Creating a Supportive Community for Lactation Educators 34:01 Workshop Insights: Personal Growth in Lactation Care 36:37 Processing Personal Experiences in Lactation 39:07 Identifying Biases in Lactation Practice 41:59 The Importance of Continuous Learning 44:25 Navigating Evidence-Based Practice in Lactation 51:58 Public Health Integration and Lactation Advocacy Thanks for listening and sharing! You can get the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours now at this link! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ibclcinca.substack.com/subscribe
