Ep. 405 Boob School 101: Real Talk About Breastfeeding, Pumping, and Surviving the First Year with Kelly Kendall

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe sits down with lactation superstar Kelly Kendall, RN and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), to get real about breastfeeding — the joys, the struggles, and everything in between. They dive into the realities new parents face, from hand-expressing colostrum and mastering proper latching to managing oversupply, nipple trauma, and sleepy newborns. HeHe also introduces the Birth Lounge app, packed with bite-sized, evidence-based tools to help you feel confident navigating parenthood. Kelly shares practical, heart-centered advice for building a supportive environment, getting your partner involved, using pumps effectively, and keeping your milk supply healthy — without shame or pressure. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or navigating feeding with a little one already at home, this episode is overflowing with actionable strategies, evidence-backed guidance, and a dose of compassion only HeHe can deliver/ 00:00 Embracing the Realities of Parenting 01:06 Introduction to The Birth Lounge App 02:16 Features of The Birth Lounge App 05:04 Breastfeeding Statistics and Challenges 08:27 Interview with Lactation Consultant Kelly Kendall 13:52 Breastfeeding Techniques and Tips 25:41 The Importance of Baby-Led Latching 36:03 Common Breastfeeding Challenges and Solutions 38:31 Avoiding the Vicious Cycle of Breastfeeding 38:43 Frequency of Feeding and Its Impact on Supply 39:32 Sleepy Newborns and Feeding Challenges 46:11 The Importance of Night Feedings 47:48 Breastfeeding and Postpartum Self-Care 48:57 Navigating Social Media Expectations 49:33 Breastfeeding Subsequent Children 52:55 Dealing with Nipple Trauma 58:17 Introducing a Pump: Timing and Tips 01:03:40 Partner Support in Breastfeeding 01:05:22 Final Thoughts and Advice for New Parents   Guest Bio: Kelly Kendall is a registered nurse and internationally board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) who’s been elbows-deep in boobs and babies for years—both in the hospital and as a private practice After watching too many parents get steamrolled by outdated advice and sugarcoated nonsense, she created Boob School: a no-fluff, all-facts lactation program that shows you how to prevent breastfeeding chaos, survive the messy middle, and get back on track when it all goes sideways. INSTAGRAM: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with Kelly on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   LINKS MENTIONED: https://firstdroplets.com/ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13006-020-00261-4   https://firstdroplets.com/science/   https://www.thebalancedboob.com/boob-school-expectant   Use code Hehe10 to get 10% off boob school! https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/media/pdfs/2024/05/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf#page=65 https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/about/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com Listen to episode 240 of The Birth Lounge Podcast all about hand expression here!  Listen to episode 356 of The Birth Lounge Podcast all about perceived low milk supply here!  Get 10% off Silverettes to support your breastfeeding journey with code HEHE