Anna and Amanda discuss your pumping rights and how to have productive conversations with your employer.  This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only. This does not constitute legal advice.  For more information, go to https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pump-at-work

Anna discusses basic logistical questions surrounding returning to work, including when to start pumping, how much milk your baby will need, how often to pump, where to store milk, and bottle recommendations. 

Kicking off their Returning to Work Series, Amanda and Anna discuss choosing your breast pump. They discuss types of pumps (hospital grade, double electric, manual, wearable, collection cups), which type may fit your work situation, choosing the right flange size, and what pumping should look and feel like. Tune back in next week to hear about your breastfeeding and pumping rights. 

Amanda and Anna discuss listener questions all about mastitis. They discuss the need for antibiotics, recurrent mastitis, and breast abscess. This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If you believe you are suffering from mastitis, consult with your IBCLC or physician. 

Amanda and Anna discuss tools for treating mastitis, including home remedies and antibiotics. This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If you believe you are suffering from mastitis, consult with your IBCLC or physician. 

Anna and Amanda discuss the signs and symptoms and causes of mastitis. This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If you believe you are suffering from mastitis, consult with your IBCLC or physician. 

Anna and Amanda answer listener questions surrounding gas and reflux. They discuss how to tell the difference between gas and cluster feeding, constipation, fast letdown, and why babies pull off the breast.

Amanda and Anna discuss gas relief tools including how to hold your gassy baby, the value of sunlight, and diet interventions. 

Amanda and Anna discuss why our babies are so gassy. They chat about the immature digestive system, swallowing air, food sensitivities and formula.

Anna and Amanda discuss the signs and symptoms of gas in babies. They discuss how gas symptoms can escalate into larger breastfeeding challenges; how hunger can mimic gas; and what to make of grunting, burping, and passing gas.

Amanda and Anna answer listener questions, including why your baby's latch can look good but is still uncomfortable, why your baby keeps coming off the breast, and why feeds seem to take forever.  

Anna and Amanda discuss how to heal damaged nipples without having to stop breastfeeding. They discuss the consequences of cracked, bleeding or damaged nipples. You'll hear specific recommendations for helping heal the tissue, and the importance of early intervention. 

Amanda and discuss how to improve your baby's latch. They discuss the importance of activating your baby's feeding reflexes, the importance of skin-to-skin, pros and cons of different nursing positions, and common mistakes when latching your baby. 

Anna discusses what a "bad latch" looks like. Do any of these sound like your baby? Tap follow for tips on overcoming these common latch challenges!

Anna discusses how to know if your baby's latch is "good." It all comes down to what it looks like, what it feels like, and what it does. Listen for more! 

Amanda and Anna discuss listener questions all about milk supply! 

Amanda and Anna discuss unconventional advice for boosting milk supply, what actually increases your milk supply, what foods and herbs increase milk supply, fenugreek, whether you need to eat or drink more while you're breastfeeding, the value of lactation cookies, and breastfeeding meditations. 

Anna and Amanda discuss how breastmilk is made, when your milk will transition from colostrum to mature milk, what it means for your supply to "regulate," whether you need to pump after feeds, why you may have a sudden drop in milk supply, how birth control may affect your milk supply, and how to get your milk supply back after a drop.

Amanda and Anna answer the most basic of breastfeeding questions - do I have enough milk to feed my baby? They discuss signs your baby is getting enough and signs that your milk supply may need a little boost. 

Anna and Amanda discuss how to prepare for your in-home lactation consultation! 

Anna and Amanda how to survive a long term separation from your nursling without a breast pump! This episode marks the conclusion of the first season of For the Love of Milk.  Fresh bite-sized episodes returning in the fall of 2025! 

In this replay episode, Amanda and Anna discuss Anna's third breastfeeding experience, which includes overcoming low supply, tongue ties, and finding peace.

Get to know Amanda and Anna all over again with this replay of one of their first episodes.  Amanda describes confronting birth and breastfeeding as a teen, and the unique challenges that come with that. 

Amanda and Anna discuss common breastfeeding concerns, including dropping weight percentiles (2:00), skipping pumping sessions (7:30), and lopsided breasts (9:50). 

