When Breastfeeding Doesn’t Go as Planned: An Honest Conversation with an IBCLC

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of breastfeeding? In this episode of the Ask Dr. Sterling Podcast, Dr. Sterling and Sabrina, an IBCLC and nurse, get real about the emotional and physical toll of feeding your baby. Both women, despite their wealth of medical knowledge and expertise, open up about their personal struggles with feeding their babies. It’s an honest conversation full of compassion, vulnerability, and real-life advice that every parent should hear.

Sabrina (@motherlylove_lactation) talks about how her professional training as a nurse and lactation consultant didn’t prepare her for her own breastfeeding struggles, while Dr. Sterling opens up about her battles with recurrent mastitis and how supplementing with formula helped restore her mental and physical health. Together, they explore why breastfeeding is harder now than ever before and offer practical advice for anyone who feels like they’re failing to meet the expectations of being a “perfect” parent.

Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, supplementing with formula, or somewhere in between, this episode is a compassionate guide to making feeding decisions that work for you and your baby—without the guilt.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why the “all or nothing” mindset around breastfeeding can be harmful.
• The role of formula in extending the breastfeeding journey.
• How to recognize when your mental health may need to take priority over exclusive breastfeeding.
• Why giving yourself grace during this challenging time is critical for your well-being.

Resources Mentioned:

• Explore our Comprehensive Breastfeeding Course at Sterling Parents, covering everything from weaning to supplementing with formula.
• Looking for personalized support? Join the Sterling Parents Membership for access to expert Q&As, mental health resources, and a community that’s here to support you through your parenting journey.
• Follow Sabrina on Instagram @motherlylove_lactation

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The Ask Dr. Sterling podcast is here to answer your burning questions—the ones you’re too nervous to ask your OB. Have a question for Dr. Sterling? Send it to podcast@sterlingparents.com!

Follow us at @askdrsterlingpodcast on Instagram & TikTok, and check out the only membership designed to reduce the worries and anxieties of pregnancy and postpartum—Sterling Parents Membership.

Host: Dr. Noa Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership