BREASTFEEDING WITH CONFIDENCE | Pregnancy Tips, Postpartum Wellness, Milk Supply, Tongue Tie, Latch Pain

Nipple Confusion: Bottle feeding breastfed babies

Wondering about nipple confusion? How do you prevent it? How do you fix it? This episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence podcast teaches pregnant and new mothers how to avoid nipple confusion to support breastfeeding success. 
 
Resources:  
FREE: Breastfeeding Plan Template for Pregnant Moms - DOWNLOAD NOW
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy Featuring Latching with Confidence - 
CLICK HERE 
Get Breastfeeding Help! - BOOK HERE
 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com

Two Breastfeeding Positions for a Deeper Latch

Top tips for getting a deeper latch when breastfeeding to reduce latching pain, increase milk transfer, and establish a strong milk supply. 
 
Resources:  
FREE: Breastfeeding Plan Template for *Pregnant Moms* - DOWNLOAD NOW
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy Featuring Latching with Confidence - 
CLICK HERE 
Get Breastfeeding Help! - BOOK HERE
 
 
Favorite Products 
 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com

Breastfeeding Shouldn't Hurt! Here's what you need to know for the first week of breastfeeding!

If you've heard breastfeeding pain is normal, and you just need to wait it out, but you don't want to suffer through unnecessary pain -- this episode is for you. Whether you're pregnant and want to PREVENT pain or you're  a new mom and need latching help NOW -- This episode will help you understand why breastfeeding hurts, why mom suffer unnecessarily, and the first steps toward getting a pain-free latch! Resources:  
FREE: Breastfeeding Plan Template for Pregnant Moms - DOWNLOAD NOW
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy Featuring Latching with Confidence - 
CLICK HERE 
Get Breastfeeding Help! - BOOK HERE
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com

Breastfeeding as birth control? Postpartum Natural Family Planning / Fertility Awareness

Is Breastfeeding Birth Control? Understanding Fertility While Breastfeeding
Many mothers are told two completely opposite things after having a baby:
“Breastfeeding prevents pregnancy.”
—or—
“You can get pregnant anytime while breastfeeding.”
So what’s the truth?
In this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast, we explore one of the most common postpartum questions: Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?
The answer lies somewhere in the middle. Breastfeeding can suppress ovulation in many women, but it is not guaranteed birth control. Understanding how fertility returns during breastfeeding can help mothers make informed decisions about family planning, natural birth spacing, and postpartum health.
As discussed in this episode, breastfeeding in a healthy woman often suppresses ovulation, but that is not always the case, which is why recognizing the return of fertility signs is so important.
RESOURCES: 
Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide 
FREE Breastfeeding Plan Template
Book Breastfeeding Prep Call
 
Work with Whole Mission 
Work with Jaimie Zaki email jaimiezaki@littlebearlactation.com
 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com
 

Avoiding pressure to use formula when you want to exclusively breastfeed

If you’re pregnant and planning to breastfeed, you’ve probably already decided you’ll only use formula if it’s medically necessary. But here’s the hard truth: most moms are never taught how to determine what “medically necessary” actually means in the first 48 hours after birth.
Nearly 80% of American moms start breastfeeding, yet many babies receive formula in the hospital due to concerns about weight loss, blood sugar, jaundice, or latch issues. The problem? Normal newborn physiology is often presented as urgent. And when you’re exhausted and vulnerable, “just to be safe” supplementation can feel like the only option.
In this episode, we break down:
How formula pressure typically shows up in baby-friendly hospitals
The difference between strategic vs. reactive supplementation
How to protect your milk supply if supplementation becomes necessary
If your goal is exclusive breastfeeding and avoiding unnecessary formula in the hospital, preparation must go beyond latch tips. You need a decision-making framework before you’re under pressure.
 
RESOURCES: 
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy (featuring Avoiding Formula Workshop) - CLICK HERE
 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com

Don't put "exclusive breastfeeding" on your birth plan! Avoiding Unnecessary Formula need a different strategy!

Don’t put “breastfeeding” on your birth plan.
I know that sounds controversial, but if you are pregnant and planning to exclusively breastfeed, this might be the most important mindset shift you make.
Most moms are told to choose a baby friendly hospital, request skin-to-skin, and write “no formula unless medically necessary.” But when feeding challenges show up in the hospital, many still end up supplementing because they were never prepared for what actually happens in those first hours and days.
In this episode, we talk about why traditional breastfeeding prep often falls short and why avoiding unnecessary formula requires a completely different approach. You will learn why breastfeeding is not just a newborn care topic, but something that begins during pregnancy and is shaped by your birth experience and early postpartum decisions.
We unpack the biggest gap in breastfeeding education, the difference between safety-focused hospital care and strategic breastfeeding support, and why early feeding challenges like cluster feeding, sleepy babies, and latch struggles are often misunderstood.
If you want to protect your milk supply, confidently advocate for your goals, and walk into birth with a clear plan instead of just a wish list, this episode will change the way you think about breastfeeding prep.
To go deeper and create your own strategy, learn more about the Avoiding Formula in the Hospital workshop using the link in the show notes.
Because breastfeeding is not about luck. It is about preparation.
RESOURCES: 
Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide 
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy (featuring Avoiding Formula Workshop) - CLICK HERE
Concierge Breastfeeding Support: https://www.littlebearlactation.com/breastfeeding-help
 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com
 
