Breastfeeding in the Philippines is commonplace, yet lactation support is not.  For 116 million people there are only 29 IBCLC's!  Yet the breastfeeding rates are more than double compared to the US.  In this episode Katie Oshita and Marj Sibayan discuss how breastfeeding and lactation care is in the Philippines and US.

Podcast Guest: Dr. Maria Julita SJ. Sibayan, PhD, MAN, IBCLC, RN is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, nurse, and seasoned academic with over 20 years of teaching and clinical experience. Recognized as one of the country’s foremost experts in lactation management, she specializes in higher-acuity breastfeeding cases, including infants with cleft conditions, down syndrome, prematurity, relactation, tongue-tie, and insufficient glandular tissue (IGT). Her clinical innovation—the Specialized Nursing Algorithm for Cleft Care—is now a benchmark guideline being disseminated globally by Smile Train partners to advance infant feeding care in complex settings.

As a technical consultant, Dr. Sibayan provides expert guidance on breastfeeding, maternal-child health, and infant feeding systems, drawing from her extensive work with UNICEF EAPRO, IBFAN, and various non-governmental organizations. Her contributions extend to policy development, program implementation, and capacity-building for frontline health workers.

A prolific researcher and published author, she has co-authored Leaders Shaping Leadership: Mentoring, Advising, and Coaching (2023), the Baby Passport (2022), and the chapter “Perspective on Interprofessional Education” in Whole Person Care: Adventist Nursing in Action (2024). Her scholarly work—recognized internationally through Sigma Theta Tau’s Rising Star of Research Award—focuses on interprofessional education, allied healthcare collaboration, and breastfeeding innovations.

Dr. Sibayan combines academic rigor, clinical expertise, and advocacy to strengthen programs that protect, promote, and support breastfeeding at both community and policy levels.

Podcast Host: Katie Oshita, RN, BSN, IBCLC has over 25 years of experience working in Maternal-Infant Medicine.  While Katie sees clients locally in western WA, Katie is also a telehealth lactation consultant believing that clients anywhere in the world deserve the best care possible for their needs.  Being an expert on TOTs, Katie helps families everywhere navigate breastfeeding struggles, especially when related to tongue tie or low supply.  Katie is also passionate about finding the root cause of symptoms, using Functional Medicine practices to help client not just survive, but truly thrive. Email [email protected] or www.cuddlesandmilk.com