THE MILK
Welcome to The Milk- the podcast that pours it all out: the messy, the magical, & the mildly unhinged moments of motherhood and womanhood. Real talk, honest stories, and reminders that none of us really know exactly what we’re doing- and that’s kinda the best part! I’m Tayla- your host and mom of soon to be three. So let’s laugh, learn, and milk this season of life for all that it’s worth.
THE MILK
Ep. 24 Breastfeeding: WTF Is Normal? With Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Shelly Jacobs
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This week on The Milk, we’re getting into the breastfeeding conversation so many moms wish they had before baby arrives.
I’m joined by Shelly Jacobs, a Newport Beach–based board certified lactation consultant, founder of Lolo Baby, and creator of online programs for moms. Shelly breaks down what a lactation consultant actually does, when to reach out for support, and how they can help make breastfeeding feel less overwhelming and more doable.
We talk through the basics of breastfeeding, common challenges moms face in those early days, tips for building and protecting your milk supply, what to know about pumping, and the simple things that can make a big difference when you’re trying to feed your baby and keep your sanity.
Whether you’re currently breastfeeding, planning to, exclusively pumping, combo feeding, or just trying to understand what support is available, this episode is full of practical, reassuring advice for every mom navigating feeding.
In this episode, we cover:
• What a lactation consultant actually does and when to call one
• How to set yourself up for breastfeeding success before baby arrives
• Common breastfeeding challenges in the early days
• Tips for increasing and protecting milk supply
• Pumping, latching, and feeding support basics
• How to feel more confident and less alone in your feeding journey
You can find Shelly on Instagram at @shellyjacobs_iblc and learn more about her online course Early Milk Matters and breastfeeding sling Lolo Baby
Follow The Milk Podcast on all platforms for weekly episodes that remind you you're not alone, you're not crazy, and you're doing way better than you think.
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Welcome To The Milk
SPEAKER_01Welcome to The Milk, the podcast that pours it all out. The messy, the magical, and the mildly unhinged moments of motherhood and womanhood. Real talk, honest stories, and reminders that none of us really know exactly what we're doing. And that's kind of the best part. I'm Taylor, your host, and soon-to-be mom of three. So let's laugh, learn, and milk the season of life for all that it's worth.
SPEAKER_02Hi, ladies. Welcome back to the milk. You guys, this episode, it's the first time I'm podcasting after having a baby.
SPEAKER_00Three days, you guys. Three day three. I am a mess on day three, and this girl's like, Do you want to do a podcast?
SPEAKER_02Like she. Okay, well, in our defense, this was like selfishly a hangout for me with you. And we also didn't work. We did. Yes, we did work. We had a lactation consultant appointment before. We did. Um, but yeah, this episode's probably gonna come out a couple weeks later than we're filming because Shelly over here is 37 weeks pregnant. We're like a few weeks apart. I'm so excited for us to have babies together.
SPEAKER_00Prego and postpartum with eye patches.
SPEAKER_02And we're in bed with eye patches. It just when I texted her, she's like, is this on video? I'm like, yes, sorry, but we're gonna be wearing eye patches and we're gonna be in a bed hanging out, just chatting. So I feel like it's okay. It's like, oh cool, I'll wear my and she has post or she has pregnancy brain and I have postpartum headphones brain. So here we are.
SPEAKER_00So hopefully this episode works out for all of us. It's gonna be great. It'll be relatable to everybody.
SPEAKER_02Right. Um, well, anyways, this is Shelly Jacobs. She's an internationally board-certified lactation consultant. You nailed it. We were like practicing before because I'm like, I'm going like my I've had three like slots of an hour and 45 minutes of sleep last night. So collectively, like five in a bit. I don't know. But I really wanted to get this episode out sooner than later because so many moms were messaging me, especially after I was posting um collecting colostrum and just talking about why I was doing it, what's the purpose behind that? I'm like, I need to get my lactation consultant on here immediately. And so also selfishly, she was helping me because day three, my milk's still coming in. Scarlett is a hungry, hungry gal. And confirmed. And yes. Any more. And so I'm not producing enough already because my milk is only just coming in now. And so we've had to supplement with some formula, which I feel totally fine about. I'm pumping, I'm hand expressing, I'm breastfeeding, we're doing it all.
SPEAKER_00Doing all the things.
SPEAKER_02Um, and so yeah, I want to be real with like where I'm at with this. I'm days into it, and I already have a clogged duct in my armpit, which is super common.
SPEAKER_00Like all the things day three that you're doing that's happening right now is so common. All I and people don't honestly, people don't talk about it enough.
SPEAKER_02No. So I I mean, even as a third-time mom, granted, my second time around wasn't as great with it, wasn't as successful. I wasn't really able to breastfeed, and I was um exclusively pumping for a bit. We had a really hard start too. Yes. But like I feel like in a first-time mom with some of these things that you just forget it. You have to. And also it's just there's it's so complex and there's so it's it's layered, yeah, and every experience is different that I'm like, and also all the new moms that were messaging me was like, I would love to see a uh a lactation consultant on there. Like, I want all the information, and even you repeating everything today that you told me two years ago.
SPEAKER_00You no one remembers anything now. First time mom is the same as a fifth time mom, honestly. And I see I probably see, you know, first, second, third just equally. It's not like I only see first-time moms, it's like well, and also every baby and mom is so different.