Anna and Amanda discuss alternative feeding tools and when they are or are not appropriate. They discuss syringe feeding (1:30), bottle feeding (5:00), and using a tube at the breast to supplement a baby (12:00).

Amanda and Anna discuss how to improve your baby's latch through proper positioning. They discuss what makes a baby's latch "good," the laid back nursing position (4:00), the cradle position (7:30), sidelying (9:30), the football hold (12:00), and how to get your baby to open wide (15:00). 

Anna and Amanda chat with Megan, a mother and therapist, about overcoming mental health challenges when breastfeeding. They discuss induction (3:00), the first few days after birth (6:00), a baby that couldn't take a bottle (8:00), brain fog of postpartum (9:00), tongue tie (12:00), asking for help as a new mom (19:00), perfectionism in breastfeeding (24:00), recognizing our needs postpartum (26:00), finding a provider that you connect with (28:00), the limitations of tracking weight gain (32:00), finding peace in postpartum (39:00), and the value of prenatal breastfeeding support (40:00). 

Amanda and Anna chat with Mallory, one of Amanda's prior clients, about healing her baby's eczema and discovering food allergies. They dive into the challenges of identifying food triggers, and offer insight for parents working to heal their baby's skin and manage food sensitivities and allergies. 

Anna and Amanda discuss the dynamics of breastfeeding in public! They share funny breastfeeding "bloopers" and discuss how modest moms can get comfortable breastfeeding around others. 

Amanda and Anna chat with guest Lauren Jetton about how an infant chiropractor can help you reach your breastfeeding goals. They discuss what an infant chiropractor does (4:00), who can benefit from chiropractic care (6:30), preconceived notions about chiropractic care (10:30), how chiropractic care prepares a baby for a tongue/lip tie release (22:45), and comparing chiropractic care to other body work modalities (30:20). 

Amanda and Anna revisit Claire's story of triumph over low milk supply. This is a must-listen for anyone needing a hopeful vision for their breastfeeding journey. 

Anna and Amanda chat with guest Nina Simmons, a certified postpartum doula, on the value of having a postpartum doula on your postpartum support team. They discuss what is a postpartum doula (4:00), what kinds of tasks postpartum doulas take on (5:00), when to bring in a postpartum doula (7:00), common objections to hiring a postpartum doula (8:00), how a postpartum doula can support your breastfeeding journey (11:30), whether you need a freezer stash of breastmilk (20:00), and why every mother needs a postpartum doula (22:00). 

Anna and Amanda discuss how to encourage your breastfed baby to take a bottle. Listen for tips and tricks!

Anna and Amanda discuss common breastfeeding tools and gear, when you may need them, and when you may not! They discuss breast pads (3:20), leaky breasts (4:00), nipple shields (7:00), hakka (11:00), silverettes (15:40), wearable breast pumps (20:00), breastfeeding bras (23:50), breast shells (27:40), nipple cream (30:00), and breastfeeding pillows (31:00). 

Amanda and Anna take on common breastfeeding concerns. They discuss combination feeding (1:30), downregulating milk supply (5:00), meeting mothers where they are (7:30), clogged ducts (10:00), when babies wont latch (18:00), and the football position for nursing (28:50).

Anna and Amanda discuss common breastfeeding questions. They discuss whether breastfeeding pain is ever normal (1:00), foremilk and hindmilk imbalance (9:20), block feeding (11:20), and the challenge of lactation support in hospital settings (16:00). 

Amanda and Anna discuss understanding your babies cues! They discuss baby cues that are often misinterpreted and how to make sense of what your baby is telling you! They discuss when are babies asking for diaper changes (3:00), elimination communication (7:00), tiredness (14:40), gassiness (18:00), and the importance of mentors and role models (22:00). 

Anna and Amanda chat with a guest, Ashley, about her use of a supplemental nursing system (SNS) on her way to exclusive breastfeeding! This is an uplifting story of finding a redemptive breastfeeding experience with the second baby after struggling to breastfeed the first. They discuss breast surgery (2:15), preparing to breastfeed a second time (8:50), low milk supply (12:20), using an SNS (14:40), using herbs and medication to boost milk supply (21:00), the urge to stop breastfeeding (24:00), weaning off the SNS (29:20), the moment you know you've made it (32:00), reflecting on Ashley's journey (34:00), taking it one day at a time (35:45), choosing an SNS (39:00), the learning curve of an SNS (42:00), and the power of positive thought (44:40). 

