Working out the Kinks with Tash the Doula
My name is Tash and I have many roles in life. I'm a doula. An herbalist. An advocate. I'm also a wife, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. My goal is to have some real and honest conversations I just want people to know you're not alone. Personally, I went through different situations in life, feeling like I was the only one having bad thoughts, and when I finally started opening up, I realize I was one of many. Follow me on Instagram: @tashthedoula
Working out the Kinks with Tash the Doula
The Path to Lactation Advocacy with Paige Johnson
Embark with us on a touching exploration of motherhood as Paige Johnson, a devoted infant teacher with a heartfelt mission, graces our podcast with her tale of breastfeeding triumphs and the nurturing path towards becoming a lactation consultant. Paige's candid sharing of the magical moments and health wonders she witnessed in her child will stir not only the minds of aspiring consultants but also the hearts of those who've experienced the tender journey of nursing a child. Her ambition to extend this support to new mothers reflects the profound impact that personal experience can have on professional aspirations.
This episode isn't just Paige's story; it's a beacon for anyone considering the multifaceted career of lactation consulting. We sift through the layers of education, certification, and the potential to craft a unique professional journey—whether that's within the walls of a hospital, a cozy WIC office, or the entrepreneurial realm of private practice. Paige's passion illuminates the intricate tapestry of knowledge—from mastering the preparation of a baby's bottle to understanding the nutritional needs of nursing mothers—showcasing the diverse skill set required in this nurturing field.
Community is the heart of breastfeeding support, and as we navigate the landscape of local programs, Facebook groups, and the sometimes unconventional world of lactation cookies, you'll uncover a treasure trove of resources. These touchpoints not only offer scholarship information and study group camaraderie but also provide a network of encouragement and education for those on their breastfeeding journey. By sharing these stories and resources, we celebrate the courage of all mothers making informed choices for their children and themselves, and we eagerly anticipate Paige’s future role in guiding them along the way.
Hi everyone, welcome to another episode of Working Out the Kings, the podcast. We are in season four and today we are with Paige Johnson. So Paige is doing things a little different. Today we're talking about her dreams and her journey, and she wants to get into the lactation-consomptant situation. So, paige, how are you? I'm doing good. So you want to kind of talk to us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 2:Yes, well, my name is. Well, you already know my name. But so I got into lactation-consultant, like tried to get into it by. I just had a son he's three now but I was always like amazed with breastfeeding. It was just one of the things where I was just like I'm going to do it when I have a child. It's the best thing and I feel like it's just the natural thing and we're born to do this. So I just love that about it and it's just been an amazement of it.
Speaker 2:And while I was breastfeeding I learned so much like with, like, like down to the milk, like how it is like beneficial to them, like in all sorts of ways, and just like. It was one quirky thing that I learned about the milk where if you're about to make their bottles and you're about to warm them, you're not supposed to shake it a certain way, you're supposed to like spin it a certain way, which is like how I do bottles now when I'm at work. So it's like certain things you just learn and you're like, oh, this is pretty cool. And then now, right now, I'm an infant teacher. So I've been a teacher for almost 13 years now and now I get brand new moms that are breastfeeding and I get so excited because I want to help them and they ask me questions about how can they produce more and their supply is going low and all that good stuff. I like to help them, so that's what helps me.
Speaker 2:Want to be go into being a lactation consultant because I wanted to help moms that I work with at my school and I wanted to help other moms that just don't know the basics of breastfeeding and it's not, you know to let them know that it's a process but it's. The process is worth it. So that's about.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, I can understand that. I think feeding babies from the breast can be a little scary. You know, I feel maybe what, 20 years ago ish, breastfeeding wasn't really a big thing. We kind of just went back into just formula feeding. But now it seems like breastfeeding has kind of had a resurgence in like more people learn and you know, educate themselves about the benefits of breastfeeding, right, right. So I think that's pretty cool. So just out of curiosity, how long did you breastfeed?
Speaker 2:I just stopped breastfed for three years, oh wow.
Speaker 1:That's a long time.
