Alyssa Schnell has been an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) since 2009. She works in private practice serving clients both locally and worldwide. She is the author of Breastfeeding Without Birthing: A Breastfeeding Guide for Mothers Through Adoption, Surrogacy, and Other Special Circumstances and a professional supplement to the book, The Breastfeeding Without Birthing Professional Pack online training. She is also the creator of DomHub, an extensive online resource for domperidone. Alyssa has authored articles for The Journal of Human Lactation, La Leche League’s Leader Today and Breastfeeding Today magazines, and Adoptive Families magazine and developer of The Three Step Framework for Inducing Lactation. She is an international speaker on the topics of inducing lactation, relactation, co-lactation, and other related topics. Alyssa is the proud mother of three breastfed children, two by birth and one by adoption. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Alyssa offers a wide variety of free and paid resources for parents, including a free online support group, free mini consultations, and consultation packages to support parents every step of the way. Her evidence-based online resource for domperidone, DomHub, is a much need guide to the safe and effective use of domperidone for lactation and is appropriate for parents or professionals. She works with parents from all over the world who are interested in inducing lactation, relactating, and co-lactating. Her practice is inclusive and accepts some insurance.

Listen as Alyssa shares with Ellen and Jenn:

• Birthing and breastfeeding two children and then adopting and wanting to bring the nutritional and bonding experience to her adopted baby.
• Knowing it was possible from her volunteer work with La Leche League and voracious research on inducing lactation.
• Her experience was 20 years ago, but the basics are the same, with some advancements since that time.
• She works to customize the steps with her clients; lifestyles, circumstances, and goals can significantly affect the plan.
• Answering the question, “Can a person assigned male at birth induce lactation?” (Yes!)
• Dealing with tricky timing issues, such as in adoption.
• Vocab review, what is re-lactation versus co-lactation.
• Supporting parents by surrogacy who wish to induce lactation.
• Medication access challenges and side effects (especially when not taken appropriately).

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Follow:

Learn more about Alyssa Schnell and her services: https://www.alyssaschnellibclc.com/

Get Alyssa’s book, Breastfeeding Without Birthing: https://www.alyssaschnellibclc.com/book

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

JOANNA PARGA-BELINKIE, MD, FAAP, IBCLC, is an associate professor of pediatrics and clinical neonatologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). She is a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and co-host of their flagship podcast Pediatrics On Call. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and three children.

Listen as Dr. Parga-Belinkie shares with Ellen and Jenn:

• Finding there is a lot of noise and mixed messages for new parents.
• Parents-to-be putting lots of effort into a birth plan but then feeling lost with baby.
• Addressing a common concern of parents not feeling an immediate bond.
• Is a peepee teepee an essential baby item? What about nose snot sucker?
• Reframing sleep expectations for a newborn.
• Identifying different cries for different needs.
• An extra special guest joins the interview!
• Misinformation in the vaccine realm and great resources for reliable information.
• Human interaction is key for brain-boosting activity. The right baby gear, not so important.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Follow Dr. Parga-Belinkie: https://www.instagram.com/jopargalinkiemd/

Get The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting with your Newborn: https://www.aap.org/The-Baby-Bonding-Book-Connecting-With-Your-Newborn-Paperback

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch

Learn more about Ellen’s law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Stephanie Jones is the Founder of the Michigan Fertility Alliance and Co-Founder of State Strong.

After experiencing secondary infertility due to life-threatening pregnancy complications, Stephanie Jones and her husband were stunned to learn that Michigan banned surrogacy contracts—their only option to grow their family. Stephanie channeled her business expertise and personal perseverance into founding the Michigan Fertility Alliance and changing Michigan’s surrogacy and parentage laws. Under her leadership, MFA is driving pro-family advocacy and policy reform to support Michiganders who need assisted reproduction or surrogacy to build their families.

In 2024, Stephanie received the RESOLVE Hope Award for Advocacy in recognition of her impactful work. She also shared her personal story of reproductive health and abortion to support the successful election of Senator Slotkin to the U.S. Senate.

Ginanne Brownell is an award-winning writer and journalist. Raised in Michigan and based in London, she has covered stories on six continents and in over forty-five countries. Her work has been published in outlets including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Washington Post, Foreign Policy, and Scientific American. She has worked on staff for CNN, Newsweek, and UNICEF. Ginanne is the author of two books: "Elusive Mommyhood: An investigative reporter’s personal journey into IVF and surrogacy" and "Ghetto Classics: How a Youth Orchestra Changed a Nairobi Slum." She has a BA in history from Albion College and a MA in history from the London School of Economics.

Listen as Stephanie and Ginanne share with Ellen and Jenn:

• Stephanie’s journey with secondary infertility leading her to surrogacy and the shocking discovery, from her hospital bed, of Michigan’s terrible laws -- check out Episode 74 for more!
• When Stephanie’s ability to carry her own child died, Michigan Fertility Alliance was born.
• Your humble podcast hosts connecting Stephanie and Ginanne, both Flint, Michiganders.
• In parallel, Ginanne struggling with infertility and being advised to turn to surrogacy. She had hoped her kids could be born in her home state of Michigan -- hear more of Ginanne’s story on Episode 108!
• Writing a book on her journey and extensive research.
• A little history, including the fun fact that the first birth of a child through gestational surrogacy was in Michigan!
• Organizing two advocacy days, with over 100 advocates meeting with more than 50 legislators.
• Building a strong coalition of leaders and experts to put together what ultimately was a nine bill package to comprehensively and inclusively change the parentage laws in Michigan for everyone.
• The bills were officially signed April 1, 2024 -- a historic date for multiple reasons.
• Taking their advocacy efforts to the next level with the formation of State Strong.

Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903.

Learn more about State Strong: https://www.statestrong.org/

Buy Elusive Mommyhood: An investigative reporter’s personal journey into IVF and surrogacy: https://ginannebrownell.com/elusive-mommyhood/

Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/

Learn more about our surrogacy agency: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/

Get your IWTPABIY merch here!