October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and so on this episode of Weaning It, Erin sits down with her friend Caitlin LoCascio-King who is a veteran breastfeeding mom of 4, a lawyer and business woman who had a double mastectomy earlier this year.

Caitlin shares her four different breastfeeding experiences, two of which extended beyond a year.

She then explains how her family history of cancer prompted her to begin getting routine mammograms and breast MRIs before the age of 40 and how doing so resulted in a double mastectomy.

She shares her health journey over the last year and how being a breast-feeding mom influenced her perception of her surgery.

Episode Links

Pockets of Hope

BCalmed Inc

If you or someone you know goes through breast cancer surgery, these are amazing resources and items that you can gift to them.

You can find Caitlin on Instagram @cllk09.

I am honored to have five 5 start Apple reviews of the show! But having more will help our audience grow. After listening to this week's episode would you go here and leave a review?

IG: ⁠@erin.nursingmamas⁠ (DM me and say hello!)

Take the Extended Breastfeeding Quiz - ⁠HERE⁠

Join the Nursing Mamas' Social Circle - ⁠HERE⁠

Purchase the Gentle Toddler Weaning Course - HERE

Book a 15 minute consult - ⁠HERE

Erin critiques a Motherly article on gentle parenting and questions if a gentle parenting backlash is on the horizon.

Like most fads and trends, gentle parenting can be taken to the extreme and be so distorted it no longer resembles its original form.

She provides 3 tips to decide if parenting advice is a good fit for you, and when to see additional help.

Next, she discusses how to apply gentle parenting techniques when your toddler hits, and how to look at their hitting through a new lens (spoiler: they're not mad, they're scared).

Q&A of the Day

Cassandra asks, "I've done a little research on this but can't seem to find any information for toddler aged breastfeeders. Does my hormonal cycle impact my child through my breast milk? I have noticed that on my really difficult hormonal days my toddler also really struggles. It's like she has PMS too! Of course this could be from her picking up on my mood, but I have long wondered if she's receiving hormones through my milk?"

Wins & Whines

Powdered vitamins, homework, feminism

Resources/Links

The Gentle Toddler Weaning Course - HERE

Read the Motherly Article - HERE

My go-to Gentle Parenting Book - HERE

Kids powdered vitamins - HERE

Adult powdered vitamins - HERE

Let's connect!

IG: @erin.nursingmamas (DM me and say hello!)

Take the Extended Breastfeeding Quiz - HERE

Join the Nursing Mamas' Social Circle - HERE

Book a 15 minute consult - HERE

In this conversation, Ciera Greene discusses her experience as a toddler nursing mom and her role as the owner of Fit4Mom South Orange County, a fitness program for pre and postnatal moms.

She shares her thoughts on extended nursing, the emotional connection it creates, and the privilege of being able to provide nourishment and care for her child.

Ciera also talks about the benefits of Fit4Mom, including the opportunity to connect with other moms, the focus on mind-body connection, and the specialized training for prenatal and postpartum fitness.

She emphasizes that it's never too late to start prioritizing self-care and strengthening the body after childbirth.

Resources

• Nursing Mamas' Social Circle - HERE
• Follow Ciera Greene on Instagram - HERE
• Find a Fit4Mom class near you - HERE
• Follow Erin on Instagram - HERE
• Questions? Email Erin at erin@nursingmamas.com

Ever feel lonely in your extended breastfeeding journey?

I polled my audience on Instagram, and here were the results:

- 53% of respondents feel lonely in toddler nursing all the time

- 34% sometimes

- 13% don't really feel lonely

Sadly, it is extremely common, especially as an extended nurser to feel isolated and alone. Some of you may not know another toddler nursing mom, and others may be navigating judgement from others for your decision to continue nursing.

In today's episode, Erin deep dives the latest Surgeon General's Warning that being a parent is bad for your mental health - including feelings of loneliness.

She reviews the suggested solutions and provides her own thoughts about which are a good idea, and which will just add more work on our mom plates.

Ultimately, the key to loneliness is community. Listen in as Erin discusses the latest Nursing Mamas resource - The Nursing Mamas' Social Circle - A monthly based subscription community with:

- 2 monthly group zoom sessions

- A private community off social media to share your wins, questions and cheer each other on

- Perfect for moms in any stage of extended nursing; from newbie looking for advice, burnt out mama struggling with breastfeeding boundaries, or moms nearing the end and needing support to land the plane.

- Starting at only $19/mo, this is the most cost effective way to get in-person support with Erin while also meeting fellow toddler nursing moms!

-Go to ⁠www.nursingmamas.com/socialcircle⁠ to register.

Episode Links

- The Extended Breastfeeding Quiz - ⁠HERE⁠

- The Surgeon General's Warning about Parental Mental Health - ⁠HERE⁠

- Nursing Mamas' Social Circle - ⁠HERE⁠

- Only Murders in the Building - ⁠HERE⁠

- The New Menopause - ⁠HERE⁠

Love the show? Leave a review HERE!

