The Birth Lounge Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. With Mother’s Day coming up, skip the flowers and ask for something you’ll actually use… their insanely soft bamboo sheets.

Right now, they’re running a limited-time buy one, get one free on sheet sets. Head to cozyearth.com and use code HEHEBOGO to grab yours.

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Kristen to break down how to actually choose a breast pump and prepare for pumping… without the overwhelm.

They talk through when to order your pump (hint: don’t wait until baby is here), how insurance coverage works, and why you may need to advocate for yourself to get what you want.

Kristen explains the difference between primary and secondary pumps, and why wearable pumps aren’t always the best place to start if you’re trying to build and protect your milk supply. They also get into what actually matters when it comes to effectiveness, portability, and real-life use.

One of the biggest takeaways? Flange sizing. Most pumps come with sizes that don’t fit the majority of people, and that can seriously impact output and comfort. They walk through how to measure, test, and find your correct size without wasting money.

They also cover pump parts, when to replace them, how to clean everything safely (without overcomplicating it), and how to use your pump settings in a way that actually works with your body.

If pumping is part of your plan, this episode will help you feel way more prepared and way less confused walking into it.

Timestamps
00:00 Why Flange Size Matters
10:52 Do You Actually Need a Pump
19:22 Ordering Through Insurance
27:10 Primary vs Wearable Pumps
35:47 Flange Sizing + Fit
55:21 Pump Parts + Cleaning
01:09:06 Settings + Features
01:16:18 Insurance + Final Tips

Guest Bio:

Kristen is a Certified Lactation Counselor, CLC, and mother of 5 earthside. She has been pumping for 7+ years for her multiples and 3 singletons. Between her own experiences of both exclusively pumping, feeding at the breast and formal CLC training she is able to share a mix of real experiences, expectations and training based advice.

 

Kristen Krahl, CLC

bemybreastfriend.com

Instagram: @bemybreastfriend: https://www.instagram.com/bemybreastfriend

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bemybreastfriend?si=oBmm2NxV1c1gztrU 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bemybreastfriend/ 

 

https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/blog/can-i-get-a-breast-pump-through-insurance#:~:text=Yes%2C%20and%20that's%20why%20we,support%2C%20counseling%2C%20and%20equipment.

 

https://aeroflowbreastpumps.com/blog/understanding-the-affordable-care-act

Understanding the ACA 




Get Kristen’s Be my breast friend’s road map to breastfeeding here: 

https://bemybreastfriend.com/products/breastfeeding-road-map

 

Snag Kristen’s pump comparison chart here: https://bemybreastfriend.com/products/pump-comparison-chart

 

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Brit Patos, founder of Infant Feeding Care, to clear up one of the biggest feeding myths out there: that all bottles are basically the same… they’re not.

They break down why bottle feeding is not one size fits all, and how things like nipple flow rate can make or break both feeding safety and your breastfeeding relationship. Brit explains that what people call “nipple confusion” is often actually flow confusion since bottles deliver milk instantly while breastfeeding requires a little more patience and coordination.

They also talk through how to introduce bottles without derailing breastfeeding, what to do if your baby starts refusing the breast, and why feeding before your baby is crying can make a huge difference.

This conversation gets into the details most people never hear, like how “slow flow” labels aren’t regulated (yes, really), why that matters, and what to look for instead, especially in higher-risk feeding situations.

If you’re navigating bottles, breastfeeding, or both, this episode will help you feel a whole lot more confident in what you’re choosing and why.

00:00 Reflexive Sucking Warning

01:17 Listener Email Advocacy Win

04:08 How to Use the App

06:22 Meet Brit Bottle Basics

10:55 Flow Confusion Explained

12:54 When to Introduce Bottles

16:14 Hunger Cues Before Crying

18:07 If Breastfeeding Is Struggling

20:37 Sponsor Just Ingredients

23:13 Nipple Flow Labels Exposed

29:23 Best Slow Flow Options

32:45 Hospital Disposable Nipple Risks

34:56 Special Feeding Needs Down Syndrome

37:26 Do Nipples Need to Match

39:41 Wrap Up Resources Goodbye

 

Guest Bio:

Britt Pados is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner & Nurse Researcher AND founder of Infant Feeding Care.  Britt is a neonatal nurse practitioner with a clinical background in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She has a PhD in Nursing focused on feeding in infants and has done research on flow rates from bottle nipples. She owns Infant Feeding Care where she provides breastfeeding and bottle-feeding support to infants in Massachusetts.