SPEAKER_02That's true.
SPEAKER_00So it's like my two experiences were totally different. I'm sure this one will bring other fun stuff.
SPEAKER_02Okay, wait. I have to get you guys to just get to know Shelly a little bit more, to love her as much as I do, because this queen, can I share your age?
SPEAKER_00Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_02Okay, she's 42.
SPEAKER_00I'm very open about my just want to throw it out there.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, um, she's 42 years old. Wait, how old are you? 32. But we're like the same age. We're the same. I like the same. We're the same energetically. She acts younger than I do. She still goes out dancing at nine months pregnant and goes to concerts.
SPEAKER_00Where did I? I went to Baby Kim last I went to the Adidas party. And everyone was like, You're insane. No pregnant people were there.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, of course, but you but just you. I just that's just who I am.
SPEAKER_00And like I wanted to go to Coachella.
SPEAKER_02Yes, I was actually gonna tell you earlier, I was like, I was so shocked you weren't at Coachella this weekend. If your due date was probably a couple weeks later, you'd be there.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I would a hundred percent. I even after I did my IVF transfer, he came out with the beaver.
SPEAKER_02And I was like, wait, I would have two months later a little bit.
SPEAKER_00Because I love beaver. I'm a believer. But I'm a believer.
SPEAKER_02Anyways, Shelly's 42 with her third child on the way.
SPEAKER_00IVF has your 10-year-old daughter and a six-year-old boy, and it's been like the sweetest thing to watch them just love on my belly. Like the bigger it gets and the harder it gets, they're just they lay there and they like cuddle with it. It's the cutest thing ever.
SPEAKER_02So you're just like living proof that you could be a pregnant goddess at any age.
SPEAKER_00Thank you.
SPEAKER_02You did IVF.
SPEAKER_00I did so I did with IVF with my second. Yes. So I had embryos, I had three embryos left, and let me tell you, that's something you don't really think about because you have these embryos on ice and you think about them all the time, and then you're like, it feels like it almost feels like a decision that's too big to make as a human, you know? And so I think six years later, my husband finally forgot hard stages. Yeah, yeah. Or you convinced him out of that. Yeah, yeah. So I I was I always wanted a third. I come from a family of three. My brother's six years younger than me. It was just always there, you know, and I never felt like I was done.
SPEAKER_02When I first met you, here I am. I probably told you, but we this was like one of our first conversations where you told me about this, and she your these babies, potential babies, were just constantly on your heart and mind. And I remember you just being like back and forth of like, do is it too late? Is it not? Yeah, can we do this? Is my husband on board? I'm on board. There were so many.
SPEAKER_00It's such a it's such a hard thing because it feels like it's your decision when you have embryos, but it's not. It's like there's a reason it was still on my heart, and at least I believe.
SPEAKER_02You also had such a didn't you go on a trip and had you came back and just like knew there was something like you told me this.
SPEAKER_00Oh gosh. So my daughter and I are big into science. This was our like, so this was probably 2024. I was going on a trip with a midwife who I love. It was like a women's retreat, and I wanted my goal was to get clarity on having another baby, and I felt like it was a good space, like everyone was in the birth world. Um, and so my daughter and I, before I left, we were like, let's ask for a sign. And she was going to visit my mom, and I was um going on this trip, and I was like, Okay, well, we have to ask for signs that aren't very common, like no butterflies, no, and so I asked for a peacock. Yes, peacock, you're not gonna see that, and then she asked for a rainbow dolphin, which is so random and difficult. So I literally probably day three of our retreat, there's two peacocks mating on the roof of our village.
SPEAKER_02Mating.
SPEAKER_00Mating, and the girl was like, If that's not a never had a peacock on no on site, like I've never seen a peacock. And then I come home and my daughter, the first thing she says to me, she goes, Nana bought me a dolphin ring, and I got home and it was a mood, it turned into a rainbow. Insane. What else did I need? Same trip. No, that's I don't even know if my husband knows that story. What you you convinced him without that story? He thinks I'm a little up there. Aren't we all? Yeah, but like that was I mean, if two peacocks mating is an assignment. Like they're making babies in front of you being just time. I see the signs, and then I just went inward and I stopped talking to people about it, and here we are.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and now he's almost here. He's almost here. Like two and a half weeks, you guys. Yeah. Oh, I'm so happy for you. But anyways, I just wanted you to get to know Shelly and her stories because she's a very special um larger than life soul. Oh and just the funnest. And she's so incredible at what she does. She works locally in Newport Beach. So if you ever need some help, New Mom Center, right? New mom school.
SPEAKER_00But you'll be back after I'll be back like August, September.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_00And I have someone amazing covering for me.
SPEAKER_02That's great.
Why Prenatal Lactation Support Matters
SPEAKER_00Yeah. Awesome.
SPEAKER_02Anyway, so I kind of wanted to start with why women should seek a lactation consultant. And then also I feel like something that I didn't know beforehand was I just thought you have a baby and maybe you seek help after if it's not working. Yes. Where you talk about. Most people think that. Yeah. And I think that's such a common misconception of there is so much need and use of finding a lactation consultant to help you pre-baby. And it also it's true, is it true that a healthy milk supply starts before giving birth?
SPEAKER_00I yes, I believe so. Well, and I see it every day.
SPEAKER_02Yes.
