Episode 3: Navigating Breastfeeding
Insights from a Lactation Consultant
Summary
In this episode, lactation consultant Ruth Adriaansens shares her insights on breastfeeding, the challenges new mothers face, and the importance of preparation and support. She discusses her journey to becoming a lactation consultant, common breastfeeding issues, and offers valuable advice for first-time parents. We discuss the importance of community support and the role of lactation consultants in helping families navigate breastfeeding.
Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode
Weekly Breastfeeding Cafe at the Eindhoven Library
Episode’s main topics
Introduction to Lactation Consulting (0:00)
What an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) does
The role of lactation support in breastfeeding success
Ruth’s Journey to Becoming a Lactation Consultant (04:40)
Ruth’s background and inspiration for becoming an IBCLC
The importance of evidence-based support for new mothers
Challenges Faced by New Mothers (11:37)
Common emotional and physical hurdles in early motherhood
How cultural differences impact breastfeeding experiences for expats
Common Breastfeeding Issues and Solutions (16:23)
Addressing latching difficulties and pain
The role of lactation consultants in overcoming challenges
Why the right advice at the right time matters
Advice for First-Time Mothers (22:36)
Preparation tips for a smooth breastfeeding journey
Why social support is essential for new mothers
The role of breastfeeding cafés and community spaces
Conclusion and Community Support (25:51)
Encouragement for mothers to seek help and trust their bodies
The importance of self-care during the breastfeeding period
Final thoughts on the microbiome and infant health
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About our Guest
Ruth Adriaansens is an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant in the Eindhoven region of the Netherlands. For over 15 years, she has been supporting Dutch and international families living in the area experiencing breastfeeding and lactation issues. She teaches breastfeeding classes, helps run the weekly Breastfeeding Cafe at the Eindhoven Library, and attends breastfeeding consults at client’s homes or in midwifery clinics. She is very passionate about her work as she believes that we need to set our children up for success as children are our future. She is a mama to three kids and enjoys reading and spending time outside gardening or with her horses.
Website: https://www.janatuurlijk-borstvoedingscentrum.nl/
Instagram: @janatuurlijk.bvc
About the Brabant Birth Buddies
Julianna Feron is an expat birth doula, pregnancy coach, and childbirth educator based in the Netherlands. With over five years of experience, she helps international parents navigate the Dutch maternity system and prepare for a confident, natural birth. Through her classes, pregnancy massages, and online courses, she supports expectant moms in taking charge of their birth experience.
As a mother of two and an expat herself, Julianna understands the challenges of giving birth in a foreign country. She’s passionate about empowering women with knowledge, trust in their bodies, and practical tools for labor. She co-hosts this podcast to share expert insights, real stories, and evidence-based guidance for parents-to-be.
Anna Latham is a registered nurse, childbirth educator, lactation counselor, and birth doula from the U.S. With over a decade of experience, she has supported pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum families across the U.S., Vietnam, and the Netherlands. Now based in Heeze, near Eindhoven, Anna founded Empowered Birth Services in 2024 to provide evidence-based education and compassionate support to growing families. She is passionate about birth and empowering people to have positive and confident birth and breastfeeding experiences, helping them enter parenthood with knowledge and trust in their own abilities. As a mother of two, she enjoys biking, crafting, and sharing music with her daughters.
Get in Touch
Expecting Together Pregnancy and Postpartum Meetup You can find us each month at our pregnancy and postpartum meetup where we help you build your community, make friends, and answer all of your pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum questions! More info at pregnantineindhoven.com
Julianna Feron
Website: juliannaferon.com
Instagram: @julianna_feron
Anna Latham
Website: empoweredbirthservices.nl
Instagram @empowered.birth.services
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555058594931
Schedule a FREE call to see how I can best support you at https://calendly.com/empoweredbirthservices/30min