Speaker 2:Three years, yeah. So he just got off, he just weaned off. I put him in his big boy bed and he didn't ask for it after that. So that was when he stopped. I mainly kept going because of like I guess because of COVID, you know I was scared. I didn't want him to get like sick and just wanted to keep his immune system up and all that good stuff. I wanted to get all the good things about keeping them on and it helps with their immune system. They don't get sick as much, which it did help because he has not gotten sick, Thankfully. Knock on wood, yeah, knock on wood. I'm not going to work because he's at school, but he's not gotten sick badly for like for a while and if he does get sick, it only lasts for two or three days and then he's back to normal. So that's how I knew it was, like it was extreme benefits to it. So, but it was like it was three years. I was like, wow, I didn't even see myself wanting to do it that long, but it happened.
Speaker 1:So I have to add so since you breastfed for like three years, was it all just from the breast or did you like you know, you like pump and then pour into like a little sippy cup, like what did?
Speaker 2:you do. The first year it was pumping and pumping into a sippy cup, but the second year in it was just he would get it, it would just be straight from the boob. So it would just be through like nap time or or going to bed. And then, third year in, well, not 38,. Well, yeah, third year in it was just for him to go to sleep. So for nap, for bed time.
Speaker 1:For bed time. Yeah, okay, that's actually pretty interesting. I've actually don't think I've ever had a conversation with someone who breastfed that long, so that's pretty yeah. Because there are this like so many health benefits to it. You know vitamins and like all the minerals that were kind of missing, like when you start eating. You know for adult food.
Speaker 2:So I think that's pretty interesting.
Speaker 1:I guess about a little bit back on topic. You said that you wanted to get into lactation consultant. So how did you find a place to do that, like, what did you do?
Speaker 2:So I talked with my I had an LC for my son and I and it was, and it sparked my interest. I was like, so how do you get into this? And she let me know about it and she said, because it was easier for her, because she's a nurse. So they just did it depends on where you are and you're, I guess, in your life not life but in your career. If you're a nurse, you're on this pathway. If you've been, like, in the healthcare system, you're on this pathway. But if you have no like healthcare experience whatsoever, you need the pathways three. She was saying. And she, that's what. She, that's what really like sparked me to want to do it, because she told me it wasn't, it's not that it's not that bad of a process and it's, it has a whole bunch of benefits and it's a really good job and she really loves she's, she really loves her job. So I was like, oh okay.
Speaker 1:So do you, do you like go back to actual school? Like, are we going to like taking college courses?
Speaker 2:Yes, it requires you to take eight credit hours and then eight credit hours of college credits, and then then you have to do the 90 hours. But the good thing is you have like five years to do it, so it gives you time. So that's what made me feel like, okay, I guess it's not that bad. But and they were also saying, once you're done with the 90 hours, you can actually have clients Like you can work like in the WIC office or you can work like just as a oh, she's saying you can't, you can't get a job, but they are slim, but you can get a job.
Speaker 2:But it's not like like how it would be if you were actually like certified, like after taking the test and all that good stuff. But that was what the good thing was for me, because I was like, oh, I just have to do it in 90 hours and I'll be fine for a little bit, I don't have to rush. And she was saying the other thing about the clinicals. That's where you'll learn, you know, you'll get the field experience, which is what I was really excited about too, because I get to, you know, be in it and we've talked to other moms and all that stuff. So I thought that was cool.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so because I know there's different names for different things. So sometimes I get a little bit confused. Do you know like the different names for all the different things? I know there's like the lactation educator, and then I know there's also like a counselor. So do you know there's like a difference between those things?
Speaker 2:Not at the top of my head, I don't, because I know. The only one I know right now is the lactation consultant is the one where you have to take the test, the board test or something, and that's through the IVLC website you have to do that with. And I'm thinking the other two are just the ones where I was telling you that you could, just you could work. It's over now. Respect, zip, but not per se, like have like a job, like in the hospital or all that other stuff.
Speaker 1:Right, because I've kind of like the board of lactation or whatever they're like more, I guess, more school involved and more like if you were like a nurse or something. Why?