Amanda and Anna discuss common breastfeeding concerns. They discuss a sudden drop in milk supply (2:20), the impact of hormonal birth control on milk supply (3:50), infrequent milk removal leading to breast refusal and blocked ducts (6:30), unconventional uses of breastmilk (10:00), moving from cup feeds to breastfeeding (14:00), the impact of your period on milk supply (19:00), releasing the guilt and shame in your breastfeeding journey (20:00), the decision to stop breastfeeding (21:50), the pressure to breastfeed (26:30), whether to pump and dump (28:00), and parenting while hung over (30:30). 

Anna and guest Elizabeth Ortiz discuss how to foster secure attachment through infancy, beginning with breastfeeding. They discuss what is secure attachment (3:15), how secure attachment develops (4:20), what is the impact of secure attachment on our relationships with our children (5:00), a summary of baby's nervous system (7:40), establishing secure attachment with our children (14:00), how our attachment styles show up with our babies (20:00), how our inner child shows up with our babies (24:50), choosing to cultivate connection with our babies (30:00), cultural forces that interfere with our ability to connect with our babies (34:30), the power of being fully present when we breastfeed (36:00), the barriers we unintentionally erect to truly seeing our babies (41:30), and how we can heal and improve our connections (48:30).

Anna and Amanda discuss breastfeeding affirmations for the new year. They discuss their problems with new years resolutions (2:00), the power and limitations of positive affirmations (6:00), and suggested affirmations for the breastfeeding person (10:00). 

Holiday reflections on the gift that is breastfeeding.  Happy holidays! 

Anna and Amanda have created the only Christmas list you'll ever need for the mother-to-be in your life! They discuss all the "must have" gifts as well as the "don't bother" ones.  Start here if you are looking to treat yourself as a soon-to-be mom, or if you're hoping to treat a loved one who is loving on a little one.

Anna and Amanda answer breastfeeding questions from the internet! They discuss how to recover milk supply after having the flu (2:20), ovulation and pregnancy's impact on nipple sensation (7:20), sudden breast refusal and bottle preference (10:30), and whether to pump when separated from baby (17:00). 

Amanda and Anna talk about pregnancy loss with their repeat guest, Grace. They discuss the "best" way to grieve (3:20), unmedicated miscarriage (4:00), continuing pregnancy without a fetal heartbeat (6:00), dilation and curettage (D&C) (6:40), breaking with hospital policy (7:00), honoring a life gone too soon (8:20), leaking milk after miscarriage (9:40), grieving with older children (11:00), getting bad news alone (18:00), gathering a tribe (19:40), how the only way out is through (20:00), releasing what could have been (24:00), and leaning into grief (27:00). 

Anna and Amanda discuss holiday travel with babies and young children. They discuss car travel (2:30), the secret to holiday travel with kids (6:00), the value of an umbrella stroller (8:30), putting your kids on a leash (10:00), being the last on a plane (12:20), breastfeeding on a plane (13:20), avoiding clogged ducts while traveling (15:30), what to do when everyone wants to hold the baby (16:40), dealing with unsolicited advice (18:00), using a nursing child as an excuse to get some alone time (20:10), and feeling judged by others (23:00).

Amanda and Anna chat again with Carly and discuss all things tandem breastfeeding. 

Trigger warning: this episode contains discussions of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Amanda and Anna chat with Grace about honoring her intuition while navigating our medical system. They discuss conscious conception (5:00), miscarriage (5:30), planning a home birth (7:00), concurrent care with an obstetrician (9:00), pressure for cesearan section (12:00), psychedelic experiences (27:00), self-healing before labor (34:30), slow infant weight gain (39:50), triple feeding (40:40), the value of a supportive partner (44:30), talking to babies (46:00), unconventional baby names (53:45), the beautiful circle of life (57:15). 

Anna and Amanda discuss what to expect when breastfeeding older babies and toddlers. They discuss sleeping through the night (1:40), biting (4:00), breastfeeding as a relationship (6:00), nursing a toddler in public (7:00), the many uses of breastmilk (8:30), sadness after weaning (9:00), parenting without the breast (9:30), cultural norms versus biological norms (10:25), immune benefits of breastfeeding an older baby (11:45), responding to critics (17:00), the urge to stop breastfeeding (20:40), how and when to stop breastfeeding (25:00), and reinitiating breastfeed after weaning (27:30). 

