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“You have to put as much energy into training your communication skills as you are learning all the physiological reasons people have low milk supply.”
— Annie Frisbie
In this episode, we dive headfirst into the emotional topic that is client communication, especially the kind that happens when everyone’s stressed, sleep-deprived, and possibly holding a crying baby (or crying themselves).
As a lactation consultant, it turns out, your mood matters. Shocking, right? If you’re under-caffeinated, over-caffeinated, or just generally cranky, your ability to be empathetic can fly right out the window.
Good communication means actually listening (and not just waiting for your turn to talk), choosing our words carefully, and never, ever being the reason a client walks away more stressed than when they showed up.
The goal? Set realistic expectations, offer encouragement, and stop ourselves from promising the moon just to avoid awkward silence.
Listen now to discover:
- Why empathy is important as a lactation consultant (1:50)
- How to make difficult conversations easier (8:15)
- Balancing empathy with clinical skills (9:26)
- Using body language to help you communicate (13:20)
“ I really have to focus on making sure that they feel good about what I’m telling them.”
— Leah Jolly
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
Highlights:
1:50 – Why empathy is important
8:15 – Making difficult conversations easier
9:26 – Balancing empathy with clinical skills
13:20 – Using body language to communicate
20:39 – Setting boundaries with empathy
23:35 – individualizing care for clients
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 Paperless Lactation.
The Lactation Business Coaching podcast is produced by us and edited by Jillian Grover, who also writes our show notes. Our theme song is by Silas Wade.
