The Lactation Network

Going back to work while breastfeeding is a huge mental, physical, and logistical task. But you aren't alone: Our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are always here to help — from creating a pumping schedule to maintaining milk supply during back-to-work transitions. You don't have to do it with a broken heart! 🤍

No matter what Mother's Day looks like for you this year, we see you and we celebrate you. 💗

Bringing a new baby into the world is full of new experiences, and parents who are breastfeeding have their own unique challenges — including potentially having to figure out how to treat mastitis. "Engorgement, or the feeling that the breasts are uncomfortably full and heavy, or even hard, is an early red flag of mastitis," says Chrisie Rosenthal, IBCLC and director of clinical resources at Lactation Network . Rosenthal spoke with POPSUGAR about early signs of developing mastitis. Read the full article at the link below! https://lnkd.in/gMc64Nyd

A detailed agenda isn’t the key to a successful meeting. (Yep… we said it.) The key to effective meetings might just be acknowledging how much potential exists *outside* them. The Lactation Network CEO Sarah Kellogg Neff knows that incredibly important work often happens outside the confines of boardrooms and scheduled gatherings, and pivotal decisions can be made when individuals have the freedom to show up where they feel like their contributions are most useful. This paradigm shift is intentional. It's a move away from a focus on status and importance: Where presence in a meeting is equated with employee significance. As a group, TLN encourages all employees, regardless of position, to critically assess the value of their attendance at meetings — even if it means declining invitations from the CEO herself. 👀 TLN's approach to meetings follows a few of Sarah’s golden rules for getting things done: 1️⃣. Challenge the idea that important people get invited to meetings. Important work usually happens *outside* of meetings. Sometimes the most “important” person isn’t in the meeting at all. If you aren’t included on an invitee list, don’t assume your skills aren’t wanted. Instead, embrace the idea that your talents are needed elsewhere as your colleagues divide and conquer on multiple fronts. 2️⃣. Detailed agendas aren’t necessary. Instead, hold fast to meeting purpose over meeting agendas. No amount of agenda items makes up for a meeting that lacks mindset. 3️⃣. Keeping your meeting culture in check is an ongoing effort. Employees experience company culture differently — and that’s ok. But, there are essential questions everyone on the team should answer similarly: Do you feel a sense of accomplishment after a day’s work? When you’re signing off, do you have space to rest? How do you feel as Monday approaches? There’s no one-size-fits-all cure to maintaining a truly great company culture, but staying curious and open to adjusting the way you run meetings is a critical approach. It can be hard to keep company meeting cultures in check, but the effort is always well worth it. Plus, a consistent set of standards makes it easy for team members across the org chart to think critically about scheduling syncs and making the most of everyone’s time. 🗓 Read more of Sarah Kellogg Neff meeting hot takes in Forbes: https://bit.ly/3xYXALT

To celebrate #BlackMaternalHealthWeek, we're shining a light on three TLN partners working to support Black mothers and their families. Swipe to learn more about their work and give their social pages a follow!

There's no denying that prenatal lactation consultations have a significant impact on breastfeeding families. The Lactation Network surveyed more than 2,500 parents across the United States, and 93% said a prenatal consultation contributed to their success in breastfeeding. If you're pregnant and thinking about breastfeeding, visit the link below to be paired with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and verified for an insurance-covered prenatal visit today! https://bit.ly/3KS3amy

"My experience has been amazing with The Lactation Network and with my consultant, Sarah. She contacted me (I had asked for this in the hospital) and it was wonderful to have her reach out and not rely on me remembering!! TLN made it easy to provide insurance info and get an appointment set. Sarah made me feel great about my breastfeeding journey and really helped me set myself up for success. She is extremely knowledgeable and her advice has already helped. Excited for the future learning and grateful for the company." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ️- Kathryn G. via Google Reviews

If you’re pumping, you’re breastfeeding. And if you’re breastfeeding, pumping might be necessary to return to work and meet your breastfeeding goals. With no federally mandated paid family leave in the U.S., parents often return to work within weeks (not months) after welcoming a little one: 1 in 4 women must return to work within two weeks of giving birth. We’re dedicated to creating meaningful change in lactation care in our country and supporting parents with expert, compassionate care when they need it most — despite the current lack of guaranteed paid family leave in the U.S. Access in-person or virtual pumping support throughout your journey: ✅ Work with an expert International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to choose the right breast pump for you and order pumps and accessories through our trusted marketplace partners. ✅ Get all the resources and confidence you need for adding pumping and bottle feeding to your routine. From creating a pumping schedule to milk storage and prep, your IBCLC has you covered. Request a consultation to get all your pumping and breastfeeding questions answered at the link below! https://bit.ly/3KS3amy

Hi, we're The Lactation Network, and we believe that lactation care is a human right. The lack of support for breastfeeding parents today is a problem, and we're committed to providing the gold standard of care for families through our network of International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). Learn more at the link below. https://bit.ly/3ITcOUX