Breastfeeding may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it always comes naturally and when something isn’t working, there’s usually more to the story.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Tabitha Baker, pediatric nurse and lactation consultant with Birmingham Breastfeeding, to talk about some of the reasons breastfeeding can become difficult, even when it seems like you’re doing everything “right.”

One of my favorite parts of our conversation is what can happen around the 3- to 4-month mark. Feeding may have seemed to be going well and then suddenly there are concerns with milk supply, weight gain, latch, or feeding efficiency. Tabitha explains why this transition can sometimes reveal an underlying issue that wasn’t as obvious in those early weeks.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Possible causes of low milk supply and why it isn’t always as simple as “make more milk”
• The 3- to 4-month breastfeeding shift and why feeding difficulties can suddenly appear
• Tongue ties, oral function, and what really matters when deciding whether intervention is needed
• How latch, positioning, body tension, and milk transfer can affect breastfeeding
• Preparing for breastfeeding before your baby arrives
• When it may be time to reach out to a lactation consultant
• What to consider when choosing a breast pump and preparing to return to work

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, pumping, or wondering why feeding suddenly feels harder than it used to, this conversation will give you practical information to help you ask better questions and look a little deeper.

Because sometimes the question isn’t simply, “Do I have enough milk?”

It might be, “What’s making it difficult for my baby to get it?”

Connect with Tabitha & Birmingham Breastfeeding

Website: https://www.birminghambreastfeeding.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birminghambreastfeeding/

Connect with Amanda

Grab my Free Parent Guide: Could These Signs Be Connected? The Free Parent Guide to Mouth Breathing, Sleep, Speech, Feeding & Oral Habits : https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/

Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook

The Root Cause Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/

Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandlight.slp

Pelvic floor therapy isn’t just for pregnancy or postpartum recovery and a tight pelvic floor doesn’t necessarily mean a strong one.

In this episode of Root Cause Conversations, Amanda sits down with Dr. Stephanie Perez, physical therapist and owner of Empowered Wellness in Pelham, Alabama, to talk about what the pelvic floor actually does and the symptoms that may signal pelvic floor dysfunction.

From urinary leakage and painful intercourse to constipation, bedwetting, hip pain, and low back pain, Stephanie explains why symptoms that seem unrelated may have a pelvic floor component, and why simply doing more Kegels isn’t always the answer.

Amanda and Stephanie also discuss pelvic floor health during perimenopause, why young athletes can experience pelvic floor dysfunction, the connection between constipation and bedwetting in children, and why men may benefit from pelvic floor therapy before and after prostate procedures.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What the pelvic floor is and how it functions as part of the core
• Why a tight pelvic floor is not necessarily a strong pelvic floor
• Signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction
• Urinary leakage, constipation, and healthy bathroom habits
• The connection between constipation and bedwetting in children
• Painful intercourse and pelvic floor changes during perimenopause
• Why pelvic floor therapy isn’t only for women who have given birth
• Pelvic floor concerns in athletes and younger women
• Pelvic floor therapy for men and prostate health
• What happens during a pelvic floor therapy evaluation
• Why individualized treatment and home programs matter

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation? You don’t have to wait until symptoms become severe—or assume that pain, leakage, constipation, or discomfort is simply something you have to live with.

Understanding your body and asking better questions can be the first step toward finding the right support.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Stephanie Perez is a physical therapist and owner of Empowered Wellness in Pelham, Alabama. Her team provides pelvic floor physical therapy and whole-person care designed to help patients better understand their bodies, address the underlying contributors to their symptoms, and feel more confident in their health.

RESOURCES

Follow Dr. Stephanie Perez and Empowered Wellness:
https://www.instagram.com/pelvicptmama/

Learn more about Empowered Wellness:
https://empoweredwellnesspt.com/

Download Dr. Stephanie's Free C-Section Recovery Guide:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16-gAmssdVGo6JSod5yo6yZVJ4GIUGtUC/view?usp=sharing

ABOUT ROOT CAUSE CONVERSATIONS

Root Cause Conversations explores the connections between the way our bodies function, the way we live, and our overall health and wellness. Host Amanda Mavrakos, MS, CCC-SLP, sits down with professionals across healthcare and wellness to ask better questions, connect the dots, and help listeners become more informed advocates for themselves and their families.

Root Cause Conversations
Whole Person Health, Grounded in Truth.

