Strong as a Mother

This post goes out in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week 2026!

As an IBCLC, I've learned that breastfeeding is rarely just about milk. It's about love, resilience, sacrifice, healing, and showing up—even when it's hard.

This World Breastfeeding Week, I don't just celebrate breastfeeding.

I celebrate the parents who keep going.
The late-night pump sessions.
The hard decisions.
The tiny victories.
The unwavering love behind every feed.

However your feeding journey has unfolded, I hope you know this:

You were never meant to do it alone.
You are enough.
You are stronger than you think.

Thank you to every family who has trusted me to be part of your story. It is truly the greatest honor.

Happy World Breastfeeding Week. 🤍

I've been keeping a secret... 🤫

And it has been SO hard not to share!

I am beyond excited to officially welcome Rachel Leibson, RN, BSN, IBCLC to the Strong as a Mother, LLC team! 💙

Rachel brings over a decade of experience as both an inpatient and outpatient IBCLC, along with a compassionate, evidence-based approach to supporting families through their infant feeding journeys. Her warmth, expertise, and dedication make her an incredible addition to our practice, and I can't wait for you to meet her! Rachel will be available for both in home and virtual visits, starting in early August!

Please join us in giving Rachel a warm Strong as a Mother welcome! 🎉 We are so excited for the amazing care she'll provide to the families we serve.

Important Update for Blue Cross Blue Shield Members

Strong as a Mother, LLC is a member of the Lactation Consultants of America (LCA) network, a national organization that provides insurance billing support for hundreds of lactation practices across the United States.

LCA has informed us that, effective immediately, appointments for patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance are temporarily on hold. This decision was made because Blue Cross Blue Shield is currently not processing or paying lactation claims, making it unsustainable for LCA-affiliated practices to continue providing in-network services while claims remain unpaid. This is a nationwide issue affecting lactation providers and the families they serve—not just Strong as a Mother.

If you are insured through Blue Cross Blue Shield, we encourage you to contact the Member Services number on the back of your insurance card and request to file a grievance. Please explain that you are unable to access medically necessary, in-network lactation care because lactation claims are not currently being paid. Hearing directly from members can help raise awareness of the impact this issue is having on postpartum families and access to essential care.

If you need lactation support during this time, we are still available to see you as a self-pay patient. Should Blue Cross Blue Shield resume processing and paying lactation claims, we will share updates as soon as they become available.

We understand how difficult and disappointing this situation is. Feeding challenges often require timely support and cannot be postponed while insurance issues are resolved. We remain hopeful that this interruption will be temporary and sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and advocacy as we work through this situation together.

Strong as a Mother, LLC
Lauren Cascone, MSN, RNC-OB, IBCLC

Renewed my IBCLC cert through 12/2031. Hurray!

Just a heads up. We will be closed from 6/21-6/28!

Clocked out for the last time at the hospital on the postpartum unit. Grateful for the opportunity to work with some fantastic healthcare professionals. I thoroughly enjoyed my last two years working there, but am super excited at the growth of and that I am able to be fully self employed to enable more time to devote to the feeding journeys of families who trust in the care I provide.