The Lactation Network

Since the inception of The Lactation Network, we have turned away nearly 3,000 requests for lactation consultations for U.S. military service members and their families through TRICARE — not because we don’t have enough IBCLCs, or because we’re not ready, willing, and able to provide those who serve our country the lactation care they deserve. It’s because the TRICARE program simply does not offer sufficient reimbursement for the critical expert lactation care International Board Certified Lactation Consultants provide. This must change. Today, we got one step closer to ensuring adequate lactation coverage, care, and support for Service members and their families, thanks to 33 dedicated Congresspeople who signed a letter to the Department of Defense. We won’t stop until every parent and family gets the breastfeeding support they need — and we’ll keep celebrating these wins along the way. 💚 

To all the IBCLCs at TLN 2024 Summit last week, comment below if you spot you or your bestie 😎

And a friendly reminder for employers: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you’re legally required to provide pumping accommodations to nursing parents! That includes a private space to pump, break time, proper compensation, and fair treatment — for a year after the birth of the employee’s child. Want to go above and beyond? Proactively communicate how you’ll accommodate parents who plan to nurse — it can help ease the stress of returning to work and boost employee morale during a time that often leads to turnover. Employers, share in the comments how you’re fostering a parent-friendly culture!

Our hearts go out to the victims of Hurricane Helene. ❤️🩹 To help support the people and communities impacted, we’re donating to BeLoved Asheville and the American Red Cross — two organizations that are mobilizing relief efforts throughout North Carolina — as well as purchasing 120 five-gallon buckets and lids for infant feeding emergency kits. Additionally, we are monitoring Hurricane Milton and are prepared to provide support to those in its path. Yesterday alone, BeLoved Asheville was able to distribute food and water to over 10,000 people with a focus on vulnerable populations just outside of Asheville. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is setting up shelters, distributing supplies, and helping those affected in the Southeastern region of the state as well. If you can, please consider donating money, time, or blood to help those in need. 🫂

Extra, extra! Crain's Chicago Business ranked The Lactation Network as Chicago’s 8th best place to work. At TLN, our employees get to focus on mission-driven work every day, advocating for a world where all families get the care they deserve. Plus, we’re committed to helping our team members lead fulfilling personal and professional lives with: 👩💻 A fully remote, flexible work environment 🐣 16 weeks of paid parental leave 🏝️ Unlimited PTO 👨💼 Professional development opportunities 📅 No-meeting days 📈 401(k) with 4% match 🩺 Comprehensive healthcare benefits And this year, we celebrated a huge milestone: Over half a million lactation care visits! That’s 500,000 steps toward a successful prenatal to postpartum experience, especially for working parents. (𝙊𝙝, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜?!) https://lnkd.in/gqfyuahZ

Two is better than one — especially when it comes to paid leave for new parents. Unfortunately, only 27% of private sector workers have access to paid leave benefits in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Why do we need a national paid leave policy? Parents need time and space to bond with their newborn and prioritize the well-being of their entire family. When they don’t have to worry about their next paycheck or rushing back to work, they can focus on proper postpartum care, lower the risk of depression, and reduce overall stress. Plus, mothers are more likely to breastfeed, which has proven health benefits for them and their baby. If there’s ever a time when parents need an extra set of hands, it’s during the first few months of their newborn’s life. Currently, 13 states and the District of Columbia have paid leave policies. At TLN, we’re advocating for legislation at the federal level to ensure all parents have the support they need during such a pivotal time in their lives.

Reminder: Your right to pump at work is federally protected thanks to the Fair Labor Standards Act and the PUMP Act. Swipe through to learn about the accommodations you’re entitled to, how you should be compensated for pump breaks, and what you can do if you ever face retaliation in the workplace for pumping.

...And that's a wrap on ✨the first-ever Summit by The Lactation Network!✨ This experience was years in the making, and the event exceeded our wildest dreams. There were iconic keynote speakers, sessions dedicated to cutting-edge maternal health research, and panels with postpartum experts and clinicians who took center stage to discuss advocacy, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. But there was so much else that made this Summit special — There were babies. Dedicated spaces for lactating parents. And attendees who could breastfeed openly without having to miss a thing. To our incredible IBCLCs: Thank you for being part of our network and for the immense care you take to help breastfeeding parents around the country. All of this was for you and the future you are helping to build for families nationwide. We’re re-energized by connecting with you in person, hearing about your practices firsthand, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you in this work. To The Lactation Network team: You're the best there is — there's no other team that could have co-created this kind of magic, and we can't wait to do it all again. 💚

We kicked off the *largest gathering of private practice IBCLCs ever* at #TLN2024Summit today! We built this conference so International Board Certified Lactation Consultants from all over the country could connect, grow, and learn together. Over 600 IBCLCs joined us for our first day in Chicago, which started with a grounding yoga class and ended with a cocktail hour and dinner at the Field Museum. In between, we packed in tons of speakers and breakout sessions, covering everything from launching the first nursery in the Olympic Village with Allyson Felix to lactation equity with Nekisha Killings MPH, IBCLC. Our favorite part of the day? Meeting hundreds of our IBCLCs from coast to coast! We are honored to partner with you to drive advocacy for your care, awareness of your esteemed profession, and support for your practices. Stay tuned: We’ve got even more in store for day two.