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

76 | Planning for Postpartum During Pregnancy + the Book "You're Not Broken, You're Postpartum" with Katherine Stephens from the Made for Birth Podcast

You’re Not Broken, You’re Postpartum: Redefining “Normal” in Early Motherhood
What if the problem isn’t you… it’s the expectations you were handed about postpartum?
In this powerful episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, Jaimie sits down with mom of six, birth worker, podcaster, and author Katherine Stephens to talk about her new book: You Are Not Broken, You Are Postpartum.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I not handling this better?” or “Everyone else seems to be coping… what’s wrong with me?” — this conversation is for you.
Katherine pulls back the curtain on what postpartum really feels like, from identity shifts to postpartum depression, from feeling isolated to realizing you were never meant to do this without a village.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why you feel “broken” postpartum (and why you’re not)How hormonal changes, birth trauma, lack of support, and sleep deprivation all collide and make you think you’re failing.
The identity crisis of new motherhoodWhy you don’t “bounce back” to your old self — and how to start embracing the woman you’re becoming.
The myth and reality of “it takes a village”What a true village used to look like, why so many moms don’t have one now, and practical ways to build support even if your family is far away.
Asking for help without feeling like a failureSimple, practical ideas (like Catherine’s “power-up” exercise with your partner) to share the mental and physical load in postpartum.
Postpartum depression vs. normal postpartum strugglesWhy feeling emotional does not automatically mean you’re broken — and when to seek extra support.
RESOURCES
FREE GUIDE: 5 Breastfeeding Mistakes to Avoid 
Made for Birth Podcast with Katherine 
Get your copy of "You're not broken, You're Postpartum" 
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

75 | 3 Things Every Pregnant Mom Should Know About Milk Supply in the First Week

So many pregnant moms head into breastfeeding worried about low supply — especially when they hear “your baby is nursing constantly” or “you don’t have much colostrum.”
But here’s the truth (and what most moms are never told):
Frequent nursing + tiny amounts of colostrum = NORMAL.Your baby is doing exactly what tells your body to make more milk.
In today’s episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, we’re breaking down the real science behind milk supply in the first week — so you can walk into breastfeeding feeling calm, confident, and prepared.
What You’ll Learn
✨ 1. When milk supply actually beginsLactogenesis II (your true milk “coming in”) only starts after the placenta separates. What you leak — or don’t leak — during pregnancy has nothing to do with how much milk you’ll make.
✨ 2. Colostrum is produced in tiny amountsColostrum is thick, sticky, and intentionally low-volume. Your baby doesn’t need ounces — they need frequent nursing. And no, pumping “nothing” isn’t a sign of low supply.
✨ 3. Why frequent nursing is NORMAL, not a red flagCluster feeding = your baby stimulating your supply exactly the way nature designed. Supplementing too early can disrupt the supply-and-demand cycle you’re trying to build.
We also touch on delayed milk coming in, retained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, and how to protect your supply if birth complications arise.RESOURCES 
RESOURCES & PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
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 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!!!!
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!) 

74 | The Hidden Benefits of Breastfeeding: Oral Development, Airway Health, and Tongue Function with Dr. Shereen Lim

Have you ever wondered about the benefits of breastfeeding beyond nutrition and immune health? We often talk about connection with breastfeeding, but here's what we don't talk about: The physical and developmental benefits of breastfeeding.  The truth is breastfeeding is so much more than “no pain and good weight gain.”
In this episode of The Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, we dive into the mechanical and developmental benefits of breastfeeding — the things that go far beyond the nutrition in your milk.
Joining me today is Dr. Shereen Lim, an airway-focused dentist and author of Breathe, Sleep, Thrive. She breaks down how breastfeeding impacts your baby’s oral muscle development, jaw formation, airway growth, and even their long-term risk of sleep-disordered breathing.
If you’ve ever wondered why breastfeeding matters for more than just feeding — this episode will blow your mind (in the best way).
What We Cover in This Episode
 Why Breastfeeding Is a Foundational Piece of Oral Development
Dr. Lim explains how breastfeeding creates the ideal conditions for strengthening your baby’s tongue, expanding the palate, shaping the jaws, and supporting proper airway growth — things bottles simply cannot mimic.
Tongue Function, Tongue Ties, and Oral Dysfunction
We discuss:
Why tongue ties are more than “just a latch issue”
How poor oral mechanics can still exist even when baby is gaining weight
Early red flags like aerophagia (air intake), reflux-like symptoms, and compensatory swallowing
Why early oral dysfunction is often the first sign of airway issues later
 How Oral Development Impacts Sleep and Airway Health
Your baby’s ability to breathe well at night is directly connected to:
Jaw growth
Palate width
Tongue tone and posture
Nasal vs. mouth breathing habits
Dr. Lim explains how early feeding mechanics shape the airway and why addressing issues early can prevent years of sleep and behavioral struggles.
 The Difference Between Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding (Mechanically)
We unpack how:
The breast requires suction, jaw movement, tongue elevation, and coordinated suck-swallow-breathe
Bottles rely on totally different muscles and can contribute to low tongue posture and mouth breathing
You can optimize bottle-feeding when breastfeeding isn’t fully possible
This is not about guilt — it’s about helping moms make informed, confident decisions.
How Feeding Issues Show Up When Baby Starts Solids
Many babies who struggle at the breast eventually show:
Gagging
Pocketing food
Swallowing chunks whole
Refusing solids
Difficulty chewing
Dr. Lim explains why these signs often trace back to early oral dysfunction.
Why Breastfeeding Is a Vital Sign
Breastfeeding trouble is often the earliest indicator of:
Oral dysfunction
Airway restriction
Poor tongue posture
Later sleep-disordered breathing
Challenges with speech, chewing, and facial development
 
