The Latch Lounge

Breastfeeding Myths That Create Stress, Pain, and Supply Issues (Episode #15)

Breastfeeding is often harder than moms expect, not because of failure or lack of effort, but because of misinformation and unrealistic expectations. In this episode, board-certified lactation consultant Amber Ginn walks through the most common breastfeeding myths she sees every day in practice. Topics include pumping and insurance myths, wearable pumps, flange fit, breastfeeding pain, feeding frequency, bottles and pacifiers, combo feeding, formula use, dairy elimination, and postpartum nutrition. This episode is designed to help moms understand what’s normal, when something needs support, and how to make feeding decisions from a place of confidence instead of fear. In this episode, Amber covers: 1. Why pumping without a clear plan causes unnecessary stress 2. The difference between primary and secondary breast pumps 3. Why wearable pumps are not ideal for building supply 4. Why most pump flanges are the wrong size 5. Breastfeeding pain myths and what pain actually signals 6. Normal newborn feeding frequency and cluster feeding 7. Why taking a bottle doesn’t automatically mean low supply 8. Dairy elimination myths and infant digestion 9. Bottles, pacifiers, and modern feeding realities 10. Combo feeding and formula use without guilt 11. Why postpartum nutrition directly impacts milk supply 12. What actually matters long-term in your feeding journey Key Points: 00:10 Pumping Myths That Set Moms Up to Struggle 00:16 Why You Need a Clear Pumping Plan 01:26 Primary vs Wearable Breast Pumps 02:34 Flange Fit Myths and Why Size Matters 03:40 Breastfeeding Pain Isn’t Normal 05:22 Feeding Frequency and Cluster Feeding 09:40 Bottles After Breastfeeding Explained 10:57 Combo Feeding, Formula, and Pressure 14:05 What Actually Matters Long Term

Breastfeeding Support System: Why It Matters and How to Build the Right Team (Episode #14)

Breastfeeding challenges are often blamed on latch issues or milk supply but one of the most overlooked factors in breastfeeding success is support. In this episode of The Latch Lounge Podcast, Amber Ginn, IBCLC, breaks down why a strong breastfeeding support system matters just as much as technique or supply and how the wrong advice from well-meaning family members or healthcare providers can derail breastfeeding goals. Amber explains how partners, pediatricians, obstetricians, and lactation professionals each play a role in a breastfeeding journey and how to tell when advice is helpful versus harmful. She also covers common scenarios moms face postpartum, including pressure to supplement, dismissive responses to breastfeeding pain, conflicting medical guidance from pediatricians, and confusion around pumping, bottles, and formula use. This episode is designed to help moms feel more confident advocating for themselves, building the right care team, and making feeding decisions that align with their goals without guilt or confusion. In This Episode We Cover: • Why breastfeeding often feels harder without the right support • How family and partner advice can impact breastfeeding confidence • When pediatrician guidance helps and when to seek a second opinion • Breastfeeding pain, oral ties, and why discomfort should not be ignored • The role of lactation consultants in navigating complex feeding issues • How obstetric care, medications, and birth control can affect breastfeeding • Bottles, pumping, formula, and how to protect milk supply if your partner is helping bottle feed • Why clarity and support matter more than perfection Work with The Latch Link: Most families qualify for $0 virtual lactation care through insurance. Check your eligibility here: https://get.thelatchlink.com/bf-consult?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic_social&source=organic Explore our FREE Perfect Pumping Protocol: https://get.thelatchlink.com/pumping Listen to more episodes of The Latch Lounge: https://open.spotify.com/show/0TSrjoOUokuEZrMkpSuDMH?si=736a05e86ab8458d Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelatchlinkwithamber/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelatchlink Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ambertheibclc/ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or lactation professional for individual care.

The Truth About Milk Supply Every New Mom Should Hear (Episode #13)

In this episode, we break down the real science of milk supply and why so much of the advice new moms hear is incomplete or flat-out wrong. Amber Ginn, IBCLC and founder of The Latch Link, explains what actually drives milk production, why ineffective milk removal is the most common cause of low supply, and how hormones, nutrition, hydration, stress, and realistic pumping expectations play a far bigger role than most moms realize. We cover what’s normal, what’s not, and the early decisions that make breastfeeding easier or harder in the first weeks. You’ll learn how milk supply works inside your body, how to avoid the freezer-stash pressure online, how to balance pumping and breastfeeding without tanking supply, and why schedules and output obsession often backfire. Amber also shares the labs worth asking your provider about, the supplements that are actually helpful, and the habits that move the needle when nothing else seems to work. If you’ve ever questioned your supply, felt confused by conflicting advice, or wondered if you’re doing things “right,” this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a practical path forward. ⭐ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • The two hormones that control milk production and release • Why ineffective milk removal causes most low-supply issues • What normal output looks like for pumping moms • Why freezer-stash culture creates unrealistic expectations • The real impact of schedules on supply • How storage capacity affects feeding patterns • What oversupply really means and why it’s not the goal • How to prepare for returning to work without losing supply • The role of hydration, nutrition, minerals, and electrolytes • The most important labs for breastfeeding moms • What lactation cookies and supplements actually do • Simple oxytocin-boosting tactics that make pumping easier ⭐ LINKS • Perfect Pumping Protocol: https://get.thelatchlink.com/pumping [https://get.thelatchlink.com/pumping] • Recommended mineral drops and electrolytes: https://amzn.to/4q0Djvc Helpful Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome & why milk supply advice feels so wrong 00:00:19 – How milk supply really works (prolactin & oxytocin) 00:01:23 – The #1 cause of low supply: ineffective milk removal 00:02:48 – Pumping output obsession & freezer-stash pressure 00:04:06 – Common mistakes with combo feeding (breast + pump) 00:05:17 – How and when to pump for a work or freedom stash 00:05:54 – Schedules, sleep trainers & why “perfect routines” backfire 00:07:47 – Breast storage capacity explained with the “sponge balloon” analogy 00:09:00 – Evening dips, engorgement & what’s actually normal 00:10:34 – Oversupply: why it sucks and should never be the goal 00:11:40 – Going back to work: your rights and building a pumping plan 00:12:35 – Amber’s teen mom pumping story (and how far pumps have come) 00:14:10 – Hydration, minerals & electrolytes that truly support supply 00:17:06 – Eating enough: calories, macros & why protein matters so much 00:22:46 – Sleep, stress, saying no & letting people actually help you 00:25:05 – Labs & health markers to ask your provider about 00:28:54 – Supplements, lactation cookies & what’s worth your money 00:31:02 – Oxytocin, relaxation rituals & easier letdowns Resources: TheLatchLink.com [https://thelatchlink.com/] Free Breastfeeding Guide [https://thelatchlink.com/free-breastfeeding-guide/] Book Your Virtual Consult Today! [https://thelatchlink.com/insurance-covered-ibclc-support/] Stay Connected: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ambertheibclc] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambertheibclc/] FaceBook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571702696286] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/ambertheibclc/]