Speaker 2:do you?
Speaker 1:want to be like a lactation consultant. That's kind of more holistic. That's my understanding might be like the little bit of the difference there. So did she also mention what jobs that you could have like just straight out of doing like the 90-ish hours?
Speaker 2:It was the like I mentioned, the like lactation, what's it? I'm like trying to think about what it was. I'm so sorry.
Speaker 1:Is it?
Speaker 2:okay, Cause the lactation counselor, cause I know there's a difference, because those they just give you like they help the moms out, like tell them how to do the things, but I don't know how to talk to my head.
Speaker 1:I just kind of wonder, cause I know you know a lot of people, when they decide that they want to like get into this, they kind of wonder, like what is it that I can do? Because when you pay all this money to get certified and it was, you who certifies, like I want to start working so I can start paying myself back.
Speaker 1:So it's a lot. So I would just kind of wonder, like as you mentioned before that you can work for, like the like for WIC, which is great. But I was just like wondering if there was like a, maybe like a, like a birthing center. Could you like work within a birthing center? You know it was one of those ones that's outside of like the hospital setting.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm Cause I know some people they usually just have their own business and they do it outside of the hospital Like they'll. Some people work with doulas Like they'll. They'll be like this is my like certified lactation person that I have with me but they'll work with doulas to help with that experience. Now I know with my lactation consultant she was the one that kind of helped me with like what can I eat? What can I? What medications can I take, what can you know? That kind of thing.
Speaker 2:I think that that's where the difference lies, in where you have to get those like college courses and all that stuff, because like you're going to have to tell moms, hey, you can't eat this or hey, you can't do this, but I think what they're not that sounds like a bit like nutrition, right, right. So that is when it gets more in-depth of where you're going to have to really get that. Get the those college credits that they ask you to get. But I know, if it's just the basics, like how to hold your boob and how to pump and what is your flange size and all that good stuff, that that the basics. I think that's where the 90 hours comes from and that would be like where you could really help moms with that. That would help. But I know a lot of people. They just do their own business instead of. Instead of like working at a hospital or working anywhere, they just do their own thing outside Right.
Speaker 1:I think that's really cool as well, like you mentioned, like working with like doulas and everything, because you know I'm a doula and I think you know, unfortunately we get into the mindset that we have to do everything. So you're certified as a doula and then you know you probably go running like a childbirth education certification and you go running, get you know, you kind of run into all these different pathways. And you're like you know there's somebody already with that certification, so you can always like team up you know really, build your team you all just specialize on something different.
Speaker 1:But you can help somebody without doing everything, because doing everything just it doesn't seem like that person will really benefit if you're trying to do everything, right.
Speaker 2:Right, right, cause it's like you don't have to do everything. You can have, like people, other people that know other things. Cause my, when I delivered my son, my best friend she's actually a doula as well, so she she helps me with all of that too. So that was, that was nice.
Speaker 1:Like, oh man, oh no, sorry. So, since you're like going through everything right now, how do you study for everything?
Speaker 2:Just make my time, just balance my time out. You have to. That's, that's how you I mean with my, with my son. I just after I put him to bed, that's where I have my time. Or if he's at nap, that's when I usually have my time. Or I'll have like a day of the week where I'm like this is where I'm going to be doing my. In there, I'm going to be doing all of my work.
Speaker 1:Is there any books you recommend? Because I mean, I know it's kind of like school courses, but is there something like someone can just get off of Amazon, like I remember as a doula, like one of the books that I was told to read was like was it Breastfeeding May Simple? It was one of those like kind of basic idea books. I don't know if I can find it. It's probably on my bookshelf right now. I'm not gonna get up for it, but I wonder if I can look it up real quickly, cause it was a cute book but it was definitely was just like the basics you know.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't at the top of my head. I don't know any books right now, but because I haven't really taken the courses yet. But I'm just saying, for anyone that wants to start the process of wanting to do the courses, I say, if you have kids or if you have a busy life, just try to set some. You know, set some time, cause they do give you, they do give you a while to finish your classes. So we just set some time away for when you do want to do your classes.
