Colic Isn’t “A Thing”: Understanding Why Your Baby Cries and What You Can Do

In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, host Jaimie Zaki, IBCLC and mom of five, tackles a common myth: colic isn’t just a thing. Many parents hear that their baby has colic and feel helpless, but crying is always communication — not a diagnosis.

Jaimie explains why labeling a baby as “colicky” can be misleading, and why persistent crying often signals underlying issues like sensory overload, sleep challenges, reflux, digestive discomfort, tongue tie, oral dysfunction, or inefficient milk transfer. She emphasizes that colic is rarely the problem itself — it’s a sign that something needs to be addressed.

This episode provides practical guidance for decoding your baby’s cries, optimizing feeding efficiency, and using nervous system regulation techniques like skin-to-skin, gentle rocking, and bodywork. Jaimie also shares insights on avoiding ineffective remedies and focusing on root causes, empowering parents to respond confidently and effectively.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why colic isn’t a real diagnosis and what it really means

• Common underlying causes of persistent crying in babies

• How inefficient milk transfer or oral dysfunction can lead to fussiness

• Practical strategies to soothe and support your baby

• Tools for nervous system regulation: skin-to-skin, gentle rocking, and more

• How to track patterns to identify underlying issues

• When to seek professional support to address persistent feeding or crying challenges

Resources & Links:

👉FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW

👉Access the Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy for step-by-step guidance on protecting your milk supply, managing common breastfeeding struggles, and getting a pain-free latch: Book a 20-minute Q&A session with Jaimie for personalized support

In this heartfelt episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast, host Jamie Zaki, IBCLC and mom of five, sits down with Vanessa, a Licensed Professional Counseling Student and Lactation Counselor, to talk about the emotional side of breastfeeding that so many mothers struggle with but few actually discuss out loud.

Together, they dive deep into postpartum depression, unresolved mother wounds, and the grief that can come when breastfeeding doesn’t go as planned. Vanessa shares her own journey through the intersection of motherhood and mental health, reminding moms that breastfeeding doesn’t have to be bad for your mental health—but the key is education, support, and self-compassion.

• How birth interventions and early postpartum experiences shape both breastfeeding success and mental wellbeing

• The emotional layers of breastfeeding grief and how to process them

• How social media and cultural expectations add pressure to new moms

• The connection between unhealed mother wounds and the way we show up as mothers

• Practical ways to protect your mental health while breastfeeding

• Why being “birth to breastfeeding educated” before birth can transform your experience

Vanessa is a Licensed Professional Counseling Student and Lactation Counseling student passionate about helping mothers navigate the complex intersection of mental health and breastfeeding. Through her online platform @MilkandMentalHealth, she shares education, emotional support, and compassionate truth-telling to empower moms to nurture both their babies and themselves.

• Learn more or join Vanessa’s Birth to Boob community: https://birthtoboob.my.canva.site/joinbtb

• Follow Vanessa on Instagram: @milkandmentalhealth | @birthtoboob

• Get the FREE 5 Mistakes that Sabotage Breastfeeding Guide

• rate, review, and share this episode with a mama who needs to hear that she’s not alone—and that it’s possible to breastfeed and protect your mental health.

Oversupply in Breastfeeding: Signs, Causes, and Solutions

In this episode of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast, host Jaimie Zaki, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and mom of five, addresses a common but often overlooked breastfeeding concern: oversupply of breast milk. Many moms worry about low supply, but producing too much milk comes with its own challenges — and it’s usually a sign of an underlying issue.

Jaimie explains the difference between healthy supply and oversupply, common symptoms to watch for (forceful letdown, frothy stools, frequent gagging or coughing, engorgement, plugged ducts, and mastitis), and why oversupply is often related to inflammation or oral dysfunction. She also provides practical strategies for managing oversupply, including block feeding, strategic expression, and addressing root causes like inefficient milk removal or inflammation.

This episode is full of actionable tips, mindset shifts, and encouragement to help moms navigate oversupply without feeling guilty, anxious, or overwhelmed.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Signs of oversupply and how it differs from a healthy milk supply

• Why oversupply is usually a symptom, not the problem itself

• How oral dysfunction and inefficient milk removal can overstimulate milk production

• The role of inflammation in hyperlactation

• Practical strategies: block feeding, flow management, and strategic milk expression

• When to seek further evaluation from a healthcare provider

• How to prevent oversupply from leading to clogged ducts, mastitis, or eventual undersupply

Resources & Links:

👉FREE Breastfeeding Mistakes Guide - DOWNLOAD NOW

👉Access the Confident Mama Breastfeeding Academy for step-by-step guidance on protecting your milk supply, managing common breastfeeding struggles, and getting a pain-free latch: Book a 20-minute Q&A session with Jaimie for personalized support