PART TWO: "You're Doing a Good Job!!!" (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Pumping with Cait Reece)

PART TWO: "You're Doing a Good Job!!!" (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Pumping with Cait Reece)

Okay, FIRST AND FOREMOST- huge congratulations to Cait for passing the IBCLC exam!!!! Results dropped yesterday and we both passed (podcast breakdown coming soon, eeeek!), THANK THE LORDDDD. So proud of you girl, can't wait to see what you do with these letters. In part two of this episode, the gab sesh continues with lactation expert Cait. We talk about the science of pumping, including flange sizing, pump settings, milk removal, and why comfort matters more than most parents realize. We also cover common pumping challenges, exclusive pumping, and practical tips to help you find what works best for your body. Whether you're pumping for a NICU baby, returning to work, or simply trying to make pumping feel more effective, this episode is packed with evidence-based advice to help you pump with more confidence and less frustration. Cait is truly a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things exclusive pumping and the vast, and sometimes confusing, world of pumps. If you're in need of some assistance in this arena, you really oughta send her a message. Cait's Contact Info: -Instagram (⁠@exclusivelycait_⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/exclusivelycait_/]) -Website (⁠Express Yourself Lactation Co.⁠ [https://expressyourselflactationco.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnVZVb10cC83Du_MphRdc_clQR7DjNLb8eTb-lf0AsOn7vJbjVjz4x8u1AGdw_aem_zfECk2u4fgNPW80KhtTrlg]) Host Contact Info: Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@supportivebreastfriend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/supportivebreastfriend/] Email- shelby.lactation@outlook.com Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of the interviews or feeding info, and if you enjoy the show, please rate, review, and share. Every interaction helps more parents find Supportive Breast Friend and the support that comes with it. Talk soon, breasties!

PART ONE: "You're Doing a Good Job!!!" (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Pumping with Cait Reece)

In Part 1 of my conversation with Cait Reece, NICU nurse and IBCLC candidate (fellow April test taker!), we're diving into the realities of pumping, why so many parents struggle to get the support they need, and some of the biggest myths floating around online. Cait shares how her experience in the NICU led her into lactation work, why flange sizing isn't as simple as measuring your nipples, and what she wishes every pumping parent knew before they ever unboxed a breast pump. Whether you're exclusively pumping, occasionally pumping, or just trying to make sense of all the conflicting advice on social media, this episode is packed with practical guidance and plenty of reassurance that you're not doing it wrong. Cait's Contact Info: -Instagram (@exclusivelycait_ [https://www.instagram.com/exclusivelycait_/]) -Website (Express Yourself Lactation Co. [https://expressyourselflactationco.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnVZVb10cC83Du_MphRdc_clQR7DjNLb8eTb-lf0AsOn7vJbjVjz4x8u1AGdw_aem_zfECk2u4fgNPW80KhtTrlg]) Host Contact Info: Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@supportivebreastfriend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/supportivebreastfriend/] Email- shelby.lactation@outlook.com Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of the interviews or feeding info, and if you enjoy the show, please rate, review, and share. Every interaction helps more parents find Supportive Breast Friend and the support that comes with it. Talk soon, breasties! Keywords: breastfeeding, pumping, lactation, IBCLC, flange sizing, breastfeeding support, NICU, exclusive pumping, lactation education

My Second Birth Experience: Charlie's Birth Story!!

In honor of my sweet little tornado turning 3 this week, I'm sharing Charlie's birth story on the pod. It was ultimately a very positive experience, sandwiched by some unfortunate stuff. But overall, I'll rate it an 8/10. Isaac's was a solid 3/10, sorry kid. Go back and listen to that episode for some context, lol. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of the interviews or feeding info, and if you enjoy the show, please rate, review, and share. Every interaction helps more parents find Supportive Breast Friend and the support that comes with it. Host Contact Info: Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@supportivebreastfriend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/supportivebreastfriend/] Email- shelby.lactation@outlook.com Talk soon, Breasties! Keywords: birth story, pregnancy, labor, postpartum, breastfeeding, colostrum, induction, epidural, hemorrhage, motherhood

"He's Eating All The Time, TRUST ME" (Small Babies, NICU + PICU Experiences, and Doula Life with Malorie Melson)

This week on Supportive Breast Friend, I’m chatting with birth doula and mom of two, Malorie Melson, about the feeding experiences that changed the course of her motherhood journey...and eventually led her to support other families through birth and postpartum. We get into the reality of breastfeeding through medical challenges, the moments that tested her confidence, and the lessons she learned along the way. We also talk about trusting your instincts, tuning out the noise, and making feeding decisions that work for your family, not the internet's. It's an honest conversation about resilience, motherhood, and finding your way when things don't go according to plan. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of the interviews or feeding info, and if you enjoy the show, please rate, review, and share. Every interaction helps more parents find Supportive Breast Friend and the support that comes with it. Malorie's Contact Info: Instagram - @mydoulaco [https://www.instagram.com/mydoulaco/] Website - mydoulaco.com [https://mydoulaco.com/] Host Contact Info: Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@supportivebreastfriend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/supportivebreastfriend/] Email- shelby.lactation@outlook.com Talk soon, Breasties! Keywords: breastfeeding, birth doula, medical challenges, trusting moms, postpartum support, Houston birth centers, NICU experiences, feeding stories, mom support, birth education

Breast Gymnastics: Why I Won't Shut Up About Them

Listen in today for a mini episode all about BREAST GYMNASTICS! Learn everything you ever wanted to know about my favorite breastfeeding tool. You'll also hear from my 3 year old in this episode...summer is gonna be fun, guys. Have more questions? Send me a DM (@supportivebreastfriend on IG) or an email (shelby.lactation@outlook.com), I would truly love to talk about this more. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of the interviews or feeding info, and if you enjoy the show, please rate, review, and share. Every interaction helps more parents find Supportive Breast Friend and the support that comes with it. Host Contact Info: Instagram- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@supportivebreastfriend⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/supportivebreastfriend/] Email- shelby.lactation@outlook.com Talk soon, Breasties!