Ethics, Advocacy, and Bridging the Gap Between IBCLCs & Providers with Dr. Darby

In this episode of The IBCLC Mentor Podcast, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Darby, a physician, researcher, and advocate for maternal-infant health. Together, they explore ethical challenges in lactation consulting, the intersection of medicine and breastfeeding support, and how lactation professionals can better collaborate with healthcare providers.The Foundation for Milk:Dr. Darby shares her journey in founding The Foundation for Milk, a nonprofit dedicated to lactation education, research, and outreach. She discusses their work supporting breastfeeding families, hosting lactation tents at community events, and expanding lactation education to high school health classes to prepare future parents.A Case Study in Breastfeeding Through Medical Challenges:Dr. Darby discusses her personal experience navigating lactation while undergoing a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and blood treatment for a rare connective tissue disorder. She provides insight into how chronic illnesses and surgical interventions impact lactation, offering guidance for IBCLCs who support medically complex cases.Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Lactation:Dr. Darby explains key ethical issues in lactation care, including:Cultural and religious influences on infant feeding decisionsDietary restrictions and failure to thrive in vegan familiesWhen and how lactation consultants should intervene in cases of medical neglect or weight concernsThe role of lactation professionals as mandated reporters and how to escalate concerns when necessaryBridging the Divide Between IBCLCs and Medical Providers:Dr. Darby and Margaret discuss the long-standing divide between physicians and lactation consultants, addressing:How IBCLCs can build referral relationships with pediatriciansThe importance of communicating lactation plans with providers through reports and direct callsWhy physicians often recommend formula and how lactation consultants can present breast milk alternatives in a way that aligns with medical goalsHow IBCLCs can use evidence-based research to gain credibility with healthcare providersCase Studies, Research, and Advancing Lactation Science:Dr. Darby encourages IBCLCs to document and publish case studies, highlighting the importance of:Writing about unique lactation cases to build evidence for future practitionersUnderstanding how breast milk composition can change due to health conditions and medical treatmentsHow case studies and research help fill gaps in the scientific understanding of lactationDr. Darby’s expertise in lactation, ethics, and medical research makes this episode a must-listen for IBCLCs, students, and healthcare providers. Whether you're a new lactation consultant or an experienced practitioner, you'll gain practical insights on navigating complex cases and strengthening professional relationships with physicians.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:The Foundation for Milk – https://foundation4milk.org/Family Practice Notebook (fpnotebook.com) – A medical reference site for understanding provider decision-making.UK NHS Baby Feeding Guidelines – https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/Connect with Me:Have questions or suggestions for future episodes? Reach out to Margaret at [email protected] or connect on social media:Instagram: @margaretsaltyFacebook: Margaret Salty’s IBCLC CommunityCredits:Hosted by: Margaret SaltyGuest: Dr. DarbyMusic by: The Magnifiers, "My Time Traveling Machine"Hashtags &...

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