RESOURCES: 
Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide 
Connect with Dr. Shereen Lim Here 
RESOURCES & PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS
FREE 5 Breastfeeding Mistakes to Avoid 
Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy 
Supplementing for Breastfeeding Moms Mini Course 
Book a Virtual Lactation Consultant 
NEEDED. Nutritional Support (Bioavailable Supplements, Hydration & More) SAVE 20% ON YOUR FIRST ORDER!!!!
Motherlove Herbals (Save 15%!) 
Topics Covered: breastfeeding oral development, airway focused dentist, tongue tie breastfeeding, infant oral dysfunction, jaw development breastfeeding, palate development breastfeeding, nasal breathing baby, sleep disordered breathing infant, bottle feeding vs breastfeeding mechanics, breastfeeding latch problems, breastfeeding and airway health, early tongue tie signs, breastfeeding reflux symptoms, infant airway development, breastfeeding jaw growth, lactation consultant airway, mechanical benefits of breastfeeding

73 | Informed Consent in Pregnancy, Birth & Breastfeeding: Using the BRAIN Method with Doula Taylor Shaffer from Holistic Pregnancy Podcast

If you care about autonomy, informed consent, and saying no to pressure in pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, this episode is for you.
In today’s conversation, I’m joined by doula and Holistic Pregnancy Podcast host, Taylor Shaffer, to unpack what real informed consent actually looks like (and why those hospital “consent forms” usually aren’t it).
We walk through the BRAIN method—Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, and doing Nothing—so you can use it to make confident decisions about:
Prenatal tests
Inductions (especially in the busy holiday season)
Epidurals and birth interventions
Newborn procedures
Tongue tie releases
Formula “top offs” and early breastfeeding decisions
Whether you’re still pregnant or already holding your baby, this episode will help you recognize coercive language, spot red flags, and stand firm in your right to say no—in the hospital, at home, and in the postpartum/breastfeeding trenches.
You are not a “difficult patient.” You are a mother making informed, intentional choices for your body and your baby.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
What informed consent really means (and why signing a hospital form is not the same thing)
The difference between liability-focused consent forms and true autonomy-centered informed consent
How to use the BRAIN method in real conversations with providers:
Benefits
Risks
Alternatives
Intuition
doing Nothing / waiting
Red flags that your provider is not giving you full informed consent:
How to tell the difference between a real emergency and “manufactured urgency”
Why it is never too late to switch providers—even late in pregnancy
How informed consent continues into postpartum and breastfeeding, not just birth
What informed consent looks like when:
Nurses are “helping” with latch in the hospital
You’re being pressured to supplement with formula
Someone says your baby is tongue tied and you “need a release”
Why you need a breastfeeding plan (not just a birth plan)
The role of doulas, IBCLCs, and holistic practitioners in supporting autonomy-centered care
Resources Mentioned
FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW
Access the Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy for step-by-step guidance on protecting your milk supply, managing common breastfeeding struggles, and getting a pain-free latch: littlebearlactation.com/library (use code PODCAST50for a discount)
Work with Taylor: Nested and Nourished
 
 
Topics Covered in this episode:
informed consent pregnancy, informed consent birth, informed consent breastfeeding, BRAIN method birth, birth autonomy, pregnancy autonomy, natural birth informed consent, physiologic birth support, how to say no to interventions in labor, induction pressure holidays, informed consent tongue tie, tongue tie release informed consent, breastfeeding informed consent hospital, breastfeeding plan vs birth plan, advocacy in pregnancy and birth, holistic pregnancy podcast
 
