Brimful

Genitourinary Syndrome of Lactation: The Postpartum Symptom Nobody Talks About

Episode Summary

In this episode, Pamela sits down with pelvic health physiotherapist Professor Sinead Dufour to explore what’s happening in the body during the postpartum period and why so many breastfeeding parents experience changes in their pelvic and vaginal health.

Together, they discuss how the hormonal environment of lactation (particularly lower estrogen levels) can affect vaginal tissue, lubrication, and urinary comfort. They also talk about how these symptoms are often misunderstood or dismissed, leaving many parents feeling confused or unsupported.

This conversation normalizes an experience that is far more common than most people realize and offers practical, evidence-informed guidance for parents navigating postpartum recovery while breastfeeding.

In This Episode

What Genitourinary Syndrome of Lactation is and why the term is gaining attention

Why breastfeeding hormones can affect vaginal and urinary tissues

Common symptoms, including dryness, irritation, pain with sex, and urinary discomfort

How these symptoms are sometimes misdiagnosed or overlooked

The difference between normal postpartum healing and symptoms that need support

Practical strategies that may improve comfort during the breastfeeding period

The role of pelvic floor physiotherapy in postpartum recovery

When it may be helpful to speak with a healthcare provider

Why pelvic health conversations need to be part of routine postpartum care

About the Guest

Sinead Dufour is an Associate Clinical Professor, Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University, and a pelvic health physiotherapist who supports individuals through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and other pelvic health concerns. Her work focuses on helping people better understand their bodies while providing practical tools for healing, comfort, and long-term pelvic health.

Connect & Learn More:

Dr. Sinead Dufour, PhD:

Website: https://experts.mcmaster.ca/people/sdufour

Instagram: @dr.sinead 

Embodia: https://embodiaapp.com

Pamela Tessmann, IBCLC:

Website: www.brimfamilycare.com

Socials: @brim.familycare

Buy me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/brim.familycare

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Margie Davenport, a leading Canadian researcher in perinatal physical activity and a professor at the University of Alberta. Dr. Davenport directs the Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Research Program, where her work focuses on how movement, rest, and recovery affect parents and babies from preconception through the first year postpartum.

We begin by exploring how Dr. Davenport came to this work and why the postpartum period has long been under-researched despite being such a critical time for physical and mental health. From there, we dive into the newly released 2025 Canadian Guidelines for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep During the First Year Postpartum.

A major focus of this conversation is the relationship between exercise and breastfeeding. Dr. Davenport breaks down what the research actually shows about milk supply, milk quality, infant growth, injury risk, and the long-standing myths around lactic acid and “exercise ruining breast milk.” We also discuss nutrition, hydration, breast support during activity, and practical ways parents can move their bodies without pressure or unrealistic expectations.

We then zoom out to look at mental health and sleep. Dr. Davenport shares compelling evidence that even small amounts of physical activity in the early postpartum period are associated with meaningful reductions in postpartum depression and improvements in sleep quality. Importantly, this episode reinforces that postpartum recovery is not linear, not universal, and not something to rush.

This conversation is a grounding, evidence-based reminder that postpartum care must be individualized, compassionate, and supported at the family and societal level.

Dr. Margie Davenport – University of Alberta Exercise & Pregnancy Program

https://www.ksr.ualberta.ca/exerciseandpregnancy/

2025 Canadian Guidelines for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep During the First Year Postpartum

General Information on Physical Activity During Pregnancy & Postpartum (Health Canada)

Connect with host Pamela Tessmann

www.brimfamilycare.com

[email protected]

If you value evidence-based conversations like this and want to support the ongoing work of Brim Lactation & Family Care and the Brimful podcast, you can do so here:

Buy Me a Coffee – Brim Lactation & Family Care

Your support helps keep thoughtful, research-informed conversations about infant feeding, mental health, and family care accessible.

The holidays can be a joyful - and challenging - time for parents of breastfed babies, especially when food reactivity is involved. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Trill from Free to Feed, an expert in supporting families navigating infant food sensitivities.

Dr. Trill walks us through:

• How to identify true food reactivity versus what might be latching difficulties

Connect with Dr. Trill:

Website: https://www.freetofeed.com 

Social Media: @free.to.feed

Connect with Pamela:

Website: www.brimfamilycare.com

Social Media: @brim.familycare

buymeacoffee.com/brim.familycare

In this episode, Pamela sits down with Alix Meyers, doula and founder of Tenderly, a practice dedicated to supporting neurodivergent families through fertility, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Alix shares her path from a career in marketing to becoming a doula, the journey of discovering neurodivergence within her own family, and how her lived experience shaped the neuro-affirming lens she brings to her work.