SPEAKER_00So it's like it's one of those things, it's getting more popular, honestly, with I feel like social media that people are seeking support earlier. But I feel like it's one of those things where we plan for our birth, we put all this thought into the nursery, everything besides breastfeeding, because you think, oh, it'll just come naturally. Um, there are so many things, so many things we can prevent um from nipple pain, the main one being milk supply. And the milk supply, your milk supply is the key to breastfeeding. So what happens is a lot of times, you know, you have the baby, let's say the baby's not transferring, like batch at a tongue tie. Um there's so many reasons, or an early baby, they're just not a good breastfeeder. Well, the early d hours and days are when it when your body is getting programmed to make more milk. So hand expressing during that time makes like a world of difference. And hand expressing before, right? So hand expressing before is great because you learn how to do it. You have you can, you know, if you do get some, um, you can bring it to the hospital, you can give it to the them when they're there. You did it before.
SPEAKER_02Um I love I love doing it as almost like an insurance plan. Yes, it's exactly because I had a c-section with bash, and what I did not know until literally experiencing it after was that a woman's milk supply can be delayed even more after a C-section because you're not getting the rush of is it the oxytocin or endorphins that you get from birth. So my milk took until I want to say day five or six.
SPEAKER_00Um delay the milk coming in, but if you do hand expression, that will speed it up.
SPEAKER_02Yes, see, that's that's something I didn't know at the time. And so I had my colostrum on hand that I brought to the hospital, and so he had some of that uh while he was in the NICU and then the days when he came back, and also I was hand expressing in the hospital as well to build it up. But those are types of things that you also don't see coming, like if you're yeah, if you don't have a planned C section and you're hit with one of those, yes, I don't I just like it as a comfort of like it's it's an insurance policy, yes, and it's because it's I think because it's time sensitive, that's the one thing that's hard for me to help with if you come to me two weeks out, is getting your milk supply up.
SPEAKER_00So if you can learn beforehand, the prenatal colostrum harvesting is amazing because you learn the skill. I think the the little gap there is that people don't do it enough after delivery, and that's where all the studies are. So there's not science that says, or at least yet, that says prenatal hand expressing will increase your supply. It's the hours and days after delivery. So I feel like that's where like the gap of knowledge is that I was thinking about recently. I'm like, everyone does it prenatally, but the most important part is to do it postpartum. Like the hours and days that follow until your milk comes in.
SPEAKER_02That's so true.
SPEAKER_00And and you typically people will get more with their hands with colostrum than the pump. The pump starts working better in days like three to five when your milk's transitioned to mature milk.
Hand Expression And Colostrum Basics
SPEAKER_02Okay, let's talk about the hand expressing.
SPEAKER_00Yes.
SPEAKER_02Because I was getting messages of like, do you just squeeze your nipple? Like, what's the and I was trying to explain it over messages. I'm like, I'm gonna I'm gonna let Shelly do it. I'm like, just think of yourself as a cow.
SPEAKER_00Like the back and forth. Well, give me a cow. I know it's kind of because you have to, you do have to get into the tissue. Yeah. And so it's it's more, it's a hard, you can I for me to describe it in words is really hard, but you do like how I would explain it in a prenatal appointment, and I usually will do it with people in the prenatal appointment, just so they get the feel of it. So you put your hand like a C, like you're holding a cup, the nipple is gonna go between the thumb and the pointer finger. Um, and when you thumb up, most people will do it with like this the hand that's on the side of the breast. Um, thumb up, but you can also do it, it it kind of is whatever's comfortable for you, but you want the nipple right in between those two fingers, and you want to press back to the chest wall together and come forward. Yes. So it's like it's not just I think a lot of people just squeeze, you know, squeeze and nothing will come.
SPEAKER_02It's the motion of going back, squeezing, and forward, back, squeezing, forward, into the breast tissue and kind of milk yourself. Yeah, you are we are cows essentially right now, and I always love doing it after like a hot shower. Yes, to get things flowing.
SPEAKER_00It'll work the best then, especially prenatally. Yes, and a lot of the other I think misconception that social media gives off is that everybody gets these crazy amounts, and that is not true whatsoever. And like that's the only people posting about it, really. Or not not always, but I think it's the loudest. The loudest. So if you're getting one to two drops, so normal in pregnancy, after your baby comes, your body it signals to your body to make more. So a lot of people with a totally fine milk supply literally get like one drop. So that is so normal too. I would say half the people I see really don't get that much.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So I think that's important to because I I see comments and stuff, and it's people get really discouraged, and it it really doesn't mean anything.
SPEAKER_02I think women after birth, the thing we stress about probably the most is feeding our babies.
SPEAKER_01Yes.
SPEAKER_02And what's our first job? We put so much pressure on breastfeeding majority of women, especially me. Like, I all of my pregnancies, I've had a low milk supply, and I will kill myself over triple feeding, taking the supplements, hydrating, eating the foods, doing all the things, and then you'll go on social media and compare yourself to people like storing, like they'll pour all the cups, like the TikToks, and it's like 16 ounces. I'm like, oh my gosh, I get that in maybe one day, and that is one person's one feed. Yeah, and so it's so hard not to do that, but it's also so important to crowd out that noise. Yes, and um honestly just focus on your journey and like whatever you're producing, just focus on those numbers and that for you because I would so much more com I mean, I see all the cases, and it's so much more common to combo feed or have a low milk supply than that oversupplier that you're seeing.
