GOLD Learning Speakers

Panel Discussion 1

• Speaker Type: GOLD Lactation 2024
• Country: GOLD

Biography:

Christine Staricka, BS, IBCLC, RLC, CLSP, CE, FILCA, is the author of the book Evolving the Modern Breastfeeding Experience: Holistic Lactation Care in the First 100 Hours. 
She developed the concept when she worked as a hospital-based IBCLC for 10 years.
Christine has over 22 years experience providing clinical lactation care and support both in the hospital and the community. She has been the facilitator of Baby Café Bakersfield since 2014, which was the first licensed Baby Café to open in California. 
Christine is a Fellow of the International Lactation Consultant Association. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Phoenix.  She has been married for 30 years, lives in California, and is the proud mother of 3 amazing daughters.

Caoimhe Whelan qualified as an IBCLC in 2016 after completing the IBLCE pathway 1 route to certification for voluntary breastfeeding supporters. She currently works in private practice in Dublin, Ireland and does some lecturing in breastfeeding and lactation topics at third-level institutions. Caoimhe has a particular interest in low milk supply, antenatal education, qualitative breastfeeding research and the experience of transitioning to motherhood in the digital age. In 2022 Caoimhe graduated from University College Dublin with an MSc. in research. Her study explored the lived experiences of women breastfeeding with primary low milk supply.

Tori Hamilton is a Registered Nurse Psychotherapist certified in perinatal mental health, Reiki master, IBCLC, Baby-Led Sleep Specialist, and mom of four. She owns Attuned Therapy + Wellness, a holistic wellness center that uses a collaborative approach to client care. She also owns The Mama Nurse, an online resource for parents that offers information, resources and access to individualized sessions for sleep and feeding.

Tori is an advocate for paid access to lactation support in her rural community in Ontario, Canada. She is a retired La Leche League Leader, offering volunteer peer lactation support in addition to her private lactation sessions. Tori now collaborates with family health teams in her area, using an Independent Contractor model to increase access to lactation support for families in her area.

Since integrating RN psychotherapy into her practice, Tori Hamilton often combines her skillset in lactation and holistic sleep with mental health when working with parents. She views mental health as a continuum, and has a special interest in nervous system regulation and generational healing. Tori sees clients Ontario-wide online as well as locally in her Attuned Therapy office. She also offers business coaching to other perinatal wellness professionals wanting to build or expand their practice.