Welcome to the Spill the Milk Podcast with Nicki Davis, BSN, RN, IBCLC — aka The Babywhisperer! With 20 years of helping moms and babies, I’m here to keep it real about breastfeeding, pumping, and everything in between. Expect expert tips, myth-busting, and plenty of laughs to make feeding your baby feel less overwhelming and a lot more doable. Grab your coffee (or pump parts) and let’s spill the milk together! 💛
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💦 I Want to Quit Breastfeeding… But I Don't Want to Quit | Spill the Milk S2E6
Season 2 · Episode 6
Friday, October 30, 2026 • Duration 27:31
“Sometimes you don't want to quit breastfeeding. You just want breastfeeding to stop being so damn hard.”
Have you ever thought about quitting breastfeeding… and then immediately felt guilty because you don't actually WANT to stop?
Maybe you're exhausted. Maybe you're overwhelmed. Maybe you're tired of pumping, questioning your supply, or feeling like your entire life revolves around feeding your baby.
And maybe you're wondering, “How much longer can I keep doing this?”
In this episode of Spill the Milk, we're having one of those conversations moms don't always feel comfortable saying out loud.
Because sometimes the answer isn't to push through. Sometimes it's changing the plan. And sometimes it's deciding you're ready to stop.
And ALL of those decisions deserve support. 🤍
I'm sharing two recent experiences with moms I helped who needed completely different things.
💦 One mom discovered that combination feeding was actually the answer that allowed her to KEEP breastfeeding. It wasn't what she originally envisioned, but it worked for her. And she told me something that stuck: “There isn't enough combo feeding content.”
💦 Another mom was ready to stop nursing but was feeling tremendous pressure from her family to continue. She didn't need another breastfeeding lecture. She needed somebody to tell her it was okay to stop.
We're talking about:
🤍 The difference between wanting to quit breastfeeding and wanting the struggle to stop
🤍 Why combination feeding doesn't mean you've failed at breastfeeding
🤍 The emotional and physical exhaustion of breastfeeding, pumping, and supplementing
🤍 Why changing your feeding goals isn't giving up
🤍 The guilt, pressure, and expectations moms face from family and social media
🤍 Why you can feel relieved about weaning and still grieve breastfeeding
🤍 What real, judgment-free breastfeeding support should look like
I've spent more than 20 years helping breastfeeding families, and one thing I know for sure is that there isn't one feeding plan that's right for every mother.
I don't want you breastfeeding to prove something to anybody.
Your baby needs to be fed. And YOU deserve to be supported.
Two moms. Two different decisions. Both deserving of compassion.
Let's keep this conversation going!
What do YOU actually want from breastfeeding right now? To continue? Change your plan? Combination feed? Stop pumping? Wean?
My Patreon Village is where we can have these honest conversations, ask questions, and support each other without judgment.
My Go With the Flow Breastfeeding Guide and Journal is here to help you navigate breastfeeding with practical education, realistic expectations, and confidence in YOUR decisions.
💦 Your Baby Isn't a Newborn Anymore: Breastfeeding Changes at 3–6 Months
Season 8 · Episode 5
Friday, October 23, 2026 • Duration 23:19
Just when you think you've finally figured out breastfeeding… YOUR BABY CHANGES THE RULES! 😂
Your baby used to breastfeed for 20 minutes, and now they're done in five.
They used to fall asleep at the breast, and now they're popping off to look at EVERYTHING.
They used to nurse every time you offered, and now they're turning away.
They were sleeping longer stretches, and suddenly they're waking up at night again.
And what happens?
Mom starts questioning EVERYTHING.
"Nicki, I think my baby is refusing the breast!"
"Nicki, are we having a nursing strike?"
"Nicki, is my milk supply dropping?"
And one of my favorite questions to ask is:
"Are they refusing the breast…or are they just not hungry?"
Because those are two VERY different things!
