Behind the Latch

• Sleep Sense: Supporting Families with Infant Sleep

  In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dana Obleman, creator of the Sleep Sense program and founder of the Sleep Sense Certification, where she trains sleep consultants worldwide. Dana has been a pioneer in the field of infant and toddler sleep for more than two decades, helping families find rest through practical, age-appropriate strategies.Together, they explore how sleep and feeding are deeply intertwined, why parents often struggle to discern hunger cues from fatigue, and how small changes can set families on the path to better rest. Dana shares her own journey into this work—born out of exhaustion and necessity with her first child—and explains the philosophy behind Sleep Sense, which emphasizes teaching babies healthy, independent sleep habits while still respecting their needs.Dana’s Journey into Sleep WorkDana shares how:Her own struggles with her first baby’s sleep sparked a passion for finding solutions.Research and trial led her to see how independent sleep skills transformed not only her child’s rest, but his temperament.Spreading this knowledge became a mission to fill a missing piece in parenting support.The Sleep Sense PhilosophyThey discuss:Why waking at night is normal—but needing parental rescue every time is not.How guiding babies early helps them develop lifelong healthy sleep patterns.Why a positive relationship with sleep is essential for both children and families.Supporting Breastfeeding FamiliesDana explains:How sleep guidance complements breastfeeding and avoids “cry it out” approaches for newborns.Why discerning hunger vs. fatigue is one of the hardest skills for new parents—and how to pause and assess before assuming hunger.The importance of bedtime routines and how introducing a bottle at the right time can empower families while protecting breastfeeding.Sleep Challenges and SolutionsThey explore:Why common sleep struggles aren’t necessarily “normal”—and how to spot when help is needed.Why older babies and toddlers who aren’t sleeping well benefit from structured, age-appropriate approaches.The balance between teaching skills and respecting family values around sleep.Sleep Sense Certification and EducationDana shares:How the Sleep Sense Certification trains consultants with mentorship, practicums, and global community support.Why sleep coaching is a natural complement to other perinatal roles like lactation consultants, doulas, and therapists.A new education course designed specifically for IBCLCs who want foundational knowledge about newborn sleep without becoming certified coaches.Guest InfoDana Obleman🌐 Website: sleepsense.net📸 Instagram: @sleepsenseFree resource: 7 Best Sleep Tips for Lactation Consultants http://sleepsense.net/lactationConnect with Margaret📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty🎙 Hosted by: Margaret Salty🎧 Guest: Dana Obleman🎵 Music by: The Magnifiers, My Time Traveling...

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• Equity, Advocacy, and Mentorship in Lactation with Jasmine Creighton

  In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Jasmine Creighton, owner of Yaya's Hands Perinatal and Lactation Services in Southern California. Jasmine is also president-elect of the Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition, leader of its Black Breastfeeding Task Force, a board member for the California Breastfeeding Coalition, and a perinatal health specialist at a local hospital.Together, they explore lactation equity, advocacy, and mentorship—and why representation and culturally relevant care are vital for families. Jasmine shares her powerful story of birth and breastfeeding, including her hospital birth, her home water birth, and how those experiences inspired her to support families navigating barriers to care.They also discuss systemic racism in healthcare, the historic and current challenges Black families face with breastfeeding, and how predatory formula marketing continues to impact communities of color. Jasmine explains how equity means more than equal access—it means care and resources tailored to each family’s needs.Jasmine’s Journey into Lactation and AdvocacyJasmine shares how:Her own birth and breastfeeding experiences shaped her passion for this work.She found community during the COVID pandemic that connected her to birth workers and advocates.Navigating her IBCLC pathway revealed inequities in access to mentorship, hours, and certification support—and why she now mentors others to make the journey easier.Lactation Equity as a Core ValueThey discuss:How systemic racism and bias still shape perinatal care experiences.Why Black women are often offered formula more frequently than other groups in hospitals—and how this impacts breastfeeding duration.The importance of reclaiming breastfeeding as both a health issue and a form of reproductive justice.Barriers and SolutionsJasmine highlights:The lack of culturally responsive care and providers who reflect the communities they serve.Economic and insurance barriers that limit families’ access to lactation support.The need for advocacy, scholarships, mentorship, and coalition-building to change systems and increase representation.Advice for Aspiring IBCLCsJasmine encourages providers to:Network intentionally—both online and in person.Find mentors and be a resource in return, making relationships reciprocal.Persevere despite barriers, remembering that mentorship and community are key to success.Guest InfoJasmine Creighton🌐 Website: jasminecreighton.com📸 Instagram: @jasminecreighton💼 LinkedIn: Jasmine CreightonConnect with Margaret📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty🎙 Hosted by: Margaret Salty🎧 Guest: Jasmine Creighton🎵 Music by: The Magnifiers, My Time Traveling MachineHashtags & Keywords#BehindTheLatch #LactationEquity #IBCLC #BlackBreastfeeding #MentorshipMatters #PerinatalHealth #CulturallyResponsiveCare #ReproductiveJustice🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app—and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

