This week I'm answering a coaching call question from an extended breastfeeding mom:"My toddler often doesn't accept dad at night when she wakes up crying. I am and have always been the preferred parent. I have just found out about a work trip I need to take which will have me away from my 2-year-old overnight for the first time. Typically, I feed her to sleep and to resettle throughout the night. If I am out of the house for bedtime, she does goes to sleep for other people,...

**SUBMIT YOUR Q FOR ME TO ANSWER IN FUTURE EPISODES** In this week's episode of Start to Stop Toddler Breastfeeding, I'm answering a question I received from a student in Own Your Breastfeeding Story.  "How can I encourage my 2 year old to settle down when he is on the bed with us?  We cosleep and most of the time especially in the morning when he wakes up, after he nurses from me, he immediately goes to wake up our 4 month old, or will start making big movements that will wake her up.  We...

**AUDIO FIXED** Breastfeeding a toddler and a newborn... at the same time -> most people in the Western world think this is crazy.  And yet, I breastfed 2 kids (of different ages) for 3.5 years, and I hear from listeners all the time who are either doing it or considering it.  But, just like most things "extended breastfeeding" there aren't many places to find support when you start out on your tandem nursing journey.  In this final part of the Tandem Feeding series I give you all the...

Breastfeeding a toddler and a newborn... at the same time -> most people in the Western world think this is crazy.  And yet, I breastfed 2 kids (of different ages) for 3.5 years, and I hear from listeners all the time who are either doing it or considering it.  But, just like fertility & contraception while breastfeeding a toddler (and breastfeeding through pregnancy) there aren't many places to find support when you start out on your tandem nursing journey.  In this final part of...

Finding out you are pregnant is a complex at the best of times.   Having concerns about safety for you and your growing baby, finding your life impacted in ways you never would have expected, and feeling emotions you didn't know were possible (thank you hormones!) are all normal things in pregnancy - but there is an added layer of concern and change when you conceive while you are currently breastfeeding.  It's (unfortunately) common to immediately get advice from friends, family, and even...

Trying to understand your fertility while you are breastfeeding your toddler is an uphill battle.  Sure - Google abounds with tips & information about conception and contraception, but less so about conception and contraception while you are breastfeeding... and finding support for making sense of those things while you are breastfeeding a TODDLER?!  ...virtually impossible.  But, have no fear - your toddler breastfeeding guru is here! [insert Wonder Woman gif]  In this half hour...

Have you ever felt the pressure of setting specific breastfeeding goals? I know I have!  In the beginning, I felt like I had to have these concrete goals because, let's face it, everyone asks! But guess what? Once you are actually "in it" - things shift and change day-to-day and all of that concrete thinking feels a whole lot more abstract.  In this episode, I share my journey from setting specific goals to embracing a more values-based approach... and the shift I am seeing in those I...

Welcome to episode three of this Behind the Scenes series!  In this candid conversation, I'm opening up about my mental health journey, embracing the highs and lows of anxiety, and depression, and sharing how it all ties into my experience with nursing aversion.  This episode isn't just about my journey; it's an invitation to explore the intersection of mental health, motherhood - and of course, breastfeeding.  I also dip into the things that have supported me through the most intense...

Tune into this episode to hear about sleep, boundaries, and more in my home right now. Ever wonder what life might look like if you were breastfeeding a 4 year old? Apparently, a lot of you have! Hundreds of you were curious about my current breastfeeding experience.  So, I decided to break down what it's like to breastfeed my 4-year-old. I know it sounds like the title of a click-bait article, but the truth is, the fact that I am *still* breastfeeding my 4 year old barely enters my...

If you have longed for a "me too," or an "I get it" for the times when parenting feels like you are just doing what you can to survive the day - this is the episode for you. 2023 was a crazy ride for me.  Launching this podcast was incredible, but a lot was going on behind the scenes - including health struggles for me, which led to a lot of "survival mode parenting". Over the next month, I'll be sharing shorter, laid-back episodes that explore some of the things that I have experienced...

The shirt-pulling, screaming, and demands to breastfeed have gotten to the point that you find yourself dreading them before your toddler has even thought about breastfeeding again. When they do, inevitably "ask" to breastfeed, the fear of reinforcing all of their bad behaviors reverberates through your body as you quickly try to decide if you will hold the boundary; or give in to their demands this time. ...and the guilt that comes from the fact that they "act" so poorly can be...

Breastfeeding & weaning your toddler with confidence and connection isn't impossible.  But the reason it feels that way (at least some of the time) isn't your fault.  In today's podcast episode I break down the first of 3 cultural traps that keep you stuck and frustrated on your natural term breastfeeding & toddler weaning journey. (The other 2 are available in my free instant-access workshop here!) The trap?  The belief/instinct to start by changing your child's behavior first....

