Barriers to Chest/Breastfeeding: How to get it right
timely topic breakout
DATE: Friday, November 8th
TIME: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
FACULTY: Sasha Bariffe, WI-LM, CPM, IBCLC and Nicole Miles, MA, CD, NCS, IBCLC
This session will emphasize the need to address and overcome barriers to human milk feeding for the well-being of lactating parents and infants.
Barriers to breastfeeding can be categorized into societal and structural obstacles, practitioner-specific barriers, perceived barriers, and individual factors. Some common challenges include lack of knowledge, societal expectations, limited support from family and peers, workplace demands, and healthcare policies and practices. Addressing these barriers is crucial for the well-being of lactating parents and their infants.
Overcoming these barriers can be achieved through various measures such as providing comprehensive lactation support and education, encouraging adequate family leave and workplace lactation programs, and ensuring continuity of care and trust with healthcare providers.
Faculty
Sasha Bariffe, WI-LM, CPM, IBCLC
Sasha is dedicated to providing culturally affirming and compassionate care to individuals during their childbearing years. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, her primary objective is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to affirming care.
Sasha's journey began in 2002 as a certified nursing assistant before discovering her passion for birth work. After completing a rigorous 5-year midwifery training, she became a Certified Professional Midwife, Certified Community Midwife, and obtained licensure in Wisconsin. She also holds the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) credential.
In addition to her clinical work, Sasha actively advocates for legislative change to improve access to reproductive healthcare. She is also a passionate educator and advocate for Black and Indigenous student midwives. Sasha’s work emphasizes the importance of cultural competence and advocacy in the practice of midwifery.
Outside of work, Sasha enjoys spending quality time with her children, partner, and giant dog, tending to her indoor and outdoor gardens, creating digital art, and micro-studying various subjects.
Nicole Miles, MA, CD, NCS, IBCLC
Nicole is a Chicago native, Smith College alumna ’12, and public health worker. From a very young age, she knew helping parents, families, and babies was her calling. Her family was the model for village-centered support as she grew up surrounded by extended family in addition to a host of family friends.
As a full-spectrum doula, Newborn Care Specialist, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and student midwife (Certified Professional Midwife), Nicole is a dedicated birthworker who takes an integrative approach to birth and parenthood.
With over 10 years of childcare and birthwork experience, Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge and believes community is essential to disrupt maternal and infant mortality; Nicole advocates with and on behalf of parents to ensure they have access to the providers, services, and support groups that will help them along their journey.
She currently lives in Dallas, Texas with her orange Tabby Tigger Mae.