Follow along with Britt here: www.infantfeedingcare.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

Connect with Britt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/infantfeedingcare/

 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page

LINKS MENTIONED:
Listen to the original episode here: https://podcast.thebirthlounge.com/e/ep-191-bottle-flow-rates-and-choosing-the-right-bottle-with-britt-pados/

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe walks you through the birth prep she and her husband actually did for their home birth… and what actually mattered once they were on the other side of it.

They took The Birth Lounge childbirth education course together to understand labor, get aligned on preferences, and make sure her husband felt confident and steady through a three-day labor. He also went through Dad Days to learn real, practical support skills from other dads.

HeHe also shares how the Secret Sauce to Pushing course played a huge role in her pushing experience, supporting her pelvic floor, minimizing tearing, and setting her up for a smoother recovery, even with hours of pushing and a long crowning phase.

They prepared for the “what ifs” too, taking a newborn resuscitation class and a breech birth course, and she brought in an IBCLC prenatally for breastfeeding support so she wasn’t figuring it out for the first time postpartum.

This episode is a real look at what prep can actually do for your birth and recovery, and how to focus your energy on what truly makes a difference.

 

00:00 Postpartum Perspective

01:10 Episode Overview

01:49 Birth Lounge Prep

03:52 Water Break Moment

05:26 Dad Daze Course

08:37 Secret Sauce Pushing

13:53 Newborn Resuscitation

17:13 Breech Birth Training

19:23 Lactation Support Plan

23:12 What We Could Skip

25:18 Wrap Up and Resources

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page

LINKS MENTIONED:
https://www.breechwithoutborders.org/courses/

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with family physician and circumcision safety innovator Dr. David Tomlinson for a detailed, no-fluff conversation about newborn circumcision in the U.S.

They unpack why this topic can feel so taboo, what most parents aren’t told about risks and complications, and how technique and device choice can significantly impact safety. Dr. Tomlinson also walks through the proposed health benefits often associated with circumcision, including infection and disease risk, and how those claims are supported in research.

The conversation also explores timing, including why circumcision is often done within the first 24 to 48 hours in the U.S., why that differs from other countries, and what considerations come with waiting. HeHe and Dr. Tomlinson discuss pain management options, vitamin K and bleeding risks, aftercare, and what parents should know before making this decision.

This episode isn’t about telling you what to choose. It’s about giving you a fuller picture so you can make a decision that feels informed, intentional, and aligned for your family.

00:00 Circumcision Injury Reality

01:13 Birth Lounge App Overview

04:43 Episode Setup Circumcision Questions

05:55 Meet Dr Tomlinson

09:48 Why Circumcision Feels Taboo

12:16 Safety Risks And Common Devices

14:21 AccuCirc Origin Story

18:26 How Often Injuries Happen

21:11 Long Term Injury Impacts

22:36 Foreskin Function And HIV

24:30 Benefits Evidence And Sexual Function

26:10 Devils Advocate Hygiene Question

27:46 Paraphimosis And Origins

30:50 Guidelines Without Shame

38:07 Why Delay Circumcision

38:47 War History And Early Timing

42:54 Ideal Timing 7 To 14 Days

44:05 Waiting Until Adolescence Tradeoffs

47:08 Beyond 28 Days And Anesthesia

49:04 Anesthesia Timing Risks

49:46 Topical vs Injectable Lidocaine

50:59 Hospital Cost Tradeoffs

52:53 Sponsor Cozy Earth

56:28 Vitamin K and Bleeding Rules

59:27 Oral vs Intramuscular Vitamin K / IM Vitamin K Options

01:04:33 Bleeding Prevention Techniques

01:06:11 Safer Clamp Design Explained

01:13:22 Healing Timeline and Dressing

01:14:20 Aftercare Vaseline and Trapped Penis

01:19:15 Transparency and Follow Up Care

01:22:49 Foreskin Disposal and Donation

01:26:20 How to Connect with SafeCirc

01:29:15 Final Encouragement and Wrap Up

 

