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Ashton Fortin Higgins
Ph.D, M.Ed, CLC, cALS, ACS, EPLC

A health professional who aims to bridge the gap between lactation consultants, health professionals and exclusive pumpers. Ultimately making the exclusive pumping journey a more seamless experience.

  • Founder, Educator & Exclusive Pumping Lactation Consultant at the Exclusive Pumping Institute

  • I hold a PhD, MEd & BA

  • Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) from Academy of Lactation Policy & Practice (2021)

  • Certified Advanced Lactation Specialist (cALS) from LiquidGoldConcept

  • Board Certified Sexologist (ACS) from American College of Sexologists International (2021)

  • Baby Friendly Initiative Ontario Member (2021)

  • Obtained 108 hours of Lactation Education from Mohawk College's Breastfeeding Program, a LEAARC approved Lactation Education (90+ hours) course 

  • Current International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) Pathway 3 Lactation Student (2021)

  • Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) Affiliate Member (2021)

  • Ontario Association for Mental Health Professionals (OAMHP) Consultant (2019)

  • Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) Member (2010)

  • American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists (AASECT) Member (2015)

  • Over half a decade of breast pumping experience

  • Over a decade as a sexual health educator

  • Over 5 years of experience of leading lectures and seminars at a University level. 

  • Created 3 full curriculums focusing on breast cancer, older adult sexuality & behavioural youth sexuality

  • Triple-feeding mom (6 months in 2015)

  • Nursing, SNS user & Exclusive Pumping mom (9 months in 2018)

  • Member of 7 exclusive pumping Facebook support groups in both English and French

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WHY LAEP?

Not only am I committed to helping lactation consultants gain a more profound knowledge about exclusive pumping, but it comes from a collective prospective. Most books out there are based on one person's pumping experience. Most youtube pumping videos are based on one person's perspective. No lactation consultant has time to piece it all together, watch hundreds of youtube videos on pumps/experiences and where to turn for the right peer reviewed articles. As an educator, I created the LAEP Framework to put an end to the guessing of exclusive pumping, and put it into practice effectively. 

The Exclusive Pumping Institute
strives to acheive:

  • bridging the gap between lactation consultants, health professionals and exclusive pumpers. Ultimately making the exclusive pumping journey a more seamless experience.

  • conducting and providing research that is based on lactation, exclusive pumping & breast pumps.

  • providing support to exclusive pumpers using a combination of traditional lactation theories/methods with newer lactation advancement theories/methods as they relate specifically to exclusive pumping.

  • providing LIVE judgement-free exclusive pumping virtual support groups globally.

  • contributing to the field of lactation advancement focusing specifically on exclusive pumping & exclusive pumping advocacy.

  • better understanding of collective & inclusive exclusive pumping education, to provide appropriate training & tools to health care professionals working in lactation.

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