The Baby Pro Podcast Shelly Taft

In this episode of the Baby Pro podcast, Kate Drake, a marketing executive and mother of twins, shares her experiences with breastfeeding while maintaining a full-time job and traveling for work. She discusses the challenges she faced, such as finding pumping facilities abroad and dealing with customs destroying her breast milk shipment. Kate offers practical tips for breastfeeding mothers traveling through airports, including researching lactation pod locations, using a travel pump bag with a cooler, and understanding TSA guidelines. She also advocates for better corporate support for working mothers who breastfeed and pump.



In this episode, you will learn the following:
The unique challenges that lactating mothers face when traveling, and the practicalities of pumping breast milk on the go.
Insufficient support structures for breastfeeding mothers within the corporate environment.
Planning and organizational skills required to manage the storage and transportation of breast milk.
Challenges of finding private and hygienic spaces to pump in transit.
Creating a supportive network and infrastructure for working mothers.



Connect with Shelly:
Website: Massachusetts IBCLC | Lactation Consultant - Shelly Taft
Insta: Instagram (@shellytaftibclc)
 
Article mentioned: 
1 in 8 U.S. women mistreated during childbirth, study shows - UPI.com
 

There are medications that can drop milk supply. In this episode, listen in as Shelly discusses one of these medications.
 
In this episode of the Baby Pro podcast, Shelly and Maria discuss various factors that may influence these findings, including socioeconomic disparities and research biases, while also examining claims about breastfeeding's link to higher IQs and healthy eating patterns. Additionally, Shelly tackles the delicate balance between breastfeeding and the use of medications like Abilify, which can potentially impact milk supply. Don't miss out on this essential conversation about the science and struggles of nursing infants.



In this episode, you will learn the following:
 
The validity of studies linking breastfeeding to higher IQs and healthier eating patterns, and advocate for systemic changes.
 
How Abilify can affect milk supply by lowering prolactin levels, potentially reducing milk production.
 
Guidance for parents balancing mental health and breastfeeding, stressing the importance of consulting healthcare providers before altering medications.
 
A call for systemic changes such as better lactation support and access to nutritious food.




Connect with Shelly:


website: Massachusetts IBCLC | Lactation Consultant - Shelly Taft
insta: Instagram (@shellytaftibclc)
Article mentioned: 
 
Research Reveals The 1 Breastfeeding Benefit We Never Saw Coming
 

Jess and Shelly discuss different postpartum and breastfeeding traditions from around the world, and what we can learn from them.
Tune into today’s episode of the Baby Pro podcast where Shelly embarks on a fascinating exploration of international breastfeeding traditions and the latest advancements in postpartum support, featuring a conversation with Jessica Hull. Jessica, a former tech executive at Google and Facebook, has now established Mother Me - an application that includes video lessons and a support network, all rooted in the scientific research of Matrescence. Mother Me is designed to help accomplished women thrive, not just endure, during their postpartum journey. Discover how cultural attitudes toward  nursing differ around the world and learn about the groundbreaking approach one mother took to improve her postpartum experience through data analysis. Additionally, Shelly and Jess weigh in on the importance of community support and parental leave policies.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
Breastfeeding practices around the world including extended breastfeeding in Mongolia and the communal support that is common in many cultures.
Challenges some mothers face in the workplace, such as lawsuits against corporations like McDonald’s and KFC for not providing adequate spaces or breaks for breastfeeding.
Practical advice for those who want to reintroduce breastfeeding after a hiatus, emphasizing patience, creating a stress-free environment and seeking guidance from a lactation specialist.
A focus on how one mother used data to analyze and improve her postpartum experience.
The positive effects of paid parental leave in Massachusetts and how such policies can reduce stress and improve postpartum family experiences.
How different cultural practices such as extended family support and traditional foods can aid recovery and lactation.
Significance of shared parenting and how cultural shifts in countries like Sweden, where paternity leave is encouraged, play pivotal roles for child rearing practices.

