Taboo Science

Breastfeeding (with Bridget McGann & Sascha Mayer)

Jun 1, 2023

Lactation scientist Bridget McGann and Mamava co-founder Sascha Mayer discuss the mysteries of breastfeeding, breastmilk components, breastfeeding versus formula feeding, workplace support for pumping, and the importance of normalizing breastfeeding in society.

34:23

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Quick takeaways

Lactation predates dinosaurs, evolving from sweat glands to specialized mammary glands over millions of years.

Breastfeeding nurtures deep bonds and influences cognitive development through unique components in human milk.

Deep dives

Evolution of Lactation

Around 250 to 300 million years ago, a creature excreted fluid onto its eggs using sweat glands, a primitive method that eventually evolved into lactation. The transition from these double-duty glands to specialized mammary glands took millions of years. Dr. Bridget McGann, an anthropologist, delves into how lactation behavior interacts with biological evolution and cultural practices.

Introduction

3min

Evolution of Lactation and the Influence of Behavior

3min

Breastfeeding: Evolution, Physiology, and Societal Challenges

17min

Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers in the Workplace

8min

Normalizing Breastfeeding in Society

3min

Did you know lactation is older than the dinosaurs? Latch onto the mysteries of breastfeeding with help from lactation scientist Bridget McGann and Mamava co-founder Sascha Mayer in today's episode, which delves into the incredible components of breastmilk, the way that feeding itself influences a baby's development, the debate between breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and why workplace support for pumping can be the single thing that keeps a mother breastfeeding. Plus: why have we seen so many boobs in bikinis and so few boobs feeding babies?

Follow Bridget McGann on Twitter at @bridgetmcgann and learn more about Sascha Mayer and Mamava — including how to get a Mamava pod in your workplace — at Mamava.com.

See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/s3e4-breastfeeding/

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