Amanda and Anna chat with Carly about how we evolve as parents. They discuss newborn rash and spitting up, (6:00), blood in infant stools (6:00), extended breastfeeding (10:00), viral arthritis (14:00), nursing through medical complications (16:00), taking time off work to care for children (20:20), the challenge of adding children to the family (26:00), breastfeeding in public (29:30), finding your voice in motherhood (31:40), how to prepare for parenthood (36:00), parenting through life's hardships (44:00), and breastfeeding as a parenting tool (45:00). 

Amanda and Anna discuss what to expect in the first six months of breastfeeding. They discuss the identity shift into parenthood (1:15), finding a new normal (4:30), the challenge of finding reliable childcare (9:10), introducing a bottle (15:00), breastfeeding norms at six months (16:30), distracted babies (18:30), returning to work (19:40), paced bottle feeding (21:00), returning to intimacy (23:00), fertility while breastfeeding (26:05), starting solid foods (27:45), sleeping through the night (30:40), infant stool patterns (36:00), and using the breast as a pacifier (38:20). 

Amanda and Anna answer questions from the internet! They discuss whether to wake a sleeping baby overnight (2:00), the importance of overnight milk removal (3:30), tips for waking a sleeping baby (4:40), when and how to stop using a nipple shield (7:00), slow infant weight gain (13:00), whether to add rice cereal to baby's bottle (13:30), when to start solid foods (14:00), and if mothers need to express colostrum while pregnant (19:00). 

Amanda and Anna discuss what to expect in the first month of breastfeeding.  They discuss the new baby smell (4:00), a typical newborn feeding pattern (6:50), signs that breastfeeding is going well (9:50), cluster feeding (11:30), normal infant weight gain (16:20), infant sleep (17:45), night feedings (22:00), clogged ducts (24:10), mastitis (27:00), gassiness and spitting up (29:20), and colic (32:00). 

Amanda and Anna chat with Amanda's daughter Sam about easy breastfeeding.  They discuss preparing to breastfeed as a daughter of a lactation consultant (1:30), home birth (2:30), bearing witness to birth (11:00), the pushing phase of labor (18:00), nuchal cord (20:00), the breast crawl (22:30), knowing whether baby is getting enough milk (25:00), finding your maternal instincts (27:30), early challenges of breastfeeding (31:00), overcoming initial nipple tenderness (32:00), breastfeeding in public (36:00), and normalizing breastfeeding in front of others (42:00).

Amanda and Anna discuss what to expect in the first week of breastfeeding. They discuss cluster feeding (1:10), managing early breastfeeding in the hospital (6:45), normal infant behavior in the first week (18:15), infant sleep in the first week (19:45), how often a newborn will feed (21:30), infant weight loss (22:00), infant stools (24:45), what it's like to care for a newborn (26:15), cosleeping (28:10), how long a newborn feeding lasts (31:30), building your support system (32:30), and engorgement (36:00). 

Amanda and Anna chat with Kelly about her experience learning to breastfeed her 34 week premature baby. They discuss preterm labor (2:30), hospital bedrest (5:00), making the most of preterm birth (8:00), preterm delivery (9:00), preparing for a NICU stay (14:20), the golden hour with a premature baby (16:20), lactation support in the hospital for a premature baby (17:30), initiating milk supply with a hospital grade pump (21:30), using donor milk in the NICU (23:20), visiting a NICU baby (25:30), first latch with a premature baby (28:00), discharge from the NICU (29:00), fortifying breastmilk (31:00), realizing that breastfeeding is not going well (36:00), lymphatic breast massage (37:15), private practice lactation support (39:00), triple feeding (45:00), tongue tie (49:00), recovering from tongue tie release (54:20), trusting the process (57:00), weaning off bottle feeding (59:00), breastfeeding beyond one year (1:00:00), and the importance of prenatal breastfeeding support (1:01:30). 

