Episode 6 | Recorded June, 2026

Natalie Blythe, IBCLC used to work in business/finance, she graduated with a business management degree and went on to work in that field for nearly a decade. After having her own babies, she took 5 years to earn her IBCLC and then launched her own private practice in 2018. Initially, she had lactation consultants work with her and now she operates as the sole provider.

I had an opportunity to sit and observe her in action during some of her lactation consults. Listen in on our chat about what I observed during her consults and questions I had about her being a business management graduate owning her own private practice.

She also tells us about her personal experience using AI Scribe as a lactation consultant.

In This Episode:

Beginning: Cozy and comfortable, how she sets the tone of her appointments

12:00 How she decided to start her private practice

20:00 How she grew her private practice

24:00 How she switched careers to become an IBCLC

33:00 Owning a private practice: is it actually profitable?

37:00 Building a business with OUT relying on social media.

60:00 Her personal experience using AI Scribe

70:00 Consider finding a business mentor

77:00 She is part of a multidisciplinary team approach to oral assessments, along with a dentist and chiropractor

Resources:

Not endorsements, and not recommending these products/services, they are simple resources that Natalie found helpful on her own personal journey:

Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC)

https://sbtdc.org

Annie Frisbee Paperless Lactation

https://learn.paperlesslactation.com/home

AI Scribe Heidi

https://www.heidihealth.com/en-us

More on Natalie with The Milky Mermaid

The Milky Mermaid

https://www.themilkymermaid.com/

• ​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themilkymermaid
• ​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkymermaidnc/
• ​Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalieward-ibclc-themilkymermaid/

Bonded Beginnings, TT Clinic at Cape Fear Smiles (multidisciplinary team that Natalie is a part of)

https://www.bondedbeginningsnc.com

Hosted by Suzanne Sanders, IBCLC

As of the recording and publishing of this June/July 2026, neither myself nor Natalie Blythe receive any funds from the products or services that she spoke about. We are not endorsing any products or services, they are simply part of her story.

This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals only and is for informational purposes. Content is not medical advice and should not replace professional judgment or individualized patient care. Exercise your own clinical judgment before applying any information discussed. Product or service mentions do not constitute endorsements.