A Guide to Growth in Your Lactation Career: One-to-One Coaching
It won't just happen on its own
Lactation work is a very specific and “niche” career.
If you are serious about planning your future and growing in your lactation career, you need an experienced guide who can point you toward the resources and opportunities best matched to you.
Whether you are in the earliest stages of considering a career in lactation work or a seasoned IBCLC, I can help you build a clear plan for turning your vision into real life.
I offer one-to-one Lactation Career Coaching, scheduled at your convenience.
Progress Through Intention
When you have a step-by-step game plan, you will always know what to do next, and you won’t feel like you are running in place.
Many people enter the lactation field with an unyielding passion and enthusiasm.
Channeling that type of energy into a clear mission and vision statement can really pay off in terms of knowing how and when to seek out new roles and responsibilities in the lactation care universe.
Your unique background and perspective are the foundation of your own meaning and purpose in providing lactation education and care to others.
At times, you may find yourself “stuck,” wondering what else you can do to make an impact or how you can expand your knowledge and offerings.
You might also find yourself feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or constantly frustrated about the same thing.
Perhaps the issue is more sensitive: you have a responsibility to provide lactation education and support, but you find it really difficult to buy in to breastfeeding in general.
These are all examples of times where it could be helpful to talk to an experienced lactation consultant who can help you find perspective and make a plan for moving forward.
This is how I can help.
What You Can Expect from A Coaching Session
Through a series of exercises and activities designed specifically for the lactation care provider AND our one-to-one conversations, you will learn to
honor your gifts
be honest about what you want out of this work
talk about yourself and your work with confidence
define success on your own terms
pursue leadership in the field with authenticity and resilience
One-to-One Coaching Session: How It Works
One-to-one conversations with me (via Zoom)
Access to watch and listen to the recording of our conversation for 2 weeks so that you can re-visit what we discussed
Follow-up documentation of our conversation, including links and resources that I have determined might be helpful
VIP Coaching Package: How It Works
One-to-one conversations with me (via Zoom) monthly for 6 months
Access to watch and listen to recordings of our conversations so that you can re-visit what we discussed
Follow-up documentation of our conversations, including links and resources that I have determined might be helpful for you
Exercises and worksheets that will guide you to clearly define your purpose, values, and goals
Weekly text check-ins on your progress & needs (via WhatsApp)
FAQs
When will we meet?
You can schedule our conversations at your convenience so that they can take place when you can focus and invest time and energy on yourself.
I am a lactation student and I already have a clinical mentor; how will this help me?
As your career mentor, I have a different focus than your clinical mentor. My role is to guide you as you establish your mission and vision, define your values, set goals, and work toward the objectives you have set for yourself.
Can we use the time to talk about clinical topics instead of career growth?
We can certainly do that if it meets your needs at this time. We can also discuss the IBCLC re-certification process, review topics as you study for the IBCLC exam, or discuss any other subject related to the work of lactation care and advocacy.
I’m not sure I’m ready for coaching yet; what should I do for now?
Please subscribe to my Substack and continue to follow along as I provide plenty of free resources and information that will be helpful to you!
About Your Lactation Career Coach
My name is Christine Staricka. I have been involved in the lactation field since 2001. I have held the IBCLC credential since 2009, having re-certified in 2014, 2019, and 2024.
In my lactation career, I have worked and volunteered in many settings:
hospital inpatient
community outpatient
support group leader
local, regional, and national professional lactation associations
non-profit organizations
for-profit organizations
private lactation practice
professional lactation education provider
and more
I currently hold multiple roles in various settings, working closely clinically and academically with registered nurses, midwives, doulas, postpartum mental health care providers, and others who are invested in the welfare and safety of breastfeeding dyads and families worldwide.
I have studied and pursued additional knowledge about conflicts of interest in lactation care and the WHO Code, one of lactation work's most important guiding documents.
I firmly believe that intentionally building resilience is a cornerstone of ensuring the future of the lactation field.
This work can be wonderfully rewarding and incredibly draining.
It can be fun and joyous, yet challenging and overwhelming.
The dichotomies are shocking but real.
The path to navigating all of it and thriving over the years is simple: the individual lactation care provider must remain focused on their mission and vision while continually building and nurturing relationships with the larger field of lactation care providers for connection, growth, and the global context that lends their work meaning.
If you are a lactation support provider in any capacity, I would be honored to work with you.
