On this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Sarah Quigley, IBCLC, about the rewarding and sometimes challenging process of mentoring IBCLC students. They discuss what makes a great mentee, how to provide hands-on training, and practical advice for IBCLCs considering taking on interns.
Sarah’s Journey into Lactation Consulting
Sarah shares her path to becoming an IBCLC, including:
- Transitioning from a career in teaching English as a second language
- How her experience as a La Leche League Leader influenced her journey
- The role her mother, also an IBCLC, played in inspiring her career
- How she built her private practice before moving into a full-time hospital-based IBCLC role
What Makes a Great Mentee?
Sarah breaks down the qualities that make a lactation intern successful, including:
- Kindness and a strong desire to learn
- The ability to read the room and adjust to client needs
- Solid communication and writing skills for charting and patient education
- Quick math skills for calculating weight gain and supplementation plans
The Hands-On Learning Process
Sarah explains how she gradually introduces interns to clinical work:
- Starting with observing visits and assisting with positioning and weight checks
- Teaching interns a basic script for initiating consultations
- Slowly increasing their involvement in latch adjustments and problem-solving
- Providing constructive feedback after visits to build confidence and refine skills
The Challenges of Being a Preceptor
Margaret and Sarah discuss some of the biggest challenges of mentoring interns:
- The mental and emotional exhaustion of supervising students while managing a full caseload
- The struggle of stepping back and allowing interns to take the lead
- The time-consuming process of teaching charting and documentation
- Finding a balance between guiding interns and allowing them to develop independence
Navigating Scope and Professional Boundaries
Sarah emphasizes the importance of staying within scope as an IBCLC and teaching students to do the same. They discuss:
- The growing trend of IBCLCs overstepping into medical roles, such as diagnosing tongue ties or interpreting lab results
- How to work collaboratively with healthcare providers rather than trying to replace them
- The need for IBCLCs to focus on their core skills—feeding the baby and protecting the milk supply
- Why building strong referral networks is essential for providing ethical and comprehensive care
The Value of Mentorship for IBCLCs
Sarah highlights why mentoring interns benefits not only the students but also the preceptors themselves:
- How teaching forces IBCLCs to reflect on and refine their own clinical reasoning
- The opportunity to stay engaged with new research and evolving lactation practices
- The long-term impact of growing the next generation of IBCLCs and expanding access to quality lactation care
Advice for IBCLCs Considering Mentoring
For IBCLCs who want to take on interns, Sarah offers the following advice:
- You don’t have to commit to a full-time mentorship—offering partial hours is still valuable
- Be clear on your expectations and set firm boundaries with interns
- Use hospital templates or structured forms to teach effective charting
- Remember that you don’t have to have all the answers—mentoring is a learning process for both parties
Guest Info:
Sarah Quigley, IBCLC, is a hospital-based lactation consultant in San Francisco, California. She has mentored...
