In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty interviews Nikki Lee—nurse, lactation consultant, educator, and passionate advocate for whole-person care. They explore what it truly means to practice holistic lactation support, the power of touch, how to integrate craniosacral therapy into lactation visits, and why honoring the parent-baby dyad requires more than just clinical skill.
Nikki’s Journey into Holistic Lactation Support
Nikki shares how:
- Her personal experience with trauma and her mother's breastfeeding shaped her worldview
- Becoming a nurse and then a mother guided her into lactation work
- Public health taught her to “be a guest in people’s lives” and see the full picture
- Grandparenting has opened new insights into intergenerational support and growth
What Holistic Lactation Care Really Means
Nikki defines holistic care as:
- Treating people as whole beings—not just a set of symptoms or body parts
- Considering physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual dimensions of health
- Paying attention to the space, energy, relationships, and dynamics in the home
- Letting intuition, observation, and deep listening guide care—not just checklists
Integrating Craniosacral Therapy into Lactation Care
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How Nikki uses gentle, intention-based touch to support healing
- Why craniosacral therapy isn’t manipulation, but rather listening through the hands
- How this work calms the nervous system and boosts oxytocin for both parent and baby
- The importance of in-person, hands-on training to learn this modality safely and ethically
Case Study: When the Problem Isn’t Just the Latch
Nikki walks through a powerful case example:
- A mother presented with nipple pain, oversupply, and a baby refusing the breast
- Craniosacral therapy helped both parent and baby regulate and reconnect
- The home environment—including subtle undermining from family—was a key factor
- Small changes like music, safe bedsharing, and community support transformed the experience
Hospital Challenges, Safe Sleep & Speaking Truth
Margaret and Nikki discuss:
- Why hospitals are often inhospitable places for breastfeeding
- The risks of sleep deprivation and the need for honest conversations about safe sleep
- How to gently guide families while honoring their choices
- The importance of truth-telling and emotional regulation in protecting against burnout
Advice for Future IBCLCs and Holistic Practitioners
Nikki encourages new professionals to:
- Observe as much normal breastfeeding as possible
- Follow their interests—whether it’s mental health, massage, childbirth ed, or herbs
- Bring their whole selves to their work, and pursue therapy to unpack personal triggers
- Remember: “Be the provider you’d want for your own grandbaby.”
Guest Info:
Nikki Lee, RN, IBCLC is a lactation consultant, educator, and holistic practitioner with decades of experience in breastfeeding support, craniosacral therapy, and public health. She offers courses, private sessions, and mentorship in holistic lactation.
🌐 Website: www.nikkileehealth.com
📘 Facebook: Nikki Lee Health
📚 Books: Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide and Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding (Proclaris Press)
Resources Mentioned:
📌 Upledger Institute – Craniosacral Therapy Training
📌 James McKenna’s Safe Infant Sleep
📌 Pathways to holistic certification: PSI, childbirth ed, and more
Connect with Margaret:
📧 Email:...
