Mindset, Knowledge, and Connections for Lactation Care Providers –  a podcast about lactation care and professional lactation training hosted by Christine Staricka

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A subscription-based blog written by Christine Staricka, IBCLC on Substack covering:

Evolving lactation care through science, advocacy, & connection – wisdom & guidance on lactation care in the modern world

IBCLCs may have read with interest excerpts from the recently published Lactivism written by Canadian political science professor, Courtney Jung. These excerpts were almost impossible to miss in print and online media. There were sensationalized headlines, interviews with emotional stakeholders, and rebuttals by breastfeeding supporters and professional lactation care providers quickly following via social media.

After reading the book, however, it is important to observe that although it made some very salient points, there are also some major fundamental flaws, not the least of which is that Jung perpetuates the concept that science bears the burden of proving that there are benefits to breastfeeding. She also conveniently overlooks the fact that breast milk substitute is not the same as breast milk and that its use results in altered health outcomes. By focusing only on the “infections prevented,” she has missed the entire scope of health regarding epigenetics, the microbiome, human milk oligosaccharides and brain development, hormones, and so much more. She accuses “lactivists” of selecting the science, but then she does the same.

(Full text available through open access at website)