Brooke Simmons on Navigating Breastfeeding Challenges
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
Release Date: 04/10/2025
Building a Medical Home for the Uninsured - Dr. Marvin Hardy & Stephanie Garris - Grace Medical Home
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Michael Middleton sits down with Dr. Marvin Hardy, founder of Grace Medical Home, and CEO Stephanie Garris to explore how a faith-based medical home is transforming healthcare for uninsured families in Central Florida. Together they discuss continuity of care, the social factors that shape health, the role of volunteers and community partnerships, and what it means to care for the whole person - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The conversation also examines challenges within the healthcare system, the importance of primary care, and how Grace...
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Kids, Phones & Mental Health: Parenting in the Smartphone Era - Dr. Scott St. Clair
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Michael Middleton sits down with longtime friend and pediatrician Dr. Scott St. Clair to unpack The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and what it means for today’s parents. Together, they explore the rise in anxiety and depression among kids and teens, how smartphones and social media reshaped childhood, and why real-world play, boredom, sleep, and face-to-face relationships matter now more than ever. They also discuss practical, hopeful steps families can take to navigate technology wisely and help kids build resilience in an increasingly digital...
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Infant Swim Lessons, Water Safety & ISR Explained - Dr. Harvey Barnett
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Michael Middleton sits down with Dr. Harvey Barnett, founder of ISR (Infant Swimming Resource), to discuss his decades-long mission to prevent childhood drowning. Dr. Barnett shares the tragic event that inspired his work, how ISR survival swim lessons were developed, common misconceptions around water safety and flotation devices, and why he believes every child can learn critical self-rescue skills. The conversation also explores the science behind infant learning, public health approaches to drowning prevention, and practical guidance for parents as...
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Pediatric Infectious Disease Expert Breaks Down 2026’s Illnesses - Feat. Dr. Alejandro Jordan
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton sits down with pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Alejandro Jordan to break down what parents need to know after this year’s tough sick season. From flu vaccine mismatches to the growing concern around measles outbreaks, they explain what’s really happening - and what actually matters for your child’s health. They also tackle common misconceptions about immunity, frequent illness in kids, whether supplements really work, and much more. Topics include: • Flu season recap and vaccine effectiveness • Measles outbreaks and herd...
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Caring Well - What 15 Years in Pediatrics Has Taught Us - With Christine May, APRN
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton sits down with Christine May, longtime nurse practitioner and original team member at Middleton Pediatrics, to reflect on 15 years of practice growth and personal change. Together, they discuss how pediatrics has evolved - from food allergy guidelines and telehealth to navigating COVID, mental health challenges, and the explosion of online medical information. Christine also shares how her own parenting journey has mirrored the life of the practice and what it means to stay committed to relational, evidence-based care in a rapidly changing...
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Fathering With the End In Mind - Dr. David Goodman from Base Camp 322
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Michael Middleton talks with Dr. David Goodman about intentional fatherhood and raising boys with purpose during the critical early years. Dr. Goodman shares how his personal journey and work in medicine, global health, and coaching shaped his Base Camp 322 framework, which helps fathers address their own inner growth, build healthy family rhythms, and foster secure attachment with their children. The conversation offers practical, approachable insights to help parents care well for their kids - starting with themselves. WATCH EPISODE: Learn More: Key...
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Supporting a Child's Emotional World With Creativity - Theresa Smith-Levin of Central FL Vocal Arts
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton chats with Theresa Smith-Levin, founder of Central Florida Vocal Arts, about how music and the arts can play a powerful role in children’s health and development. Theresa shares her “overnight nonprofit founder” story, explains how CFVA expands access to arts education for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity, and discusses how creative expression builds confidence, resilience, empathy, and emotional well-being. The conversation also offers practical insight into how families and schools can normalize creativity and help...
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From Suppression to Expression: Supporting Boys’ Emotional Health – Featuring David Thomas, LMSW
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton chats with David Thomas, LMSW - author, counselor, and co-host of the Raising Boys and Girls podcast - about the emotional lives of boys, exploring why anxiety and risk-avoidance are on the rise, how parents can move kids from emotional suppression to healthy expression using his “three Rs” framework (recognize, regulate, repair), the importance of free play and age-appropriate discomfort for growth, and practical tools families can use to help boys build emotional vocabulary, self-regulation skills, and true resilience. WATCH EPISODE: Learn...
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ADHD, Attachment & Attention: Cultivating Healthy Parent-Teen Relationship - Matt Casada - Counselor
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton chats with adolescent care counselor Matt Casada about how parents can better understand and support adolescents - especially those dealing with ADHD and executive function challenges. Matt explains why emotional regulation and a sense of safety are essential for attention, breaks down attachment styles and “zones of regulation,” and offers practical strategies like sensory resets, visual checklists, and structured homework rhythms. He also highlights common but often missed teen struggles and shares simple daily habits that help kids feel...
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The Vaccine Schedule: Why Timing Matters (Part 3) - Dr. Michael Middleton
Caring Well with Dr. Michael Middleton
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Michael Middleton and Sara Pate, APRN explain why vaccine timing is especially important for children. They outline how the CDC and AAP develop the schedule to protect infants at their most vulnerable ages, supported by decades of safety and effectiveness research. The discussion highlights that babies naturally encounter far more antigens in daily life than through vaccines, and delaying shots leaves them unprotected against serious diseases. The episode also clarifies the difference between approved, recommended, and required vaccines, emphasizing that...
info_outlineIn this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton sits down with Brooke Simmons, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, to explore the ins and outs of breastfeeding. Brooke shares her personal journey into lactation consulting, the emotional and physical challenges many new moms face, and practical advice for both parents and support systems. From understanding milk supply and breastfeeding techniques to busting common myths and navigating feeding expectations, Brooke offers compassionate, expert insight for families looking to care well for both baby and mother.
Watch Episode: https://youtu.be/jWnAHvNG1LU
Learn More: https://www.brookeibclc.com
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro & Brooke's Journey to Becoming an IBCLC
03:34 A Day in the Life of a Lactation Consultant
06:56 Creating a Comfortable Environment for Breastfeeding
10:25 The Significance of Milk Coming In for Newborns
13:59 Navigating Breastfeeding Challenges: Emotions and Guilt
17:26 Emotional Aspects of Breastfeeding
21:08 Nutritional Tips for Nursing Mothers
24:22 Understanding Colostrum: The Original Liquid Gold
27:56 Managing Anxiety During Breastfeeding
31:28 Choosing the Right Breast Pump: Tips for Moms
34:27 Proper Breast Milk Storage Techniques
37:56 Navigating Breastfeeding Challenges and Mom Shaming
41:17 Overcoming Breastfeeding Challenges: Personalized Approaches
45:54 Debunking Common Breastfeeding Myths
48:20 Societal Changes and Breastfeeding Trends
51:42 Supporting Fathers in Early Parenthood
53:14 Rapid-Fire Questions Round & Outro
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