We recently connected with René Moore and have shared our conversation below.
Hi René, thanks for joining us today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)
So I believe it’s important to share with the breastfeeding mother and family, as well as any healthcare provider (including those newer in the field of lactation or considering the lactation profession), that struggling with breastfeeding is not a true representation of the nursing relationship. The “normal course of breastfeeding” really is comfortable, free of pain and not completely exhausting and overwhelming for new parents. It is an adjustment, of course, but certainly not to the extent where the nursing parent dreads the next latching and feeding of the baby, we often hear about.
Pain is to be used to guide the parent and healthcare providers to make appropriate adjustments or further evaluate and uncover root causes of compensation in the baby or even the parent(s). Birthing interventions can exacerbate feeding issues in the newborn and so it can take time to reach the original feeding goal. If new parents and healthcare providers knew these things, then breastfeeding could be better supported and breastfeeding families would be reaching or exceeding their goals and breastfeeding rates would then improve dramatically. Perhaps we would not experience formula shortages.
By sharing such insight, the breastfeeding mother in particular is able to adjust expectations and have renewed hope that breastfeeding is not only achievable but ultimately will be enjoyable and may simplify her life significantly. Naturally families share what is normal and help dispel breastfeeding myths for friends and family.
In my practice as well as other practices where I assist, I’m fortunate to see very high rates of success with breastfeeding. Arizona surpassed the U.S. National AND Healthy People 2020 targets both for “Initiation of Breastfeeding” and for “Any Breastfeeding at 12 Months”. It is truly gratifying to help empower families to raise their own healthy children in the best ways they know how to and plan to. I never tire of the stories and pictures families share with me on their successes and triumphs, forever grateful for the encouragement received to continue, and to experience how breastfeeding was truly meant to be.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
When families experience life stressors, a common occurrence when having a new baby, it’s not uncommon to encounter breast feeding difficulty. I founded my practice, First Food for Baby, and more recently my non-profit organization, the American Breast Feeding Foundation, to support families as a skilled lactation consultant to be able to meet feeding expectations. Having the strong belief that the normal course of breastfeeding can be an important healing experience for the entire family, I have passionately guided families since this realization soon after starting my own family. Surviving and understanding that genetic and anatomical issues in particular are common saboteurs for breastfeeding, I strive to uncover root causes for dysfunction and support families in making changes at the very first signs of struggle, at the very earliest age, to support the healthiest possible outcome of babies and families.
I feel fortunate to have certain experiences, professional as well as personal, that further enrich my scope of practice. I can say that now, but I experienced many challenges with both of my nurslings that were devastating at the time. I was able to overcome all of them to exceed my own goals and the knowledge and firsthand experience gained has been invaluable. I relate with deep understanding where healthcare in general might not be able to.
Additionally, I consider myself my own case study. Having experienced health issues that might have been avoided or less complex and damaging had I been breastfed, I have undergone many of the very things I might need to recommend to parents. So I’m truly walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I can share with parents exactly what to expect with a procedure, recovery and everything there is to know about lactation and breastfeeding. There aren’t many lactation consultants that have such in depth knowledge and experience. Surprisingly there aren’t very many IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) at all! Currently there are just 34,000 (as of January 2022) of us worldwide since skilled lactation care began as a profession in 1985. As with any profession, new parents are wise to seek out and interview a breastfeeding supportive Pediatrician, ObGyn or Midwife and IBCLC (the gold standard in lactation), before the birth of a baby. By doing so, the success of establishing enough milk, successful pumping and working and enjoying a satisfying, healthy nursing experience increase significantly.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Interestingly, I have never advertised my practice – never paid a dime to get my business “out there”. I am a firm believer in word of mouth. So this and dedicating myself to providing current and evidence-based care to patients seemed the best way to become established in this field. And I wouldn’t change a thing if I had it all to do over again. Referrals are one of the best compliments a business receives and word of mouth travels fast! I had more work than I knew what to do with by the second year, working long after dark every day.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
I find my profession so rewarding that I would do what I do without compensation. In fact I have forgotten to get payment before leaving a home visit on more than one occasion! I think you know you truly love what you do if you forget to collect for services rendered. It isn’t the money that I do this job for. For me this profession is rewarding in so many other ways. I can’t imagine ever not looking forward to empowering new parents to do what their instincts are telling them and helping them reach their personal feeding goals. It’s an honor to be invited and trusted to share in part of such an intimate part of their lives, celebrate achievements with them. I honestly wish I had started this professional journey sooner!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.firstfoodforbaby.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYgpITh15E/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstFood4Baby
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rene-moore-6a387916/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/firstfood4baby
- Other: Board Certified Lactation Consultant specializing in relactation/induced lactation, infant anatomical oral restrictions (and torticollis), increasing or reducing milk production, pumping and other breastfeeding and bottle feeding challenges.