The Milk Production

The first 24-48 hours are hard. In this video, we provide a comprehensive overview for new moms. It's high-level, but it sticks to the pertinent details in case you're watching this from the hospital or short on time as a new parent. This guide is packed with essential information on the physiological changes occurring, what's normal and what's not, and effective comfort strategies...

In this episode, Meaghan Selki, an international board certified lactation consultant, discusses the spectrum of plugged ducts and mastitis. Learn the differences between these conditions, what causes them, and how to treat and prevent them based on the latest research and guidelines from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Meaghan covers the importance of addressing inflammation and milk stasi...

Join Meaghan Selki, an international board-certified lactation consultant, as she discusses the topic of cluster feeding, an often-confusing and exhausting phase for new parents. In this episode, Meaghan explains what cluster feeding is, when and why it happens, and how to differentiate it from potential red flags that warrant professional help. She offers practical strategies for managing cluster...

In this episode of the Milk Production Podcast, host Meaghan Selki addresses one of the most common questions in her clinic: what can new mothers eat or take to boost their milk supply? Meaghan outlines the golden rules of milk production, underscoring the importance of consistent milk removal every three hours. She dispels myths around foods and discusses how certain nutritive traditions can offe...

In this episode, we explore the importance of paced bottle feeding, a baby-led method that mimics breastfeeding rhythms, slows the flow, and helps babies stay in control of their intake. We discuss how conventional bottle feeding can lead to issues like overfeeding, decreased milk supply, and early weaning. We also provide a detailed demonstration of paced bottle feeding techniques, including prop...

In this episode of the Milk Production Podcast, we get into the challenges and milestones of the first week of breastfeeding, focusing on what's normal and what isn't. We cover topics like the transition from sleepy newborns to frequent feeding, the role of colostrum, diaper expectations, and the importance of the 'Golden Hour.' Learn about the potential impact of circumcision on f...

In this week's episode of The Milk Production, we explore the importance of a good latch in breastfeeding, highlighting how it can make or break your journey. Learn about the differences between a shallow latch and a deep latch, and how each affects both comfort and milk transfer. The episode also provides practical tips for achieving a deep, effective latch and troubleshooting common issues s...

In this episode of The Milk Production podcast, host Meaghan Selki digs into one of the most common concerns: determining if your baby is getting enough milk. She explains: The importance of tracking long-term growth versus single weigh-ins, the role of the World Health Organization Growth Charts, and how stepwise growth is a normal pattern for infants. Using diaper counts as a reliable short-term...

Worried about low milk supply? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Milk Production Podcast , we unpack one of the most common challenges new parents face: understanding the difference between true low supply and perceived low supply, and what to do about it. You’ll learn: How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk A quick, 90-second “at-home snapshot” to assess supply Red flags that mean...

Welcome to this week's episode of The Milk Production with hosts Russ Rakestraw and Meaghan Selki. Russ and Meaghan discuss how and when to use a manual breast pump, including assembly, measuring flanges appropriately, and common mistakes to avoid. They also discuss how to clean the pump parts effectively. If you're a new mom or looking for practical breastfeeding advice, this episode is a...

In this episode of The Milk Production, host Meaghan Selki, IBCLC, welcomes special guest, fellow IBCLC, and esteemed author Catherine Watson Genna. Together, they delve into the complexities of milk production, teasing out the details on topics such as the importance of the early postpartum period and the impact of health conditions such as thyroid issues and metabolic disorders on lactation. Cat...

Co-hosts Russ Rakestraw and Meaghan Selki cover vital nipple care tips for lactating families. They discuss normal vs. abnormal nipple pain, effective treatments for discomfort and damage, and bust some common myths around breastfeeding. Learn about various nipple care products, from creams to hydrogels, and discover why it's crucial to avoid using certain combinations. Don't miss practica...

Join lactation consultant Meaghan Selki as she interviews a mother of two about her breastfeeding journey and the importance of postpartum support. They discuss the challenges faced, including severe reflux and lactation difficulties, and the crucial role of planning and support in navigating these hurdles. The episode also touches on topics such as extended breastfeeding, mental health support, a...

In this week's episode, co-hosts Russ and Meaghan delve into the importance of prenatal lactation consultations. They discuss the benefits and education provided by these consultations, covering aspects such as general breastfeeding education, nipple anatomy, medical and personal histories, hands-on demonstrations, and the roles of supporting partners. Meaghan, who is a lactation consultant, p...

Meaghan reviews the FREE resource brought to you by the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - a handout **made for parents** on Physiologic Infant Care: Support Breastfeeding, Sleep, and Well-being. The handout can be found here: https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/PatientHandouts/English_ABM_Physiologic%20Infant%20Care%20Handout_Protected.pdf

In this episode, hosts Meaghan and Russ dive into various aspects of breastfeeding and supplementation in the early days post-delivery. They share personal stories, including unexpected challenges like bird flu and postpartum pre-eclampsia, and discuss the importance of breastfeeding education and support for new moms. They delve into the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine's Protocol #3 coverin...

In this episode, we review the FREE resource trashthepumpanddump.org, brought to you by the breastfeeding medicine experts over at IABLE. I love this resource, I'm so glad it's free for medical professionals and for families on their breastfeeding and lactation journeys. Leave a comment with questions, thoughts or suggestions. Thanks for watching!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you a FREE crash course in breastfeeding prep. This is for our expecting listeners. Please know -- this only scratches the surface. You may end up with more questions than you had at the start. Connect with us to get more information. And we'll continue to dive deeper with other important teaching points. Hope you enjoy this intro!

We cover a lot of topics in Episode #4: feeding during hand, foot and mouth disease; antibodies in the milk; breast development, milk making, and weaning; antenatal colostrum harvesting; and importance of a good deep latch -- to say nothing of the failures of ours we also highlight from recent weeks. Join us, and hopefully you'll giggle at least once.

This episode was FUN! And nerdy... We got into gut health for the whole family, newborns and adults alike. We talked about hookworms and vaginal seeding and lactobacillus reuteri and Chopped and Dr. Greger. Take a listen, and drop us a comment. We desperately need your input about how to appropriately pronounce Tzatziki.

Ladies & Gentlemen, we bring to you… Episode #2! We discuss things like when babies are congested, how that impacts feeding, congested moms who are breastfeeding and whether decongestants are a good idea, and an at-length discussion about our youngest’s tongue tie revision at almost 2 years old!  A few things:  Yes, we are wearing the same thing from last week. (If you listen to the first epis...

Thanks for tuning into our inaugural episode of what we expect will be a weekly publishing of a little talk on breast, bottle & combo feeding, and a lot of talk on just about everything else. We hope you'll find some fun here and be a part of building our community!