Helpful Tips

Feeding your baby is deeply emotional work — tender, exhausting, and often far more complicated than new moms are led to believe. When breastfeeding feels harder than expected, many women blame themselves or push through pain and overwhelm because of pressure from comparison or the old “breast is best” mentality. In this blog, therapist Sasha Lloyd, PMH-C LCSW, breaks down how therapy can support moms through feeding challenges by easing guilt, reducing intrusive thoughts, and helping you make choices that protect both your mental health and your bond with your baby. No matter how you feed your little one, you deserve support, compassion, and the reminder that fed is best — and you are doing an amazing job.

Birth and breastfeeding are deeply connected—but when birth includes trauma, interventions, or early separation, feeding can feel harder than expected. This blog explores the research behind how birth experiences shape breastfeeding, the emotional impact on both mother and baby, and why trauma-informed, somatic, and IBCLC support can help families heal and find connection again.

Annie, a postpartum doula and lactation educator based in San Diego, emphasizes the importance of support during the early postpartum period. She advocates for the collaboration between postpartum doulas and IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) to provide comprehensive care for new parents. Doulas offer practical support and emotional reassurance, while IBCLCs focus on lactation and breastfeeding challenges. Annie encourages parents to build a trusted support team before their baby arrives, ensuring they feel confident and empowered throughout the transition into parenthood. Through her practice, Doulacta, she offers compassionate, evidence-based care and community workshops.