Together, Pamela and Alix explore the sensory, communication, and executive-function realities that can shape a birthing or postpartum experience, especially for those who may not yet realize they're neurodivergent. They discuss why so many birthing people don’t receive the support they need, how masking can disguise overwhelm, and how simple shifts in practice can help birth workers provide truly neuro-affirming care.

Alex also shares how virtual doula support can be a powerful accessibility tool, what families can expect when working with her online, and the upcoming self-paced birth planning course she’s creating specifically with neurodivergent brains in mind.

In this episode:

If you or someone you support is navigating pregnancy or postpartum with a neurodivergent lens, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and tools for cultivating a more supported experience.

Connect with Alex:

Social Media - @lovetender.ly_doula

Email - [email protected]

Support Brim Lactation & Family Care:

More episodes, services, and offerings: www.brimfamilycare.com

In This Episode:

• How breastfeeding can lower stress hormones and inflammation — key factors linked to depression.
  

• How exclusive breastfeeding supports better sleep quality and quantity for mothers.
  

References Mentioned:

Kendall-Tackett, K. A. (2015). Depression in New Mothers: Causes, Consequences, and Treatment Alternatives. Available via PubMed Central: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4842365/

Key findings: Breastfeeding reduces cortisol and inflammation, improves sleep, and protects against depression — especially in trauma survivors.

Dennis, C.-L., & McQueen, K. (2016). The relationship between infant-feeding outcomes and postpartum depression: A longitudinal study. CMAJ Open, 4(1), E103–E109. https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/4/1/E103

Study of 380 mothers in Calgary: 88% experienced feeding difficulties. When support was perceived as positive, risk of postpartum depression dropped from 14.9% to 5.25%. Negative or dismissive support did not improve outcomes.

Connect with us:

Host: Pamela Tessmann, IBCLC www.brimfamilycare.ca Instagram: @brim.familycare

Buy Me a Coffee to support the show: buymeacoffee.com/brim.familycare

Guest: Erin Dykstra, IBCLC Sweet Spot Lactation Instagram: @sweetspotlactation

Find a Lactation Consultant in BC

https://bclca.wildapricot.org/

In this episode, I’m joined by Janelle Fontaine, Registered Massage Therapist and founder of Nurturing the Mother. Janelle's practice focuses on perinatal and postpartum bodywork, helping parents heal, reconnect, and restore balance after pregnancy and birth.

Through her hands-on work and teaching, Janelle is transforming how we understand postpartum recovery. She offers specialized post–cesarean and scar tissue massage, and she also trains other RMTs and health professionals to provide this essential care in their own practices.

We talk about what real postpartum recovery looks like, the often-overlooked impact of c-section scars, and how compassionate touch can help rebuild trust and connection within the body after birth.

Whether you’re a new parent, a perinatal professional, or someone passionate about holistic healing , this conversation will leave you feeling grounded, inspired, and deeply seen.

• What inspired Janelle to create Nurturing the Mother

Website: www.nurturingthemother.ca

Courses and Resources:

• The Cesarean Recovery Guide (for parents and clients):
  

• NTM: Cesarean Massage & Rehab for Health Care Providers (for RMTs and professionals):
  

Connect with Pamela Tessmann, IBCLC:

Website: @brim.familycare

Support the Brimful Podcast:

buymeacoffee.com/brim.familycare

In this episode of Brimful, Pamela sits down with Jacob Engelsman, IBCLC, (He/Him) - lactation consultant, educator, and author of Lactation for the Rest of Us - to talk about making infant feeding support more inclusive, accessible, and rooted in real-life experiences.

Jacob shares what inspired his book, the gaps he sees in traditional lactation education, and how we can move toward care that celebrates diversity and meets families where they are. Together, Pamela and Jacob discuss breaking down barriers in the field, centering compassion over perfection, and building a culture of feeding support that truly fits the rest of us.

Whether you’re a parent, perinatal professional, or advocate for family-centered care, this episode offers insight, honesty, and a refreshing perspective on what inclusive lactation support can look like.

