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

about Robyn Roche-Paull

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 upcoming, comprehensive book entitled "Breastfeeding in Combat Boots: A Survival Guide to Breastfeeding Successfully While Serving in the Military" to be published by Hale Publishing in 2010.

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. 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

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 Area Professional Liaison for La Leche League of Virginia/West Virginia, and is a Board member of MiLCA (Military Lactation Consultants 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.

presentations

Robyn Roche-Paull 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)

Breastfeeding in Combat Boots: Strategies for Successful Breastfeeding While Serving in the Military
0 - 60 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.


Objectives of presentation:

1.) Provide a review of the literature concerning breastfeeding by military women while on active duty.

2.) Present an overview of the development of a handbook created for active duty women to provide support and information regarding how to successfully combine active duty military service with breastfeeding.

3.) 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

Note: Presentation is appropriate for both professionals and parents. Can be reconfigured for either audience with advance warning. Lecture is about 45 mins 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
0 - 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.
Note: Appropriate for professionals. Lecture can be made available for parents as well. 45 min for lecture with 15 min for Q & A. CERPS available.