Bodyfeeding, breastfeeding, and chestfeeding looks different for everyone, and definitely isn’t limited to one particular gender. Some folks have chests, others have breasts, and some just prefer to refer to their body as a whole. Some feed exclusively using a pump, others exclusively feed their babies straight from the breast or chest. For some parents lactation needs to be induced, and for others it doesn’t. Some use combination feeding with formula, others use solely their own milk or donated breast/chest milk. There are SO many different variations of “normal” and Tree Town Doulas is supportive of all of them. Your journey with your baby will be unique and we are always here to answer any questions or help you navigate your options. We do, after all, have our very own CLC (Erica McLeod) and IBCLC (Tara Sullivan) on board!
This week we give a special shoutout to the amazing Barbara D. Robertson, IBCLC!!!Barbara is a real-life superhero when it comes to Lactation Support and Consultation. So if you’re a parent who is struggling with breastfeeding/chestfeeding, or just wants to learn more, Barbara is your gal!
BARBARA ROBERTSON, IBCLC
Barbara D. Robertson, IBCLC, has been involved in education for over 30 years. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1988 and her Master’s in Education in 1995. Barbara left teaching elementary students in 1995 to raise her two children. Barbara is now the Director of The Breastfeeding Center of Ann Arbor. Barbara has developed a 90 hour professional lactation training, a 20 hour course which fulfills the “Baby Friendly” education requirements, and is a speaker for hire on a wide variety of topics including Motivational Interviewing. Barbara volunteered for the United States Lactation Consultation Association as the Director of Professional Development for 4.5 years. She just retired as Associate Editor for Clinical Lactation, a journal she helped create for USLCA. Barbara has free podcasts, a blog, and Youtube videos which can all be found on her website bfcaa.com. She has written many articles and created a phone app for working and breastfeeding mothers. She loves working with mothers and babies, helping them with breastfeeding problems in whatever way she can.
What brought you to support moms and babies?
My own struggles with breastfeeding. If I had not had help and support, I would not have made it!
If there was one myth you could “bust”, what would it be?
The myth:How much babies eat. Bottle fed babies keep getting bigger and bigger bottles which is not healthy! Families should consider using Paced Bottle Feeding and know that babies usually, and I mean most babies, eat less than 30 oz per 24 hours. It is more like 25-28 oz. Child care centers ask when are they going to move to 8 oz bottles? The answer is never! This is too much for any baby at one time.
What do you enjoy doing when not working?
Reading, gardening, and cooking!
What moment are you most proud of?
My proudest moments are when I really help a family move forward with their goals. Families come in so overwhelmed and often frightened. I help them feel more confident and less afraid. They leave my office with a clear plan and how to follow up.
Tell us about something in your practice you would like everyone to know.
Seeing me is different than seeing anyone else in our area. I take the time to make sure that my families have plenty of time to go through everything, health histories, physical exams, doing pre and post weights to see what a baby is actually drinking from the breast, and helping families with pumping and/or hand expression. I really focus on the clinical and communication pieces of the health care field. I am compassionate and knowledgeable but not afraid to say I don’t know something.