In this episode of Spill the Milk, we're talking about something I wish more moms understood:
Your baby isn't supposed to breastfeed at five months the same way they did at five weeks.
Babies grow. They develop. They become more aware of the world around them. And breastfeeding changes right along with them.
We're talking about:
💦 Why breastfeeding changes around 3–4 months
💦 Why YOUR BOOBS ARE BORING! 😂 (How are you supposed to compete with a ceiling fan?)
💦 Why shorter, more efficient feeds can be completely normal
💦 Distracted breastfeeding and why your baby suddenly wants to look at EVERYTHING
💦 Breastfeeding Survival Tactics for the First Few Weeks
Season 2 · Episode 4
Friday, October 9, 2026 • Duration 29:58
💦 Breastfeeding Survival Tactics for the First Few Weeks | Spill the Milk Season 2, Episode 4
Those first few weeks of breastfeeding can feel like absolute chaos.
You just had a baby. You're recovering. You're exhausted. Your hormones are everywhere. You're trying to figure out this brand-new little human—and meanwhile, everybody has an opinion about what you're supposed to be doing.
How often should baby eat? How long should they stay at the breast? Should you wake them? Should you pump? Is your milk “in”? Is the latch good enough? Why do they want to eat AGAIN?
Can we please give moms—and babies—a minute?
In this episode of Spill the Milk, I'm giving you the breastfeeding survival tactics I wish every new mom knew before she started doubting herself.
We're talking about:
💦 Why skin-to-skin shouldn't end after the golden hour 💦 Why colostrum IS milk 💦 Why you don't automatically need to breastfeed AND pump 💦 Why hand expression can work better for those tiny amounts of thick colostrum 💦 Why pump output is NOT a test of whether you have milk 💦 The learning curve of latch—and why neither you nor your baby needs to be perfect at it 💦 Normal newborn weight loss and why context matters 💦 Why my newborn rule is “When in doubt, guess hunger” 💦 Why I want you to stop timing the damn feed 💦 Second-night cluster feeding and why it doesn't automatically mean low supply 💦 What diapers can actually tell us 💦 Why I want everybody to LEAVE. THAT. BABY. ALONE. when they're peacefully feeding 😂 💦 And why I do NOT recommend swaddling your baby while breastfeeding
I'm also talking about the difference between normal newborn behavior and something that really does deserve assessment.
Because
💦 Who Told You Your Baby Needs a Revision?
Season 2 · Episode 3
Friday, October 2, 2026 • Duration 37:29
Okay, friends… I’m a little spicy in this one. Actually, I’m pretty pissed. 🔥
Tongue-tie revisions have become one of those breastfeeding conversations where I keep asking myself:
How did we get here?
I’ve been helping breastfeeding families for more than 20 years, and I remember practicing before it seemed like every breastfeeding problem led to somebody looking inside a baby’s mouth for a tie.
Now a mom can post online:
“My nipples hurt.”
And within minutes:
“Have you had your baby checked for a tongue-tie?”
WHAT?!
Nipple pain tells me we need to assess the feeding. It does NOT automatically tell me something in your baby’s mouth needs to be cut.
In this episode, we’re talking about the rise in tongue-tie diagnoses and revisions, internet advice, babies being revised before leaving the hospital, repeat procedures, informed consent, potential complications—and something we don’t discuss enough:
The baby.
How many people need to put their fingers in this baby’s mouth? And because a baby can’t tell us, “Enough,” shouldn’t that make us MORE thoughtful about what we’re doing to their body?
I’m also sharing two cases from my own practice that have stayed with me.
This episode is NOT anti-frenotomy. Some babies with symptomatic tongue-tie may benefit from one.
What I’m against is jumping from:
“Breastfeeding isn’t working” → “Your baby needs a revision.”
