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In the video, the influencer shares her personal breastfeeding journey and presents it as both a bonding experience and a challenge. Which I've seen a lot of while doing my research for this post. Showing her routine, struggles, and emotions shapes the narrative that breastfeeding is something most mothers should try to push through. This can be helpful because it normalizes breastfeeding and makes it feel more visible and accepted. Especially for new moms who are struggling and may not see it often in real life. The video also highlights that breastfeeding takes effort and patience. Which can prepare mothers for the reality that it is not always easy.

However, the video can also affect new mothers’ confidence. When influencers share mainly their success it can come out as the only “right” option, it may make some mothers feel guilty if they struggle or choose formula. New mothers may compare themselves to what they see online and feel pressure to match that experience.

Overall, this video shows how influencers can both support and pressure new mothers at the same time by shaping expectations about breastfeeding and influencing how confident women feel about their own feeding choices.

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How to Start Breastfeeding: Top Tips from a Lactation Consultant

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Social media plays a big role in how new mothers learn about breastfeeding. There are many different types of breastfeeding informational videos. I have seen shorts on Youtube showing how to get a good latch and posts on the benefits and experiences from mothers sharing their perspective. Some influencers also post a "day as a new mom" post showing their pumping schedules and their journey on being a mother and breastfeeding. Social media can positively affect a mother's breastfeeding experience because it helps them have access to support or information that they may need to hear. It can be overwhelming for them but helpful tutorials can be encouraging for them and create an online community for new mom's. Seeing other mothers succeed can help become motivating for them. Although social media can have negative effects as well. Like only showing the pros of breastfeeding and leaving out the challenges mom's can face. I can start to feel unrealistic if only the good is shown. Breastfeeding can involve pain and low milk supply concerns for mothers. When they compare themselves it new mothers can feel pressure if they have a different experience than the one's being shown on social media. Another negative can be misinformation since every woman will have a different experience breastfeeding. Social media can have some pros for useful knowledge but mothers should use it carefully and check information with their healthcare provider since breastfeeding is different for every mom.

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Breastfeeding a Newborn: What’s Normal, Common Challenges, and Expert Tips

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I have observed many types of postings about breastfeeding throughout various platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook groups. There are posts that give informative information on how to latch properly, position your body while breastfeeding, or tips for increasing milk supply. There are also stories from mothers, sharing their own experiences with breastfeeding, giving advice, encouragement, and emotional support to one another. There are promotional postings that discuss formulas, pumps, supplements, and other items related to breastfeeding. There are both educational and supportive posts, however, there are also posts that are opinion-based or biased which can be frustrating when trying to find accurate information. The impact of social media on a mother’s breastfeeding journey has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, it gives mothers the ability to connect with other mothers who are experiencing similar obstacles. The ability to see lived experiences and receive encouragement can give a mother confidence, decrease feelings of loneliness, and help create a sense of community. It can normalize struggles like low milk supply or difficulty with latching, helping mothers feel less alone. However, there are negative aspects as well. Misinformation can spread quickly, and idealized portrayals of breastfeeding may make it seem effortless, which can lead to frustration or self-doubt when reality is more challenging. Formula advertising may also influence feeding decisions. I believe social media can be a helpful educational tool when the information shared is evidence-based and comes from trusted sources. The video I linked serves as an educational resource by clearly explaining how breastfeeding works and how milk production occurs.

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Social Media Influencers can spread potential misinformation and stress in relation to breastfeeding. This video attached is first labeled “we are thinking about breastfeeding all wrong” This title alone can cause stress in new moms; causing them to believe that no matter what they do they probably could be doing it better.

This video makes it seem like professionals are not trustworthy making woman rely on social media for information. This reliance can lead to more questions because anyone can share anything on social media. This stress could cause a woman to not trust lactation consultants, which could make them make strange breastfeeding choices.

This video explains that apparently woman in hunter gatherer times breastfed every 13 minutes for 2 minutes and that it had lots of health benefits. However, the reliability of the information in this video is questionable. I am not sure how she would know these statistics stated since that time period was thousands of years ago. Her information may be based on real populations nowadays, but instead she generalizes it to hunter gathers. This label of hunter gatherers would believable make someone think all humans used to do it this way, making the claim seem to have more validity than it does. It would have been better if she had shared her sources along with her video.

She does help spread the information that frequent breastfeeding helps gain milk, which is true, however the idea of breastfeeding every 13 minutes for 2 minutes may put the baby at risk of only getting foremilk and no hindmilk. It’s possible that since it was every 13 minutes they would get hindmilk, but I think it would depend on how fast the woman produced milk.