SPEAKER_00But we're we're just no one's really talking about that.
Low Supply Pressure And Combo Feeding
SPEAKER_02Yeah, some people are, but most people are not, and there are ways to boost your milk supply and everything that we can talk about with outside of um hand expressing at the beginning. Yes, but um yeah, I think that's just important to note that like have realistic expectations and go easy on yourself. I mean, I was just talking to Shelly because we're trying to boost my or get my milk to come in. And then after I was like, I think I'm just going to be a combo feeder, especially as a third-time mom. Like, I don't think I have the time and patience to just be able to and luxury to just sit around and focus just on my breastfeeding journey when I have the two kids waking up early, getting them to school, making breakfast, making lunch, doing drop-offs. I'm like, I'm gonna be such a better person by just breastfeeding as much as I can and then just topping off with formula.
SPEAKER_00Totally. And you also have the perspective you've you've tried all the I think it's different when you're you know, your first-time mom. You've tried all the you've done all the things. Yeah, like you so it's like if you if you've tried them, you've done the triple feeding, you know that that can like take a toll mentally. Triple feeding is no joke. Um, and you've done all the things, and it's like it there comes a point where you have to just you know, it's acceptance, like, okay, I'm giving my baby breast milk, and I have a lot going on, and that's great, you know?
SPEAKER_02100% too. Um so outside of milk supply, lactation consultants can help with so many other things. Do you want to rattle usually?
SPEAKER_00So if we're still talking prenatal, what I go over, I go, I keep it really simple because I don't think our minds have too much space for much, you know, before birth. So positioning proper positioning and just kind of knowing the that how much leaning back helps you. Like proper positioning from the get-go can help a ton with nipple pain, deeper latch, milk transfer, all the things. Um so I I usually go over positioning, I go over hand expression, which we just talked about, and then I go over how do you know your baby's getting enough? Because that's the big question with breastfeeding. You can't see what they're getting. Um, and that's that's you that's most of my job is teaching people how to know what their baby's getting because they're all different. That's the other thing. It's like, you know, my daughter would feed for 30 plus minutes, and my son was really fast and would just finish. And so, same mom, different babies, like it's a whole nother learning curve. So teaching, you know, learning all the things like you know, she Scarlet's day three right now. Her, what are her poops look like? Well, they're transitioning from the meconium, so they're like, you know, mustard, it's all about the poops. You get obsessed with the poops, right? So the proof is in the poops. Exactly. So, you know, we want it to by day five, we want her to have mustard yellow poops. So learning your specific baby, and also one of the I do a weighted feed, so I'll weigh the baby before, and then we'll feed the baby, and I'll teach you, you know, your okay, she's gulping right now, and then at the end they kind of do this fluttery, using your breast for comfort. Um, and I'll usually time them, and you know, that's when we learn your individual baby. So I think it's that's probably the there's like a a learning curve at the beginning for each each baby, because it's she's so different than Bash, you know. I helped you with both, and like she's has a great latch, and you know, interested in my boobs for once.
SPEAKER_02I'm I'll always be offended. I'm like, are you kidding me? You're insulting me. Like, I know my boobs are like. He was not having he was I'm like, what's wrong with my boobs? Like, I was I know I was being rejected.
SPEAKER_00That's a lot of people when you especially if you have a hard beginning and you feel this like why don't why? Why don't you like my boobs? Yeah, and it's it's not that a lot of times it's the situation at the beginning. So yeah, um, oh she just did the little startle. Little startle. Um, so those are the three things I teach prenatally. Um the amount of things I teach postpartum, it's also you know, every situation is so different. So it's like I do pumping, I do I even help with starting solids. Um there's such like a wide range of things I help with, but I would say the most common things, I would say most most things can be fixed with proper positioning.
SPEAKER_02Um I feel like you also are really good with um helping, giving tips of like the sleepy newborn phase when they fall asleep on your boob, or like engorgement, those types of things you tell me so much about.
SPEAKER_00Sleepy baby is a big one. I feel like they're all so sleepy at the beginning. So, like, you know, putting a wipey on them or feeding them skin to skin, um blowing on them, there's like a whole list of things. So, for there, I mean, there's so many issues postpartum that come up, and it's all you know, different depending on the mom. But I I I do all of them.
Tongue Ties And Second Opinions
SPEAKER_02So let's talk about a couple of the challenges that babies can bring to the table with breastfeeding. Just say a mom's milk supply is fine. How often do you see things like tongue ties or lip ties?
SPEAKER_00Um, well, that's always a tricky one. That's that's a it's a loaded question because they're super overdiagnosed right now, in my opinion. So they're not this like fix all. Um But if the baby does have a true tongue tie and one way I feel like if if the mom's milk supply is good and the baby's still not transferring the milk or they're just, you know, super sleepy and you know that to me says, well, usually shallow latch can be fixed with positioning, but but yes, like that can be caused by ties, um, for sure. But um I think they're they're overdiagnosed right now, so it's like you just you want to get a couple opinions. Um but why do you think that is?
SPEAKER_02Do they just want the money to do the laser or the procedure?
SPEAKER_00There's it and there's yeah, there's I mean, there's money in it. Um it does help certain babies, but I just think it's this kind of fix, everyone thinks it's gonna fix everything, and so people will get it, and it doesn't fix it, it can't fix a typically a low milk supply problem.