 

72 | Protecting your milk supply during the holidays: Tips for surviving Thanksgiving with a breastfed baby

Protecting Your Milk Supply During the Holidays: Breastfeeding Tips for Thanksgiving
In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC and mom of five, shares essential tips for maintaining milk supply and avoiding common breastfeeding challenges during the holidays. Thanksgiving and other holiday gatherings can be joyful but overwhelming, and it’s common for breastfeeding moms to experience clogged ducts, mastitis, or temporary dips in milk supply due to skipped feeds or stress.
Jaimie busts popular myths, including concerns that herbs in holiday meals or moderate alcohol consumption can tank your milk supply, and offers practical strategies to keep both you and your baby comfortable and fed. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, prioritizing feeds, resting, babywearing, and setting boundaries to protect your milk supply and enjoy your holiday safely.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Common holiday myths about breastfeeding and milk supply
How to prevent clogged ducts and mastitis during busy family gatherings
Tips for feeding your baby while staying part of holiday festivities
Using babywearing to keep your baby close and avoid missed feeds
Strategies for prioritizing rest and self-care while postpartum
How to navigate family dynamics and accept help without guilt
Practical reminders for maintaining milk supply, even with a hectic holiday schedule
Resources & Links:
Episode on Breastfeeding & Alcohol LISTEN HERE 
FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW
Access the Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy for step-by-step guidance on protecting your milk supply, managing common breastfeeding struggles, and getting a pain-free latch: littlebearlactation.com/library (use code PODCAST50for a discount)

71 | What is “Colic” in babies & how can colic affect breastfeeding?

Colic Isn’t “A Thing”: Understanding Why Your Baby Cries and What You Can Do
In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, host Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC and mom of five, tackles a common myth: colic isn’t just a thing. Many parents hear that their baby has colic and feel helpless, but crying is always communication — not a diagnosis.
Jaimie explains why labeling a baby as “colicky” can be misleading, and why persistent crying often signals underlying issues like sensory overload, sleep challenges, reflux, digestive discomfort, tongue tie, oral dysfunction, or inefficient milk transfer. She emphasizes that colic is rarely the problem itself — it’s a sign that something needs to be addressed.
This episode provides practical guidance for decoding your baby’s cries, optimizing feeding efficiency, and using nervous system regulation techniques like skin-to-skin, gentle rocking, and bodywork. Jaimie also shares insights on avoiding ineffective remedies and focusing on root causes, empowering parents to respond confidently and effectively.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why colic isn’t a real diagnosis and what it really means
Common underlying causes of persistent crying in babies
How inefficient milk transfer or oral dysfunction can lead to fussiness
Practical strategies to soothe and support your baby
Tools for nervous system regulation: skin-to-skin, gentle rocking, and more
How to track patterns to identify underlying issues
When to seek professional support to address persistent feeding or crying challenges
Resources & Links:
👉FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW
👉Access the Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy for step-by-step guidance on protecting your milk supply, managing common breastfeeding struggles, and getting a pain-free latch: littlebearlactation.com/library (use code PODCAST50for a discount)
👉 Book a 20-minute Q&A session with Jaimie for personalized support
 

70 | Breastfeeding & Mental Health: Postpartum Depression, Mother Wounds, and Breastfeeding Grief with Vanessa from @MilkandMentalHealth

Can breastfeeding truly support your mental health—or does it sometimes make postpartum depression worse?
In this heartfelt episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast, host Jamie Zaki, IBCLC and mom of five, sits down with Vanessa, a Licensed Professional Counseling Student and Lactation Counselor, to talk about the emotional side of breastfeeding that so many mothers struggle with but few actually discuss out loud.
Together, they dive deep into postpartum depression, unresolved mother wounds, and the grief that can come when breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned. Vanessa shares her own journey through the intersection of motherhood and mental health, reminding moms that breastfeeding doesn’t have to be bad for your mental health—but the key is education, support, and self-compassion.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:
How birth interventions and early postpartum experiences shape both breastfeeding success and mental wellbeing
The emotional layers of breastfeeding grief and how to process them
How social media and cultural expectations add pressure to new moms
The connection between unhealed mother wounds and the way we show up as mothers
Practical ways to protect your mental health while breastfeeding
Why being “birth to breastfeeding educated” before birth can transform your experience
 Meet Our Guest: Vanessa — @MilkandMentalHealth
Vanessa is a Licensed Professional Counseling Student and Lactation Counseling student passionate about helping mothers navigate the complex intersection of mental health and breastfeeding. Through her online platform @MilkandMentalHealth, she shares education, emotional support, and compassionate truth-telling to empower moms to nurture both their babies and themselves.
🔗 Connect & Resources
 Learn more or join Vanessa’s Birth to Boob community: https://birthtoboob.my.canva.site/joinbtb
 Follow Vanessa on Instagram: @milkandmentalhealth | @birthtoboob
Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide 
rate, review, and share this episode with a mama who needs to hear that she’s not alone—and that it’s possible to breastfeed and protect your mental health.
00:00 Introduction to Breastfeeding and Mental Health
00:24 Meet Your Host: Jaimie Zaki
00:46  Postpartum Mental Health
04:13 Cultural and Psychological Challenges for Postpartum Mothers
06:18 Therapy and Support Systems
13:41 Personal Experiences and Stories
20:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
24:31 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
 