Breastfeeding Must-Haves: An IBCLC’s Favorite Products (Episode #12)

From nipple balms and shields to nursing pads and pillows - there are a lot of products out there for breastfeeding moms, and on top of everything you got going on while feeding your baby, it can feel overwhelming to find the right product for you. Today, Amber is sharing her favorite products as an IBCLC.  In this episode of The Latch Lounge podcast, Amber lays out the must-have items for breastfeeding moms. She’s sharing insights and professional opinions to help navigate the overwhelming market of breastfeeding products. From managing sore nipples and catching extra milk to dealing with engorgement and clogged ducts, you'll learn about the best tools and products to support your breastfeeding journey. Additionally, you’ll get a candid review of items she believes are unnecessary and could cause more stress than benefit.  Tune in for valuable advice and tips that can make breastfeeding a smoother experience for both you and your baby. More from this episode: Grab Amber’s Breastfeeding shopping guide: https://get.thelatchlink.com/breastfeeding-shopping-guide [https://get.thelatchlink.com/breastfeeding-shopping-guide]  Grab the Lotsa Leche Supplement Guide: https://get.thelatchlink.com/lotsa-leche-supplement-guide [https://get.thelatchlink.com/lotsa-leche-supplement-guide]  Listen to Episode 11: Bottle-Feeding: What Every Mom Needs to Know [https://thelatchlink.com/podcast/bottle-feeding-what-every-mom-needs-to-know/] Helpful Timestamps: * 01:14 Essential Products for Breastfeeding Moms * 02:43 Catching Extra Milk: Tips and Tools  * 05:30 Managing Engorgement and Clogged Ducts * 07:22 The Importance of Manual Pumps * 08:28 Nursing and Pumping Bras * 10:21 Nursing Pillows: Finding the Right Fit * 11:36 Products to Avoid for Breastfeeding Moms * 16:17 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Resources: TheLatchLink.com [https://thelatchlink.com/] Free Breastfeeding Guide [https://thelatchlink.com/free-breastfeeding-guide/] Book Your Virtual Consult Today! [https://thelatchlink.com/insurance-covered-ibclc-support/] Stay Connected: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ambertheibclc] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambertheibclc/] FaceBook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571702696286] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/ambertheibclc/] Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services [https://vadenpodcastservices.com/]

Pumping Without Panic: A Guide for New Moms (Episode #11)

What happens if you start pumping too early? When should you start pumping? Do you really need a freezer stash? In this episode of The Latch Lounge, Amber Ginn, IBCLC, is breaking down the common misconceptions about pumping and offers clear, judgment-free guidance on how to approach it peacefully and effectively. Amber addresses the misinformation spread through social media and emphasizes the importance of not starting to pump from day one unless necessary.  She discusses the pitfalls of 'triple feeding,' the potential complications of early pumping, and debunks the myth around needing a massive freezer stash. With practical advice and compassionate support, Amber aims to empower moms in their breastfeeding journey, ensuring they feel confident and at ease.  Tune in for essential tips and an informed perspective on making pumping work for you without the added stress. Helpful Timestamps: * 00:03 Understanding Pumping and Common Misconceptions * 01:29 When to Start Pumping: Key Considerations * 02:09 Challenges of Triple Feeding * 03:25 Maintaining Milk Supply Without Pumping * 04:44 Effective Pumping Strategies * 06:20 The Reality of Freezer Stashes * 07:42 Setting Realistic Expectations for Milk Supply Resources: TheLatchLink.com [https://thelatchlink.com/] Free Breastfeeding Guide [https://thelatchlink.com/free-breastfeeding-guide/] Book Your Virtual Consult Today! [https://thelatchlink.com/insurance-covered-ibclc-support/] Stay Connected: YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ambertheibclc] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ambertheibclc/] FaceBook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571702696286] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/ambertheibclc/] Produced and edited by Vaden Podcast Services [https://vadenpodcastservices.com/]