Katie Oshita and Bryna Hayden discuss how Bryna got started working with infant reflexes, why understanding and working with reflexes is important and how every IBCLC should start learning more and observing babies reflexes.  Bryna has a deep science background, uses that to study neurobehavior and babies.  They discuss how a hyper focus on problems, such as tongue tie and oral function, is clouding the field, covering up what IBCLC's are there to do- help the dyad (or triad) thrive. 

Podcast Guest:  Bryna is a neurodivergent and queer IBCLC, adult educator, birth doula, mentor, and private practice owner. They have also sought additional training and continuing education in the areas of oral function and infant feeding, Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT), primitive reflexes and brain development in infants, cultural congruency, trauma-informed care, harm-reduction approaches to clinical care, and other counseling strategies for client-facing care. Inclusivity and accessibility are central values that Bryna hold as they approach their work. Bryna also recognizes that their background as a white person in the United States places them in a position of privilege, and they work to be cognizant of how that lens impacts their work. When not working, Bryna can be found staring up at huge trees in awe or inhaling the salty air at the coast in the Pacific Northwest where they live with their children, partner, and dogs.

Podcast host: Katie Oshita, RN, BSN, IBCLC has over 22 years of experience working in Maternal-Infant Medicine. Katie is 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 tongue tie and gut/allergy related issues. Email [email protected] or www.cuddlesandmilk.com