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Elena Bridgers on Instagram: "Tired of me talking about breastfeeding yet? Well too bad 😈"

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11K likes, 519 comments - elena.bridgers on February 12, 2026: "Tired of me talking about breastfeeding yet? Well too bad 😈". 

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View this post on Instagram

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Mark Englund

Social media influencers play a strong role in shaping how new mothers think about breastfeeding, and this connects directly to what we learned in class. In the video, the speakers present breastfeeding as beneficial but also emphasize flexibility and maternal well-being, which reflects our Milk Matters assignment on providing evidence-based, client appropriate education. In class we learned that colostrum is highly concentrated and perfectly meets newborn needs despite its small volume, which matters because social media can show unrealistic feeding experiences that may make mothers worry they are not producing enough milk. If influencers fail to explain that early milk production is naturally low in volume but rich in immune factors, new mothers may lose confidence and supplement unnecessarily. We also learned that colostrum and mature milk serve complementary roles, with colostrum providing immune protection and mature milk supporting growth and hydration. When influencers oversimplify the message to “breast is best” without context, they may contribute to the “mom guilt” mentioned in the video. Personally, I have not seen much breastfeeding content on my own social media feeds, but I can see how it could influence mothers both positively and negatively. Social media can support mothers when it shares accurate, evidence-based guidance and normalizes different feeding experiences, but it can also create pressure or confusion when messaging is based more on opinion than science. I think social media can be a helpful educational tool, but it becomes risky if mothers rely on a single video or influencer instead of considering the full body of evidence and guidance from healthcare professionals. Overall, balanced, science-based messaging can empower mothers, while unrealistic messaging may increase anxiety and negatively affect feeding decisions.

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Is formula feeding OK? 2 doctors weigh in on breastfeeding vs formula

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I don't see much content about breastfeeding, but I have seen debates on whether or not it's appropriate for mothers to breastfeed their baby in public. Debates like this on social media can make mothers feel more self conscious about feeding their baby breast milk. There may also be misinformation that discourages mothers from breastfeeding their babies. For instance, it being normal to experience severe pain while breastfeeding, you're not producing enough milk, and that you shouldn't take any medicine while breastfeeding are myths commonly spread online. Making new mothers think there's something wrong with their breastfeeding could even be a tactic used to sell a product. Despite the potential harm, social media also has the ability to inform new mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding along with common issues that they may face. Seeing other moms deal with similar issues can either ease their minds and realize their baby's strange behavior such as cluster feeding is completely normal, or they can be alerted to serious issues they might not have otherwise questioned. It really depends on if the post was made by a credible source that spreads information supported by evidence. The video attached is a great example of how professionals such as OB-GYNs can use social media to properly educate mothers, and to disprove misinformation. This education can be crucial for helping mothers who don't have access to health care providers, or who don't know other mothers with experience in breastfeeding. Therefore, I believe social media content about breastfeeding is an overall positive for mothers.

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OB-GYNs Debunk 16 Postpartum And Breastfeeding Myths | Debunked

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My feed does not have any breastfeeding content on it. I have very rarely even seen content promoting, or even talking about breastfeeding. I do think social media could be a very useful resource for new mothers, especially the younger generations of mothers that are on social media. I think it may be beneficial to hear different perspectives from different mothers around the world that may not have the same circumstances as the viewer. I do think, for the most part, social media would positively affect a mother's breastfeeding journey because new or expecting mothers can learn tricks and tips to facilitate their breastfeeding journey. On the other hand, I think social media can also be negative due to the fact that their is a stigma associated with portraying women's breasts online. There is always going to be someone out there who disagrees, or think that such sensitive, taboo topics should be private, but the fact that even one mother could gain something positive out of seeing a video makes me hopeful that social media would be beneficial. I'm sure there are mothers out there that do not have a woman figure in their life who they can turn to, ask questions, or even get help from which would make social media such a valuable asset to their breastfeeding journey.