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• The OT Advantage: How Occupational Therapy Elevates Lactation Care with Jeanne Pichoff

  In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Jeanne Pichoff, MS, OTR/L, IBCLC, owner of Flourish Pediatric Therapy and Lactation in Lafayette, Louisiana. Together, they explore the unique and often misunderstood role of occupational therapists in lactation care—how OT skills complement IBCLC expertise, when a referral to OT can make all the difference for a feeding dyad, and how collaborative care improves outcomes for families. Jeanne shares how her personal experience with a tongue-tied baby fueled her passion to bridge the gap between therapy and lactation, and why understanding infant development, muscle tone, and sensory integration is essential for comprehensive feeding support.They discuss the overlap between OT, PT, and SLP roles in infant feeding, how to identify when an OT referral is warranted, and the nuances of managing tongue tie cases both before and after frenotomy. Jeanne also explains why “suck training” can fall outside the IBCLC scope if practiced without an additional license, and how to work within scope while still supporting progress.Jeanne’s Journey into Lactation and OT SpecializationJeanne shares how:Her early work in general pediatrics and early intervention revealed a major gap in lactation knowledge among OTs.A challenging personal breastfeeding experience with her second child, who had an obvious tongue tie, became the catalyst for pursuing IBCLC training.Combining her OT skill set with lactation expertise allowed her to provide more comprehensive, dyad-centered care.The OT Role in Infant FeedingThey discuss:How OT scope of practice includes feeding, sensory processing, and motor skill development.The unique lens OTs bring to infant feeding, from muscle tone assessment to sensory integration.Overlap with PT and SLP roles, and why individual continuing education shapes a therapist’s feeding expertise.When to Refer to OTJeanne explains:Key red flags—such as abnormal muscle tone, dysphagia signs, sensory processing challenges, torticollis, or developmental delays—that warrant OT involvement.How therapy addresses both feeding mechanics and developmental milestones.Why early intervention leads to better long-term outcomes.Managing Tongue Tie CasesThey explore:Why not all tongue-tied babies need therapy before release—and when conservative management is best.How OT can support post-frenotomy recovery, from suck training to addressing body tension.The risks of prophylactic releases “just in case” and why function should always guide decision-making.Scope, Collaboration, and AdvocacyJeanne shares:Why IBCLCs without another license should avoid direct “suck training” and instead refer to an appropriately licensed provider.How billing under OT benefits families by increasing insurance coverage for feeding-related visits.The importance of building trust across disciplines to ensure safe, effective care for families.Advice for IBCLCs and Perinatal ProfessionalsJeanne encourages providers to:Learn the strengths of the OTs, PTs, and SLPs in their community.Focus on collaborative, dyad-centered care rather than trying to “do it all.”Recognize and respect scope of practice boundaries to improve outcomes and maintain professional safety.**DISCOUNT CODE BEHINDTHELATCH for 20% off either one Jeanne's courses:https://www.lactationot.com/totshttps://www.lactationot.com/weightgainGuest Info:Jeanne Pichoff, MS, OTR/L, IBCLC, is...

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• Rethinking Flange Fit: A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Anders

