The Feeding Hour

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.

Join Abby and Catherine as they reflect on the past season’s most powerful stories and lessons. From personal growth to building community, this episode celebrates the impact of connection and storytelling. They also explore the importance of nurturing in early childhood, drawing from Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum’s insights on how responsive caregiving shapes mental health and resilience. Discover practical ways to support your child’s development from birth to age five—and why nurturing may be the ultimate form of preventative care.The Nurture Revolution

Parenting in Childhood Predicts Personality in Early Adulthood: A Longitudinal Twin-Differences StudyStill Face Experiment

⁠Abby's Website

To end our first season of the Feeding Hour, Britny Lievano, a mom of seven, joins us to share her feeding journey. She explores the ups and downs of breastfeeding and formula feeding. She encourages patience and support for new moms and reminds us all of the incredible health benefits of breastfeeding.

She discusses the unique challenges she faced while balancing work and breastfeeding, as well as her transition from formula feeding and working to exclusive breastfeeding as a stay-at-home mom. Britny highlights the beautiful breastfeeding moments, especially with her sixth child, and how rewarding it can be.

Her message to new mothers is to be gentle with themselves and seek help whenever needed during their feeding journeys!

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

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

Share your story by emailing [email protected]

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

Julie opened up about her breastfeeding journey, sharing both the ups and downs she encountered along the way. She talked about how COVID-19 changed things up for her and highlighted the importance of trying different feeding methods. As an occupational therapist and lactation consultant, she began with a vision of a low-intervention birth but ended up having a C-section. Right from the start, she faced some challenges, like gestational diabetes and her little one having low blood sugar. She had to try triple feeding when her son had a tough time gaining weight after birth.

The pandemic made it tricky to access healthcare, but it also gave her the chance to spend more quality time breastfeeding at home. Extended breastfeeding became a source of comfort for her during some big life changes and health hurdles. Julie warmly reminds us that there are so many ways to find success on our feeding journeys, and it’s all about what works best for each family!

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

Share your story by emailing [email protected]

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

In this episode, we’re happy to welcome Gabby to share her journey into feeding her little one! She opens up about her positive experience as a new mom, her straightforward pregnancy, and the invaluable support from her healthcare providers. Gabby discusses her breastfeeding challenges, including using a nipple shield and getting help from a lactation consultant. She emphasizes the importance of knowing available healthcare resources and shares how her workplace has supportive lactation facilities as she gets ready to return to work. Introducing a bottle around four to six weeks can help babies learn feeding skills, and it’s important to mimic breastfeeding to support their natural instincts. We talk about cue based feeding and Gabby highlights the significance of being in tune with your baby’s hunger cues and encourages calm caregiving for a positive feeding experience. She reminds new moms to trust their instincts and seek support—they’re not alone in this journey!

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

Share your story by emailing [email protected]

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

In this episode, Abbey with an E opens up about her breastfeeding journey, and Catherine celebrates passing the speech-language pathology PRAXIS exam! Abbey Gray shares the story of feeding her first son, and the rewards and challenges of breastfeeding can be. She talks about her long, unmedicated birth experience and a positive hospital birth.

Abbey faced some challenges while breastfeeding her first son—things like low blood sugar and sleepy feeding patterns made it tricky. After experiencing some serious health issues postpartum, including surgery for an ovarian cyst that affected her recovery and milk supply, she had to get creative. Abbey turned to triple feeding and even donor milk to help with her supply concerns after those surgery complications.

She also covers her experience with tongue ties and how they influenced feeding for her son. Abbey really emphasizes the importance of supporting mental health during breastfeeding struggles, and she shines a spotlight on the what lactation consultants offer new moms.

Abbey’s Website: https://www.grayeatspeakplay.com/about

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

Share your story by emailing [email protected]

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

In this episode, we’re happy to welcome Sarah Shugar, a birth and postpartum doula! We dive into how our birth experiences can really shape our early feeding journeys. Sarah opens up about her own path to becoming a doula, sharing some insights from her educational background and hands-on training and her role as a doula, advocating for clients and providing unwavering support during labor and those early postpartum days.

We touch on how important it is to have prenatal education around breastfeeding and the creation of tailored postpartum plans. The conversation acknowledges the hurdles that new moms often face while breastfeeding, making it clear that support and resources are essential.

We also highlight the importance of safe sleep practices and preserving feeding despite need for cesarean.

Thank you, Sarah, for being with us!

Sarah's Website: https://www.sarahshugardoula.com/

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

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're thrilled to welcome Jacqueline Murphy, a speech-language pathologist and feeding therapist!

She’s here to share her personal journey and professional insights on infant feeding and breastfeeding challenges, as going back to work with breastfeeding goals. Jacqueline opens up about becoming a mom and how her background as an infant feeding specialist made her feel like she "knew too much," which led to some unexpected moments including jaundice  and learning to wake to feed in the first few months.

We talk about what it's like maintaining your breastfeeding goals and going back to work as well as starting solids.

Jacqueline emphasizes the importance of frequent feedings, especially with sleepy little ones, and how parents can adapt attachment feeding practices to fit their own schedules and goals. Jacqueline also encourages seeking support during those early breastfeeding days, as it can make a world of difference for long-term success.

She encourages moms by reminding that the first few weeks of breastfeeding are the most difficult, and then the process gets much easier.

Thank you, Jacqueline, for sharing your story with the Feeding Hour!

Jacqueline’s Instagram: @atlantaspeechandfeeding

More on 101 Before One

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