The Feeding Couch

Hannah - Two breastfeeding experiences - Milk protein allergy, a week in the NICU, latch issues & ties, bed sharing

Katie James, Hannah Gill Season 1 Episode 18

In this episode I have a conversation with Hannah, a wife to her high school sweetheart, a mother of two, and a passionate advocate for empowered childbirth and motherhood. After experiencing her own journey through birth trauma and healing, Hannah found her calling as a childbirth educator and doula, specializing in VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).

Hannah’s two birth experiences were vastly different. After her first, a traumatic c-section, she found herself grappling with postpartum PTSD, depression, and anxiety, all while breastfeeding her son, who was later diagnosed with a milk protein allergy. She shares the challenges of cutting all dairy from her diet, a process much harder than it sounds! When her milk supply dropped around 8 months, she began supplementing with formula but continued breastfeeding until he reached 12 months.

Hannah’s second birth was an unmedicated, low-intervention VBAC with no complications. A week after birth, her baby was admitted to the NICU, and Hannah nursed as often as possible, even standing by her bed to feed during her EEG. She only pumped when she needed to go home to care for her son. Around 8 weeks, latch issues were still a concern. While the pediatrician recommended formula, Hannah trusted her instincts and sought further evaluation from an IBCLC and a pediatric dentist. They discovered a tongue and lip tie, and after having them revised, her daughter started gaining weight immediately and she continued breastfeeding until her daughter weaned at 21 months.

So grab your cuppa or latch that baby on, as we sit down on the feeding couch for another episode. 

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🎶 Music by Joseph McDade


Disclaimer

The information in this podcast is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. While we aim for accuracy, no guarantee is made that the content is error-free or up to date. Always seek guidance from a qualified health professional for individual concerns.

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