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The Breastfeeding Basics Everyone Forgot to Tell You (Breastfeed Better)

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I’ve seen many videos about breast feeding throughout this year. However, I found this video insightful with helping mothers.  Even though I grew up with a mother breastfeeding 24/7, I never processed how much time and energy it took. Even after the baby is born, she is still sharing her body, using the resources for the baby, and still maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet for them. While also dealing with postpartum and adjusting to her new body. Being a mother is one of the biggest sacrifices one can make. I feel social media can provide both negative and positive feedback, but I’ve noticed that it offers more insight, especially for younger women. Sometimes it can negatively affect mothers who compare, “why is she producing so much more then me? How does she perform so well feeding every 2-3 hours? Why does her baby latch on so fast?” Has been a few comments I’ve seen on youtube. But I also think social media CAN help first time moms feel more confident and comfortable with breast feeding, especially in public! I also think people offer more tips on how to get the baby to latch, get on schedule, etc. Having social media as a resource seems to outweigh the negative. Breast feeding wasn’t even fully legal in all 50 states until 2018, so yes, I think social media is a helpful educated tool for mothers.  Especially when mothers feel isolated, having TikTok videos that share same struggles can be reassuring and uplifting.

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7 SIMPLE BREAST FEEDING TIPS every new mom should know

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Personally I don't see much breastfeeding content specifically on my feed. I have seen some related posts with some moms talking about their personal experience, but it has never really peaked my interest before. The main posts I will see related to breastfeeding are typically the argument of when you should stop breastfeeding your baby. I think this can go into the positive and negative effects social media can have on mothers' who are breastfeeding. While I think social media can be a great learning tool to discover new information, like the video I chose to link above, I also think it can pressure new mothers'. I think with how many opinions and videos there are on social media, it must feel overwhelming, especially not knowing what is right or wrong. I personally don't think there is a right or wrong in certain scenarios, such as when to stop breastfeeding. I believe it is whenever the mother and her child feel ready to stop this phase. In the end I think social media can be an educational tool, but mothers shouldn't fully rely on it and instead do research off social media to get the best answers.

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This #WorldBreastfeedingWeek let's learn 3 facts about breastfeeding.     1️⃣ Your body is ready to breastfeed from the moment your baby is born. 2️⃣ Babies under 6 months don’t need additional water or formula – even in hot climates. 3️⃣ Breastfeeding shouldn't be painful. Reach out for help when you need it. #fyp #foryou #who #worldhealthorganization #breastfeeding #mom #babies #maternalhealth #child #breastfeed #mother 

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@who
This #WorldBreastfeedingWeek let's learn 3 facts about breastfeeding. 1️⃣ Your body is ready to breastfeed from the moment your baby is born. 2️⃣ Babies under 6 months don’t need additional water or formula – even in hot climates. 3️⃣ Breastfeeding shouldn't be painful. Reach out for help when you need it. #fyp #foryou #who #worldhealthorganization #breastfeeding #mom #babies #maternalhealth #child #breastfeed #mother
♬ original sound - World Health Organization (WHO)

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I personally haven't looked into or researched women's health overall, especially not breastfeeding. Some of my friends have been having kids over the past year, so I've learned a little bit from them. The content on breastfeeding that I've found is interesting as there's so much to be said and various opinions or facts. Not to mention the different organizations that may share similar viewpoints and might disagree or have a belief that is slightly different. In terms of social media content, the whole of it is positive and meant for the embetterment of the mother and child.

The video I found is apart of a renowned group on YouTube, videos from a channel we view in class, and they talk about formula vs. breastmilk. The overall argument and tone of the video is to inform people formula is a good healthy viable option for all parents. Even mothers who don't have complications with breastfeeding. With every passing decade, improvements in baby formula nutrition and science continue to get better not worse. It's easy to compare formula from the 80's or 90's to breastfeeding, but we're in the 2020's and stigma can linger for awhile and pass down generations. They talk about various studies that have been conducted over the past 30 years, which are hard to conduct ethically since infants and mothers are involved. Most of the findings find formula to have very little drop-off in infant short and long-term health compared to breastfeeding. Most of the issue, when it comes to infant health, is related to socioeconomic status, income, educational attainment, and conditions of the mother prior to pregnancy and many others.

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Is Breast Milk Actually Better Than Formula? Science Explains

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I don't really get breastfeeding content on my social media, but i can see how it's a great way for new mothers to get good information quickly and also get questions to answers they didn't know to ask. social media can help show what new mothers can expect postpartum to be like much easier than talking to a doctor who may not be able to convey the information in a way they can easily digest. It's a great way to get advice and help for those that may lack someone to lean on and learn from in real life while also seeing that other people can struggle with raising a newborn and its ok to not be perfect at it.

Social media can also be used to spread misinformation bad advice. If a new mother doesn't take what they hear with a grain of salt and don't verify what they hear then the baby may end up not developing properly which can lead to more issues down the line. It's very easy to spread harmful myths and rumors on the internet and even though they may sound right and believable it is important to get all the facts before unknowingly running with and spreading potentially dangerous information.

