Each month, Annie and Leah take a deeper dive into topics and information with an expert to give more insights on things that we might be incorporating in our clinical practice as well as entrepreneurs and business owners. They're bringing you this snippet today to give you a taste of what these deeper dives are all about.

In this Deeper Dive, you'll learn how newer research into tongue function, tethered oral tissues, and the fascial system has changed what experienced clinicians are looking for during hands-on infant assessment — and how to bring those insights into your own practice. You'll leave with a clearer framework for the methodical hands-on piece of your visits and a better understanding of what palpation can tell you that observation alone can't.

Catherine Watson Genna BS, IBCLC is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in private practice in New York City. Certified in 1992, Catherine is particularly interested in helping moms and babies breastfeed when they have medical challenges. She speaks to healthcare professionals around the world on assisting breastfeeding babies with anatomical, genetic or neurological problems. Her presentations and her writing feature her clinical photographs, which have also been published widely. Catherine's research collaboration with Columbia University and Tel Aviv University's departments of biomedical engineering are studying various aspects of infant sucking, swallowing and nipple biomechanics. She is the author of Selecting and Using Breastfeeding Tools: Improving Care and Outcomes (Praeclarus Press 2009) and Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Infants 4th edition (Jones and Bartlett Publishers 2023) as well as professional journal articles. Catherine is still a La Leche League Leader, supporting new Leaders in Queens. Catherine was the founding Associate Editor for the United States Lactation Consultant Association journal Clinical Lactation's first 7 years. Her own two offspring (who were of course breastfed!) are a seminarian and a registered nurse.

Each month we host a live Deeper Dive so you can connect with us, our special guests, and each other + get lifetime access to the recording!

Links and Resources

• Subscribe to the Deeper Dive Membership: https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership
• Have an idea for a podcast episode or a Deeper Dive? Let us know! https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/form/collaborate
• Submit your listener questions here: https://forms.gle/NsmGysHMAULW9o1z5

Subscribers also get access to our next Deeper Dive into Type A Families on June 16, 2026. Subscribe at https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/subscription/deeper-dive-membership.

About Us

Leah Jolly is a private practice IBCLC with Bay Area Breastfeeding in Houston, Texas.

Annie Frisbie is a private practice IBCLC serving Queens and Brooklyn in New York City and the creator of the Lactation Consultant Private Practice Toolkit.