Speaker 1:Not great, amy. I mean anything that's worth getting. You're gonna make some time for it. But yeah, I think the book is that Breastfeeding May Simple, it's like seven natural laws for nursing mothers. Like I can't. Like I don't really remember too much about the women who wrote this book, but I know one of them was working. What's that bottle company? I think it's Aveste or whatever she worked with them to. Let me see if I can find it. I'm trying to think of the name of the bottle company. But she was working with them to create like a nipple for like the bottle, to make it shaped more, more like a boob instead of it just being like those old school nipples that they used to have.
Speaker 1:So she worked with them for like a long time. So she was probably like one of the reasons why bottles nowadays have like the slow drip. So it's not just like gushing out at poor babies.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I had those bottles. I had the ones that were shaped like a, like an actual boob. Yeah, I was like I gave into it.
Speaker 1:Event I couldn't think of it as event A-B-E-N-T. She was working with that company, so I thought it was kind of cool that she, kind of you know, took the time to like work with them to kind of help babies whether they're like breastfeeding or just bottle feeding, they kind of have the same flow. So it's not too much for them.
Speaker 2:So let me see Is there anything else?
Speaker 1:I can think, yes, actually I do. So what are your plans? I mean, I know you want to work and be a consultant, but do you think that you might, you know, want to do work with hospitals? Do you think you want to start your own company? You said your best friend is a doula. Do you think you might work with her and create like a team? I think that's a good idea. I think that's a good idea. So do you think you might work with her and create like a team so y'all can kind of like help people together?
Speaker 2:Um, my, I really would love to. Okay, I had like three or four things in my head. I was like that I wanted to do with it.
Speaker 2:After I got it, I would love to help, like, if there's teen moms there's like I would love to help them and give them knowledge about the beauty of breastfeeding, how good it is and I know, like you know, right now you're in a time but it's but it's beneficial for your baby. I'm gonna help moms that really are really struggling with it, because I honestly had a really hard time with mine. I almost gave up but I didn't. But I would love to help moms with that or just like I don't wanna do it anymore. I'm just gonna result to this because of this happening, but I would like to maybe help them. This isn't the end. This is if you are able to do this, then we can do this together and I can help you.
Speaker 2:I'd love to help moms that are really like okay, I'm done. So mine is. I just love helping mothers and helping them just be happy and, after they've had their baby, not like, oh my God, this is something else I gotta worry about, type thing, just take some worry off of them and I would find it something else under my. I'd like just another certification that I would like to have under me, other as being an infant teacher, just to help them. Help the moms that are like pumping before they are going to work, helping them feel good about themselves. Some moms will be like, oh my gosh, I didn't pump enough for today. I feel so terrible. That kind of thing helping them know this is what you need to if you're doing this, this is what you need to do. Or have something to tell them to for them to feel like, okay, I guess it's not all that bad.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's kind of like helping them with their confidence and just being like it's okay, like what you're doing is enough, like sometimes. I think sometimes we just become so afraid that we're not doing enough and we're not being super mom and just like it's okay, we're doing all right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's probably about the. It's not the only reasons why just to really really help the moms out there, cause there's not enough help going around for us sometimes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, not at all. I mean, you get your postpartum check and then, good luck, out there spread my chips, yes, yes. Well, I love this for you. I mean, you seem like super, super passionate about it and I think that's kind of like the goal or anything that we want to do is like you have to have a certain amount of passion to do any of this. It's not easy. Work Well.
Speaker 2:I love it for you.
Speaker 1:Do you think cause I mean I'm not sure if you've thought this far out quite yet especially like working with team moms do you think that it might be something that you would probably do like on a nonprofit level?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I was thinking of that too, Like just to that kind of thing, like working with, like, cause I had always I have this like idea in my head. I was like, oh, maybe I could work with like the healthy I don't know if y'all have healthy, start here wherever you're I'm in New Orleans and I'm going to say no, no, okay, they have.
Speaker 1:I don't think so.