"They swarm me whenever I sit down and will SCREAM until I breastfeed them - and then they are off to play.  They never want snuggle without breastfeeding.  I feel like all I am is a milk machine."  - Have you ever had these thoughts? I know I have! This week I challenge the cultural narrative that we are only milk machines, unpack the ways that this belief impacts our moment-by-moment breastfeeding, and leave you with some practical tips to connect with your child beyond the boob....

Lactation support for newborns is hard enough to come by - but when I decided to focus on toddler breastfeeding there was NO one to look too and say "ah, that's how it's done!"  So, there was (a lot of) trial & error as I worked to create some kind of support that WORKED to help toddler breastfeeding families get unstuck from the loop of boundary burnout and thrive in their breastfeeding & weaning.  In this episode I take you through the different methods I tried, what worked and...

Hands up if you have gone back & forth about whether or not you should wean your breastfeeding toddler?! 🙋‍♀️ It makes sense - and trust me, you are NOT alone.  (It's one of the most common dilemmas "extended" breastfeeding moms face.)  In this episode, I offer you an alternative to the "to wean or not to wean" conundrum that will have you feeling hopeful and empowered regardless of your weaning status.  Key Takeaways: 1. Self-Aggression vs. Self-Kindness: Understand the fundamental...

In this episode, I discuss the challenges of weaning your booby-obsessed toddler when they're not quite ready to stop breastfeeding. I explore the role of internal experiences, stress, and co-regulation in this process. Key Points: You Can't Magically Make Them Ready: Unfortunately, you can't instantly make your toddler ready to wean - no matter how badly you might want to! It's important to understand that their internal experiences and feelings can't be changed on a whim - but that doesn't...

Who knew you would be longing for the early days of breastfeeding again a year or two don't the road? It seems to get MORE complicated the further along you go - and the big reason for this? Really terrible advice, from (often) really well-meaning people!  In this week's podcast episode I am breaking down the 3 different types of toddler breastfeeding "advice" I see out in the world:  Behaviour FocusedFantasy FocusedOverly Generalized AND I'll be sharing why I believe there is still so...

Breastfeeding on demand is recommended by leading health & breastfeeding organizations around the world, but what happens when your little one isn't so little anymore?   Is there an age where you should stop offering breastmilk anytime your child asks?  And if there is - what are you supposed to do after it?  In this podcast episode, I break down:  What on-demand breastfeeding isWhy it's recommended (and touch on the sorted history of infant feeding recommendations) 3 Problems with...

The hardest part about night weaning?  The BIG emotions!  In this episode, I break down:  The 2 types of toddler "mis"-behavior (what to do for each kind) 6 Big picture considerations for less-stress night weaning4 steps to navigate night time tantrumss (and when to change course)My best "tip" for night weaning your toddlerIf you want to read this podcast as a blog - head over here.   Free Live Workshop Oct 27th: Designing Your Pathway to Toddler Breastfeeding Mastery.   Full weaning,...

Ever wished you could decode the enigma of infant and toddler sleep? As your guide through this labyrinth, I’m excited to bring you my engaging conversation with Kim Hawley, an expert in holistic sleep coaching, lactation consulting, and peaceful parenting education – a rare combination indeed! Drawing on Kim’s years of experience, we delve into the winding path of sleep in a child’s early years, distinguishing what’s normal, what's not, and how to respond when you're caught in the crosshairs...

Engorgement, clogged ducts & mastitis are words all breastfeeding moms are familiar with. They can be scary & overwhelming, particularly at the beginning of your breastfeeding journey, but can pop up throughout the duration of time that you are breastfeeding - mainly when significant changes are happening in your life, including night weaning & complete weaning. To further complicate things, there has been a fundamental shift in the way that science and leading lactation...

Labour and deliver impact breastfeeding - and Beau Wilson is here to share all about it. Whether you are pregnant with your first, or planning for your third, this episode will leave you inspired & empowered. Learn about how you can set yourself up for success in both your birthing & breastfeeding, regardless of the external factors that you encounter - and how the power of your intuition can guide you.  About Beau: Beau is a passionate Australian midwife with over a decade of...

Ever wondered why your little one wakes up frequently throughout the night, leaving you both exhausted? Could it be something more than just regular feeding needs? This episode illuminates how certain overlooked medical issues might be the hidden culprits affecting sleep patterns.  Learn about the unexpected connection between low iron levels, thyroid imbalances, and sleep disturbances. Discover how something as simple as a blood test might be the key to unlocking a peaceful night's sleep for...

What happens when we start taking care of our bodies and minds during pregnancy and after childbirth? Kath Baquie, a women's physiotherapist and the founder of FitNest Mama, joins us to share her unique insights. In this enlightening conversation, we discuss the real post-birth challenges and how they can affect your breastfeeding journey.  Kath also shares some practical strategies for breastfeeding moms, including the art of lying down to breastfeed—a real game-changer for many...