Before we cut anything, I want to know:
💦 Has someone watched an ENTIRE feeding?💦 Has Mom been taught how to improve the latch?💦 Is baby transferring milk and gaining appropriately?💦 What is diaper output telling us?💦 What is Mom’s milk production doing?💦 What other causes have been considered?💦 What FUNCTION is the frenulum interfering with?💦 What are the benefits AND risks?💦 What happens if we wait—or if the procedure doesn’t work?
💦 Who Told You Every Breastfeeding Mom Needs to Pump?
Season 2 · Episode 2
Friday, September 25, 2026 • Duration 23:46
Somewhere along the way, the breast pump went from being an incredibly useful tool to something breastfeeding moms started believing they have to use.
And I have questions. 😂🔥
Since spending more time talking with moms on social media, I’ve been surprised by how many are nursing their babies and pumping—not because they’re returning to work, separated from their baby, or exclusively pumping, but because they’ve been told they need to pump to “protect their supply.”
And every time I hear that, I want to ask:
Protect your supply from WHAT? 👀
In this episode of Spill the Milk, we’re talking about the new pumping culture and all the extra work we may be giving breastfeeding moms without ever stopping to ask whether they actually need to do it.
We’re getting into:
💦 Why directly breastfeeding your baby can be enough 💦 Boob, bottle, and pump—and why they don’t automatically all have to go together 💦 When pumping actually makes sense 💦 Why some moms end up owning multiple pumps without ever being taught how to properly use the one they have 💦 Returning to work and planning for bottles 💦 Freezer stash culture and the pressure to collect more and more milk 💦 Why pumping extra can sometimes create problems you never needed in the first place
And yes, we need to talk about those freezers packed from top to bottom with breast milk.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being proud of milk you worked hard to collect. But seeing someone else’s freezer stash without knowing the context can quickly turn into another breastfeeding expectation.
Suddenly, you’re doing two jobs:
You’re feeding your baby AND you’re feeding your freezer.
Friends, moms already have enough jobs.
Breastfeeding Moms Are Drowning in Information but Starving for Context
Season 2 · Episode 1
Friday, September 18, 2026 • Duration 22:07
Welcome to Season 2 of Spill the Milk. 🥛
And fair warning—you may notice I'm a little spicier this season.
After more than 20 years of working with moms and babies, I've become pretty protective of you and your feeding goals. I'm not here to convince you to breastfeed. I'm here to help you understand what's happening, make informed decisions, and fight for the feeding experience you want.
And sometimes that means I have a few things to say. 😉
We're starting Season 2 with something I see all the time: moms who are terrified they aren't making enough milk.
We have more breastfeeding information available to us than ever before. We can track ounces, minutes, feeds, diapers, sleep, pump output, freezer stashes, weight, and just about everything else.
Then we open social media and see another mom pumping eight ounces, a freezer overflowing with breast milk, or a baby following a picture-perfect feeding schedule.
But here's the problem:
You're seeing the data. You're not seeing the context.
In this episode, we're talking about supply anxiety, pump output, unrealistic expectations, conflicting breastfeeding advice, social media comparison, and why one number—or one TikTok—cannot tell you the whole story of a breastfeeding relationship.
Sometimes we need to stop staring at one feed, one pump session, or one number and zoom out.
How is your baby doing? How are you doing? What does feeding look like over 24 hours? And is there actually evidence that something isn't working—or are you afraid because your experience doesn't look like what someone told you breastfeeding was supposed to look like?
Your baby is an individual. So are you.
Stop Saying this to Breastfeeding Moms
Monday, June 29, 2026 • Duration 19:43
What if some of the most common breastfeeding advice isn't helping moms at all?
In this episode, we're talking about the things we need to stop telling breastfeeding mothers. From "feed 8–12 times a day" and "don't feed your baby to sleep," to "pump to see how much milk you have" and "just push through the pain," we're taking a closer look at where these messages come from, why they can be misleading, and what evidence and normal infant behavior actually tell us.