Learn more about Jacob’s (He/Him) work:

Connect with Pamela (She/Her) (Host):

Support this podcast and the work we do:

In this episode, we sit down with Cayla Solomon, the compassionate and knowledgeable founder of Sleeping Beauties. Cayla is dedicated to transforming sleep for individuals and families through her unique, holistic approach. Her philosophy centers on addressing the root causes of sleep disruptions while considering family dynamics and paramedical factors, offering a truly bespoke and sustainable path to better rest.

• The Science of Sleep: Cayla shares key insights into why sleep challenges occur and how they impact overall well-being.

• Parents struggling with their child’s sleep patterns.

Cayla Solomon is a sleep expert with a difference. Through Sleeping Beauties, she offers unbiased, tailored support that avoids one-size-fits-all solutions. Cayla’s dedication to empowering families and addressing the deeper causes of sleep disruption has made her a trusted guide for achieving long-lasting change.

• 🌐 Visit her website: Sleeping Beauties

• A downloadable sleep progression guide: Get Your Free Guide Here

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode!

• Join the Conversation: Share your sleep challenges or breakthroughs by tagging us on Instagram @brim.familycare

Follow Us: Stay connected for more episodes on perinatal mental health, parenting, and wellness:

• Instagram: @brim.familycare

Tune in now and unlock the secrets to a good night's sleep! 🌙

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Kirsten Werner, RMT, owner of Cumberland Village Wellness and founder of Wellness Business Coaching. Kirsten shares her inspiring journey from certified aromatherapy massage practitioner in 2001 to becoming a Registered Massage Therapist in 2008, and how she has built a thriving practice deeply rooted in the Comox Valley community.

We dive into her unique offerings, including infant and toddler massage classes, post-surgical care for mastectomy, top surgery and c-section patients. Kirsten also reveals her passion for teaching—helping parents connect through touch and guiding wellness practitioners to create sustainable, successful businesses.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The incredible benefits of baby and toddler massage for connection, development, and relaxation.

Connect with Kirsten Werner:

• Website: Cumberland Village Wellness

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Mastectomy Guide for Health Professionals training

Get Involved:

Let Kirsten’s passion and expertise inspire your journey in wellness, whether you’re seeking healing touch for yourself or tools to build a fulfilling business.

Tune in and let the healing begin!

In this episode, we delve into the critical but often overlooked topic of perinatal mental health, discussing the challenges faced by both parents during the perinatal period. We'll explore perinatal mood disorders, such as postpartum depression and anxiety, and how they impact not only mothers but fathers and partners as well.

Our special guest, Tasha Page, a registered social worker specializing in perinatal mental health, gives us an inside look at what a typical counseling session looks like with her. She shares her approach to providing compassionate, personalized care and guiding parents through their emotional struggles during infertility, pregnancy and postpartum.

Tasha also talks about her fertility support group, which provides a safe, supportive space for individuals and couples navigating the often difficult and emotionally taxing journey of infertility.

Whether you're a parent, parent-to-be, or someone facing fertility challenges, this episode offers valuable insights and resources for mental health and emotional well-being during the perinatal period.

Tune in to learn more about how you can prioritize mental health during one of life’s most transformative experiences.

Credits:

Produced by: Pamela Tessmann

Music by: PK Tessmann

Contact info: 

Tasha Page - www.glaciercounselling.com, [email protected]

Pamela Tessmann - www.brimfamilycare.com, [email protected]

Books Recommendations:

• I had a miscarriage Jessica Zucker

For something a little more academic: 

• In (M)other Words, Andrea O'Reily

The book Tasha is working on is slated to be called Barren: An Exploration of the Journey to Parenthood and will be published by Demeter press next year (2025). 

They have a number of amazing books on the experience of mothering, pregnancy loss, etc 

https://demeterpress.org/

Recommended Resources to Have Listed Nearby:

Emergency Mental Health 9-88 Call or text 24/7

Crisis Line

Text: 250-800-3806 6pm – 10pm 7 days per week

Call: 1-888-494-3888 24/7

Postpartum Support International

www.postpartum.net

helpline for access to resources: 1.800.944.4773

-        Access to online resources in multiple languages

-        Online support groups on a wide variety of topics

-        Local support and specialized coordinators

-        Directory of therapists with training specific to perinatal mental health

Pacific Post Partum Support Society

www.postpartum.org

Help line to speak to a support Counselor: 1-855-255-7999

-        Online support groups.

-        Excellent online resources with information about perinatal mental health for all members of the family in multiple languages.