I spend a lot of time in the car. With home visits being the bulk of my practice, driving all over the place is something I’ve come to appreciate (really!) since it gives me time to listen to some great podcasts. The Longest Shortest Time is one of my favorites. Mommy Nearest describes it as “For the This American Life listener-turned-mom: When you’re searching for the Ira Glass of parenting podcasts, look no further than This American Life contributor and author Hillary Frank's podcast. The Longest Shortest Time takes a reported, storytelling-based approach to parenting topics, with episodes covering the sex lives of moms, what it's like raising a transgender child, and a story about a woman's journey to becoming a single mother by choice.” Not only has Hillary featured a treasured client of mine (I liked the podcast even before I learned this), but some of the topics elicit some intense emotion and thought, which I appreciate as a drive alone can be somewhat mind-numbing.
The other day, I got such a kick out of the latest episode about Boobs (episode #108). More specifically, it told the story of two different moms with very different booby situations that I have definitely encountered in my practice. First, I have so many clients who are surprised to know that as mammals, we actually start out in utero with multiple nipples all along our front side up into the armpits. Yeah, I know, right?!?! They usually dissolve before birth, except for the two we are used to seeing, but there can be residual tissue that may engorge with milk or even leak milk. This is considered quite normal, even though it can cause discomfort. I’m always happy to help mommas manage their engorgement, wherever it may occur all along what is known as the mammary ridge. Here is a great link on the subject.
Secondly, I have had the honor several times of supporting moms who have survived breast cancer and breastfed after mastectomy and/or radiation. It has always been interesting and inspiring (and a whole bunch of other descriptive words) to hear these mom’s stories and to help them figure out what feeding scenario will work best for them. In many cases, moms with one breast can fully sustain a breastfed baby just from milk on that one side. Amazing, huh?
Ok, enough from me - my intent has been to share the podcast with my readers. Maybe you are pumping right now, maybe the baby is sleeping and you have a few minutes to yourself, or maybe your partner needs some "practice" time with the little...go have a listen and let me know what you think.