We'll cover topics like:
Feeding by the clock vs. feeding your baby
Why "full feeds" aren't as simple as they sound
Normal night waking and cluster feeding
Why pump output doesn't measure your milk supply
The problem with routine triple feeding
Pain during breastfeeding
Tongue tie referrals
Feeding to sleep
And more...
My goal isn't to shame parents or healthcare providers—it's to replace fear and rigid rules with practical, evidence-based information that helps you better understand your baby and trust your instincts.
Whether you're expecting your first baby, currently breastfeeding, or supporting a breastfeeding family, this episode will help you separate breastfeeding facts from breastfeeding myths.
Connect with me: Find my breastfeeding classes, virtual consultations, podcast episodes, and resources here: https://linktr.ee/babywhisperer77
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another parent who could use evidence-based breastfeeding support.
Unfiltered & Raw: The Breastfeeding Advice I’m Calling Bullshit On Moms Aren’t Failing. The Advice Is.
Monday, March 30, 2026 • Duration 29:40
Moms Aren’t Failing. The Advice Is.
Let’s be honest — a lot of breastfeeding advice out there is just plain wrong.
In this unfiltered, no-sugarcoating episode, I’m calling out the most common advice that leaves moms overwhelmed, confused, and questioning their bodies.
From “feed every 3 hours” to “your baby should only nurse for 20 minutes” — we’re breaking down what’s actually happening and why this kind of guidance sets moms up to struggle.
After 20+ years as an IBCLC, I can tell you this with confidence: most moms aren’t failing breastfeeding — they were failed by the advice they were given.
This episode is raw, honest, and yes… a little spicy. But it comes from one place: making sure moms get the truth and the support they deserve.
If you’ve ever felt like breastfeeding “just didn’t work,” this one’s for you.
You’re not broken. Your body didn’t fail. You probably just got bad advice.
Who told you that? Let’s Talk About the Advice Moms Never Question (But Should)
Monday, March 9, 2026 • Duration 11:38
New parents receive breastfeeding advice everywhere — from the hospital, family members, social media, and even well-meaning professionals. The problem? Much of that advice is given without anyone actually watching the baby feed.
In this episode, Nicki Davis, RN, BSN, IBCLC, breaks down some of the most common breastfeeding advice parents hear and explains why so many of these rules create more stress than solutions.
We talk about:
Why pumping more isn’t always the answer
The truth about babies “using you as a pacifier”
Why pain during breastfeeding should never be ignored
How weight checks without context can create unnecessary panic
Why triple feeding is often suggested far too quickly
Breastfeeding isn’t about rigid rules or watching the clock — it’s about understanding your baby, milk transfer, and feeding patterns.
If you’ve ever followed advice and thought, “Why does breastfeeding suddenly feel harder?” this episode will help you understand why — and what actually matters instead.
This episode is for pregnant moms who are already worried about pumping and returning to work.
Let me be clear right from the start: There is nothing wrong with choosing to be an exclusive pumper from day one. That is a valid, intentional feeding choice.
But this episode is specifically for those of you who plan to breastfeed and know pumping will eventually be part of your journey—most often because you’ll be returning to work.
And let’s also clear this up: not everyone needs to pump. Pumping is a tool, not a requirement.
In this episode, I break down why pumping works best when breastfeeding has a strong foundation first—and why trying to “prepare for pumping” without understanding breastfeeding often leads to unnecessary stress, disappointment, and confusion.
We talk about:
Why pumping struggles often start before pumping even begins
How early breastfeeding sets your milk supply and pumping success
Why breastfeeding education belongs in pregnancy
Why pumping education makes more sense after baby arrives
The order that actually supports working moms long-term
If pumping has been weighing on your mind already, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and prepare in a way that actually supports your body and your goals.
