If you’ve ever Googled “how to breastfeed and work full time” or “how to increase milk supply naturally,” you’ve probably found a lot of generic advice that doesn’t account for real life.
As a pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist, and a mom of four, I wanted to pull back the curtain on what breastfeeding actually looks like for me postpartum with baby number four. Because the honest, lived answer is always more helpful than the textbook one.
EPISODE 58 | HOLISTICALLY WELL PODCAST: WHAT MY BREASTFEEDING DAY ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE
Whether you learn best by listening, reading, or watching, there is something for you! You can catch the audio version on the Holistically Well Podcast—available on all your favorite platforms!
Holistically Well Podcast on Apple | Episode 58
Holistically Well Podcast on Spotify | Episode 58
Holistically Well Podcast on YouTube | Episode 58
KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
🤱 Nurse on demand to build your supply
🍼 Introduce a bottle between 6–8 weeks
💪 Hand expression prevents clogged ducts
🍼 Wearable pumps make returning to work doable
🤍 Trust your instincts — every journey is your own
Nursing on Demand: What It Is and Why It Works
With each of my babies, I’ve chosen to breastfeed. But this fourth time around, things looked a little different — and in the best way possible.
For the first two months of my son’s life, we exclusively nursed on demand. No bottle, no pacifier, no schedule. Anytime he was hungry, fussy, or needed comforting — he nursed. This approach does a few really powerful things:
- It builds milk supply. When your body is signaled to produce milk frequently and consistently, it produces more. This is one of the most effective, natural ways to address low milk supply.
- It supports bonding. There is something irreplaceable about that skin-to-skin, on-demand connection in those early weeks.
- It follows baby’s cues. Babies are remarkably good at telling us what they need — nursing on demand is simply listening.
I will say: this time around, my milk supply is the highest it has ever been. While supply does tend to increase with subsequent pregnancies, I truly believe nursing on demand played a huge role.
Struggling with low milk supply? Try nursing on demand and removing strict time schedules between feeds. Your body responds to demand — the more it’s asked to produce, the more it will.
The Pacifier Question & What I Did Differently This Time
With my first three children, a pacifier was introduced in the hospital — often without us even asking. It became part of our routine, and honestly, I didn’t think much about it.
This time, we had a home birth. A pacifier was never introduced. Baby was always with me, always had access to nursing, and we just… didn’t need it.
The tradeoff? When I did need to step away — for a school event with one of my other kids, or a quick errand — he was harder to soothe without me.
It’s a real consideration. There is no universally “right” answer here. For our family in this season, it worked beautifully. But I share this so you can make an informed decision for yours.
Introducing a Bottle: Timing, Tips & What Went Wrong
We introduced a bottle around 8 weeks postpartum — when I went on a ski trip and wanted to get back on the slopes. He took it beautifully those first few times.
Then I went back to work at 3 months and assumed bottle-feeding would be seamless. It wasn’t.
On my first day back, he refused the bottle entirely from our nanny. As someone who was also trying to be fully present with patients, knowing my baby was struggling at home was genuinely hard. Here’s what ended up working:
I gave him a bottle myself. I sat down, gave him a bottle, and he took it. I think it gave him a sense of safety — a bridge between nursing and the bottle. And from that point on, he accepted it without issue.
Key takeaway for bottle introduction:
- Introduce somewhere between 4–8 weeks if you plan to return to work or need flexibility
- Don’t wait too long between practice sessions — a gap of several weeks can lead to bottle refusal
- If baby refuses, try having the primary nursing parent offer the bottle first as a trust-building step
- Paced bottle feeding can help bottle feel more like nursing
My Pumping Routine as a Working Mom
I’m in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On those days, this is what my pumping schedule looks like:
- Pump 3 hours after my last nursing session before heading in
- Pump at lunch
- Pump after seeing patients for roughly 3 hours
- Pump at end of day while documenting or even during the drive home
I use the Zomi wearable breast pump, which was fully covered by my insurance. I’ve used it since my third baby and love it. One tip if you use a newer model: there’s a sensor feature that auto-shuts off when it detects the cup is full. For me, this was causing it to stop too early. I turned the sensor off — but that means I have to be more vigilant about checking the tank so it doesn’t overflow. Learn from my very messy mistake. 😄
Managing Milk Supply, Engorgement & Mastitis Prevention
With a higher supply this time around, I’ve had to be more intentional. Here’s what has helped me avoid mastitis and manage engorgement:
- Hand expression while pumping. If you feel any tender spots — especially up toward the armpit — that’s a milk duct that isn’t fully draining. Gently massage toward the nipple while pumping to help release it.
- Don’t ignore tenderness. What starts as a clogged duct can become mastitis quickly if left unaddressed.
- Frequent, consistent drainage. Whether nursing or pumping, consistency is key to keeping supply flowing and ducts clear.
I did have one instance of a nodule filling with milk, but with gentle hand expression, it resolved without any issue. I count that as a win!
Our Bottle of Choice is Glass All the Way
We use Life Factory glass bottles and have for all four of my kids. The silicone sleeve protects them from breaking if dropped, and they’ve held up for years. One thing I’ll note: after this many years of use, some of the nipples have split, which affects the flow rate. New nipples are on my shopping list!
If you’re building your postpartum toolkit, glass bottles are absolutely worth the investment.
Every Breastfeeding Journey is Different
Every breastfeeding journey is different. Here’s what has worked for us this fourth time around:
- Nurse on demand from the start to build supply and bond
- Skip the pacifier if you want to maximize nursing stimulus (but have a soothing plan for when you’re away)
- Introduce a bottle around 6–8 weeks and practice periodically before returning to work
- Use a quality wearable pump to make pumping at work actually sustainable
- Stay on top of duct drainage to prevent mastitis — use your hands, not just the pump
I hope this gave you a real, honest look at what breastfeeding looks like for one holistic PT mama. If you have questions, schedule a 1:1 with the Holistically Well team of doctors.
Dr. Kayla Borchers is a holistic orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapist and mother of four based in Ohio. She specializes in root-cause care for women navigating postpartum recovery, pelvic health, and return to sport. Book a 1:1 session here!
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Breastfeeding FAQs
When is the best time to introduce a bottle if I’m breastfeeding?
Aim for the 6–8 week mark. Early enough that baby adapts easily, but late enough that nursing is well established.
How do I increase my milk supply naturally?
Nurse on demand and ditch the strict schedule. The more frequently your body is signaled to produce, the more milk it will make.
What do I do if my baby refuses the bottle?
Try having the nursing parent offer it first. The familiar presence can create a sense of safety that helps baby accept the transition.
How do I prevent mastitis as a pumping mom?
Stay consistent with drainage and use your hands while pumping. If you feel any tenderness — especially near the armpit — gently massage toward the nipple to release any clogged ducts before they become a bigger issue.
Is a wearable pump worth it for a working mom?
Absolutely. Being able to pump hands-free while documenting, driving, or moving between patients is a game changer. Check your insurance — many cover it fully.