Connect with Jess:
Website: The Mother Me Method
Insta: Instagram (@motherme.io)
Connect with Shelly:
Website: Massachusetts IBCLC | Lactation Consultant - Shelly Taft
Insta: Instagram (@shellytaftibclc)
Article mentioned: 
McDonald’s sued for not providing adequate time, space to breastfeed

Have you been told to avoid certain foods while breastfeeding? Or told you have to consume more of other foods? Listen in as Shelly goes over the four most common myths about nutrition and breastfeeding.
 
 
In this episode of the Baby Pro podcast, Shelly discussed nutrition myths that leave nursing moms scratching their heads, cutting through the fog of misinformation surrounding breastfeeding diets, as she debunks the age-old tales of gassy veggies and the impact of caffeine and alcohol on milk supply. We also celebrate a monumental step forward for breastfeeding athletes with the Paris Olympics providing much-needed accommodations for nursing mothers for the first time. Whether you're an elite athlete or a mom juggling the daily hustle, our discussion on breastfeeding challenges and the power of support will resonate with you.




In this episode, you will learn the following:
 
How athletes and Olympians balance motherhood and competition.
 
Clarifying misconceptions about breastfeeding mothers' diets and its effects on breastfed babies.
 
The difference between cluster feeding and low milk supply, offering guidance on identifying each situation.
 
Concerns over gassy foods, caffeine, and alcohol consumption, and the necessity of a healthy diet for quality milk production.
 
Staying hydrated for milk production and dispelling  excessive water consumption is necessary for breastfeeding.
 
Connect with Shelly:
website: Massachusetts IBCLC | Lactation Consultant - Shelly Taft
insta: Instagram (@shellytaftibclc)
 
Article mentioned: 
Breastfeeding Athletes Are Finally Taken Seriously By Paris Olympics

In this episode of the Baby Pro podcast, Grace Standridge shares her inspiring journey of breastfeeding after breast reduction surgery, challenging common myths and offering hope to those facing similar struggles. We explore the realities of post-surgery breastfeeding, including the role of support systems and the battle with conditions like mastitis.  Our discussion not only uncovers the physical challenges of multiple surgeries but also the emotional resilience required to push through the doubts and frustrations that come with striving to breastfeed post-procedure.



In this episode, you will learn the following:
 
Addressing the myths and misconceptions about breastfeeding post-surgery.
 
The importance of a supportive community, including healthcare providers, lactation consultants, and doulas, in overcoming breastfeeding obstacles.
 
Outlining breast reduction surgery techniques like the anchor method and liposuction and its potential effects on future breastfeeding.
 
The emotional aspects of parenting decisions, self-worth, and the need for self-compassion regardless of feeding choices.



Connect with Shelly:


Website: Massachusetts IBCLC | Lactation Consultant - Shelly Taft
insta: Instagram (@shellytaftibclc)
 
Article mentioned: 
Birth outcomes improve in states that extend driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, research finds - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis

Let’s dive deep into a world where breastfeeding is not just about nutrition; it’s an emotional rollercoaster, a physiological marvel and a cultural conversation. In today’s episode of the Baby Pro podcast, we’re exploring the intricate world of breastfeeding and unveils the personal challenges faced from low milk supply to oversupply, mastitis and plugged ducts. Practical advice was also shared for managing overactive letdown and oversupply, tackling breastfeeding positions and the physiological aspects of milk production influenced by hormones like prolactin and oxytocin. 
 
Tune in to discover that the path of breastfeeding may be filled with difficulties, however with the right knowledge, supportive guidance and effective methods, these can be overcome ensuring optimal nurturing for their babies.
 
 
In this episode, you will learn the following:
Personal experiences with breastfeeding, discussing a study on babies’ night waking and intelligence.
A critical look at the cry it out method and its impact on infants.
Understanding breast milk oversupply and hormonal influences on milk production.
The challenges of breastfeeding with an oversupply of milk and its impact on infants.
Strategies for managing breastfeeding oversupply and coping with a strong letdown reflex.



Connect with Shelly:
Website: Massachusetts IBCLC | Lactation Consultant - Shelly Taft
Insta: Instagram (@shellytaftibclc)



Article mentioned: It's a good thing that your baby doesn't sleep through the night 
Expert says it's actually a good thing that your baby won't sleep through night