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Lactation Insights Blog
Evidence-based insights, real-world case discussions, and practical strategies to help you grow your skills, stay current, and thrive in your IBCLC career.
INSPIRATION AND EVIDENCE FOR LACTATION PROFESSIONALS
What Scaled Scoring Means for the IBCLC Exam — and What It Doesn’t
If you’re planning to take the IBCLC exam in 2026 or beyond, you may have seen the IBLCE announcement about scaled scoring and immediately felt a spike of anxiety: Is the exam changing?Is it harder now?Do I need to study differently? Let’s slow this down and walk...
Why Smart People Fail the IBCLC Exam (And It’s Not Because They Didn’t Study Enough)
There’s a moment I see again and again when someone tells me they didn’t pass the IBCLC exam. Their voice softens. They explain how hard they worked. They walk me through everything they studied, often in great detail. And then, almost inevitably, they say something...
Craniosacral Therapy and Breastfeeding: What the Evidence Tells Us
Babies who struggle at the breast are often described as “disorganized,” “weak,” or “uncoordinated,” yet for many dyads, standard lactation management alone does not fully resolve the problem. Over the past two decades, increasing attention has been given to the role...
The Risks of Formula Feeding: What You Need to Know
Formula companies present their products as safe, scientifically tested, and nutritionally complete. But when you look beyond the glossy labels, a different picture emerges—one marked by contamination outbreaks, devastating illnesses like necrotizing enterocolitis...
Thrush and Breastfeeding: What Lactation Professionals Need to Know
Few topics stir as much debate among lactation professionals as “nipple thrush.” Some clinicians see it frequently, while others doubt whether Candida albicans is the true culprit of nipple and breast pain. What is certain is that pain during breastfeeding can be...
The Apgar Score: History, Application, and Relevance for Lactation Professionals
When Virginia Apgar introduced her scoring system in the early 1950s, she transformed newborn care. Before her innovation, attention during delivery was almost exclusively on the mother; the infant often received little systematic evaluation in those critical first...
Telelactation: Expanding Access, Advancing Equity, and Knowing When It’s Appropriate
One question I hear from students all the time is:“How do you know when telehealth is appropriate for a lactation visit?” It’s an important question. Telelactation has become one of the most powerful tools we have for expanding access to care—especially for families...
Swaddling and Breastfeeding: What the Evidence Really Says
Swaddling — the age-old practice of wrapping infants snugly in cloth — is still commonly seen among new parents today. My students and patients often ask about it, wondering whether it helps babies sleep, whether it’s safe, and how it affects breastfeeding. It’s a...