Guest Bio:

Dr. David Tomlinson is a family physician, medical innovator, and international leader in newborn male circumcision care. An Academic All-American from MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he went on to earn his MD at the University of Colorado and complete his Family Medicine training in the U.S. Navy. For over 20 years, he has worked to make newborn circumcision safer worldwide, leading the development of the minimally invasive AccuCirc® device.

As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Brown University, Dr. Tomlinson has advised the World Health Organization, NIH, and Gates Foundation, and created training programs across Africa. He has served as an expert witness in malpractice cases involving circumcision injuries and has dedicated his career to preventing these devastating complications.

A longtime staff physician at South County Hospital, where he was named Physician of the Year, Dr. Tomlinson has also lectured at leading institutions including Mass General, Brigham and Women’s, and Dartmouth. He authored the surgical chapters of the WHO’s global manual on infant circumcision and continues to shape programs for HIV prevention and safer newborn care worldwide.

Connect with Dr. Tomlinson here: www.SafeCirc.com

And Get a 10% discount anytime in 2026, just by mentioning The Birth Lounge Podcast 

You can find links to all the research Dr. Tomlinson shared in this document. 

You can learn more about the SafeCirc here. 

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with filmmaker and activist Brendon Marotta to explore the history, ethics, and modern practice of circumcision.

Brendon shares how circumcision became medicalized over time, shifting from early cultural and religious roots to routine use in modern hospital systems. The conversation looks at how messaging has evolved, including past beliefs about infant pain, what current research suggests, and how conversations around consent and bodily autonomy have changed over the years.

HeHe and Brendon also discuss the function of the foreskin, common claims around hygiene and health, and why circumcision rates in the U.S. have been declining. They touch on cultural influences, generational beliefs, and how parents today are navigating this decision with more access to information than ever before.

Throughout the episode, the focus stays on informed decision-making, understanding the full picture, and creating space for thoughtful, pressure-free conversations around a topic that is often considered routine but rarely questioned.

Chapters:

00:00 Cold Open + Why This Topic Matters
02:50 HeHe’s Perspective + Research Lens
09:20 Circumcision Conversation Begins
16:25 Meet Brendon Marotta
22:58 History, Power, and Culture
32:06 Infant Pain and What We Know
44:19 Trauma and Long-Term Considerations
57:06 Health Claims and Controversies
01:04:30 Industry and System Incentives
01:10:16 Function and Anatomy
01:17:24 Parenting, Autonomy, and Decision-Making
01:28:03 Cultural Shifts and Changing Rates
01:42:22 Documentary + Final Thoughts

See American Circumcision here: https://circumcisionmovie.com/

Guest Bio:

Brendon Marotta is a filmmaker, author, and speaker. His last film, American Circumcision, won multiple awards and played on Netflix. He is the author of four books, The Intactivist Guidebook,  The Haunting of Bob Cratchit, Children’s Justice, and The Gods of AI. He has spoken at Yale University, the International Conference on Men’s Issues, the International Symposium on Genital Autonomy and Children’s Rights, and the Association for Pre and Perinatal Psychology. Brendon hosts a regular podcast called The Brendon Marotta Show. He is creating music and art with AI under the name Strange Aura. He currently lives with his family in Austin, TX.

 

Follow Brendon on social media here: http://www.brendonmarotta.com/subscribe/

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ 

BIRTH EDUCATION:
Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy

And if you haven’t grabbed it yet…
Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Want prep delivered straight to your phone?
Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page