In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Dr. Kelsey Bianca, psychology professor at Cecil College in Maryland, whose groundbreaking research focuses on the lived experiences of exclusively pumping mothers.
Kelsey’s work shines a light on an often-overlooked population in lactation research—parents who feed their babies human milk through expression rather than at the breast. Her dissertation challenges the traditional “breast or bottle” binary and explores exclusive pumping as a legitimate, empowering, and deeply human form of infant feeding.
Together, they discuss how exclusive pumping fits within the broader breastfeeding landscape, what her qualitative research uncovered about motivation and identity, and how systemic barriers—like language, support gaps, and policy limitations—shape parents’ experiences.
Kelsey also shares her insights on how lactation professionals can better support exclusively pumping families with empathy, inclusivity, and evidence-based care.
They discuss:
👩🏫 Guest Info
Dr. Kelsey Bianca
Professor of Psychology, Cecil College
Bianca, K.P. (2025). A narrative review of breastmilk expression. Breastfeeding Review; 33(2): 14-24.
Bianca, K. P. (2023). Framing infant feeding practices with bioecological theory: A theoretical review. Breastfeeding Review; 31(3): 6-16.
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🎙️ Podcast: Behind the Latch
Hosted by: Margaret Salty
Guest: Dr. Kelsey Bianca
Music by: The Magnifiers – My Time Traveling Machine
#BehindTheLatch #ExclusivePumping #LactationResearch #HumanMilkFeeding #IBCLC #LactationConsultant #MaternalIdentity #PumpingJourney #BreastfeedingSupport #LactationScience #HumanMilkResearch #PublicHealthLactation
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