Amanda and Anna discuss what to expect in the first 24 hours of breastfeeding. They discuss breastfeeding after hospital birth (3:30), the golden hour (4:30), the breast crawl (5:25), the importance of feeding within the first hour (8:30), skin-to-skin (11:30), newborn bathing (13:50), signs that baby is feeding well (16:15), the nipple sensations of breastfeeding (17:15), getting help with breastfeeding in the hospital (21:00), protecting the birth and breastfeeding space (22:30), breastfeeding after a difficult birth or delivery (26:15), the value of prenatal breastfeeding education (29:00), skin-to-skin after cesarean section (32:00), breastfeeding red flags (32:50), breastfeeding after home birth (39:00), breastfeeding after birth at a birth center (43:00), and a newborn feeding checklist (46:30). 

Anna and Amanda host their first guest, Claire! They discuss working with a lactation consultant (3:00), infant weight loss (6:50), early nipple pain (11:00), tongue tie (12:00), perceptions of breastfeeding (13:00), prenatal breastfeeding education (14:40), tongue tie release (17:30), using donor milk (30:00), the importance of infant body work (31:00), the value of parenting in community with others (32:00), pumping to build milk supply (34:30), low milk supply (37:30), boosting milk supply (41:15), weaning off bottles (55:50), spitting up (1:00:00), breastfeeding a toddler (1:07:00), overcoming breastfeeding challenges (1:08:00), and breast cancer (1:11:00). 

Amanda and Anna discuss Anna's third breastfeeding experience in which Amanda served as Anna's lactation consultant! They discuss being a lactation consultant intern (3:20), the decision to have a homebirth (11:30), the desire to birth alone (14:30), the homebirth experience (21:00), the golden hour (25:00), using donor milk (28:30), triple feeding (30:00), low milk supply (32:00), postpartum depression (33:00), oral disfunction (40:30), preparing for tongue tie release (45:30), recovering from tongue tie release (52:30), weaning off bottles (54:00), mom guilt (56:20), taking it one feed at a time (1:00).

Amanda and Anna discuss Anna's first two breastfeeding stories. They discuss planning for an unmedicated birth (4:40), middle child syndrome (7:00), late-term change in birth location (11:30), an unmedicated delivery (13:00), discomfort with nursing (19:30), utilizing hospital lactation support (20:30), early supplementation with formula (23:20), cluster feeding (25:00), the need for skin-to-skin postpartum (26:00), trying to rest in a hospital (28:00), delayed onset of lactation (29:30), nursing with a nipple shield (32:00), pumping in the wrong size flanges (33:50), thrush (35:00), how torticollis impacts breastfeeding (38:00), swaddling (39:50), supporting the breastfeeding parent (45:00), crying over spilled milk (49:00), returning to work as a breastfeeding parent (52:00), exclusive pumping (54:00), preparing the mind for birth (58:20), laboring with an epidural (1:05), excessively sleepy babies (1:08), self preservation and breastfeeding (1:10), tongue and lip tie release (1:11), the baby owns the timeline (1:20), 

Amanda and Anna discuss Amanda's last three breastfeeding stories. They discuss using an enema to advance labor (10:00), laboring with pitocin (12:45), comfort measures in labor (14:30), breastfeeding after breast implants (17:30), an easy breastfeeding relationship (20:00), single parenting (22:50), moving to Mexico (26:00), international travel with small children (28:00), norovirus in infancy (31:30), the decision to have a home birth (35:00), tandem nursing (45:00), cloth diapers (50:20), being a "crunchy mom" (51:30), crossing the US/Mexico border in labor (1:00), intuitive birthing (1:09), extended breastfeeding (1:12)

Amanda and Anna discuss Amanda's first two breastfeeding stories. They discuss teenage pregnancy (2:30), religious upbringing (7:30), leaving her childhood home (13:00), preparing to breastfeed (20:00), finishing school as a pregnant teen (21:20), a medicated labor and delivery (23:00), engorgement remedies (28:30), pyloric stenosis (33:20), preparing a newborn for surgery (36:45), cosleeping (46:00), becoming an IBCLC (59:00), unmedicated birthing (1:00), the decision to wean (1:10)

In For the Love of Milk’s first episode, get to know your hosts! Amanda and Anna will share who they are, why they are so passionate about helping moms and babies breastfeed, and what you can expect from the show.