I believe that on the whole social media has the capacity to do more good than harm and that as long as new mothers do their due diligence and keep an eye out for misinformation while using social media and not taking everything at face value then they can learn far more than they may have went in wanting to know and come out better for it. I chose my video because it provides a good starting point for learning about breastfeeding while being trustworthy and honest with it's advice from a trustworthy source.

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Breastfeeding Tips 101 for New Moms: Latch, Positions, Pumping, Nipple Care, Colostrum

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While I have seen a few negative posts about breastfeeding on social media platforms, a majority of the posts that I have viewed are positive and educational. I chose this image that I found on Instagram because I thought it was a very balanced post that does not appear overwhelming or overly intense. Everything said has a positive connotation and the image appears very calm and not stress-inducing. I think it is a very good post to show ways that social media can positively influence mothers to breastfeed. It highlights the pros of breastfeeding and explains the benefits to not only the child, but to the mothers as well. There are also definitely some posts that make breastfeeding seem undesirable. They highlight the hormonal issues, the stressful parts, and overall strip the glory of breastfeeding and show all the behind the scenes and negative portions. While it is nice to be as educated as possible on a very important decision in your life, the posts you see are likely to affect your decisions no matter what. If you only see negative posts about breastfeeding from accounts that make it seem miserable and unbearable, I think you are going to be less likely to choose to breastfeed than a woman who has seen nothing but posts talking about how positive and beneficial the decision to breastfeed is. Due to what I found on my searches, I would consider social media to be more of a helpful education tool and a good resource to give mothers a small push towards choosing to breastfeed. However, everyone’s algorithm is different, therefore another person could be searching for the same content and get results that were entirely different from the results I got. I had primarily positive results, but I would recommend mothers be careful while looking things up online because there definitely are negative posts about breastfeeding roaming the internet.

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1. I have not seen much content on breast feeding being posted on social media platforms. Although, when searching for a video I have come across a couple positive videos, and a couple negative videos. I chose a video of a mother sharing things that most mothers do not talk about when it comes to breast feeding. This video seems to be positive and helpful to new mothers of the community who may not have as much information as others. The space created allows for questions, and comments about do’s and don’t s about breast feeding.

1. I beleive breast feeding is shared amongst social media so new mothers can be informed on what to expect versus what not to expect. Platforms such as Tik tok, Instagram, Facebook, etc. allow breast feeding information to be posted. There is always a risk of misinformation being spread causing opinions to be made against breast feeding that may not be true. Although, there is a joy in being able to share tips and information new mothers may not be aware of allowing a sense of community and comfort to them.

1. I beleive social media such as Tik Tok, Instagram, and other sorts of platforms can be mostly an educational tool for new mothers looking for advice and help on breast feeding. Weather this be relatable content, or helpful tips, the information will be helpful one way or another. Aside from this, mothers should not completely rely on social media for their information. Although, posting content can help connect postpartum mothers with one another which may help with relatability and feeling like they are not alone. This video in particular gives a sense of realness to the community of mothers.

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1. I haven’t personally seen a large amount of breastfeeding-related content on my own social media feeds, but I do recognize that social media has increasingly become a space where new mothers can openly share their journeys, experiences, and practical tips. Many platforms allow mothers to document their postpartum experiences in real time, which can help normalize both the joys and the challenges that come with breastfeeding. For many women, especially those who may not have strong in-person support systems, these virtual communities can help reduce feelings of isolation. Being able to read about others’ struggles with latching, milk supply, or balancing breastfeeding with daily responsibilities can provide reassurance and emotional comfort.

2. On the other hand, social media can also be a breeding ground for misinformation and myths. Because anyone can post content, not all the information shared is evidence-based or medically accurate. Sometimes advice is based purely on personal experience rather than scientific research, which can lead to confusion or unrealistic expectations. This is why it is so important for mothers to critically evaluate what they see online and to verify information with healthcare providers or trusted, reputable sources.

3. Overall, I believe social media can be a helpful tool for breastfeeding mothers when used thoughtfully and carefully. It can offer community, encouragement, and shared knowledge, but it should not replace professional medical guidance. If a new mother feels unsure about something she reads online, I would strongly suggest speaking with a healthcare provider, lactation consultant, or another qualified professional. Combining supportive online communities with reliable medical advice can help ensure both confidence and safety during the breastfeeding journey.

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Q&A + BREASTFEEDING TIPS With ME 🍼 A Lactation Counselor

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I choose this video from the YouTube channel Kay&Tay. This video, I think, gives a visual to what we learned in class about having to frequently feed a baby when breastfeeding. It also highlights the reality of how much breastfeeding impacts a mother's life and choices when out in public, especially when public places might not always have a designated area for them to breastfeed. Overall, I think this video provides mothers with the assurance that breastfeeding is natural and that having to breastfeed in public, when done so in a respectful manner, is not inappropriate.

