Have you ever googled something at 2am and walked away feeling more confused than before?

Feeding and sleep advice can be loud, conflicting, and often loaded with unnecessary pressure, especially in the early weeks when you’re already tired and trying to figure everything out as you go.

This episode is part of The Science of Motherhood Summer Series, where Dr Renee White revisits some of your favourite conversations, the ones that made you feel calmer, more informed, and less alone.

In this replay, Renee chats with Melissa Hays, international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), holistic sleep coach, and former paediatric nurse and midwife, about the myths that cause the most stress for new mums. They talk about feeding to sleep, milk supply, breast size, contact sleep, and the belief that going back to work means breastfeeding has to end.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing it wrong because your baby feeds often, settles best close to you, or doesn’t fit the “should” advice you’ve heard, this episode brings things back to what’s normal and what’s actually supported by evidence.

You’ll hear about:

1. Why feeding to sleep is normal, and why guilt around it is so common
2. Why breast size has nothing to do with supply, and what affects feeding patterns instead
3. What’s happening in the early weeks when milk supply regulates
4. Why newborns are wired for closeness, and why “only sleeps on me” is so common
5. Why you don’t have to wean to return to work, and what continuing can look like

If feeding or sleep has felt heavier than you expected, this one will help you breathe out. Share it with a mum who needs a steady voice, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next replay.

Resources & Links

📲 Connect with Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_

🌐 Learn more about Dr Renee White and explore Fill Your Cup Doula services

🍪 Treat yourself with our Chocolate + Goji lactation cookies

📲 Connect with Melissa Hays on Instagram: @cocoonandcradle

🌐 Learn more about Melissa’s breastfeeding & sleep support services

This episode is proudly supported by Fill Your Cup, Australia’s first doula village.

Disclaimer

The information on this podcast presented by Fill Your Cup is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this episode is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.