Topics Covered:
breastfeeding prep during pregnancy
how to prepare for breastfeeding before birth
what to put on a breastfeeding birth plan
breastfeeding birth plan strategy
how to avoid formula in the hospital
avoiding unnecessary formula after birth
exclusive breastfeeding in the hospital
how to advocate for breastfeeding in the hospital
baby friendly hospital breastfeeding myths
does baby friendly hospital mean no formula
protecting milk supply in the first 72 hours
what to do if baby will not latch in the hospital
cluster feeding vs low milk supply
normal newborn feeding behavior explained
sleepy newborn not feeding enough
fussy baby breastfeeding in early days
early latch problems and solutions
how to protect breastfeeding after a difficult birth
preventing breastfeeding struggles from the start
why breastfeeding fails in the first week
how to build milk supply after birth
hand expression before milk comes in
how to respond when formula is suggested
how to know if baby needs formula
hospital supplementation and breastfeeding
newborn weight loss and breastfeeding
blood sugar concerns and breastfeeding
 
breastfeeding confidence before birth
partner support for breastfeeding success
breastfeeding education for first time moms
 

Returning to Work While Breastfeeding: How to Protect Your Supply, Avoid Bottle Refusal, and Set Yourself Up for Success

Returning to work or school as a breastfeeding mom can feel overwhelming. Many pregnant and postpartum women worry they will have to choose between their breastfeeding goals and their career. But the truth is, you don’t have to—if you prepare early and get the right support.
In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, we talk about the biggest mistake moms make when planning their return to work: assuming breastfeeding is supposed to be hard for the first 6–12 weeks and waiting too long to get help. When breastfeeding pain, low milk supply, or latch issues are ignored early, the transition back to work becomes much more stressful.
You’ll learn when to introduce bottles without sabotaging your breastfeeding relationship, how paced bottle feeding helps prevent bottle preference, and why your caregiver’s feeding approach can protect or undermine your milk supply. We also cover realistic expectations for pumping at work, your legal rights for pumping accommodations, and how to advocate for yourself before your maternity leave ends.
The key to exclusive breastfeeding while working is getting breastfeeding off to a strong start. Early support helps you prevent common challenges, protect your supply, and feel confident returning to work.
RESOURCES: 
Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide 
Breastfeeding Academy: Enroll Now 
Concierge Breastfeeding Support: https://www.littlebearlactation.com/breastfeeding-help
 
For Doulas seeking advanced lactation education & expert curated breastfeeding support frameworks, check out Breastfeeding Beyond the Birth Plan Here: https://www.littlebearlactation.com/doula-class
 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com
 
 
Topics Covered in this Episode Include: 
returning to work while breastfeeding
breastfeeding and going back to work
how to continue breastfeeding when returning to work
exclusive breastfeeding and working
pumping at work tips
breastfeeding after maternity leave
maintaining milk supply at work
back to work breastfeeding schedule
working mom breastfeeding
 

Is Formula Really the Secret to Marriage Equality? The Truth About Breastfeeding, Dads, and Partnership

Is baby formula really the key to marriage equality?
That’s the provocative claim behind a recent New York Times article—and in this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, Jaimie (IBCLC, mom of five) sits down with her husband Sebastian to unpack why that headline isn’t just misleading… it’s dangerous.
Because when we frame formula feeding as the solution to an unequal marriage, we quietly teach families that breastfeeding is the problem—instead of asking the deeper question:
👉 If a marriage feels lopsided after a baby arrives, is feeding really the cause—or just where the cracks show up?
Topics Covered in This Episode
The New York Times headline “The Secret to Marriage Equality Is Formula” and why it’s problematic
Equality vs sameness in marriage and parenting
Why breastfeeding often becomes the scapegoat for deeper relationship issues
How media narratives subtly undermine breastfeeding and femininity
Formula as a tool vs formula as a cultural solution
The myth that combo feeding information is “sparse”
How inconsistent supplementation impacts milk supply (biology vs opinion)
Why “fed is best” rhetoric often avoids root-cause problem solving
A father’s perspective on feeling “left out” during breastfeeding
What real support from dads actually looks like (without feeding)
Why bonding is not dependent on putting milk in a baby’s mouth
Breastfeeding as a short season vs marriage as the foundation
How cultural normalization shapes parental expectations and decisions
RESOURCES & PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
FREE 5 Breastfeeding Mistakes to Avoid 
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy 
Book a Virtual Lactation Consultant 
For Doulas seeking advanced lactation education & expert curated breastfeeding support frameworks, check out Breastfeeding Beyond the Birth Plan Here: https://www.littlebearlactation.com/birthworkers/lactation-education-for-doulas
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More) SAVE 20% ON YOUR FIRST ORDER!!!!
 
