In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret interviews Indira Lopez-Bassols, IBCLC, educator, and PhD candidate based in London, about her journey from clinical lactation consultant to published author in the Journal of Human Lactation.

Indira shares the story behind her case study, “Assisted Nursing: A Case Study of an Infant With a Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate” and her recent reflection piece, “Three Seeds of Inspiration: How I Published My First Case Study Without a PhD” .

Together, they unpack what holds IBCLCs back from publishing, how to move from clinical wonder to academic writing, and why research must become more accessible to practicing clinicians.

What We Talk About

1. Indira’s work in a specialist NHS breastfeeding clinic in the UK
2. Teaching future lactation consultants and pursuing a PhD in breastfeeding education
3. The three “seeds of inspiration” that moved her from reader to author
4. Why attending a JHL writing session at ILCA changed everything
5. What an editor told her when she doubted whether her case was “spicy” enough
6. Why you do not need a PhD to write and publish a case study
7. How she structured her first case study by studying medical literature methodology
8. The powerful cleft lip and palate case that became her first JHL publication
9. Assisted nursing using a nipple shield and NG tube to support direct breastfeeding
10. Why cleft lip and palate infants are often assumed unable to breastfeed — and how this case challenged that assumption
11. The emotional dimension of clinical practice: witnessing the “impossible”
12. Why wonder is the essential ingredient for writing
13. Burnout, mechanistic care, and losing the capacity to recognize awe
14. Making research accessible for non-academic IBCLCs
15. Her creation of the international Research Hub through the Centre for Breastfeeding Education and Research

The Three Seeds of Inspiration

Indira describes three pivotal moments:

1. Reading a Case Study

A published case study on biological nurturing sparked the realization: “Maybe I could do this too.”

2. Attending a JHL Writing Session

At ILCA, editors clearly explained manuscript types and encouraged non-academic clinicians to submit. When Indira expressed doubt, she was told simply:

“Just write them.”

3. Witnessing the Impossible

Supporting a mother determined to breastfeed her infant with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate became the turning point. The dyad exclusively fed mother’s own milk, used no bottles, and later transitioned to direct breastfeeding without assistance after surgeries.

That clinical experience — rooted in creativity, persistence, and humility — demanded to be shared.

Key Takeaways for IBCLCs

1. You do not need a PhD to publish.
2. Case studies are about documenting what you witnessed, not proving expertise.
3. If you are already reading journals, you are closer than you think.
4. Study the structure of published case studies — they provide your map and compass.
5. Wonder is a clinical skill — but burnout can dull it.
6. Research must be accessible to frontline clinicians.
7. Our field is still young — there is enormous opportunity for contribution.

The Research Hub

Indira created the International Research Hub through the Centre for Breastfeeding Education and Research (CBER):

1. Free monthly online research discussion
2. Open to IBCLCs worldwide
3. Safe space to say “I don’t understand this statistic”
4. Designed to make research approachable and collaborative

Her mission: make research less intimidating and more joyful.

Guest

Indira Lopez-Bassols, BA (Hons), MSc, IBCLC

Founder, Centre for Breastfeeding Education and Research (CBER)

1. Assisted Nursing: A Case Study of an Infant With a Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
2. Three Seeds of Inspiration: How I Published My First Case Study Without a PhD

Connect with Margaret

📬 Email: hello@margaretsalty.com

📸 Instagram: @margaretsalty

📘 Facebook: Margaret Salty

Music by: The Magnifiers – My Time Traveling Machine