Hey there,
In one of our recent podcast episodes, our host Olivia sat down with NHS midwife and lactation consultant Olivia Hinge to answer the questions so many new parents ask but rarely feel confident about.
Instead of focusing on perfect feeding routines, Olivia shared practical advice that helps parents understand what’s actually normal during those first months.
Here are a few reminders that really stayed with us.
- Babies don’t only feed because they’re hungry.
One of the most comforting reminders from the episode was that feeding isn't just about filling a tiny tummy.
Sometimes your baby is feeding because they need comfort.
Sometimes because they need closeness.
Sometimes because they're learning to regulate in the safest place they know: with you.
3. Feeding every hour can be completely normal.
Many parents worry that frequent feeding means they don’t have enough milk.
But as Olivia explains, every parent stores different amounts of milk, and every baby feeds differently.
Some babies naturally feed much more often than others, especially during the early weeks.
2. You never need to wait for your breasts to “fill up.”
This surprised us.
Breasts are constantly making milk.
Just like an ice machine keeps making more ice as you use it, your body continues producing milk while your baby feeds.
3. Pumping more isn’t always better.
Many parents assume they should build a huge freezer stash as early as possible.
But pumping more milk than your baby actually needs during those first weeks can sometimes create an oversupply, making feeding harder rather than easier.
Sometimes less really is more.
4. You can’t make everyone happy.
This might have been our favourite reminder from the entire episode.
Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, pump, combination feed or use formula, someone will probably have an opinion.
As Olivia says:
“You’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t.”
The important thing isn’t making everyone else happy.
It’s finding what works for you and your baby.
If there's one thing this episode reminded us, it's that feeding isn't about getting everything "right." It's about getting to know your baby, trusting yourself, and finding what works for your family.
If you haven't listened to our conversation with NHS midwife and lactation consultant Olivia Hinge yet, you can listen to the full episode here.
One of the reasons we created The Tiny Big Joys is because we don't believe there's one perfect way to parent.
We believe parents deserve trustworthy information, different perspectives and the confidence to make decisions that feel right for their own family.
If you haven't listened to the full conversation with Olivia yet, you can find it
here
With warmth,
The Tiny Big Joys Team
Paula & the team
Thank you for being part of our beginning.
It truly is the tiny choices that make the big journey worth it.
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