Exclusive Pumping: Redefining Breastfeeding Through Research with Dr. Kelsey Bianca

In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Kelsey Bianca, psychology professor at Cecil College in Maryland, whose groundbreaking research focuses on the lived experiences of exclusively pumping mothers.Kelsey’s work shines a light on an often-overlooked population in lactation research—parents who feed their babies human milk through expression rather than at the breast. Her dissertation challenges the traditional “breast or bottle” binary and explores exclusive pumping as a legitimate, empowering, and deeply human form of infant feeding.Together, they discuss how exclusive pumping fits within the broader breastfeeding landscape, what her qualitative research uncovered about motivation and identity, and how systemic barriers—like language, support gaps, and policy limitations—shape parents’ experiences.Kelsey also shares her insights on how lactation professionals can better support exclusively pumping families with empathy, inclusivity, and evidence-based care.They discuss:Why exclusive pumping deserves recognition as a form of breastfeedingHow language and terminology shape support and self-perceptionThe emotional and psychological experiences of exclusive pumpersCommon challenges and identity shifts in the exclusive pumping journeyWhat research reveals about resilience and motivation in pumping parentsThe gap between policy, practice, and lived experienceHow IBCLCs and educators can create inclusive spaces for all milk-feeding familiesFuture directions for research in human milk expression👩‍🏫 Guest InfoDr. Kelsey BiancaProfessor of Psychology, Cecil CollegeBianca, K.P. (2025). A narrative review of breastmilk expression. Breastfeeding Review; 33(2): 14-24. Bianca, K. P. (2023). Framing infant feeding practices with bioecological theory: A theoretical review. Breastfeeding Review; 31(3): 6-16.  📝 Connect with Margaret📬 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty🎙️ Podcast: Behind the LatchHosted by: Margaret SaltyGuest: Dr. Kelsey BiancaMusic by: The Magnifiers – My Time Traveling Machine#BehindTheLatch #ExclusivePumping #LactationResearch #HumanMilkFeeding #IBCLC #LactationConsultant #MaternalIdentity #PumpingJourney #BreastfeedingSupport #LactationScience #HumanMilkResearch #PublicHealthLactation 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app — and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

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