SPEAKER_02Like and if there's different levels, like different extremities of a lip or a tongue tie. Yes. Where like we naturally kind of have a little bit of attachment as a f like a a lip tie.
SPEAKER_00So it's like if it's a really thick one, and they'll probably have to get it for braces later. But um if it's not causing breastfeeding issues, like I don't find that well, it's I can't diagnose it. So I'll send them to I love Dr. Train in the area. Um she's great because she will look at the whole picture and she'll teach parents, you know, how it's gonna affect them later. So I feel like finding a good provider is really important. Um, but if the mom has a a lot of milk and the baby's still not transferring it, that's like when I look into that, or if it's a super obvious tongue tie like, that's an easy one.
SPEAKER_02So he literally looked like a snake, like he stuck his tongue out right when I met him, and it was just almost like two sides with a string being pulled down the middle. I was like, that's not normal.
SPEAKER_00That's an obvious one. So I think most people across the board would but where it gets a little harder is if it's like a midline tongue restriction, you can't really see it. It's just they don't have much movement, and then um like the lip ties are isn't there something random or and rare called is it a cheek tie? Oh, yeah, there's cheek ties, and honestly, I I don't really feel comfortable speaking to it because I'm not an expert in that field. Um, but it is a thing. Never experienced it or heard of a friend, but I cause heard that. Yeah, but and then there's you know, there's studies that say like that doesn't affect breastfeeding. So it's a very controversial topic. Yeah. Um, but I do see it in like a small percentage of babies.
SPEAKER_02Um, one thing that Shelly helped me with today that I feel like has made a big difference or will make because I remember like completely spasming in my back due to positioning, oh yeah, is making sure, and we kind of touched on this, but like the right position of you kind of naturally want to hunch over to like look down to make sure that they're latching and getting few food, but your back like my back's already strained, it feels like I've pulled muscles everywhere, so that's what we are working on. Do you want to quickly touch on just the proper position of even the baby, like the tummy to tummy and all that? Totally.
SPEAKER_00And it would it help if you grabbed your a pillow or like so I'm just gonna show you how you can set up. Oh hey. Um okay, so I love the breastfront pillow because it kind of like holds the baby up high. Um kind of you if you tighten it right below your breast. So one of the most common things I see is that people have the pillows way too low, and then that's where the hunching over comes in, and your back hurts. Honestly, they're not getting a deep latch if you're hunching over and going to them. It goes so much better. If the pillow's high, you're like either upright or leaning back. The babies at breast level, they're tummy to tummy, you're upright, not leaning forward at all. So the pillow, do you see how the pillow's up higher? Most people have the pillow on their lap and they're like leaning forward. And what happens there is the the baby like slips to the end of the nipple if they're too low. So even if they're like right here, they kind of go to the end of the nipple, and that's what causes nipple pain. They don't get a deep latch. If the baby's up higher and you're leaning back, whether it be with a pillow or if they're like laid-back breastfeeding is another one that I should show you, um, where they're kind of like across your body and you're leaning back. The gravity will help them get such a deeper latch. So tummy to tummy, you leaning back, bring the baby to you.
SPEAKER_02And they're in line with you with your nipples, right?
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02And they're looking up.
SPEAKER_00They're looking, so that's another one that's so hard to describe without a baby, but you want the baby um like tilted, their head tilted up. So if they're up too high and they're like coming down and their head is tilted like this, it's gonna it's gonna hurt. The nipple goes in a different place in their mouth, and it's that can cause pain. So a lot of times I'll do this one adjustment and I'll literally pull the baby down a little. Like if her head's right here, and I just pull her down a little and her her head tilts up. So you want to see the chin. Yeah, you want to see her chin. It's easier for her to swallow, too. So that's another adjustment. There's like a couple adjustments that make a big difference with nipple pain and getting a deeper latch.
SPEAKER_02So and nipple pain isn't normal. At the beginning it is, but later on.
Pumps Creams And Breastfeeding Gear
SPEAKER_00Yeah, at the beginning, they can be, you know, a lot of people are in pain at the beginning, but should go away with time. Like when your milk comes in, because they're just feeding a lot at the beginning, so and you haven't done it either ever or for a long time. So it's just it can be painful, but it should go away like every every day. It should get better after your milk comes in. So, but if if nipple pain, like let's say nipple pain comes later, like let's say you weren't in pain for a month and then nipple pain all of a sudden comes, then that to me it's like ooh, maybe it's an infection or something's going on. Um, so nipple pain at the beginning is normal, but if it doesn't go away, then we need to make some adjustments, and that can be too where like their anatomy or if they have a tongue tie, that's where we'll evaluate the whole picture.
SPEAKER_02Okay, so I feel like there's so many products and like creams and all these different gadgets for breastfeeding, and I feel like no one is better than you to answer like which ones are worth the hype and which ones are just not.
