Meet the IBCLC: Nancy Malin

Introduction

We’re back with another installment of “ Meet the IBCLC” with Nancy Malin. You might know Nancy if you’ve had a consult with her virtually or pre-COVID in-person! Nancy is an absolutely wonderful IBCLC who has been a strong part of our team and community for years! We hope this piece give you a better idea of who Nancy is!

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What is your favorite thing about the job?

My favorite thing is being with parents and babies at this incredibly tender time in their family life. It is a privilege that I try never to take for granted.  Birth is so powerful but for a lot of us it can be the opposite of empowering. I see parents when they feel vulnerable and doubtful that they can really do this new job they’ve taken on. I enjoy seeing how the tension in their shoulders eases, how their faces relax as the consultation progresses and I persuade them that, yes, they are THE expert on themselves and their baby. They really CAN do this. It gives me great satisfaction to see how my clients grow in confidence from visit to visit.

I enjoy the huge perk of practicing in the DC area. Our clients are diverse and multicultural. I get to meet people from across our country and all over the world. It keeps me humble and hopeful about the future of humankind because I meet loving parents striving to do what is best for their children.  Sometimes I am with a solo parent and baby.  Sometimes I am in a home with 3 or 4 generations under one roof.  Particularly with families from another country I am sometimes offered a serving of whatever specialty the elder generation has prepared for the nursing parent.  I used to decline such offers but learned it builds better rapport --- and is ever so much more fun --- to say yes.  I have had various teas, nut puddings, cookies, stews with amazing flavors. 

I knew I made the right decision when. . .

. . .my first shipment of textbooks arrived and I was so happy and excited!  I had never felt that way about textbooks before.  I felt it was a good sign for the career switch I was making. 

Something I wish I knew before becoming an IBCLC..

. . .You are sometimes going to feel like a firefighter rushing into a crisis.

A stereotype of IBCLC’s that is untrue:

That we only care about MAKING someone breastfeed/chestfeed and we will judge you if you don’t.  What we really care about are happy, healthy parents and happy, healthy babies.

The beautiful thing about breast/chestfeeding is that it is not all or nothing. You can be a breastfeeding/chestfeeding parent even if you do not have a full supply. It gives me professional satisfaction to help my clients see their own success  –even if they are weaning; even if they are using donor milk or formula; even if someone else is feeding the baby. 

Moments during my career that made me feel like I chose the right profession..

. . .A mother who didn’t breastfeed and didn’t get the support she deserved began to feel sad and regretful as the weeks went by.  She came to me when the baby was 4 months old and we got him to the breast for the first time.  Her tears of joy as her baby nursed were so moving!

. . . A client bemoaned "If only she could TELL me what she needs. . ." I explained her baby's behavior, the feeding cues, the signs she has had enough, how she may act when she’s overstimulated. The client looked at her child saying, "Baby, you've been telling me all along and now I understand!  Thanks, Nancy, you're the best!"

. . .The surprise on another client’s face. "This feels GOOD!  You mean it doesn't HAVE to hurt?"  I see some variation of this pretty frequently and it is wonderful every time.

. .The father who raised his hands toward heaven and exclaimed “Allahu Akbar!” as his baby was weighed and the scale showed a great improvement after a tricky situation.

. . .The way I know in my heart that the work I do with families is my way of helping to repair our world.