In the media, I have seen many videos similar to the one I have included above. It is mothers who breastfeed, assuring mothers that doing so in public is not inappropriate, while remaining respectful to others. I have also seen mothers just sharing their experiences in the form of "story-times," which again, are reinforcing a message of normalcy or setting expectations when it comes to breastfeeding. All that said, I have also seen videos where mothers share their struggles with breastfeeding, and how not being able to produce their own milk can be an emotional time. Furthermore, I have also seen videos where mothers express how they did not want to breastfeed and preferred the use of formulas.

Above I have listed some of the content I have seen relating to the topic of breastfeeding, which contains lots of variety. Due to the variety, I think that depending on the mother's experience who is viewing the content, it could either positively or negatively impact her. If she struggles with breastfeeding and she watches the video I included in this post, she could feel like she is doing something wrong or other negative emotions because she does not have the same experience. Contrastingly, if she is able to breastfeed, she might watch the above video and feel assurance or gratitude because she can relate to the content.

I think that social media can be a helpful tool and be risky. That said, I would lean towards it being more of a tool. I say this because, I think, there are a greater number of people just trying to help when they post on platforms, compared to people trying to harm others with posts. Content might not always be perceived as help, and to avoid feeling negatively about breastfeeding, mothers who are struggling can take a step away from social media and focus on themselves with family, friends, and their own healthcare professionals for guidance and support. Having the ability to step away makes social media less of a risk to me. For the most part, I think people can relate or learn from others.

Above all, when it comes to breastfeeding and social media, it depends on the mother and her experience with breastfeeding with how she responds to the content. Ultimately, she is the only one who can determine what she learns from social media or if she wants to turn it off.

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Rating NURSING spots at DISNEY 🤔 (yes I nurse on both sides) #kayandtayofficial

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Link: https://youtu.be/i1UMnKduosE?si=YezIouSiqrQ7u0wl

I chose a video by SciSchow comparing Breast Milk versus Formula because I trust this channel and they seem to use credible sources. The video mentions many of the things covered in our textbook. It talks about the positive increase in breastfeeding rates since the creation of BFHI and the health benefits found from breastfeeding.

But it does go on to mention some points that aren’t directly said in our textbook. It explains many studies, specifically one that compared siblings who are exposed to the same environmental conditions, but one is breastfed and another is formula fed. The study found that the future outcomes in life did not differ much between each pair of siblings. So the big picture of the video points out that although breastfeeding does have good bacteria and immune proteins not found in formula, there is no reason to fear formula if really needed. As long as you properly prepare the formula, it’s a fine second option.

If new mothers go on social media and find videos and information backed by science like this one, I think it would greatly help them feel more confident. This video would positively help a mother know the benefits of breastfeeding while also assuring them that if they can’t produce milk for however long, they can always supplement formula without hurting their baby. I think that other social media videos made by less educated people may hurt mothers, so it’s important to look for good sources and channels when browsing.

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Discussion Prompt: How Do Social Media Platforms Influence New Mothers' Perceptions and Decisions About Breastfeeding?

Social media has become a powerful tool for sharing experiences, shaping opinions, and accessing health-related information. For new mothers, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok are often go-to sources for advice, support, and community around parenting, including infant feeding choices.

In this discussion, we will explore how social media influences new mothers’ perceptions of breastfeeding, from promoting breastfeeding as the “gold standard,” to spreading misinformation, to creating pressure or unrealistic expectations. We’ll also consider how online communities and influencers may impact a mother's decision to breastfeed, formula-feed, or do a combination of both.

To get started, reflect on the following:

What types of breastfeeding content have you seen on social media?

How might social media positively or negatively affect a mother's breastfeeding journey?

Do you think social media can be a helpful educational tool, or does it present more risks than benefits?

Instructions:

Initial Post: Submit your original response (minimum 250 words) on or before Friday 9/26, during your regularly scheduled class time. Your post must include at least one tagged or linked video from a social media platform (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube) that relates to breastfeeding content. Briefly explain why you chose it and how it supports your points.

Peer Response: Reply to at least one classmate with a supportive, thoughtful comment (minimum 150 words) by Sunday, 9/28 at midnight.

Use respectful, professional language and draw connections to course content when possible. Let your responses demonstrate critical thinking and engagement with the topic and your peers.