In this episode we're exploring the relationship between breastfeeding and a new mom's mental health. To help us really go deep (and practical) on this topic, I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Dawnita Wicks, a registered nurse, public health nurse, and internationally board-certified lactation consultant.

I first connected with Dawnita because I had clients who were struggling not just with feeding, but also with their mental health. When they worked with her, they came back to me saying: “She really saw all of me - the feeding goals AND my mental health.” I knew I had to meet this unicorn of a provider.

In our conversation, we talk about what it’s like to sit at the intersection of infant feeding and maternal mental health. We share our own postpartum stories (including my first experience of birth trauma, breastfeeding challenges, and postpartum anxiety), the shame that so often convinces us to stay silent, and the power of support that honors both our goals and our needs.

We also unpack the cultural messages around feeding, why sleep is a critical piece of the puzzle, and how there are so many more options than the “all or nothing” plans we often think we have to follow.

If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to meet your feeding goals and also desperately needing rest, connection, and mental health support...you are not alone. This episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why feeding goals and maternal mental health don’t have to compete
• My own story of postpartum anxiety, shame, and perfectionism after a traumatic birth
• The pressure to “do it all right” and how it keeps us from asking for help
• Why even a 4–6 hour block of sleep can change everything
• How to navigate shame and cultural messages like “breast is best”
• The importance of individualized, compassionate feeding plans

Resources and Links:

• Connect with Dawnita at www.womantwowoman.net
• Follow Dawnita on social: @dawnitawicks
• Learn more about my practice at www.drcassidymft.com
• Find notes from this episode on Substack

If this episode resonates with you:

Share it with a friend who might need this conversation, subscribe to Holding Space, and leave a review - it helps other parents find their way here!

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