SPEAKER_00Yes, and I definitely everyone has their different opinions, and like that's the other thing about breastfeeding products is like one person can love one thing and the other person hates it, like you know, just even the collectors like some people don't get anything, and some people love it, it's their favorite product. So just take it all with a grain of salt, like everything you read. Everything about breastfeeding, like that's the whole thing online. It's if you Google something, it could apply to you, could not. So just take everything with a grain of salt that you Google. Um, but products-wise, okay, so this is definitely my favorite pillow from the breastfriend pillow. It just at the beginning, and this is like for the beginning, so as they get bigger, they get more neck strength. Um and you know, a lot of people don't need a pillow at the beginning. I find it super helpful to have support at the beginning because they're just it's it's hard to hold them up and it's just easier on your back. So the breastfriend pillow is great because you can it's kind of like a shelf. Some of the other pillows, like um the b the bobby or you know, some of the other ones, the baby kind of falls too low in my opinion, off the beginning. Yeah. When they're little. Those are great for when they're a little older. Um as for pumps, I love the spectre pump. Um, I think that one probably gets the most smoke. So pumps are there's so many pumps out now. It's been crazy having a baby six years later because everything's different. So the pumps, um, like Spectra's always been kind of like the hospital grade. I think it it's um gets the most out. And the thing about like the that's called it's a primary pump. So a primary pump is one with the flange. You can massage, you'll usually get more. Most people get more milk if they can massage. The portable ones are great because they're convenient, but most people don't get as much milk. So some people do, but I would say majority of people are like, oh, I get less with the portable pump. You can't massage, it's um it's just a different setup. So we call those a secondary pump. Um, I like the mom cozy for that. I've heard great things about the Euffy one.
SPEAKER_02I just got that. Did you? I haven't tried it. I haven't tried it yet, but it's sitting right in my breastfeeding cart over there. Everyone recommended that when I did a story like uh question box. Everyone said Spectre, which I've used in the past for like the primary, and then for portable, I want to say like 90% of people said you and then also mom cozy. Yes. So those are the I got them both free through insurance. You did? Yes, both? Yes. I don't okay. So I don't know if it's the system. I think I cheated the system, but like everyone listening, try. I did pumpingessentials.com for and I got the Spectra one there. And then Babylist sent me an email because I was building my registry there, and they're like, apply for your pump. And this is days later. I'm like, hmm, okay, I already did this, but I'll try again. The Maroflow one. I feel like I did, I think I went through their own. Yes, maybe whatever that was through Babylist. And they I filled out my insurance, and again, they accepted me. So I got both for free. Oh, well, I think I paid$35 for an upgrade of maybe Suspect or one of the one of the portable ones or something. Um, but then my insurance accepted me for both. So we'll see if I just pay extra of insurance later on. But they both got cleared and I got both of them in the mail. My credit card was not charged more than Wow. So I don't know if I beat the system or what, but try it for yourself.
SPEAKER_00Okay, good to know. Yeah, I feel like I have a lot of pumps at home. I'm like, I but the Spectra, I've never tried a portable pump because six years ago I don't even think that was a thing. So I'm excited to try them all because I've heard great things about the Eufy too.
SPEAKER_02Do you do you have any um like favorite nipple creams or so would you like the silverettes?
SPEAKER_00The silverettes, um, just from feedback I get from moms, I never personally use them. I'm excited to try those too. But you're either supposed to use the silverettes or nipple cream. So um you're not supposed to use both. Like the silver has did that last night. That's right. A lot of people do. I'm sure there's a little harm in it. I just use them for the first time. Yeah, there's like healing properties, then it collects your breast milk, which also heals your nipples. So some people will go like every other with them, but people seem to swear by the silver heads.
SPEAKER_02So they worked. I mean, my nipples right now are like blistering and so sore. I didn't tell me that. A little bit. Yeah, sorry. That's okay. Too much to tell you. Not enough brain space. Um, but I put them on last night and I just slept with them in between like when I was feeding, and they felt better in between each one. And it's they've gotten better, like the pain's gotten better each time.
SPEAKER_00Okay, well, that's good to know. I'm yeah, those I've heard great things about, so that's good. Um, I also love the hakkas. Um, I don't know if you've ever tried those, but that's one of those things where it's so different for each person because if you're an oversupplier, I wouldn't suggest having a haka with a lot of suction because you don't want to like increase your supply and you don't want to go into crazy oversupply because there's issues that come with that. So um you would want like more of just something that collects the leaking, like the haka petal. So there's like a bunch of different haka's that um if you're trying to increase your supply, there's one for that, and there's the haka shell, the hot like the the bigger haka pump, which has the most suction. So I feel like there's a lot of uses for that.
SPEAKER_02And for me, I'm on the opposite side where as an under-supplier, yeah, you don't want my boobs don't leak. I don't ever have to put the like the pads in. I bought them just in case.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um, and with the haka, like I was like, am I doing this wrong? Because nothing would ever come out. And I think that's just me being an under supplier.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02But everyone else swears by it. So what works for one person might not work for another. It's just depends on that's that's the thing.
SPEAKER_00Like it depends on your exactly. I also like the hand pump. I think that can be really convenient. Like the people either lover made it. So it's like it's just$30 for me. It's the Medella hand pump.
SPEAKER_02Yes, I've used that pump.
SPEAKER_00That can be good. Um, and then I'm also can I show you the Lolo, how to put it on?
SPEAKER_02Please. So Shelly is also an entrepreneur. She came out with the Lolo baby, which is the coolest invention ever for moms on the go, especially.
SPEAKER_01Yes.