Speaker 2:Right here they have is called healthy start and they help moms, you know, with helping them with their beginning stages of, like, pregnancy and then, after they're having their kid, making sure that their kid is getting the nutrients that they need, or you know everything, making sure that the mom and the child is healthy. And I was thinking, I was like, oh, I could work with them and then I could work with WIC and I could work with, you know, just maybe in the like, if there's moms that are homeless, like hoping that kind of community, just just you know, those kinds of things I would love to do that, that would just that would be nice.
Speaker 1:You just told me something I didn't even know. We had one in this city Apparently. We do. I'm like really. Oh you do.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Really, cause I knew at one point my sister was living in Atlanta and they had a program similar to that and it was just like you show up for different courses and they would help you obtain like a breast pump or like a car seat if you needed something Like they were. Like, really, it was really well thought out. I'm like maybe, maybe we have something like that and I just didn't know, but now I'm going to have to go ahead and look into it, look about it.
Speaker 1:And I was like thank you so much and I'm like, ah, but that would be so great though. I mean, I think you know, unfortunately women are kind of left on the wayside when it comes to different things and it comes to healthcare. So any way that we can help is always great, like it's great to be community based, if you can.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Well, good luck to you. I really, really hope that you're able to take your courses and you go out there and just like fire everything up and teach women all about the boobies. Thank you, you're so welcome. I mean, I'm still stuck on the three years thing. I'm like what. Your kid has to be the healthiest kid out there. What immunity built into me, what.
Speaker 2:I mean, like I said I was, like I was not, that was not the goal. I was like I'm going to quit right after the year. That was not up to him.
Speaker 1:No, not at all. Oh is there any groups that you may follow for breastfeeding or lactation advice? So if there's any moms out there listening, they know that there's like a community group they can follow to get advice from.
Speaker 2:Hold on. I'm on a IBLC group on Facebook. I can look it up really quick. I'm on a few. Actually the future of lactation. I'm on that group. I guess I should look under my group.
Speaker 1:Everything you say I'm gonna look for and I'm just link it like in the podcast website so that way people can take their time and see what group works for them. But I'm actually a part of the future of lactation, so I forgot. Yeah, I'm on that one. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Oh, becoming an IBC LC and beyond is one I'm on. This one is for, like, if you are starting the course, there's a group on here. They, you know we all, they all talk, or I always go on there and like, ask questions about you know, is there scholarships or is there? Is it hard? Or you know this kind of thing before I start, you know, is there benefits to it? And then now they've started a chat to where you know, hey, I'm trying to find a job being an IBC LC and all that because so it has those benefits. Those are the two groups I'm in right now for breastfeeding.
Speaker 1:Oh no, that's great because I know at one point I think I was in the future of lactation one and they were like creating a steady group together and I thought that was really cool. I mean, you know, teamwork makes the dream work and sometimes you need yes, all right well, we'll go ahead and I'm If is there any other groups?
Speaker 2:you were a part of the only one is like a lactation cookies group, but they that is mainly, I guess, for moms that are lactating, that type of thing. But that's that is it. Those are the only two that I'm in right now.
Speaker 1:Oh no, that's perfectly fine, I'll just make it perfect.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, that's it All right, perfect.
Speaker 1:But thank you so much for your time page just talking to us and explaining about your journey, and I mean three years of breastfeeding, it's the same, but you did it and you know just, I look forward to seeing stuff from you and I mean I really hope that you get that certification soon and you can help. You know the women who and the young girls who need they help, because you know I'm not gonna step too long on my podium, but you know, I think sometimes people are encouraged to not even try. And don't get me wrong, I'm like, if you need to form a baby, form a baby.
Speaker 1:A fed baby is the best baby but, you know, if you actually want to try, make sure that you find somebody who's actually trying to be helpful for you. That's, that's all I had, so I'm not gonna preach too much, but thank you, and I look forward to this coming out and sharing, like your story, with people. Okay, all right. Well, thank you so much. I hope you have a good night. I hate you too, as well. All right, bye for now. Podcasters.