Jaimie is a nurse, doula, mom x5 and IBCLC. Jaimie is the CEO of Little Bear Lactation & the voice behind the Breastfeeding with Confidence podcast where she inspires mothers to make confident breastfeeding decisions from the place where intuition and information intersect.
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Introduction to Breastfeeding Challenges Brooke Harmer introduced Jaimie Zaki, a lactation consultant, to discuss changing one's breastfeeding story, especially after past attempts that did not go as desired. Jaimie Zaki shared their personal journey into lactation, driven by their struggles with breastfeeding their first child and the lack of support from healthcare providers, which led them to leave an LPN to RN program to become a doula and lactation consultant.
The Importance of a Strong "Why" in Breastfeeding Brooke Harmer and Jaimie Zaki discussed how the mentality of "we'll see how it goes" can hinder breastfeeding success. Jaimie Zaki emphasized that a strong "why" is crucial for pushing through challenges, as breastfeeding, though natural, is not always intuitive and often requires significant effort and education due to societal changes and lack of traditional village support. They also highlighted that many mothers give up due to feeling like it is their fault, when in reality, a broken system is often to blame.
Perceived vs. Actual Low Milk Supply and Pain Jaimie Zaki identified perceived low milk supply and pain as the top two reasons mothers stop breastfeeding, often occurring together. They explained that pain is not normal and should not be tolerated. Jaimie Zaki stressed that babies cry for many reasons beyond hunger, and indicators like wet/dirty diapers and growth curves are more reliable than crying alone.
Navigating Misinformation and Lack of Support Jaimie Zaki described how mothers often receive unhelpful or contradictory advice from friends, family, and even doctors, leading to confusion and loneliness. They noted that some mothers are convinced to stop breastfeeding for their mental health, only to find their mental health worsens, especially during situations like formula crises. Jaimie Zaki asserted that breastfeeding can be positive even when not perfect, encouraging mothers to view it as a journey that can be shaped to their needs.
The Mindset Component of Breastfeeding Brooke Harmer and Jaimie Zaki agreed that breastfeeding is largely a mental journey, asserting that a mindset of worry, lack, or stress can undermine efforts despite proper diet, lifestyle, and mechanics. Jaimie Zaki also connected this to deeper personal wounds, encouraging mothers to address chronic anxiety and negative self-talk during pregnancy to better prepare for postpartum challenges.
Understanding Perceived Low Milk Supply Jaimie Zaki elaborated on perceived low milk supply, noting that 60% of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than desired, with perceived low milk supply being the most reported reason. They explained that a baby's fussiness doesn't always indicate low milk supply; it could be due to nervous system regulation issues or the baby's inability to efficiently transfer milk, which can then lead to a drop in supply. Jaimie Zaki advised learning about red flags early, ideally during pregnancy, to prevent issues from escalating.
Addressing Pumping and Milk Supply Concerns Brooke Harmer brought up the emotional impact of tracking pumping numbers, which can lead to unnecessary worry. Jaimie Zaki clarified that pumping numbers are less reliable when combo feeding, as babies are typically more efficient at milk removal than pumps. For exclusively pumping mothers, Jaimie Zaki recommended first checking pump fit and suction settings.
Root Cause Investigation for Milk Supply Issues Jaimie Zaki explained that if pumping parameters are optimized and a mother is still not producing enough milk, a deeper root cause investigation is necessary, which might involve looking at nervous system regulation, oxytocin levels, thyroid function, and nutrition. They underscored that stress can inhibit oxytocin release, preventing milk let-down, and while supplements like magnesium can help, true underlying issues require a comprehensive approach rather than quick fixes.
Overcoming Past Breastfeeding Experiences Jaimie Zaki shared success stories of mothers who overcame significant breastfeeding challenges in subsequent pregnancies. One mother, despite a premature first baby diagnosed with NEC due to formula, exclusively breastfed her second baby for a year after resolving a mismanaged tongue tie and receiving proper support. Another mother, with a thyroid condition, found healing in understanding that past struggles were due to bad advice and unnecessary supplementation, even though she ultimately chose to stop for health reasons.
Advocating for Informed Breastfeeding Support Brooke Harmer and Jaimie Zaki emphasized that past breastfeeding experiences do not define future ones, and there is always an underlying "why" for difficulties. They strongly advised against taking primary breastfeeding advice from OBs, pediatricians, or midwives, as these professionals are not lactation specialists and often provide inadequate or even harmful recommendations. Instead, they advocated seeking holistic, in-depth support from lactation professionals who can assess the full context of a mother's situation.
Virtual Consultations and Services Offered Jaimie Zaki offers virtual lactation support across the country, highlighting that virtual consultations can be highly effective, sometimes even more so than in-person visits, as they empower mothers to take a leadership role in understanding their own bodies and babies. Jaimie Zaki's services include the "Breastfeeding with Confidence" podcast and a comprehensive, on-demand breastfeeding resource library covering preparation and problem-solving. They also offer three and six-week support packages with multiple visits and continuous text support for personalized, ongoing care.
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