We are proud to present a series of podcasts for parents Breastfeeding Outside the Box, where we aim to support the nourishing and nurturing of babies in exceptional families - families who historically have not received the help and support they need and deserve. Our exceptional families include adoptive, intended, and foster families; gender and sexual minorities; families with special needs babies; parents who have had breast surgery; mothers with IGT or low milk production for other reasons; exclusively pumping mothers; and more.
Cathy, like so many other non-birthing parents wanting to induce lactation or relactate, is trying to unravel all of the varying information she has received. So she emailed us for help. When I s...
For as long as I've known my podcast co-host Hope Lien, she has been my go-to person for questions about at-breast/chest supplementation. When nursing her daughter by adoption (pictured here), at-breast supplementation was a key to her success - as it is for most parents who need to provide long-term supplementation. She understands first-hand how frustrating at-breast/chest supplementation can be at the beginning and how invalua...
It's a case study! Something a little bit different in our discussion with Dr. Nice, our pharmacist expert. Alyssa had connected with a mom-to-be Courtni who was inducing lactation with very quick and abundant milk production. She wanted to figure out what Courtni was doing so that she could learn from Courtni's experience to help other parents. (We at Sweet Pea are always trying to learn more about how to support the nursing s...
As it turns out, breastfeeding is not just "A Womanly Art." Steph shares an incredible story about a same-sex male couple she worked with who both nursed their baby, exclusively providing human milk for baby's first 6 months. How does this work? Creativity, support, milk ...
With the FDA warning against domperidone, we have noticed an increasing number of U.S. parents who choose to induce lactation or relactate without using the pharmaceutical medication domperidone. While we have spent many episodes discussing the safety and effectiveness of domperidone, our ultimate goal is to meet each parent with a plan for inducing lactation or relactation that is consistent with their pre...
For breastfeeding parents, safely taking medications - whether they are for the parent's health or for increasing milk production - can be complex. It is a delicate balance between the parent's healt...
In the US, it is natural that we have a lot of concerns about the safety and side effects of domperidone. Our Food & Drug Administration has not yet approved this medication (see episode #4 for more on that) so parents are generally obtaining it without a doctor's or certified nurse midwife's prescription*. That also means that the pharmacist is not able to oversee use of domperidone and how it plays out with other medications t...
about their co-nursing experience, and with Katie about inducing lactation! It has been a joy-filled road for them with a few bumps along the way ... including concerns with safety of medications, not always supportive healthcare providers, sore nipples, middle of the night challenges, and a bout of baby preferring one mom for bedtime nursing. With creativity, communication and resourcefulness these two moms have navigated these...
Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex, more commonly known as D-MER, is one of the most severe breastfeeding challenges yet also one of the least known or understood. D-MER is a feeling of dysphoria caused by the hormonal shift that occurs when the milk releases during nursing, pumping, or any other time a let-down is triggered. So if you or anyone you know experiences significant negative feelings when milk lets-down, you may want to h...
Alyssa and Hope get real! Being a new parent isn't always the blissful joy we might see on holiday cards. It can be really tough times, as well as wonderful times. We suggest that the balance lies in self-care. It can be so difficult to care for ourselves as new parents, and we haven't always done the best job of it ourselves. We hope our stories and discussion will support you and propel you into a holiday season and new year ...
While using medications is a science, using herbs for increasing milk production doesn't seem quite as straightforward. There are so many nuances to consider:
How do I know if a particular herb is helpful for me?
What form of the herb should I take?
What about using herbs in combination with domperidone?
Can taking herbs alone boost my milk production? Should I even try this?
We are thrilled to re-visit an early podcast interview with Chrissy Fleishman who induced lactation for her baby born via surrogacy. There are a couple of reasons why we are re-releasing it now. One, we thought Chrissy gave a great interview. She is well-informed and enthusiastic, and her experience has followed a fairly typical pattern - if there is such a thing in inducing lactation! Second, we want to address a particular ex...
We can't get enough of talking with Dr. Nice about medications for increasing milk production. Domperidone is at the forefront of our discussion, as usual. We delve a bit deeper into dosages and side effects of dom with Dr. Nice. But we don't leave you there: we know that domperidone is tricky business in the United States right now (since it is not yet FDA approved) and wondered if there may be other medications for increasin...
I first learned about Malunggay (a.k.a. Moringa) as an herb to help with milk production when I was writing Breastfeeding Without Birthing. When Diana West, IBCLC, author of Making More Milk and internationally known expert on milk production, was reviewing a draft of my book she suggested adding this really helpful herb. I'm so glad she did! Since then, I've worked with countless nursing parents who have successfully used this ...
I had a blast talking with SonJoria Sydnor and Denecia Harrell about support for breastfeeding families of color in the St. Louis area and beyond. They talked about the needs around breastfeeding for families of color and how they provide the specific support that is needed. Whether it is through group meetings, home visits, texts, or social media I AM: Breastfeeding is there for breastfeeding families of color in St. Louis. You ca...
A little something new with Dr. Nice! We've talked with in the past with Dr. Nice mostly about galactogogues: medications, herbs, and foods for promoting milk production. This time we pick his brain about medications the nursing parent may take for herself rather than her milk production. This includes medications for the nursing parent's health and for her recreation ... such as alcohol and marijuana. See more information on o...
Introducing the winners of the 2017 World Breastfeeding Triathlon! Okay, I just made that up. But if there was one, this couple would certainly have been a top contender. Together they have successfully relactated, co-nursed, and nursed triplets. Add tongue-ties for all of their children and you start to get the picture! We think you will find this lovely couple as delightful and their story as heart-warming as we did! See mor...
Dr. Nice is back, and he answers questions about the other half of the galactogogue equation: herbs and foods that may be used to support milk production. (Last time we interviewed Dr. Nice, we discussed pharmaceutical medications for increasing milk production. Check out episode #32.) We discuss whether to take herbs individually or in combination, whether to consume them in food or separately, and more. We even get into the...
We've talked with other adoptive mothers before, but this one is different! Jennifer brought her daughter home as an older baby and when she finally began nursing, her daughter was 2 years old. Bringing a toddler to the breast required determination but it was well worth it, according to both Jennifer and her daughter Helina. (Yes, you'll hear what 8-year-old Helina has to say about her nursing experience in this extraordinary e...
Because it is our mission at Breastfeeding Outside the Box to support non-traditional families - growing families who have historically not received the information and support they need and deserve - we are so pleased to introduce you to Queer Birth Project. This is an amazing organization that provides local and online education and resources to both LGBTQ parents and the family building and early parenting professionals working...
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