Is your baby’s movement trying to tell you something about their breastfeeding struggles?

In this episode of The Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, I sit down with pediatric physical therapist Allison Mel to dive deep into a topic not enough providers are talking about—how baby motor development and breastfeeding challenges can be connected.

From tongue ties and body tension to the surprising ways swaddling can interfere with reflexes, this conversation is packed with eye-opening insights for parents who want to understand their baby’s body on a deeper level. If you’ve noticed things like head tilting, stiff arms, early rolling, or flat spots, you’ll want to listen closely—these are often overlooked signs that something deeper may be going on.

We also explore what it means to get a true functional assessment, the connection between bodywork and breastfeeding success, and how you can feel confident advocating for your baby even when your pediatrician brushes off your concerns.

This one is a must-listen if you're looking for holistic infant care, breastfeeding support, or just want to stop wondering if something is off with your baby’s movement.

👶✨ Because breastfeeding isn't just about the latch—it's about the whole baby.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• What baby movement red flags can tell us about underlying functional issues

• How oral ties (like tongue and lip ties) impact full-body development

• Why swaddling may interfere with natural reflexes and motor development

• What to look for: head tilts, early rolling, stiffness, flat spots and more

• The critical role of pediatric physical therapy in breastfeeding success

• How to choose a supportive pediatrician (and what to do if yours isn’t)

• Easy at-home stretches and bodywork strategies

• The truth about “wait and see” vs early intervention

• How to trust your gut and advocate confidently for your baby

• The power of community inside Tots on Target Membership

RESOURCES: Breastfeeding Resource Library

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Tots on Target Free Resources with Dr. Allison Mel

00:00 | Intro: Why your pediatrician's approach matters 00:17 | Welcome to the Breastfeeding With Confidence podcast 01:12 | Meet Allison Mel, Pediatric PT 01:47 | Oral ties and their impact on motor development 04:01 | Why swaddling might hinder breastfeeding and reflexes 09:23 | Movement red flags linked to oral restrictions 16:08 | Understanding flat spots and head shape concerns 21:19 | Full-body tension and ties—how they connect 23:45 | What is a functional body assessment for babies? 24:49 | Helping parents become confident advocates 25:52 | Baby bodywork: home exercises that help 27:20 | What is the Tots on Target membership? 29:45 | When to seek early intervention and why it matters 32:54 | Spotting atypical movements and what to do 41:16 | The importance of seeking specialized support 45:34 | Wrap-up and empowering final thoughts

Thinking About a Wearable Breast Pump—But Not Sure If It’s Actually a Good Idea?

If you’re pregnant or postpartum and wondering whether a wearable breast pump is worth the investment… this episode breaks it all down so you can make a decision that aligns with your breastfeeding goals.

In this episode of Breastfeeding With Confidence, I’m sharing the real pros and cons of wearable breast pumps—without the hype or the influencer noise.

Here’s what we cover:

• Who wearable pumps are actually great for

• Why they’re not usually ideal as a primary pump

• How one mom used hers to increase milk supply while combo feeding

• What you must know before buying one

• My take on popular brands like Momcozy, Baby Buddha, and more

• And why even the fanciest pump can’t replace skilled support + good strategy

Whether you’re struggling to make exclusive breastfeeding work or just want a little more flexibility without compromising your supply—this episode will help you decide if a wearable pump fits into your feeding plan.

**RESOURCES** Submit Podcast Questions/Topics/Ideas: jaimiezaki@littlebearlactation.com

FREE!! 5 Mistakes That Sabotage Breastfeeding

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Is a wearable pump right for you? Let’s talk about it. 01:06 – Welcome back + why this topic matters 02:08 – The real pros and cons of wearable breast pumps 03:41 – A mom’s story: how adding a wearable pump helped boost supply 05:24 – What to consider when choosing a pump 08:09 – Final tips + why your primary pump still matters 08:38 – How to get personalized support with your feeding plan

Are hospitals accidentally sabotaging your Golden Hour & breastfeeding success without you even realizing it?

If you're planning a hospital birth and want to exclusively breastfeed from the start, you need more than good intentions—you need a strategy. In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence podcast, I’m joined by Colette—a labor and delivery nurse who’s seen it all from the inside. Together, we unpack how to protect the Golden Hour and share real hospital birth breastfeeding tips to help you advocate for yourself and your baby from the very first moments.

We dive into:

• Why the Golden Hour after birth is one critical for successful breastfeeding

• The best hospital breastfeeding tips to make sure your baby gets skin-to-skin and a good latch before anything else

• How to confidently advocate for delayed newborn procedures that interfere with breastfeeding

• What to do when hospital staff or policies aren’t aligned with your birth and feeding goals

• How to handle difficult nurses, navigate pushy routines, and stay calm and in control

• Why having a birth plan isn’t enough—and how to communicate it effectively

• How doulas, coaches, or trained support people can help you bridge the gap between hospital care and your breastfeeding vision

Whether you're weeks away or counting down the days to delivery, this episode is packed with hospital birth breastfeeding tips and empowering insight to help you go in prepared—not blindsided.

🎧 Listen now to make sure your hospital birth supports your breastfeeding goals from minute one.

👉 Want to go deeper? Save $100 on the Breastfeeding Resource Library where you'll learn exactly how to avoid formula in the hospital and protect your breastfeeding journey from day one.

FREE!! 5 Mistakes That Sabotage Breastfeeding

Get Breastfeeding Help!

Access Breastfeeding Resources Library

Download Breastfeeding Success Bundle

Breastfeeding Prep & Thrive Prenatal & Postpartum Support

Connect with Collette @ My Friends A Nurse