In this rebroadcast episode, have you ever said I’m a terrible lactation consultant? We have! It doesn't matter how long you have been in your private practice, we all have those moments that make us feel like we don’t know what we are doing. We want you to know that you are not alone in feeling this way so, in this episode, we are sharing what makes us feel like terrible lactation consultants and tips on how we deal with those negative thoughts. “Everything that happens in your life, that seems...
Aug 12, 2025•38 min
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. Elizabeth Montez ILC, IBCLC is our guest this month to talk about colostrum harvesting. It's popular on social media, but is there a harmful side to this practice? Elizabeth Mon...
Jul 29, 2025•11 min
Are you a risk taker or do you tend to overthink before taking action? In this episode, we dive into the nuanced world of risk-taking, particularly in the context of growing a private practice. Leah shares her tendency to be risk-averse and the overthinking spiral that can result from facing risky decisions. Annie, on the other hand, describes herself as someone who jumps into ideas quickly, often figuring things out as she goes. We explore the idea that both cautious planning and spontaneous ac...
Jul 15, 2025•24 min
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month we are learning how movement can help your clients become and stay comfortable in their bodies while feeding and pumping with physical therapist Dr. Sheherezad Dubash...
Jun 18, 2025•11 min
This week, we’re getting personal, ethical, and just a little fired up. We’re talking about the formula-fueled elephant in the room: Bobbie’s new “free support” collab with NAPS, led by two IBCLCs. Yep, a formula company funding lactation support. This news has sparked strong emotions as it contradicts the core principles of our profession, particularly regarding the WHO code that seeks to regulate the marketing of infant formula. But fear not! We’re not just here to rant—we are here to rally. T...
Jun 17, 2025•20 min•Ep. 99
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. We are chatting all things low milk supply with Lisa Marasco, MA, IBCLC, FILCA, co-author of Making More Milk. Lisa Marasco has been working with breastfeeding mothers for over ...
May 21, 2025•11 min
In this episode, we dive headfirst into the emotional topic that is client communication, especially the kind that happens when everyone’s stressed, sleep-deprived, and possibly holding a crying baby (or crying themselves). As a lactation consultant, it turns out, your mood matters. Shocking, right? If you're under-caffeinated, over-caffeinated, or just generally cranky, your ability to be empathetic can fly right out the window. Good communication means actually listening (and not just waiting ...
May 13, 2025•30 min•Ep. 98
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month Nichelle Clark, BS, IBCLC, IFC, HSC will take us through her journey supporting a family with triplets born at 32 weeks. Nichelle Clark is an International Board Cert...
Apr 22, 2025•11 min
Today we are the ones being interviewed. Julia, a rockstar student in UCSD's Pathway to Lactation program, slid into our DMs to share her journey and fangirl over the podcast (and reminded us that, yes, people actually listen to this thing). The conversation begins with an exploration of a typical workday, punctuated by our varied responsibilities as lactation consultants. We also share what we love about our jobs like baby snuggles and supporting new mothers. But let’s keep it real—our job isn’...
Apr 15, 2025•27 min•Ep. 97
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month we talk about keeping our businesses going while working through burnout with small business coach Michelle Ward. Michelle Ward (she/her) is a business coachsultant (...
Apr 04, 2025•11 min
In this episode, we take on the high-stakes world of office supply management, because nothing says “thriving professional” like frantically searching for a missing flange insert. We discuss how to stockpile just enough essential supplies without drowning in a sea of unnecessary purchases. Plus where we store them in our small office spaces. But it’s not just about space; it's also about the emotional rollercoaster of supply management. Annie confesses to the soothing yet regrettable power of re...
Mar 18, 2025•23 min•Ep. 96
In this episode, we dive into how our surroundings can make or break a parent’s already fragile sanity. Turns out, everything from the way we breathe (yes, even that) to where we sit down in someone’s living room can impact whether a parent feels supported. From home visits to clinic spaces, we discuss how décor, lighting, and the strategic absence of clutter can prevent sensory overload (for both babies and adults). We also explore the delicate dance of being an "uninvited guest" in a family’s ...
Feb 18, 2025•31 min•Ep. 95
Today we are diving into the crazy world of scheduling. From juggling multiple locations to dealing with holiday madness, we are sharing our secrets and survival tactics. Leah explains her scheduling system, which involves multiple providers and locations, and the crucial role that her administrative assistant, Amanda, plays in orchestrating the chaos (and why she should get a raise). Annie explains how she navigates the nuances of handling interns and a recently expanded office schedule by impl...
Jan 14, 2025•35 min•Ep. 94
It’s the New year and with that comes making resolutions but this year we are not excited about it. The idea of setting goals has become daunting. Plus we usually don’t keep them anyway. It’s time to take a more intentional approach and remember that good enough is good enough. Listen in as we set a goal to not put so much pressure on ourselves and just realize that we are doing the best we can (just like everyone else). ”We don't want to bog ourselves down so much that we forget to enjoy what w...
Dec 24, 2024•23 min•Ep. 93
Bring some tissues to this episode because we are talking about not only us getting older but also our kids. We candidly share our experiences of growing older while still relating to a client base primarily entrenched in the childbearing years. We reflect on how our experiences differ profoundly from those of our clients and how that fosters a need for empathy, understanding, and adaptation in our approach. We also dive into the nostalgia of reflecting on previous parenting stages and discuss t...