Connect with Amanda

Grab my Free Parent Guide: Could These Signs Be Connected? The Free Parent Guide to Mouth Breathing, Sleep, Speech, Feeding & Oral Habits : https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/

Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook

The Root Cause Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/

Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandlight.slp

What if the symptoms we see in our children are only one piece of a much larger story?

In this episode of Root Cause Conversations, Amanda sits down with Kristin from Bloom Pediatrics to explore a more comprehensive, root-cause approach to children’s health. Together, they discuss the value of looking beyond isolated symptoms and considering how the different systems of the body work together.

Kristin shares how a functional and whole-child perspective can help families connect the dots between concerns that may initially seem unrelated. Their conversation highlights the importance of listening carefully to parents, asking deeper questions, and recognizing that common symptoms should not automatically be dismissed simply because many children experience them.

This episode is an encouraging reminder that parents do not have to settle for continually managing symptoms without understanding why they may be occurring. Through education, collaboration, and individualized care, families can feel more confident advocating for their children and taking meaningful next steps.

In this conversation, Amanda and Kristin dive into topics including:

• PANS and PANDAS, including signs parents may notice and why sudden behavioral or neurological changes deserve a closer look
• Heavy metal exposure and detoxification in children
• Gut health and the connection between the gut, brain, immune system, and overall well-being
• Inflammation and how underlying inflammation may present in children
• Nutrition, nutrient deficiencies, and their potential impact on a child’s health
• Environmental exposures and other factors that can contribute to chronic or unexplained symptoms
• Functional medicine testing and what clinicians may look for when investigating underlying contributors
• Why “common” doesn’t necessarily mean “optimal” when it comes to children’s health
• The importance of listening to parents when they know something has changed in their child
• How functional medicine, traditional medicine, and other healthcare disciplines can work together to support the whole child

Connect with Kristin:

Website: https://www.bloom-pediatrics.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloom.pediatrics/

Connect with Amanda

Grab my Free Parent Guide: Could These Signs Be Connected? The Free Parent Guide to Mouth Breathing, Sleep, Speech, Feeding & Oral Habits : https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/

Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook

The Root Cause Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/

Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandlight.slp

Okay everyone at the table, if you've ever noticed your baby favoring one side, a flat spot forming on their head, or something that just felt a little "off" about how they move, we're unpacking all of this today. I'm sitting down with Jill Moscicki from Leap Pediatric Therapy, a pediatric PT who works with kids from birth all the way through age 22, to talk about what's really going on underneath things like torticollis and plagiocephaly, and why "wait and see" isn't always the safest approach.

Jill walks us through how to spot early red flags, why catching these things sooner rather than later makes such a difference, and what the process actually looks like if your child needs equipment or extra support along the way. We also dig into the root cause behind these physical delays, not just the visible symptom, because understanding the why changes how you show up for your child.

If you're a parent trusting your gut about something you've noticed, or you just want to understand what pediatric PT actually covers, pull up a seat, this one's for you.

Connect with Jill at Leap Pediatric Therapy:

Website: https://admin273528.wixsite.com/leapbham

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapbham/

Connect with Amanda

Grab my Free Parent Guide: Could These Signs Be Connected? The Free Parent Guide to Mouth Breathing, Sleep, Speech, Feeding & Oral Habits : https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/

Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook

The Root Cause Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/

Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandlight.slp

What a Doula Really Does: Prenatal, Birth & Postpartum Support (with Birmingham Doula Rachel Bailey)

Okay, y'all — this episode is one every expecting parent needs to hear. I'm sitting down with Birmingham-area doula Rachel Bailey of Eleison Doula Services to talk about what a doula actually does, because I promise it's so much more than "just being there" during labor.

Rachel walks us through what real support looks like from pregnancy through those early postpartum weeks, helping families write flexible birth plans, navigate hospital routines, and get hands-on comfort support during labor (without stepping on your partner's role!). We also get into postpartum priorities like newborn care, meals, and even overnight support so exhausted parents can actually sleep. Rachel shares how she makes space for faith and spirituality in the birth space, when to reach out if you're considering a doula, and the questions to ask to find the right fit for your family.

If you're pregnant, hoping to be, or just want to understand what support during birth can really look like — pull up a seat, this one's for you.

