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

How to reduce breast engorgement after your baby is born: Proven tips for the first week of breastfeeding

Breast engorgement* during the first week of breastfeeding is incredibly common — and incredibly misunderstood. In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence, IBCLC Jaimie Zaki breaks down exactly what breast engorgement is, why it happens, and how to relieve engorgement safely without damaging your milk supply or latch.
If your breasts feel hard, hot, swollen, painfully full, or difficult for your baby to latch onto, this episode is for you. Engorgement is not a sign that breastfeeding is failing, and it does not automatically mean you have too much milk. In fact, engorgement is usually caused by inflammation, increased blood flow, lymphatic fluid, and IV fluids from labor — not just milk volume.
You’ll learn:
What breast engorgement actually is (and what it’s not)
Why engorgement can happen even with low milk supply
How engorgement affects latch, milk transfer, and nipple pain
Why aggressive pumping can make engorgement worse
How to use feeding techniques, cold therapy, gentle massage, and hand expression effectively
Jaimie also explains why early engorgement can trigger a cascade of problems — from poor latch to clogged ducts, mastitis, and unnecessary formula supplementation — and how addressing engorgement correctly can prevent those outcomes.
Whether you’re pregnant and preparing for breastfeeding or navigating the first days postpartum, this episode will help you feel calmer, more informed, and more confident in your body.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to move milk, protect your breast tissue, and support your baby — without panic or misinformation.
 
RESOURCES: 
 
Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide 
 
Breastfeeding Solutions: Breastfeeding Success Guide Bundle  
 
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: Breast Engorgement, How to reduce engorgement breastfeeding, breastmilk coming in, breasts hurt first week postpartum, first week of breastfeeding tips, reverse pressure softening 
 
**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. 

Breastfeeding After Breast Cancer & Double Mastectomy: Using a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) for Low Milk Supply with Doula Emily Betancur

Can you breastfeed after breast cancer—even after a double mastectomy?
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, I’m joined by my friend Emily, a birth worker and breast cancer survivor, to talk honestly about what breastfeeding can look like after cancer—and how a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) made it possible for her to nurse her babies at the breast.
This conversation challenges the idea that breastfeeding is only about milk production. We talk about bonding, healing, hormones, and why breastfeeding still counts even when it doesn’t look the way you expected.
If you’re a breast cancer survivor, supporting one, or working with mothers navigating complex breastfeeding situations, this episode is for you. And if you don't have breast cancer? This episode is still helpful for moms supplementing for low milk supply! 
In This Episode, We Cover:
Can you breastfeed after breast cancer or a double mastectomy?
What a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) is and how it works
Using an SNS with low or no milk supply
Why breastfeeding is about more than milk
Emotional healing and closure after cancer through nursing
How long an SNS can be used 
Practical tips for using a Supplemental Nursing System successfully
Why breastfeeding after cancer still “counts”
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!!!!
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
 

My baby lost weight in the hospital: Should I supplement with formula? Tips for avoiding formula & supplementing without ruining breastfeeding.

Were you told in the hospital that your breastfed baby lost “too much” weight and now you’re questioning everything?Newborn weight loss is one of the most misunderstood and fear-based decision points in early breastfeeding, and it’s where so many breastfeeding journeys are unintentionally derailed
In this episode, IBCLC and mom of five Jaimie Zaki breaks down what newborn weight loss actually means, why hospitals often push formula so quickly, and how to make confident, informed decisions that protect both your baby and your breastfeeding goals so you can avoid unnecessary formula. 
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Why newborn weight loss is biologically normal and expected
How IV fluids during labor can artificially inflate birth weight
Why the “10% weight loss rule” is often misunderstood and misused
Why weight loss alone does not tell us if breastfeeding is working
What should be assessed before recommending formula
When supplementation may be helpful — and when it’s unnecessary
How to supplement without sabotaging milk supply or breastfeeding confidence
Why fear-based feeding decisions often create the very problems they claim to prevent
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!!!!
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

Why does breastfeeding hurt when baby has a "good latch"?

Did your lactation consultant, postpartum nurse, midwife, or pediatrician tell you your baby has a "good latch" so the breastfeeding pain you're experiencing is probably "normal" and you'll just have to wait for it to disappear? What if I told you it doesn't matter what your baby's latch LOOKS like, if you're in pain? In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) and mom of 5, discusses what a good latch looks like, what a good latch FEELS like, and how to determine the root cause of painful breastfeeding. Jaimie discusses oral function examinations, solutions for managing breastfeeding pain, and shares on-demand breastfeeding resources so you can transform your story today. If you're ready to get answers and implement real solutions for breastfeeding pain, you're in the right place. 
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!!!!
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
 

Holiday Check-In for Pregnant & Postpartum Moms

Christmas week can feel magical… and also incredibly overwhelming when you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or navigating breastfeeding challenges. In this short and gentle check-in episode, Jaimie shares encouragement, emotional support, and simple ways to get the breastfeeding help you need without leaving home during the busy holiday season.
Whether you’re anxiously waiting for your baby’s arrival or deep in the newborn trenches, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone — and you don’t have to “feel merry and bright” to be a good mom.
Resources Mentioned
 Free Guide: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Breastfeeding👉 littlebearlactation.com/mistakes
Need Breastfeeding Help?Book a Q&A session or lactation support call👉 littlebearlactation.com/support
 Pregnant?Download the guide, click “pregnant,” and unlock a free workshop + special offer for The Breastfeeding Academy

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)