SPEAKER_02She what last time when I was pregnant with Bass, she's like, if breastfeeding works for you, let me know and I'll give you one. And of course, it just didn't. But I like I whichever you can put it on me, you can put it on you, you can put it.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so essentially it's like it's like the breastfriend platform, so it holds the baby up high. So think like breastfriend meets Solly Baby or like a wrap. So you put and it's like firm, like it like has shape. Yeah, it's it's so it's like a platform that and then it um compacts, it like folds so that you can carry it in your diaper bag. So you just you put it over like this. So I used it with my when I was designing it, I used it with my son. And so it was really nice for like second, third time moms because you can like walk around, you know, you can walk around your with your hand under, but and there's so much coverage, yeah, like privacy coverage. So if you it's great to like take it out to dinner or then you cross it in the back. It's kind of hard to put on while I'm while we're sitting, but yeah, exactly. Um and then you tie it under. Here we go. Grab the other side. So you tie it and then there you go. And then you like slide the baby in, look at her little face. The baby in you put them like that, if you're feeding on this side, and then you can like put the coverage. So that's amazing. Yeah, and you you tie it like this. So and then she just like slides right in there. So she's at that position that I was talking about that's so helpful for breastfeeding babies, like having them up high, but you can move around more because I found well, first of all, I everyone asks me, like, how do I do this on the go? Also, I think like sometimes you get stuck, you get like nap-trapped, and you're like, Oh shoot, I have to like get up and do stuff, especially with you know, multiple kids, so you can stand up and like go help them get a glass of water or get yourself a glass of water, you know. So exactly.
SPEAKER_02So I'm obsessed with it. And then you can think my favorite part is just the privacy. Yeah. Because I mean, we all know like we're in 2026 now, we're like, there's gonna be boobs out in public, and like we should be able to do that. Yeah, but at the same time, like there is a level of like you're just like I don't know. Sometimes you just don't feel like creepy men who walk by seeing my nipples. Yeah. So you can literally see.
SPEAKER_00And everyone's so different with that. Like, some people are super confident, and I think like you know, as a first-time mom, I would I didn't even want to do it around like family, you know?
SPEAKER_02It's like so um you don't have to like hide away.
SPEAKER_00Exactly. You don't have to, but it gives you the if you're out to dinner, it just gives it also like I found myself breastfeeding in the bathroom stall or it going to the car with my best friend pillow, and this is a good option because you can like fold it up and put it in your diaper bag.
SPEAKER_02So you should do like a social campaign where it's like where's the randomest place you've used Lolo Baby and like do like a giveaway where they film like they're at Disneyland or they're on a hike. You're so good at this, you know, and it's just a big giveaway.
SPEAKER_00I love when I get pictures from people like at the hairdresser or you know that'd be so fun.
SPEAKER_02So, anyways, this is her invention. And yes, what's your website again?
SPEAKER_00Thelobaby.com.
SPEAKER_02Okay, I'll put it in the show notes, anyways, for anyone who's interested in getting one of these. But it's so convenient.
SPEAKER_00It was hard to put it on you with this, like it's a little I it's better when you're standing up, and like once you get the hang of it and you put it on tight, it's so much easier.
SPEAKER_02Scarlet, we're gonna be able to do it.
SPEAKER_00But it crosses in the back, it's comfortable. Okay, so we'll do like five, ten minutes because I know you're probably over sitting here like no, the mornings are great for me. It's like 3 p.m. hits and I'm done.
Clogged Duct Relief And Prevention
SPEAKER_02Yeah, okay. So I wanted to ask you, because you probably see this a lot. What are your like tips for releasing clogged ducks as mine under the armpit now? And then also like later on, because they can kind of occur at any time, right?
SPEAKER_00They can. So, like to prevent clogs, because that's something we all should be doing. Um, again, hand expression is really good for that, and just being like aware of your breasts and if you have problem areas, like sometimes like I always had this problem area right under, and just being really consistent with massaging there, especially while you're pumping or while you're feeding, while like milk's moving, if you can massage, but if for right now, a lot of it's day three, like people will feel really engorged, and a lot of it's vascular, so it'll time will just help with it. So sometimes icing, like if you have a really bad one, um, but before the feed, and there's so much the mastitis protocols all change, so that's like a lot of mixed stuff out there if you Google it. Um, but if you can do heat before, I think I always find that helps. Um, and then you can ice it after. Do you like those massagers? I don't, I just feel like your hands can do the same thing. People say great things about them, so I only have other people's opinions on them. I don't think you need them. Not necessary, um, but because I think you can massage better than that, but then I have people be like swear by them. So there's nothing wrong with trying them. Um the other thing I was gonna say, oh, avoiding tight bras. So, like, even months down, wearing like a sports bra, just be that can sometimes cause clogs. So you know, just having bras that are loose, being really comfortable, massaging, um sunflower less than can be really helpful. There's also a supplement that people love um from Lactation Hub that's called Breast Health, Breast Health Plus. Um, it's always sold out, but it's good. And then also there's um if you have a really stubborn clog, or if it's just you've been working at it for a long time, I have a friend named Whitney Sipple who comes to your house with an ultrasound machine and like that breaks it up really quick. And she does like red light therapy, all sorts of things. She's great. So if it's something that's stubborn, or if you have reoccurrent ones, a lot of people will see her. But there's only so much you can do like with your hands. Oh, the dangle feed. The dangle feed! You're probably more of an expert there, but yeah, the dangle feed is supposed to be good. It's literally where you just like have your baby. We talked about that.
