The New School Of Motherhood Podcast

Breastfeeding is often treated as something that starts when your baby arrives. But what happens in birth, the support you receive afterward, and the beliefs you carry into motherhood all shape how that relationship begins.In this episode, I’m joined by midwife and lactation consultant Katie James to explore the connection between birth, breastfeeding, and the transition into motherhood. We talk about how interventions, separation after birth, skin-to-skin contact, and postpartum care can influence feeding in the early days. Katie shares why breastfeeding is more than nutrition. It is a relationship between mother and baby, built through responsiveness and connection.We also look at how formula marketing, social media, and pressure to recover quickly can leave women doubting themselves when feeding doesn’t unfold as expected. Birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum are deeply interconnected. When we miss that, many women blame their bodies. Often what was missing was support, information, and the conditions needed for breastfeeding to establish.Key insightsBirth and breastfeeding are linked physically, hormonally, and emotionallySkin-to-skin and postpartum support shape early feedingBreastfeeding is a relationship, not just milkChallenges are often circumstantial, not personal failurePartners matter because feeding is part of becoming a familyLet this episode offer perspective rather than pressure. Whatever your feeding journey has looked like, you deserve compassion, not self-blame.If this podcast episode resonates, explore ⁠The Mother They Remember⁠ - a guided emotional reflection for women in pregnancy, postpartum and early motherhood who want to approach motherhood more consciously.About our guest:Katie James is a midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, andcreator of The Midwives’ Cauldron and The Latch Revolution podcasts. With 25years’ clinical experience, she is known for her warm, evidence-based approach tobreastfeeding and early feeding education.Join her breastfeeding online course: https://www.katiejames.site/Follow her on Instagram @katiejameslactationListen to The Latch Revolution Podcast: https://www.thelatchrevolution.com/About your host:Mandy Cai⁠ is an early motherhood mentor helping intentional women navigate the emotional, relational and identity transformation of becoming a mother.⁠Begin the guided reflection⁠⁠Subscribe to her newsletter⁠⁠Connect on Instagram⁠⁠Follow on Rednote / 小红书