00:00 Welcome and Disclaimer
00:52 Meet the Doula
04:40 What Doulas Do Daily
07:35 Supporting Different Birth Paths
10:18 Birth Doula Support Breakdown
14:57 Postpartum and Overnight Care
18:46 When to Hire a Doula
20:41 Childbirth Class Options
23:52 Faith and Spiritual Support
31:59 Choosing the Right Doula
37:44 Root Desires and Birth Goals
39:50 Class Pitch and Wrap Up
43:00 Final Thanks and Subscribe

Connect with Rachel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleisondoula/

Website: https://eleisondoula.com/

Birth Classes: https://eleisondoula.com/childbirth-classes-birmingham-al/

Connect with Amanda

Grab my Free Parent Guide: Could These Signs Be Connected? The Free Parent Guide to Mouth Breathing, Sleep, Speech, Feeding & Oral Habits : https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/

Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook

The Root Cause Co. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/

Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saltandlight.slp

Have you ever felt like you've been told what is happening, but no one could explain why?

Welcome to the very first episode of Root Cause Conversations! In this intro episode, I'm sharing why I created this podcast and what you can expect from the conversations ahead.

I talk about how working with kids who weren't making the progress I expected in speech therapy led me to start asking better questions. That journey introduced me to myofunctional therapy, tethered oral tissues, and the incredible connections between breathing, swallowing, oral function, speech, and overall health.

This podcast is all about connecting the dots. We'll explore speech therapy, tongue ties, oral health, airway and feeding challenges, and whole-person wellness—while also making space for conversations about faith, family, and personal growth.

Season One features conversations with incredible clinicians and local experts, including a doula, pediatric physical therapist, occupational therapist, orthodontist, and more, all centered around the real questions I'm hearing from families and professionals every day.

If you're ready to stop settling for quick answers and start understanding the why, you're in the right place.

Be sure to check the show notes for my free Root Cause Starter Guide and my Root Cause Course if you'd like to keep learning beyond the podcast.

Stay curious, keep asking questions, and I'll see you next time on Root Cause Conversations.

Continue Your Root Cause Journey

📖 Free Download: Root Cause Parent Starter Guide
A simple guide to help you better understand tongue ties, oral habits, airway health, and what to look for.
Download here: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

🎓 Want to dive deeper?
Explore the Root Cause Course—a self-paced course designed to help parents confidently connect the dots.
Learn more: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/rootcause-course

📖 Related Reading
Continue learning with this week's featured blog post.
https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/post/what-every-parent-should-know-about-airway-health-tongue-ties-and-speech-therapy-and-what-we-re-d

Connect with Amanda

A Little Something Extra for Our Listeners!

We've created a FREE interactive Root Cause Resource Library to help you make sense of some of the things we talk about here on the podcast. Inside, you'll find practical checklists and resources covering topics like sleep, oral habits, and more—all organized in one easy-to-use place.

https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

Stay connected with Root Cause Conversations!

Still curious? Good. We like curious people around here. Join the Root Cause Conversations email community for the things we can’t always fit into an episode.

Pull up a chair & join us → https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/phhol2p41i

• Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/
• Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tonguetieebook
• The RCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseco/
• Salt & Light Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltandlightspeechtherapy/

Welcome to Root Cause Conversations! I'm Amanda Mavrakos, MS, CCC-SLP speech-language pathologist, small business owner, and woman of faith. In this trailer I'm sharing who I am, why I created this podcast, and what you can expect from every episode. If you're a parent searching for answers, a provider who wants to think differently, or anyone who has ever felt alone in their health journey, there's a seat at this table for you.

Subscribe so you don't miss Episode 1 dropping soon!

Connect with Amanda

A Little Something Extra for Our Listeners!

Want to keep connecting the dots long after the episode ends?

We've created a FREE interactive Root Cause Resource Library to help you make sense of some of the things we talk about here on the podcast. Inside, you'll find practical checklists and resources covering topics like sleep, oral habits, and more—all organized in one easy-to-use place.

No more digging through endless Google searches. Just helpful information you can explore at your own pace, right from home.

https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/rootcauseguide

Stay connected with Root Cause Conversations!

Still curious? Good. We like curious people around here.

Join the Root Cause Conversations email community for the things we can’t always fit into an episode--helpful resources, practical education, freebies, podcast extras, and more ways to help you connect the dots.

Pull up a chair & join us → https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/phhol2p41i

• Website: https://www.saltandlight-slp.com/
• Navigating Tongue Ties e-book: https://saltandlightspeech.myflodesk.com/tongueti...