SPEAKER_02Oh, we did the dangle feed. You have your baby on just like the bed, like I don't know, the floor of the bed, like on a flat, safe surface, and you just like get on your hands and knees in like this primal state and just stick your boob in the baby's mouth. And apparently that angle like helps release the clog. Yes, yeah.
SPEAKER_00And other other angles, just in general, that was the one I forgot. Like you can just try sideline or try putting the baby football hold or something like you know, different angles, just so they can they suck maybe from differently from that angle. So I love it. Dangle fiend is your typical.
SPEAKER_02I don't even know what it's called. It's just like it feels like you're oh is it? You're dangling your boob in their face. I don't know.
Mom Instincts And Sleep Deprivation
SPEAKER_00Exactly.
SPEAKER_02Um well scroll, it's getting a little fussy. She probably needs to be. I don't know how she's it's funny.
SPEAKER_00I don't even notice fussy babies when they're not mine. Oh, I'm like sweating over here. I'm like because I think because I work where it's like babies are crying all day. I just unless it's mine. Yeah, exactly.
SPEAKER_02And I'm like, there's what is it's like a chemical release or something that moms have that when a baby cries, like your baby, your baby, it sends your body into fight or flight mode. And like that's why I'm sweating right now. Cause I'm like, it's not that she's crying, but it's just the like, oh shit, we're recording.
SPEAKER_00Funny, I didn't even notice.
SPEAKER_02I was like, No, but I'm like literally sweating.
SPEAKER_00But if it was my even my if my six-year-old or ten-year-old's crying, like I'm just yeah, yeah, it's like and then the men are like, what?
SPEAKER_02Like, it's fine, like that doesn't bother me. Let them cry. I'm like, I am going to pull my own hair out if this cry happens perfectly longer. Yeah. Okay, that's why like men, like you can put the baby next to their side of the bed. Have you seen those like things? And it's like, somehow my the husband like doesn't hear it. It's like I Oh, my husband would only wake up to like a
SPEAKER_00Shrieking cry.
SPEAKER_02Oh yeah, I don't even think Scotty would. Scotty, I'm surprised actually, like when I went into labor, that he woke up to my whisper because he sleeps through like anything.
SPEAKER_00He falls asleep in 20 seconds.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. I listen to my I can hear my kids sneeze in the middle of the night through the doors through the sound machines. I can hear anything. I'm in a half sleep. That's I think that's something that moms I know.
SPEAKER_00We're in a half sleep.
SPEAKER_02Like we just inherit when we become a mother.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I know. It's I remember my mom. I'd walk next to her and she'd be going, oh yeah. My dad just never.
SPEAKER_02I always wondered how my parents caught me sneaking out when I was like in high school. Like they just they not even hearing anything. They it's just like this intuitive knowing of like your child is awake. They are doing something wrong.
SPEAKER_00So true.
SPEAKER_02You know, like how the hell did they catch me? Yeah, with like anything. They just all you know how like you're like, how did my parents know that? Or how did they find that out? Or how did they find that in my room? And they just are all right. And now you get it. And then it's like you're like it. Oh, yeah. Like if they're being too quiet, you're like, I know something. Or like your your baby doesn't even have to be making noises and your boobs start tingling and you just like know they're awake. Those types of things. It's so wild. Anyways, perfect. I know now she's quieting down, of course. She's such an angel, you got it. She's an angel baby. She's so sweet. I'm so obsessed. Perfect. It's just the best.
SPEAKER_00We're gonna have so much fun with these babies. Oh my gosh.
SPEAKER_02I'm and it's like summers around the corner. We're gonna be having our hot post part-bomb summer with our babies by Shelly's pool.
SPEAKER_00Or we could just be romanticizing this whole thing, and it's like really.
SPEAKER_02No, we're gonna fake it till we make it.
SPEAKER_00You know? It's been the last my motto for the last two weeks. I'm like, just fake it till you make it. Yes. You got this.
Where To Find Shelly And Wrap
SPEAKER_02Like, you're so tired. Well, thank you guys so much. I hope you love this episode. If you want more from Shelly, follow her Instagram. She has she you post like just so much like um informative information and reels, and you have tons of ones to go back to and pinned at the top that are like the most useful. I do a lot of the gassy babies too. Oh my gosh, yes, those are fun to watch. Those are so fun to watch.
SPEAKER_00Well, that's like such a hard thing if your babies just tummy hurts. Yes. Yes. But I all sorts of things. So So what's your Instagram? Um Shelly Jacobs underscore IBCLC.
SPEAKER_02And then she'll be on maternity leave, but she will have someone covering for her at new mom school, and you'll be back in August or September. August September.
SPEAKER_00I'll probably go. We'll see. Love it.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. We could you could be taking lactation consultant appointments from your bed. And I'll be like, come to my house, everybody. I'll show you out. Anyways, thanks, Shelley. Love you so much. Thank you guys for listening. Reach out to Shelly. Um, thanks for just joining me another week and allowing me to live my mom life while also trying to podcast over here. So I appreciate it. I text, I'm like, are you sure? Are we good here? I'm still running on adrenaline, you know.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, no, you're you're amazing.
SPEAKER_02Anyways, thanks, guys. Till next week.