69 | Can breastmilk oversupply cause feeding challenges? Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions for breastfeeding with “too much milk”.

Oversupply in Breastfeeding: Signs, Causes, and Solutions
In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, host Jaimie Zaki, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and mom of five, addresses a common but often overlooked breastfeeding concern: oversupply of breast milk. Many moms worry about low supply, but producing too much milk comes with its own challenges — and it’s usually a sign of an underlying issue.
Jaimie explains the difference between healthy supply and oversupply, common symptoms to watch for (forceful letdown, frothy stools, frequent gagging or coughing, engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis), and why oversupply is often related to inflammation or oral dysfunction. She also provides practical strategies for managing oversupply, including block feeding, strategic expression, and addressing root causes like inefficient milk removal or inflammation.
This episode is full of actionable tips, mindset shifts, and encouragement to help moms navigate oversupply without feeling guilty, anxious, or overwhelmed.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Signs of oversupply and how it differs from a healthy milk supply
Why oversupply is usually a symptom, not the problem itself
How oral dysfunction and inefficient milk removal can overstimulate milk production
The role of inflammation in hyperlactation
Practical strategies: block feeding, flow management, and strategic milk expression
When to seek further evaluation from a healthcare provider
How to prevent oversupply from leading to clogged ducts, mastitis, or eventual undersupply
Resources & Links:
👉FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW
👉Access the Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy for step-by-step guidance on protecting your milk supply, managing common breastfeeding struggles, and getting a pain-free latch: littlebearlactation.com/library (use code PODCAST50for a discount)
👉 Book a 20-minute Q&A session with Jaimie for personalized support

68 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Comfort Nursing, Thrush That Won’t Go Away, and What to Do

Breastfeeding Challenges: Comfort Nursing and Persistent Thrush
In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence podcast, host Jaimie Zaki, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and mom of five, answers two common community questions: “What should I do if my baby uses me as a pacifier?” and “My baby has white patches on her tongue, the doctor says it’s thrush, but it won’t go away — what now?”
Jaimie breaks down the difference between nutritive and non-nutritive sucking, when and how pacifiers can be helpful, and how to know when “comfort nursing” is actually a red flag for oral dysfunction. She also clears up confusion between “milk tongue” and true thrush, shares what persistent thrush really means, and explores the role of gut health in recovery.
With practical tips, mindset shifts, and encouragement, this episode helps you feel less alone while navigating frustrating breastfeeding struggles.
 
BREASTFEEDING RESOURCES 
👉FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW
👉Access the Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy for step-by-step guidance on protecting your milk supply, managing common breastfeeding struggles, and getting a pain-free latch: littlebearlactation.com/library (use code PODCAST50for a discount)
👉 Book a 20-minute Q&A session with Jaimie for personalized support
 
 
Timestamps:00:00 Introduction & Podcast Welcome01:06 November Updates & Breastfeeding Community01:50 Comfort Nursing vs. Pacifier Use06:09 Baby Thrush Concerns Explained06:37 Breastfeeding Resource Library07:18 Thrush vs. Milk Tongue: Getting a Proper Diagnosis11:20 Final Thoughts & Support Options12:06 Conclusion & Call to Action

67 | Postpartum & Perimenopause: how we heal from pregnancy now could impact our hormonal experience as we age? with Dr. Jenna Rayachoti

Do you think postpartum is just one year of hell you have to push through? Think again! Dr. Jenna, a naturopath who specializes in women's health, discusses how our postpartum healing experience can impact our entire life, including menopause. Want to make sure you're caring for your body well during postpartum?  Let's chat with Dr. Jenna & learn how you can thrive during the fourth trimester & beyond! 
 
RESOURCES: 
Learn with Dr. Jenna's blog CLICK HERE
FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW
Book a Consult - CLICK HERE