Welcome back to season three of The Feeding Hour! In this episode, Catherine and Abby share updates on their lives, reflect on the beauty and challenges of motherhood, and introduce exciting new segments. They emphasize the importance of community, storytelling, and shared experiences for new and seasoned moms alike.

Main Topics Covered:

• Life updates: Moving, new seasons, and personal growth
• The importance of sharing authentic motherhood stories
• The concept of matrescence and brain changes with each child
• Parenting strategies: co-regulation, discipline without punishment
• The role of community, podcasts, and connection in motherhood
• The new "Feeding Us" segment and other upcoming content
• Supporting women in postpartum and feeding journeys through storytelling
• Embracing imperfect support and accepting help as part of motherhood
• Personal development: strength training and cultivating independence in children
• Future goals: empowering women to share their stories and reflect on their journeys

• Punishment Free Parenting by Jon Fogle
• Whole Brain Child
• Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum’s Instagram Post on Infant Brain Development
• The SLP Next Door Podcast

• Catherine - Instagram
• Abby - Instagram | Website

In this episode of The Feeding Hour Podcast, Melanie Calhoun, a licensed professional counselor and mental health therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, shares her personal and professional journey. She discusses her transition from a marketing executive to a mental health therapist, her experiences with motherhood, and the challenges she faced with her children's feeding journeys. Melanie emphasizes the importance of community support, advocacy, and the need for specialized care in maternal mental health.

In this episode of The Feeding Hour Podcast, Catherine and Abby discuss the journey of starting solids for babies, emphasizing the importance of early exposure to a variety of foods and textures. They share insights on how to prevent picky eating, the role of oral exploration, and the significance of responsive feeding. The conversation also touches on the benefits of breastfeeding and the transition to solids, offering practical tips for parents to foster a positive relationship with food for their children.

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey. Feedback? Email us at [email protected].

If you’d like to share your story email: [email protected]

⁠⁠Support us on Patreon ⁠⁠here⁠ ⁠and follow us to get notified when a new episode drops :)

In this conversation, Takema shares her personal journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and the challenges of breastfeeding. She discusses her initial expectations of breastfeeding, the realities she faced, and the emotional and physical hurdles she encountered. Takema emphasizes the importance of seeking help, the impact of dietary choices on her baby's health, and the emotional aspects of weaning. Her story highlights the complexities of motherhood and the need for support during the feeding journey.

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey. Feedback? Email us at [email protected].

If you’d like to share your story email: [email protected]

⁠⁠Support us on Patreon ⁠here ⁠and follow us to get notified when a new episode drops :)

In this episode, Abby and Catherine discuss the #1 reason moms's end nursing earlier than they would like, as well how we know how much milk baby is getting at each nursing. We also discuss suck swallow breathe patterns, typical duration of feeds, and red flags to watch out for that could indicate inefficiency. An important note in this episode is the expertise of speech language pathologist or another professional familiar with oral function when their is suspect problems with transfer. Thank you for listening!

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey. Feedback? Email us at [email protected].

If you’d like to share your story email: [email protected]

⁠⁠Support us on Patreon ⁠here ⁠and follow us to get notified when a new episode drops :)

In this episode, Rachel shares her personal journey through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, highlighting the challenges and triumphs she faced along the way. She discusses the impact of her prenatal care on her breastfeeding experience, the difficulties she encountered with her baby's latch, and the support she received from lactation consultants. Rachel also reflects on her weaning process and the developmental milestones of her child, emphasizing the importance of intuition and self-advocacy in motherhood.

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey. Feedback? Email us at [email protected].

If you’d like to share your story email: [email protected]

⁠⁠Support us on Patreon here and follow us to get notified when a new episode drops :)

In this episode of The Feeding Hour Podcast Abby and Catherine discuss the challenges faced by mothers with low milk supply, particularly focusing on second-time moms who may have had difficulties in their first breastfeeding experience. They emphasize the importance of understanding that each pregnancy and breastfeeding journey is unique, and that previous experiences do not dictate future outcomes. The conversation covers the basics of milk supply, the impact of birth experiences, and the significance of mental preparation and support from lactation consultants. We encourage mothers to approach their breastfeeding journey with an open mind and to seek help when needed, reinforcing that they are not defined by past challenges.

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey. Feedback? Email us at [email protected].

If you’d like to share your story email: [email protected]

Support this podcast on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/thefeedinghourpodcast.

In this episode, we get to hear all about Katie McGee, registered nurse, lactation consultant and mom of five, and her personal journey in the NICU with her twins. The conversation delves into the emotional and physical aspects of parenting, the role of lactation consultants, and the long-term effects of attachment parenting on child development. Listeners will gain valuable advice and encouragement for navigating the complexities of motherhood, especially in challenging circumstances.

Contact Katie at [email protected]

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey. Feedback? Email us at [email protected].

If you’d like to share your story email: [email protected]

⁠⁠Support us on Patreon here.

In this episode, Laura discusses her journey from cardiac nursing to baby led sleep specialist, sparked by her own experiences as a mother. She emphasizes the importance of understanding co-sleeping and responsive caregiving. She also addresses the societal misconceptions about baby sleep, discussing the profound impact of Dr. James McKenna's book on her understanding of co-sleeping and breastfeeding, highlighting biological normalcy of co-sleeping and societal pressures and misconceptions about baby sleep, including fears related to SIDS.

Laura's take: Close sleeping can support attachment; it's not inherently a bad habit. Setting boundaries around sleep is respectful to both parents and children. Highly concentrated nurturing fosters independence in children over time. Sleep challenges often stem from external expectations rather than biological factors. It's important to remember that each child's sleep journey is unique, and gradual transitions are not only common but also natural.

Find Laura at strawberrymoonsleep.com

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey. Feedback? Email us at [email protected].

If you’d like to share your story email: [email protected]

⁠Support us on Patreon here.

To kick off Season 2, Abby and Catherine dive into the profound impact of nurture on early childhood development. Drawing insights from Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum's work, we explore how nurturing practices from birth to age five can lay the foundation for mental health and resilience. Discover the science behind attachment, the importance of responsive caregiving, and how these early experiences shape a child's future.

We also reflect on the highlights and lessons learned from the past season and the inspiring stories and pivotal moments that resonated with our listeners.

Tune in to learn how nurturing your child can be the ultimate preventative mental health care.

Dr. Kirshenbaum's Book: The Nurture Revolution⁠

Studies mentioned: ⁠

- Parenting in Childhood Predicts Personality in Early Adulthood: A Longitudinal Twin-Differences Study⁠⁠

- Still Face Experiment⁠

If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a review and/or share with a friend. This helps other moms find this podcast and hope in their feeding journey.

If you’d like to share your story or have feedback for us email: [email protected]

Support us on Patreon here.