Episode 14: Lactation & Obstetrics with Lauren Reza, RN, BSN, CLE

In this episode of the Birth Like a Mammal™ podcast, Lindsay is joined by Lauren Reza, a lactation consultant  and natural Motherhood coach as well as the woman behind Lactation and Lullabies on Instagram. Lauren shares her journey from working in obstetrics as an R.N. to becoming a lactation consultant. She has a deep understanding of mammalian biology and the impacts of obstetric interventions on both lactation as well as  Mother-baby bonding, most of which she gained from personal experience  and observation working in labor and delivery. 

Lauren and Lindsay discuss topics related to mammalian biology, lactation, and mammalian parenting. Lauren advocates for a birth and postpartum experience that aligns with our mammalian biology, with minimal to no interventions, as that often inhibits or derails lactation and nursing. 

For those curious about the implications of obstetric interventions on nursing and Mother-baby bonding, this week's episode is a fantastic discussion of our modern lactation and nursing rates and how obstetrics has a hand in it. Lauren is available for virtual consults to anyone anywhere. You can connect with her via the contact information listed below.

Key Takeaways:

1. The role of instincts in making birth and postpartum decisions.
2. The detrimental effects of common obstetric practices on nursing and lactation.
3. The importance of creating a supportive and mammalian-aligned environment during birth and postpartum in order to promote lactation and nursing.

Quotes from Lauren:

• "I knew a lot of times that those interventions could lead to a cesarean, and it was definitely a gut instinct that this was not the path I wanted to go."
• "It should be this beautiful dance between the mom and the baby, and they are partners in this process."
• "Just listening to our instincts can make a significant difference in our birthing and breastfeeding experiences."

Lauren Reza can be found at @LactationAndLullabiesFlorida on Instagram. She offers virtual consultations and runs a monthly lactation support group in Jupiter, Florida. For more information on how to work with Lauren, go to her website: https://www.lactationandlullabies.com/