In our society today, we don’t quite learn how to breastfeed by observation as we once did in the past. You might think that it is completely natural for you and your baby, which it is to some extent. However, without coming into contact with the techniques involved with breastfeeding, it can truly be a foreign concept to most of modern society. And the unknown can often be scary! This is why it’s always beneficial to take a breastfeeding class prior to giving birth.

LaShanda Dandrich, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and co-founder of the Lactation Learning Collective, joins us today to talk about all things breastfeeding. LShanda talks about the significant mental and physical aspects involved in breastfeeding “success” and what “success” even means in this situation. She dives into topics like latching, clogged ducts, mastitis, yeast infection and more. She discusses how lactation consultants can help people with under or over supply of milk due to hypothyroidism, diabetes, breast surgery, etc. LaShanda advocates for creating your “village” of people to help you stay nourished and take care of you and your home so that you can focus on breastfeeding. Especially in the early days, breastfeeding can be a round-the-clock activity as newborns have tiny tummies and need to feed often. 

After the birth of her daughter in 2009, LaShanda’s passion for breastfeeding and supporting mothers and families in the postpartum period blossomed. She became a trained postpartum doula while pursuing her IBCLC credential. LaShanda currently provides lactation support prenatally and postpartum via virtual visits and in person support groups. She has supported families of all diverse, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds throughout NYC. She also works closely with other perinatal professionals, teaching lactation support for doulas to mentoring those on the Pathway to IBCLC. She currently resides in Harlem with her daughter, and they continue to travel the world together!

Connect with her:

IG: @LactationLearningCollective