The Breast Start – Breastfeeding Class (During Pregnancy) 👉 Click here
Responsive Pumping Class (After Birth) 👉 Click here
Discover shows related to Spill the Milk Breastfeeding Podcast, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
💦 Why your baby may no longer fall asleep after breastfeeding
💦 The four-month sleep regression and why night waking doesn't automatically mean low supply
💦 How your baby's comfort and regulation needs change
💦 Why softer breasts don't automatically mean less milk
💦 When feeding changes are normal—and when I want someone to take a closer look
And we're having a bigger conversation about something moms really need to hear.
At some point, I need you to start TRUSTING what you've learned about your baby.
You've spent months learning their cues, their personality, and what a good feeding looks like.
Don't let one new behavior convince you that you've forgotten everything you know.
Sometimes breastfeeding isn't falling apart.
Sometimes your baby is just growing up. 🤍
And remember, I'm not saying every feeding change should be ignored. Poor milk transfer, concerning diaper output, growth concerns, or persistent breast refusal deserve attention.
Different doesn't automatically mean dysfunctional.
Come hang out with me on Patreon!
My Patreon Village gets early access to episodes, bonus conversations, Q&As, practical resources, behind-the-scenes content, and a community where we can keep talking about what feeding a baby actually looks like in real life.
The podcast is where I share the education. Patreon is where we get to hang out a little more. 🤍
I created my Go With the Flow Breastfeeding Guide and Journal because breastfeeding isn't supposed to look exactly the same from the newborn stage through the first year.
Your baby changes. Your breastfeeding relationship changes. And I want you to have a resource to come back to as you navigate those changes.
Good information. Practical guidance. More confidence.
“This is normal” should reassure you. It should never silence you when something doesn't feel right.
And maybe most importantly:
You are not supposed to be perfect at breastfeeding on Day 1.
You're learning your baby.
Your baby is learning you.
You're both going to get better with time and practice.
The first few weeks aren't about doing breastfeeding perfectly.
They're about learning your baby. 🤍
🎙️ Episode 4 airs Friday, October 9.
🤍 PATREON EARLY ACCESS — OCTOBER 7
Patreon members with early access can listen beginning Wednesday, October 7, before the episode releases publicly on Friday.
Patreon members also get bonus conversations, Q&As, practical resources, behind-the-scenes content, and a community where we can keep talking about what feeding a baby actually looks like in real life.
The podcast is where I share the education. Patreon is where we get to hang out a little more. 🤍
I created my Go With the Flow Breastfeeding Guide and Journal because I don't want you trying to remember everything you've ever been told about breastfeeding while you're exhausted, recovering, and learning your baby.
It's a resource you can come back to when you're sitting there at 2 a.m. wondering, “Is this normal?”
A visible frenulum is not automatically a feeding problem.
Finding a frenulum is not the same thing as finding the cause of the feeding problem.
I’m not anti-procedure.
I’m pro-assessment, pro-informed consent, and pro-baby.
Before we cut anything, ask:
What problem are we actually trying to solve?
📖 BEFORE YOU REVISE
If a tongue-tie or lip-tie procedure has been recommended for your baby, I created Before You Revise: The Parent’s Checklist Before Saying Yes to a Tongue-Tie or Lip-Tie Procedure to help you understand what should be assessed, what questions to ask, the potential benefits and risks, and when it may be time to slow down and get more information.
I’m not anti-pump. I’m not anti-bottle. I’m not anti-freezer stash.
I’m anti-unnecessary work for moms. 🔥
The breast pump is a tool. Sometimes it’s incredibly helpful. Sometimes it’s essential. But it is not a requirement for being a successful breastfeeding mother.
So before you add another pumping session, buy another pump, or decide you need another 100 ounces in your freezer, I want you to ask yourself one simple question:
WHY am I pumping?
Because the plan should match the reason.
🤍 Want more Spill the Milk?
Come hang out with me on Patreon!
Patreon members can get early access to Spill the Milk episodes, plus bonus conversations, Q&As, practical resources, behind-the-scenes content, and a community where we can keep talking about what feeding a baby actually looks like in real life.
The podcast is where I share the education. Patreon is where we get to hang out a little more. 🤍