Topics Covered: breastfeeding and marriage, formula vs breastfeeding, marriage equality and parenting, equality vs sameness in marriage, breastfeeding support for couples, fathers and breastfeeding roles, feeling left out as a dad, breastfeeding misinformation, combo feeding and milk supply, fed is best narrative, media influence on infant feeding, breastfeeding and femininity, partner support during breastfeeding, postpartum relationship dynamics, breastfeeding education gaps

Protecting your milk supply when separated from your baby after birth.

What happens to your milk supply if you’re separated from your baby after birth?
If you’re pregnant and this question has quietly been sitting in the back of your mind, this episode is for you.
Whether you’re planning a hospital birth with the possibility of monitoring or NICU time, or you’re planning a home birth but know that transfer is always a possibility, separation can feel scary — especially when breastfeeding matters deeply to you.
Here’s the good news: breastfeeding can still work even if you’re separated from your baby after birth.A rough start does not mean your journey is over.
In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence podcast, we talk about how to protect your milk supply if mom and baby are separated, without panic, rigid rules, or feeling like everything is ruined if birth doesn’t go exactly as planned.
You’ll learn:
How milk supply is established in the early postpartum days
Why early milk production is time-sensitive (and what that actually means)
What to do if your baby can’t latch or is taken for monitoring or NICU care
How pumping, hand expression, and advocacy protect your supply
Why preparation — not luck — makes the biggest difference
We also talk directly to moms planning home births and walk through why it’s still important to have a flexible breastfeeding plan, even if separation feels unlikely. Knowing how to advocate early, ask for support, and stimulate milk production can make a powerful difference in long-term breastfeeding success.
Separation is not ideal — but it is not a deal breaker. With the right plan and early action, you can protect your milk supply and move forward with confidence.
 
RESOURCES & PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
 
BREASTFEEDING RESOURCES
FREE 5 Breastfeeding Mistakes to Avoid 
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy 
Supplementing for Breastfeeding Moms Mini Course 
Book a Virtual Lactation Consultant 
For Doulas seeking advanced lactation education & expert curated breastfeeding support frameworks, check out this FREE Doula Training 
 
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR PREGNANT & NEW MOTHERS
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More) SAVE 20% ON YOUR FIRST ORDER!!!!

Should I wake my sleeping baby to breastfeed? Is "never wake a sleeping baby" good advice or can it hurt your milk supply?

Should you wake a sleeping baby to breastfeed — or is “never wake a sleeping baby” actually hurting your milk supply?
This is one of the most confusing and anxiety-producing questions new parents ask, especially in the early weeks of breastfeeding. One person tells you to let your baby sleep as long as they want. Another warns that if you don’t wake every 2–3 hours, your milk supply will tank. So which advice is actually correct?
In this episode of The Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast, we break down when waking a sleeping baby to nurse is necessary, when it’s optional, and when it can actually backfire. You’ll learn how a newborn’s age, weight gain, feeding effectiveness, and overall patterns matter far more than the clock. We also talk about why long stretches of sleep can sometimes signal that feeding is hard — not that everything is going great.
If you’re wondering how long a newborn can sleep between feeds, whether you should wake a sleepy baby at night, or how sleep affects milk supply, this episode will give you clarity without fear-based rules. You’ll walk away with a simple framework to help you make confident, informed decisions — while still trusting your instincts and protecting your breastfeeding relationship.
🎧 Perfect for pregnant moms and new parents navigating night feeds, milk supply concerns, and conflicting advice.
RESOURCES 
RESOURCES: 
 
Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide 
Baby Prep: Avoiding Unnecessary Formula Workshop 
Breastfeeding Solutions: Breastfeeding Success Guide Bundle  
Concierge Breastfeeding Support: https://www.littlebearlactation.com/breastfeeding-help
 
For Doulas seeking advanced lactation education & expert curated breastfeeding support frameworks, check out Breastfeeding Beyond the Birth Plan Here: https://www.littlebearlactation.com/birthworkers/lactation-education-for-doulas
 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More)**
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!)**
 
Thank you to RESTORATIVE ROOTS for sponsoring this episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast. Learn more about how RESTORATIVE ROOTS can help you thrive now: restorativeroots.com
 
* Topics Covered: infant sleep patterns, newborn sleep, should I wake baby to sleep, protecting milk supply, jaundice baby tips, never wake a sleeping baby 
 
**If you purchase from links above, Little Bear Lactation may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These proceeds help keep the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast in production, providing free education and support for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.