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The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Birth trauma is the dark and sometimes scary side of pregnancy & postpartum that no one wants to talk about. But, we're here to change that! I'm Kayleigh, a licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor, determined to bring birth trauma out of the shadows and into the light. When we talk about birth trauma, we take away its power and leave space for healing. Your birth trauma does not need to “happen for a reason." Birth trauma sucks and it’s okay to admit that. Join us as we navigate what it means to heal from birth trauma. You’ll hear from experts in the field as well as others who have experienced birth trauma. Storytelling and education are keys to raising awareness and better understanding how we heal trauma. We don’t do toxic positivity in this space, but you’ll definitely hear some dark humor. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry, but, most importantly, you’ll learn that you’re not alone and that healing is possible. Birth trauma is bullish*it, but your healing is not.
The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Ep. 220: Support for Formula Feeding, Too.
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In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Mallory—aka The Formula Mom—to talk all things formula feeding, combo feeding, and her brand-new book Bottle Service. They dive into the real, messy, emotional side of infant feeding: the lack of education around formula, the grief of not being able to breastfeed, the pressure of “at all costs” narratives, and why nuance, support, and compassion matter more than ever. This is an honest, validating conversation for anyone who has ever questioned, grieved, or defended how they feed their baby.
In this episode, we talk about:
🍼 How Mallory became “The Formula Mom” and why she started sharing formula education
📚 Her new book Bottle Service and the mission behind it
🤱 The lack of accessible, supportive formula feeding education
😔 The grief of wanting to breastfeed but not being able to
💬 Shame, guilt, and stigma around formula feeding
⚖️ Why feeding conversations have become so polarized
🧠 The impact of feeding struggles on mental health
🔀 What combo feeding actually is—and why more families do it than we realize
👶 Navigating gas, allergies, colic, and when (or if) to switch formulas
🏥 Why “just talk to your pediatrician” isn’t always enough
🫶 The importance of supporting the whole parent–baby dyad
🌙 How formula feeding (or combo feeding) can support sleep and family balance
📢 The truth about “predatory marketing” and the history behind the debate
🤍 Why parents deserve information, autonomy, and trust in their own decisions
✨ Creating space for nuance, empathy, and individualized feeding journeys
Why this episode matters:
🌱 There is no one “right” way to feed a baby
🤍 Grief and relief can coexist in feeding journeys
🫶 Parents deserve support—not shame—no matter how they feed their baby
📚 Education + compassion = empowered families
⚖️ The goal isn’t perfection—it’s helping families thrive
You can find Mallory's book here! If you order before the 24th of February, you can get some pre-order goodies by uploading your receipt to the website!
Guest Bio:
Mallory is a mom of two, advocate, infant feeding tech, and the author of BOTTLE SERVICE: Education and Encouragement for Guilt-Free and Successful Formula Feeding. She's the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform that helps parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions. She can be found on Instagram @theformulamom, leading education for Bobbie, and hanging in Nashville with her family.
Research Referenced:
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112190
https://voxdev.org/topic/health/deadly-toll-marketing-infant-formula-low-and-middle-income-countries
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.