The Feeding Truth with Bec from Nine Antenatal
· 53 min
Episode The Feeding Truth with Bec from Nine Antenatal
Navigating how you’re going to feed your baby is one of the most emotional, high-pressure parts of the journey into motherhood. Between endless baby show marketing claiming you need thousands of dollars in products to the intense guilt that can surround both breastfeeding and formula, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before your baby even arrives.
In this episode of The Cyclist Pregnancy Miniseries, Jess sits down with Bec, a midwife of 18 years, IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), holistic sleep coach, and co-founder of Nine Antenatal. Bec brings a grounded, evidence-based, and zero-judgment approach to feeding, breaking down what new parents actually need to know versus what marketing tells them they need.
Together, Jess and Bec explore the realities of those early days, stripping away the noise to focus on what truly matters. Bec explains why learning to breastfeed is a learnt skill more like learning to walk rather than second nature like breathing, and why getting a deep latch onto the soft palate is essential to avoiding trauma. They get into the game-changing benefits of learning antenatal hand expressing after 36 weeks, how colostrum acts as your baby's first vaccination to protect their gut and immunity, and what is actually happening during those intense "night two" cluster feeds to establish long-term milk supply.
They also address the vital, often-neglected conversation around formula feeding, combination feeding, and maternal mental health. Jess shares her own vulnerable experience with formula after a breast reduction, while Bec reinforces that midwives and IBCLCs are there to support informed choices without judgment. Whether you choose to exclusively breastfeed, formula feed, or find a balance in between, this episode is a warm reminder that a supported, healthy mother is always the top priority and that trusting your own instincts is the best tool you have.
This series is proudly brought to you by our headline sponsor, Pure Mama. Thoughtfully developed, genuinely clean bodycare for every stage of pregnancy and postpartum: https://www.puremama.com
And our supporting partner The Lactation Station, easy, practical products for pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding: https://www.thelactationstation.co.nz
Follow and connect
Instagram: @wearethecyclist
Website: wearethecyclist.com
Hit play. And send this episode to an expectant mama who needs a gentle reminder to trust her body and her instincts.
Links in the notes 2
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.