Nov 12, 2024•23 min•Ep. 92
We’re back! Did you miss us? We are reconnecting after a summer break where Leah was recovering from major back surgery, a significant event that shifted not just her physical circumstances but profoundly affected her approach to both life and business. Also, Annie reveals her previous mindset regarding health issues and the unrealistic standards she sets for herself, which led to detrimental consequences. The painful truth is that, too often, we delay seeking medical attention until our conditi...
Oct 08, 2024•23 min•Ep. 91
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month, we talked with Allison Alexander, LPN IBCLC about the contentious debate surrounding tongue tie. We explore the recent uproar ignited by a clinical report from the A...
Sep 10, 2024•6 min
Have you always dreamed of helping families with breastfeeding? In today’s episode of Lactation Business Coaching with Annie & Leah, we talk about how we became International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, also known as IBCLCs. We discuss the different pathways to becoming eligible to sit for the board exam and break down the biggest things we have learned in the years since we first certified. Annie and Leah break down what it looks like logistically to become certified and bust som...
Aug 13, 2024•27 min
People don’t know what they don’t know about breastfeeding. As a lactation consultant, you have the unique opportunity to educate families, other healthcare providers, and members of your community about the different feeding methods. By increasing awareness and understanding for breastfeeding, chestfeeding, formula feeding, and supplementation, you are making your job easier down the road when people feel more comfortable coming to you for help when they feel they need it. “You’re building a co...
Jul 09, 2024•34 min
It's so important for IBCLCs to be seen as part of the care team for the breastfeeding families we serve. One way we can impact our presence in the care team is to communicate with the other providers working with the breastfeeding family. Today we will discuss what we need to send to the other providers on the care team as well as strategies to make this process effective and efficient. So if you struggle with motivating yourself to write and send pediatrician reports, or if you’re wondering if...
Jun 11, 2024•42 min
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month, we got to chat with Tenise N. Hordge MBA, IBCLC about planning. She dives into time blocking, setting priorities, learning to say no, and delegating. Each month we h...
May 30, 2024•5 min
Are you a risk taker or do you tend to overthink before taking action? In this episode, we dive into the nuanced world of risk-taking, particularly in the context of growing a private practice. Leah shares her tendency to be risk-averse and the overthinking spiral that can result from facing risky decisions. Annie, on the other hand, describes herself as someone who jumps into ideas quickly, often figuring things out as she goes. We explore the idea that both cautious planning and spontaneous ac...
May 14, 2024•26 min•Ep. 90
Each month, Annie and I take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give us more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. We're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about. This month, we got to chat with Cathy Watson Genna about reflux. She dives into what reflux is, the causes of reflux, and strategies for IBCLCs to support families when dealing ...
Apr 22, 2024•4 min
Today we are discussing how hard it can be to keep up to date with all the new information that is thrown at us. Not to mention all the misinformation that is out there! Deciding what to implement in your lactation business and what you shouldn’t can cause such a headache. Listen in as we go down memory lane, reminiscing about our own learning adventures and the ever-present quest to fill our brains with more knowledge. “There’s so much out there to be learned and also to be discovered” In this ...
Apr 09, 2024•33 min•Ep. 89
Each month, we host a Deeper Dive, which is a live Q& A with an expert in the field of lactation, business, or personal development. The following snippet is from our most recent Deeper Dive. This month, we got to meet with Hope Lima and we talked about all things allergies. Hope helped us understand what an IBCLC needs to know about allergies, the difference between intolerance and allergies, and symptoms to look for in infants. We hope you enjoy! Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so yo...
Apr 01, 2024•3 min
In today’s episode, we're tackling a subject that can make hearts pound and palms sweat: raising your rates in your business. We open up about the challenges of pricing our services, sharing personal experiences and insights into the uncomfortable yet necessary discussions about when and how to raise rates. Listen in as we unravel the complexities of money mindset, emphasizing the significance of charging what you're worth to avoid burnout and maintain the financial health of your business. “So ...
Mar 12, 2024•26 min•Ep. 88
In our lactation businesses, we want to plan long-term while also remaining open to new challenges and opportunities. None of us can predict the future, but having a plan in place is a great way to know what you want your business to look like as it grows. In this episode, we are diving headfirst into the wild ride that is running your own lactation private practice and letting you in on the things we wished we knew when starting out. "Even if you put down your best plans, just know they might n...
Feb 13, 2024•26 min•Ep. 87
In this bonus episode of one of our very first Deeper Dives, we're talking about our charting adventures and spilling the tea on all the electronic charting platforms we've tried. Plus we share our top-secret strategies for nailing that documentation, and let me tell you, customizing those charting templates is a game-changer. And checkboxes for intake? Total lifesavers! This episode is all about mixing things up with our charting methods to make sure they fit just right in different settings. "...
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min
You have questions, we have answers! In today’s episode, we are answering listener questions. Everything from burnout, internships, and patient privacy. We also talk about financial strategies for your private practice, because we know that money matters. The most important thing is to stay focused on your own journey and remember we're here to cheer you on every step of the way. “I got a lot of friends out there going through the same things that I am and figuring this out too." In this episode...
Jan 09, 2024•55 min•Ep. 86
In this bonus episode of one of our first Deeper Dives, we are diving into the exciting world of setting up your own private practice. We'll be chatting about all the juicy stuff like deciding what kind of practice to have, how to handle follow-up services like a boss, and setting those all-important boundaries with clients. Oh, and let's not forget about actually making money! We'll be dishing out some killer tips on managing the financial side of running a practice, like offering payment plans...
Dec 26, 2023•42 min