  In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Lisa Anders, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and IBCLC. Together, they explore Dr. Anders’ groundbreaking research on flange sizing for pumping parents—an area that has been historically under-researched and inconsistently practiced. Dr. Anders shares how using nipple tip diameter rather than base diameter may improve comfort, milk expression, and overall pumping experience.They discuss the practical implications of her findings for private practice IBCLCs, how to apply the research in clinical care, and what this means for the future of pumping support.Anders, L., Frem, J.M., & McCoy, T.P. (2024). Flange Size Matters: A Comparative Pilot Study of the Flange FITS Guide Versus Traditional Sizing Methods. Journal of Human Lactation, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/08903344241296036Lisa’s Journey into Lactation ResearchDr. Anders shares how:Her own experience as a mother and lactation consultant led her to question standard flange fitting guidance.She noticed patterns of discomfort and underperformance in pump use that weren’t being addressed in the literature.Her academic background in health and human sciences helped her design a pilot study to explore alternative approaches to flange sizing.Why Flange Fit MattersThey discuss:How incorrect flange sizing contributes to nipple pain, reduced output, and early weaning.Why standard recommendations based on base diameter may not reflect the functional part of the nipple used during pumping.How measuring nipple tip diameter (as little as 3–5mm) and using smaller flanges improved outcomes for many of her study participants.Clinical Application and Research GapsDr. Anders explains:How IBCLCs in private practice can begin to implement this approach now, even before larger-scale studies are done.The importance of individualized care, particularly for exclusive pumpers who may struggle in silence.Why pump support deserves the same evidence-based attention as direct breastfeeding.Equity and Access in Pumping SupportThey explore:How a lack of evidence-based flange fitting disproportionately impacts marginalized communities.The cost and access barriers involved in finding the right flange—and how that contributes to inequities in breastfeeding outcomes.The need for culturally responsive, inclusive pumping support.Looking AheadDr. Anders shares:What future research she hopes to conduct to validate and expand her pilot findings.Why community-based IBCLCs play a vital role in gathering observational data and sharing clinical insights.Her encouragement to providers to challenge assumptions and keep asking: is this really working for our clients?Advice for IBCLCs and Perinatal ProfessionalsDr. Anders encourages providers to:Reconsider flange fitting practices with a focus on comfort, efficiency, and individualized care.Learn more about pump mechanics and nipple anatomy.Advocate for more inclusive and accessible tools to support all pumping parents.Guest Info:Dr. Lisa Anders is an assistant professor at UNC Greensboro and a board-certified lactation consultant. Her research focuses on maternal health, infant feeding, and improving care experiences through interdisciplinary and inclusive approaches.📘 LinkedIn: Dr. Lisa Anders📚 Read the study: Anders, L....

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• Dr. Emily Little on Supporting the Whole Perinatal Experience

  In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Emily Little researcher and founder of Nurturely. Together, they explore how a baby’s sensory world influences their development, the impact of culture on parent-infant interactions, and why early sensory experiences—like babywearing, skin-to-skin, and gentle handling—can have profound effects on feeding, regulation, and bonding. Dr. Little shares evidence-based insights into nurturing the whole baby while advocating for a more inclusive, anti-racist model of perinatal health.Emily’s Journey into Perinatal PsychologyDr. Little shares how:Her early research focused on infant sensory systems and regulation.Time spent in cross-cultural research opened her eyes to the variety of parenting norms around the globe.She founded Nurturely to bridge research and equity-centered community care, bringing together science, support, and systems change.Why Sensory Development Matters in Early LifeThey discuss:How babies rely on touch, sound, movement, and smell to make sense of their world.How common Western parenting norms—like placing babies in containers and using less skin-to-skin—can lead to sensory mismatch and dysregulation.Why “fussy” behavior may be a clue to unmet sensory needs rather than a temperament issue.Cultural Norms, Racism, and Equity in Perinatal CareDr. Little explains:How colonization and racism have disrupted culturally grounded parenting practices.The importance of reclaiming and honoring ancestral knowledge—especially in Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities.That perinatal care must move beyond individual-level support and into system-level change to be truly equitable.Rethinking the Babywearing “Trend”They explore:How babywearing is often dismissed as “optional” in Western medicine—but is the norm globally.The developmental, emotional, and regulatory benefits of babywearing for both parents and infants.How Nurturely’s programs provide access to baby carriers, workshops, and community support—especially for BIPOC families.Creating Systemic Change in Perinatal HealthDr. Little describes:Why research alone is not enough—we need community-driven change.Nurturely’s model of working with BIPOC-led organizations to co-create programs that address real-world challenges.Why dismantling racism in perinatal health is a lifelong commitment, not a checkbox.Advice for IBCLCs and Perinatal ProfessionalsDr. Little encourages providers to:Stay curious—question what you consider “normal” parenting practices.Understand the deep connection between sensory development and feeding behaviors.Partner with community organizations to expand access and inclusion in perinatal care.Guest Info:Dr. Emily Little is a researcher and the founder of Nurturely, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting equity in perinatal wellness and strengthening the connection between culture, science, and care.🌐 www.nurturely.org📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilylittlephdConnect with Margaret:📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty🎙 Hosted by: Margaret Salty🎧 Guest: Dr. Emily Little🎵 Music by: The Magnifiers, “My Time Traveling Machine”Hashtags &...

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