We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lori Theisen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lori thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Becoming a parent was definitely a defining moment in my life and most definitely, a defining moment in my professional career. I was living in Los Angeles, working as a bartender and Pilates instructor as an aspiring actress, when I became pregnant with my son. My son was born the day I was supposed to take a class on breastfeeding. I wasn’t too worried about breastfeeding, because, like many others, I thought nursing a baby would be easy and natural. I was certainly mistaken. My son was admitted to the NICU and that’s where I learned all about breastfeeding, latching, positioning, pumping and bottle feeding. One doctor would tell me one thing, another doctor would tell me the opposite, the NICU lactation consultant would tell me something brand new and then the nurse would tell me I was doing it all wrong. I was frustrated to say the least. I knew there should not have been as hard as it *was* for me in feeding babies. Why were so many professionals telling me so many conflicting things? Soon, I learned it was the IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) who was the feeding expert and I focused on learning from her which led to a successful feeding journey for my son and I. Feeding babies could not and should not have been as hard as it for me. I moved back to Iowa, studied lactation under two seasoned IBCLCs all while in nursing school and raising my son. I became an IBCLC (International Board-certified lactation consultant) in 2015 and an BSN, RN in 2016. I did it all so that I could help families in ways that I was helped, and, in the ways, I was not helped. After all, being a parent is hard enough-feeding your baby shouldn’t be.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have helped over 5,000 families meet their feeding goals from the NICU, to in-patient care in the hospital, out-patient visits, in the comfort of their own home or virtually. It’s such an honor to be able to hold space for families during such a sensitive and intimate time. I love educating, empowering and supporting families during their unique feeding journey. There are many ways to feed your baby and no wrong way to do it. Over my career I have learned how milk feeding can be made to be very overwhelming and confusing when – in the end, milk feeding can actually be made simple when we have the right support system and educators to empower us. I wrote ‘THIS BOOK SUCKS feeding your baby shouldn’t’ and my friend, Ashley Bradley illustrated it. Together, we wanted to make breastfeeding fun, simple, and non judgmental as it often can feel scary and hard. The language is simple and educational, and the art is both medically accurate and educational and lol hilarious. We are both very proud to make education light and fun, during an often-overwhelming time in ones life.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

In my field of work, we must be able to hold space for our families during a trying time, understand their feeding goals and help them achieve their feeding goals. To do this, we must not be judgmental while understanding each milk feeding person and family is different from the next. Every day is different in a new parent’s life and each feeding can be different. Even the same family-child after child-each feeding journey will be different. As an IBCLC, I have to retake the test every 5 years and several hours of continuing education, so we are truly the feeding expert. Many people don’t know that your insurance covers visits from the IBCLC to home your home or virtually. I have my own private practice where I see families in the clinic, in home in the Madison, WI area and I see families all over the United States and the world, virtually.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes, a million times yes- If I could go back, I would choose the same profession, this exact profession, as a lactation consultant (IBCLC). I love working with families and babies. I will never forget who helped me before, during and after my birth from friends to medical professionals to even strangers! I will never forget the amazing nurses and lactation consultants who helped me. This is an important time in people’s lives and to be able to help them is the greatest honor I will ever know.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sweetlatchwellness.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori_theisen_rn_ibclc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sweet-Latch-Wellness-Navigation/100083160143339/
• Other: How to order ‘THIS BOOKS SUCKS feeding your baby shouldnt’ https://www.amazon.com/THIS-BOOK-SUCKS-feeding-shouldnt/dp/B0B3P275JP

Image Credits
Ashley Bradley illustrator /image credits for the ‘THIS BOOK SUCKS feeding your baby shouldn’t’.