Q&A With Our Full Spectrum Lactation Educator Lead Teacher, Kaytee Crawford
BADT is proud and excited to be rolling out a *new* 12-week Full Spectrum Lactation Educator training. This course is going to be in-depth, covering a range of topics, and in true BADT-fashion, this training will offer holistic, values-based, and inclusive information.
One of our core teachers for our Full Spectrum Lactation Educator training, is Kaytee Crawford, an experienced doula, educator, and IBCLC who brings a diverse range of skills and gifts to any facilitation space. Keep reading to learn more about her!
5 Questions for Kaytee
How did you get started in birth work? And how has that role/term evolved for you over time?
I got started in birth work after my third was born in 2016. I found out about doulas during my third pregnancy and wanted to have one, but couldn’t afford it. My hospital claimed to have volunteer doulas, so I decided to utilize that service. A lot of traumatic events happened in my labor and delivery at the hospital, and part of that was them denying me doula support. That among the other events made me want to learn more about doulas and what they do.
In that, I felt called to the work and became a doula myself so that others who looked like me didn’t experience the trauma I did. I was finally able to get into a doula training in 2019. I became certified and also trained to become a postpartum doula as I found that I loved that work as well. In this role as a doula, I strengthened my lactation skills and offerings.
I wanted to be an International Board Certified Lactation Consultation (or IBCLC) since my first was born, but now I felt I had the background and support to pursue that dream. So, I obtained my IBCLC. I tested and passed the exam last March and officially became an IBCLC in June 2023! I also added Craniosacral Therapy to my wheelhouse, and it’s helped transform my practice in lactation and doula support.
BADT is so lucky to have you! Tell us about your role on the BADT team.
I am the Lactation Educator for BADT. I am helping to create and teach the lactation course for BADT that launches this summer.
Which aspects of lactation support inspire you the most? Which aspects challenge you the most?
The aspect of lactation support that inspires me the most is when nursing just “clicks” for my families. That first latch or that first positive nursing session or watching the strength build in the baby to nurse effectively. It is just inspiring to continue helping families to the best of my ability.
The most challenging part of lactation support is when a family wants to stop, and I think we could keep going. I never push folks and I definitely meet them where they are at, but a part of me wants them to keep going because change happens over time! This isn’t true for all of my families because some do need to transition to exclusive bottles or added in supplementation and that is VALID. But, yeah, sometimes I really want to encourage folks to keep trying. But that’s not my job and I never push folks to an uncomfortable position.
What makes the BADT Lactation Educator Training stand out?
It’s inclusive. I can’t think of a training that is fully inclusive or works to be fully inclusive. So, it’s rad to be a part of that and help that message flourish. For BADT, this means that it’s gender inclusive, as well as size inclusive. Of course, we are always operating from an anti-oppressive point of view and put the experiences of Black Indigenous and people of color at the center.
What are you currently listening to, reading, watching, etc.?
I’m currently watching nothing new. I am really into syndicated shows that I can watch in one fell swoop. I just finished the show New Amsterdam which was pretty good, but ended terribly. I also hate when shows do that, but it makes it easier when I’m not waiting for months and years for a new season. I can just get it all over with. I am also really into playing The Sims 4. So, if you can’t find me at a lactation consultation or teaching…I’m probably watching Criminal Minds and playing The Sims.
Join us in Class!
We are so excited about this training, and it’s such a joy to have so many new and former BADT students excited to learn more about lactation. This training is a perfect compliment to both our postpartum and full-spectrum doula trainings! Click here to join the wait list and find out more about the course content!
Kaytee supports families in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as a lactation consultant, craniosacral therapist, childbirth educator, birth and postpartum doula, and babywearing educator. She uses her training, combined with a wealth of experience in parenting four boys, to create personalized care as well as fun, insightful social media content.
Kaytee is passionate about sharing her experiences in pregnancy and lactation as a Black woman and person living in a larger body to create safer, trauma-free experiences for others.
Kaytee lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband and four sons. She owns and operates “Doula Kaytee,” her birth working private practice.
Find Kaytee on social media @doulakaytee.