Contact Info

www.nursingmamas.com

erin@nursingmamas.com

IG: @erin.nursingmamas

In this episode of Weaning It, Erin sits down with Abbie Knapton; a mom in longterm recovery from addiction, an expressive arts trainer, certified peer recovery specialist, and mom of two extended nursers.

Abbie discusses the intersection of sobriety and motherhood and opens up about her journey to sobriety before kids and how it has shaped her parenting experience. We delve into the pressures of "mommy wine culture" and explore the underlying unmet needs of moms that play into it. Whether you're navigating similar challenges or simply interested in a candid conversation about the realities of motherhood and addiction, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration for moms everywhere.

Episode Links

- Take The Extended Breastfeeding Quiz HERE

- Follow Abbie on IG HERE

- Contact Abbie at abbie@peacelove.org

- PeaceLove.org

- Rally 4 Recovery RI

- Weber Renew

- Find an AA meeting near you HERE

- Find out more about Al-Anon HERE

New to the pod? Welcome! I invite you to take the free Extended Breastfeeding Quiz to learn which stage of toddler nursing you are currently in, as well as to provide you with specific tips based on where you are in your nursing and weaning journey. Click HERE to get started!

August 1st kicks off World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month. In this episode, Erin discusses:

- The themes of each

- Why advocacy matters

- Her own experience re-entering the workforce

- Why making even small changes for those who come after us can be a big deal!

Q&A of the day from Janine: "Do you think I can still nurse my child to sleep at night but then still cut out night nursing? I don't want to confuse her, but I'd love if I could nurse her to sleep still."

Wins & Whines of the week: Gluten free bread, cool weather, the Olympics becoming more breastfeeding friendly, and her dirty garage.

Episode Links:

- World Breastfeeding Week

- National Breastfeeding Month

- Olympic Committee Will Provide Breastfeeding Athletes Hotel Rooms

- Gluten Free Bread

- Mr. Ferris and His Wheel - children's book

- Book a Consult with Erin

- Find Erin on Instagram - say hello!

Kirsty Duncan is a children’s picture book author that lives in Cheshire, UK.

Her latest picture book, "When We're Ready" celebrates longer-term breastfeeding and co-sleeping and has been endorsed by Emma Pickett and Lucy Webber, both of which are highly respected IBCLC Lactation Consultants in their field.

To purchase When We're Ready, head over to ⁠www.kirstyduncanwrites.com⁠ and enter promo code WEANINGIT at checkout for 10% off your total purchase!

The book follows Kirsty and her daughters breastfeeding journey, with relatable milestones throughout and is the first I have encountered to truly be a celebration of the toddler nursing journey without a push to wean, or weaning being the end result.

In episode 12 of Weaning It: A podcast for toddler nursing moms, Erin sits down with Kirsty to learn more about her breastfeeding journey and how it led to the creation of her new book.

Kirsty shares her journey of becoming a mom and her unexpected extended nursing experience.

She discusses her fertility journey, including IVF, and how it influenced her decision to breastfeed. Kirsty also talks about the positive birth experience she had and the healing aspect of breastfeeding.

She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and listening to your gut when it comes to breastfeeding and co-sleeping.

Kirsty highlights the need for support and understanding from friends and the importance of considering the well-being of both mom and baby in the breastfeeding journey.

The conversation explores the anxieties and emotions that come with the weaning process, as well as the challenges of parenting and navigating toddlerhood. It highlights the importance of validating children's feelings and allowing them to express their emotions. The book 'When We're Ready' is discussed as a tool to introduce the topic of weaning and celebrate the joys of breastfeeding. The conversation also touches on the privilege of being a toddler nursing mom and the special bond that develops through breastfeeding.

Take the Extended Breastfeeding Quiz HERE

Show Notes: HERE

Website: www.kirstyduncanwrites.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirstyduncanwrites

Emma Pickett (IBCLC Lactation Consultant) Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/emmapickettibclc/

Illustrator of the book instagram (Sungsu Heaven):

https://www.instagram.com/sungsuillustration/

Link to the Illustrators Fertility Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/fertilit_arty/

Do you struggle with swinging between loving extended nursing and feeling touched out, burnt out, and ready to wean Now? Then this episode is for you.

In this solo show, Erin breaks down the emotional cycle of the extended breastfeeding mom - a 3 phase cycle she has created based on listening to hundreds of toddler nursing moms discuss their nursing journeys.

She explains what they phases are and how to break the cycle for good.

Go to www.nursingmamas.com/blog/cycle to see the visual supplement of the emotional cycle.

Q&A of the Day: Ashliegh says the one thing that would make her breastfeeding experience better would be if her toddler didn't do gymnatics while nursings. Relate? Listen in for Erin's solution

Wins & Whines: My 40th birthday party, Inside Out 2, and extracurricular activities

Links

• The Extended Breastfeeding Quiz: HERE
• The Basics of Breastfeeding Boundaries Mini Course: HERE
• 5 Toddler Breastfeeding Boundaries Guide: HERE
• Book a 30 minute consult: HERE
• Cindy Alexander - Check her out HERE!