This week on Two Parents & A Podcast, we're joined by Kyla and Courtney (SLPs & IBCLCs) from Baby Feeding Experts for the feeding episode we NEEDED before the birth of baby #2. We sat down with them the week before I got induced with Rocky, so this one is extremely relevant for anyone preparing to feed a newborn (and full transparency, I came in with a LONG list of questions to try to improve on the feeding experience I had the first time).

We start with my feeding journey with Tate and how round 2 is shaping up so far (planning for 80/20 this time!), why Kyla & Courtney want to officially retire "fed is best" AND "breast is best" (their take on "support + education is best" is going to make so much sense to you), how to set realistic feeding goals before baby arrives, and the MOST INTERESTING thing we learned (did you know you should measure your nipples?? because apparently 90% of women are NOT a 24mm and this completely blew my mind).

Then we break the rest of the episode into three buckets so you can skip to whatever applies to you:

🤱 IF YOU WANT TO BREASTFEED: How to prep before birth, why the first 2 hours after birth set the foundation for your entire supply, how partners can actually be helpful (s/o Dada), the most common issues in the first few weeks, building your supply from day one, weight gain in breastfed babies, perceived vs. actual low milk supply, and whether diet & hydration ACTUALLY moves the needle.

🍼 IF YOU WANT TO COMBO FEED: Who's a good candidate, the biggest mistakes parents make (going too fast is #1!!), how to actually combo feed, plus pumping vs. nursing and tips for managing nipple biting and D-MER (yes, the thing I had with Tate that I'm hoping to avoid this time).

👶 IF YOU WANT TO FORMULA FEED: A little known fact (75% of babies will have formula before 6 months!!), what to think about before deciding to exclusively formula feed, how to choose the right formula for you, and the kind of support available for formula feeding moms (yes, even from lactation consultants!).

Plus, the truth about tongue ties & lip ties (which has become SUCH a hot topic on the internet) and where to find Kyla & Courtney for more support.

I learned SO much from this conversation and I genuinely think every expecting mom (or current mom!!) should listen. Send this to a friend who's pregnant!!

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Welcome back to Two Parents & A Podcast!

00:01:40 Meet Kyla & Courtney (SLPs, IBCLCs & Founders of Baby Feeding Experts)

00:08:26 Alex's feeding journey with Tate (and her goals for Rocky)

00:13:12 Why we should retire "fed is best" and "breast is best" (support + education is best!)

00:16:00 What are realistic feeding goals to set before baby arrives?

00:18:10 The MOST important thing to do before pumping

If mom wants to breastfeed…

00:23:52 How can moms prepare for breastfeeding before birth? (+ why the first 2 hours after birth matter so much!)

00:30:56 How can partners prepare to support before & during birth?

00:34:57 The most common breastfeeding issues in the first few weeks

00:37:08 How can a mom build her milk supply from day one?

00:40:28 Understanding weight gain in breastfed babies

00:42:43 How do you know if your milk supply is actually low? (perceived vs. real)

00:49:01 Does diet & hydration ACTUALLY impact milk supply?

If mom wants to combo feed…

00:51:18 Who is a good candidate for combo feeding?

00:54:21 The biggest mistakes parents make when starting combo feeding

00:56:21 How to actually combo feed (mixing milk, timing, etc.)

00:58:54 Pumping vs. nursing — is there really a difference?

01:01:23 Tips for managing nipple biting

01:04:55 Tips for managing D-MER

If mom wants to formula feed…

01:11:36 What should moms think about before deciding to exclusively formula feed?

01:16:43 What kind of support is available for formula feeding moms?

01:20:09 The truth about tongue ties & lip ties

01:25:05 Where to find Kyla & Courtney (@babyfeedingexperts)

01:27:35 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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