Episode 10: You Got Mail…and a Baby: The 90s Birth & Breastfeeding Files

✨ Remember when breastfeeding in public was scandalous but Blockbuster late fees were totally normal? That’s right we’re heading to the 90s.

In this episode of Call Your Mom Friends, Amey (IBCLC), Lauren (labor nurse), and Charity (bodyworker) rewind to the rollercoaster of birth and breastfeeding in the 1990s. Think the 90s were all boy bands and Beanie Babies? Try growing rates of intervention, epidurals, and formula freebies. From VBAC highs and epidural explosions to the pump boom (hello, Medela glow-up!) and postpartum depression finally getting named, we’re spilling the tea on what motherhood looked like when Discmen skipped with every step.

Expect punchy stories, a little pop culture nostalgia (does hearing AOL dial-up trigger you?), and plenty of “wait, what?!” moments as the hosts break down how hospital policies, formula marketing, and celebrity home births shaped an entire generation of moms (yes, Pamela Anderson had a water birth in her Malibu bathroom). We also dive into the rise of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative — a global push to support breastfeeding moms — and why American hospitals were slow to get on board.

So grab your scrunchie, slip into that velour tracksuit, and prepare for a trip back to when your Tamagotchi dangled from your keychain and pumping at work meant a folding chair in a janitor’s closet. Because the 90s may have been a mixed bag — but they definitely birthed some unforgettable stories.

✨ In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The 90s saw a rise in breastfeeding rates despite formula marketing.

• Postpartum depression was officially recognized in the 90s, leading to better support.

• The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative aimed to promote breastfeeding but faced challenges in the US.

• Celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Demi Moore influenced public perception of home births.

• The culture of hospitals in the 90s often pushed for medical interventions over natural birth.

• Breast pumps became more accessible, aiding working mothers in breastfeeding.

• Mental health support for new mothers began to gain recognition in the 90s.

• The internet started to provide a platform for mothers to share experiences and advice.

• Despite progress, many mothers still faced barriers to breastfeeding and support.

• The conversation around maternal health continues to evolve, reflecting societal changes.

 

✨ Fridays are for Call Waiting — our weekly mom-friend call-in segment where real moms share raw, hilarious, and relatable stories you won’t hear in the school pickup line.

🎧 Got a story? Leave us a voicemail. We might just play it on the show.

Leave us a voicemail: Click Here!

Find us on Instagram: @call.your.mom.friends.podcast

📌 Resources & Links Mentioned in the Show: 

Postpartum Support International

Premier Ob/Gyn, LLC

 

And connect with us individually:

Charity Spears | Cocoon to Bloom → @cocoon_to_bloom | cocoontobloom.com

Lauren Murdock | Faith > Fear Birth™ → @labor.lauren | laborlauren.com

Amey Fields | AZ Breastfed Babies → @az.breastfedbabies | azbreastfedbabies.com