Robyn Roche-Paull, BS:MCH, IBCLC, LLLL

Expertise

  • Body Modifications and Breastfeeding
  • Extended Breastfeeding
  • Medications and Breastfeeding
  • Tandem Breastfeeding
  • Technology for Breastfeeding Specialists
  • Military Breastfeeding Mothers
  • Working and Breastfeeding

Previous Conferences

  • USLCA Webinar: Breastfeeding in the Military
    September 16, 2011
    Online,
    United States
  • La Leche League of Southern CA/Nevada
    May 28, 2011 - May 29, 2011
    Newport Beach,
    California,
    United States
  • USLCA Webinar: Tits, Tats and Piercings...Oh My!
    May 25, 2011
    Online,
    United States
  • ILCA
    July 21, 2010 - July 24, 2010
    San Antonio,
    Texas,
    United States

About the Speaker

Robyn is an energetic and dynamic speaker who brings personal experience combined with evidence-based research to her presentations. Her motivation for speaking is to bring attention to subjects she feels are little understood, and yet affect many women.

Robyn's main focus is on Breastfeeding in the Military, a topic that presents unique challenges and circumstances far different from those encountered by women in the civilian workforce. Robyn is an expert in the field of breastfeeding in the military, the founder of the website www.breastfeedingincombatboots.com and the author of the comprehensive book  "Breastfeeding in Combat Boots: A Survival Guide to Successful Breastfeeding While Serving in the Military" published by Hale Publishing.  Her expertise on the subject is also well suited to those working with women in any non-traditional field such as police, firefighting, construction and the like.

As a tattooed and pierced IBCLC, Robyn has a personal as well as professional interest in Body Modifications. With the rise in tattooing and piercings by the new generation of breastfeeding mothers, Robyn feels that the topic of Body Modifications and how it relates to breastfeeding, is very relevant. Robyn has been a well-received speaker in local venues.

In addition, Robyn speaks about Technology and the LC.  Breastfeeding mothers of this generation live in the digital world.  IBCLCs need to become familiar with all that the wired world has to offer in the way of breastfeeding support.

Her presentations are suited to both professionals as well as parents and she is willing to present on topics to the left with enough lead time and compensation.

Official Bio for Brochure

Robyn Roche-Paull has been working with breastfeeding mothers for over 10 years and has been Internationally Board Certified since 2006. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Maternal Child Health with specialization in Lactation. Currently, Robyn is in private practice with Tidewater Lactation Group, Inc. In addition, Robyn is the Past Area Professional Liaison for La Leche League of Virginia/West Virginia, and is a Board member of MiLCA (Military Lactation Consultants Association), she is also the Secretary for TALCA (Tidewater Area Lactation Consultant Association) . Robyn has written several articles and is the author and founder of "Breastfeeding in Combat Boots" a resource for military mothers choosing to breastfeed. She is a veteran of the US Navy with experience breastfeeding on active duty. Robyn lives in Virginia Beach with her 3 school-age children and husband. She is the proud owner of various tattoos and piercings, and lives in the digital world more than she probably should.

Presentations

This speaker is pleased to provide presentations on the following topics to professional and parenting conferences. Presentations on other topics may be available upon request and subject to sufficient development lead-time. (For CERP topics, required paperwork will be provided promptly to meet CERP deadlines.)

HAZMAT and Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know

60 - 90 minutes
CERP

Mothers working in non-traditional fields such as firefighting, military or the police often find themselves exposed to hazardous materials. This session will discuss what is known about hazardous materials and breastfeeding in the literature, whether, how and why maternal exposure to HAZMAT may affect breastfeeding, and best practices for reducing exposure by the breastfeeding mother.

Note: This session can be presented as a 45-60 minute topic (non-CERP) at parenting conferences.  A 75-90 minute version (CERP) is appropriate for healthcare provider audiences. 

Breastfeeding in Combat Boots: Strategies for Successful Breastfeeding While Serving in the Military

60 - 120 minutes
CERP

Women in the military are not reaching the goals set by Healthy People 2010 and the American Academy of Pediatrics for breastfeeding due to a lack of information and support. This presentation will provide a review of the available literature regarding breastfeeding while on active duty, how to identify and reduce any potential barriers to successful breastfeeding, strategies to encourage and facilitate breastfeeding while serving on active duty. Support and information for the active duty mother is crucial to her success at combining breastfeeding and a military career. This presentation will cover the following:  Present an overview of the challenges that are present in the military environment for breastfeeding mothers to include - time and place for pumping, deployment and separation, unique workplace environments, HAZMAT issues, co-worker and rank issues, PT and uniform issues, and command support.  Present strategies for use by lactation professionals when working with breastfeeding military mothers to include: a.) education of commanders and co-workers b.) implementation of military breastfeeding instruction and policies c.) counseling on pumping skills and strategies d.) deployment and separation issues e.) time-management skills f.) hazardous chemicals, uniform and physical training issues g.) support from family and spouse, support groups, lactation consultants.

Presentation is appropriate for both professionals and parents. Can be reconfigured for either audience with advance warning. Lecture is between 1 to 2 hours depending on audience with 15 mins for Q & A. CERPS are availiable.

Tits, Tats and Piercings-Oh My! What You Need to Know About Body Mods and Breastfeeding

- 60 minutes
CERP

Body modification is a mainstream activity nowadays, practiced by policemen, schoolteachers, and stay-at-home mothers. Many women today get tattoos and piercings as a form of self-expression or to commemorate a special occasion or life event, and some may have gotten a body mod as a form of adolescent rebellion. For whatever reason, women today have or are getting body modifications in ever greater numbers at the same time that many are also becoming mothers. Along with the rise in body modifications, breastfeeding has seen resurgence in popularity as well. With breastfeeding rates climbing worldwide it is not surprising that many new mothers, who either have body modifications or who may be contemplating them in the future, might have questions as to the safety of breastfeeding. So what’s a hip, tattooed, pierced and breastfeeding (or soon-to-be) mom to do then? Is there breastfeeding during or after tattooing and nipple piercings? This presentation will provide a review of the available literature regarding breastfeeding and body modifications, a discussion of why women choose to alter their bodies through body modifications, evidence-based information on the safety and different types of body modifications available and the effect on breastfeeding, and how to identify and reduce any potential barriers to successful breastfeeding with tattoos and piercings.

Appropriate for professionals. Lecture can be made available for parents as well. 45 min for lecture with 15 min for Q & A. CERPS available.

Contact Info

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+1 (757) 286 6052

Speaking Services

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Nearest Airport: 
Norfolk International (ORF)
Willing To Travel To: 
Northeast - US
Mid-Atlantic - US
Southeast - US
Northern Mid-West - US
Central Mid-West - US
Southern Mid-West - US
Northwest - US
Mid-Pacific - US
Southwest - US
East Canada
Central Canada
West Canada
West Europe
East Europe
United Kingdom
Australia
Languages: 
English

References