Think your pediatrician has all the breastfeeding answers? The truth is, most don’t and that’s not a knock on them. It’s a reflection of the limited lactation training in pediatric residency. That’s why I sat down with Dr. Lauren Hughes, founder of Bloom Pediatrics and a double threat: pediatrician and IBCLC. Together, we unpack the myths, the mental load, and the real deal about breastfeeding support that parents deserve but don’t always get in those early days. We talk about: Why pediatricians often give confusing (or just plain wrong) advice around lactation How the term “nipple confusion” creates shame instead of support and what’s really going on with flow preference How pumping, pacifiers, and supplementation can all fit into a successful feeding planWhy protecting a parent’s mental health is just as important as protecting their milk supply To connect with Dr. Lauren Hughes follow her on Instagram @bloomdcp and check out all her resources at https://www.drlaurenhughes.com/ We’d like to know who is listening! Please fill out our Listener Survey to help us improve the show and learn about you! 00:00 – Intro 03:08 – Meet Dr. Lauren: Pediatrician and IBCLC 05:29 – Breastfeeding Training Gaps in Pediatrics 07:57 – What Parents Deserve in Feeding Support 10:20 – How DPC Supports Better Lactation Care 12:11 – Why Pediatricians Should Also Be IBCLCs 14:23 – The Pacifier Panic: When to Introduce It 17:13 – Formula Stigma and Feeding Shame 20:11 – Healing from Birth and Feeding Trauma 22:30 – “Science Milk”: Reframing Formula 24:12 – How to Talk About Pacifiers (Without Judging Moms) 26:25 – Exclusive Pumping is Still Breastfeeding 27:58 – The Role of Policy in Feeding Goals 29:11 – Supplementing Wisely: When and How 31:15 – Pumped Milk vs. Formula: Stop the Math Game 33:18 – Babies Aren’t Robots 35:15 – The Problem with Overtracking Feeds 36:05 – Protecting Supply: What Pediatricians Miss 37:11 – Triple Feeding: What Actually Helps 40:33 – The Sleep Trap: Prioritizing Baby Sleep Over Supply 41:08 – Realistic Overnight Routines for Pumping Parents 42:54 – Twin Feeding Realities + Supply Building 43:34 – Time Limits at the Breast: Who Are They For? 45:46 – One Last Myth: Formula Before Bed = Better Sleep? 47:19 – Final Words: Your Worth Isn’t Measured in Ounces Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠. Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support. We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices