Makes Milk with Emma Pickett: breastfeeding from the beginning to the end

If ever there was someone who ticked all the boxes for breastfeeding challenges, it might be my guest this week.  Florence East’s experience of feeding her son,  Fred, includes a C-section birth, latching issues, nipple pain, and a diagnosis of tongue tie, which led to the use of nipple shields and eventually, exclusive pumping. She discusses her experiences with triple feeding, renting a hospital-grade pump, and using domperidone to increase milk supply. Despite numerous challenges, including mastitis and vasospasms, Florence's persistence and Fred's natural instincts led to a successful return to breastfeeding after several months. Fred is now two, and Florence is pregnant again and looking forward to tandem breastfeeding when Fred’s sibling is born next year.My picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Aisha Graham from Bristol. Aisha is mum to a nine-month-old daughter, and a five-year-old son, who her wife Lauren gave birth to. Our conversation delves into the dynamics of a same-sex family, co-nursing decisions, advocating for yourself and the importance of support during complex medical situations, including Aisha’s unexpected appendectomy shortly after childbirth which meant dealing with an emergency hospitalisation with an 11-day-old baby nursling. We also talk about breastfeeding with big boobs - something which needs to be discussed more in breastfeeding spaces.My new picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com Resources mentioned - Kate Battersby IBCLC https://www.theperfectstart.org.uk/ This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

My guest this week is the fabulous Beatrice Dane, a hypnobirthing instructor and breastfeeding supporter from Melton Mowbray. Bea discusses her early interest in motherhood, and her experiences breastfeeding her first child, Aria, to 4 years and 8 months, and her second child, Sam, who is still feeding today at 2. We touch on the challenges and triumphs of breastfeeding, the impact of family and professional support, and Bea's roles as a hypnobirthing teacher, breastfeeding support worker, and answering calls on the National Breastfeeding Helpline.You can follow Bea on Instagram @‌beasbirthandboobsThe National Breastfeeding Helpline is available 24/7 on 0300 100 0212. There is also social media support available (and sometimes webchat).My new picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comFind out more about the National Breastfeeding Hotline https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/ This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Today, I’m talking to the brilliant Caprice Fox, an educator and advocate from Bristol, about her experiences and advocacy work related to breastfeeding and inclusivity. We discuss the importance of representation and inclusive practices in breastfeeding campaigns and the damage of micro-agressions. Caprice shares her personal story and talks about her co-parenting journey with her wife, Holly. We also talk about her work with Black Mothers Matter and the importance of addressing systemic racism and inclusion in healthcare and education.You can find Caprice on Instagram @‌the.fox.family You can find her website here: Caprice Fox EdMy new picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com Resources mentioned - Black Mothers Matter https://www.blackmothersmatter.org/Spectrum Lactation Image library https://spectrumlactation.org/@‌midwifekeelie @‌ash_bainbridge@‌novareidofficial This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week, I’m honoured to be joined by Amy Viniski, a breastfeeding peer supporter and mindful breastfeeding practitioner, to share her personal experiences with pregnancy loss while breastfeeding. Amy candidly shares the emotional and physical challenges she faced through multiple losses, including an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriages. We discuss the misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding and miscarriage risk, the importance of support, and balancing personal grief while continuing to care for a breastfeeding child. At around 55 minutes, Amy also guides listeners through a mindfulness breathing exercise, providing a supportive resource for others who may be dealing with similar experiences.You can follow Amy on Instagram at @‌nurture_nest_ukMy new picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com Resources - Sands - Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families https://www.sands.org.uk/Tommy's - The pregnancy and baby charity https://www.tommys.org/Mindful Breastfeeding Training, Classes & Courses For Professionals - Anna Le Grange, Lactation Consultant IBCLC https://mindfulbreastfeeding.co.uk/ This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week I’m speaking to the lovely Gabby from Edinburgh about her experiences with tandem breastfeeding her two children, who are three and a half years and 10 months old. Gabby discusses the practicalities and challenges of her tandem feeding journey, including co-sleeping, night weaning, and dealing with her eldest child's sleep apnea. She shares her struggles with breastfeeding her younger child, who initially refused to latch due to her infection, and the steps she took, including seeking professional help, to successfully re-establish breastfeeding. Gabby also talks about her health conditions, including Ehlers-Danlos Hypermobility Syndrome and Ankylosing Spondylitis, and how breastfeeding has proven to be protective for her own health.My picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comResources mentioned - We talked about Carla Rodrigues https://www.latchworld.co.uk/Stretched to the Limits by Rachel Fitz-Desorgher https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/rachel-fitz-desorgher-2/stretched-to-the-limits/9781839972492/ This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week, I’m talking to the wonderful Caoimhe Whelan IBCLC, an Irish lactation consultant and author, about her specialist subject, primary low milk supply. Caoimhe shares her research on insufficient glandular tissue and its impact on breastfeeding mothers and families. We talk about antenatal and postnatal support, the complexities of diagnosing low milk supply, and the role of technology and galactagogues. You can find out more about Caoimhe on her website https://latch.ie/ and find her research at https://internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-025-00699-4You can find out more about her fabulous book here: Practical Breastfeeding | Book by Caoimhe Whelan, Lauren Rebbeck, Nicola O'Byrne | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster UKMy new picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com Resources mentioned - https://www.lowmilksupply.org/abouthttps://professoramybrown.co.uk/breastfeeding-grief This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week I’m talking to the fabulous Maryam, a doctor and mother from Manchester, about her breastfeeding journey. Despite initial struggles, including mixed advice, nipple shields, a tongue-tie, and pump issues, Maryam remained determined and successfully transitioned back from triple feeding to exclusive breastfeeding. We explore the emotional and physical challenges she faced, the role of family support, and the impact of her experiences on her professional perspective as a doctor. Maryam also highlights the importance of culturally competent breastfeeding support and the innovative efforts of the Medics Lactation Community (MiLC) in providing peer support and educational resources for doctors.Find out more about MiLC at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/14LwrHajAd9/?mibextid=wwXIfrAnd the Education network - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1749BkEGfr/?mibextid=wwXIfrMy new picture book on how breastfeeding journeys end, The Story of Jessie’s Milkies, is available from Amazon here -  The Story of Jessie's Milkies. In the UK, you can also buy it from The Children’s Bookshop in Muswell Hill, London. Other book shops and libraries can source a copy from Ingram Spark publishing.You can also get 10% off my books on supporting breastfeeding beyond six months and supporting the transition from breastfeeding at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Carly Facius, a Midwife and IBCLC, shares her expertise on weaning and family feeding dynamics. She and Emma tackle practical ways for partners to support the weaning process and reassure parents about continuing on-demand breastfeeding even with nursery transitions. They discuss managing breastfeeding at night, signs of self-weaning, and addressing breastfeeding aversion. With tailored insights for tandem feeding and nurturing emotional well-being, Carly's guidance is essential for parents navigating these changes.

Carly Facius, a Midwife and IBCLC parenting mentor, shares her expertise on weaning and mindful transitions. She offers insightful advice on weaning a toddler while tandem feeding and handling night-time feeds during pregnancy. Carly emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and addressing family dynamics while honoring each child's needs. They also discuss strategies for supporting neurodiverse children during this transition. With a focus on connection and respect, Carly's approach helps parents navigate the often complicated journey of ending breastfeeding.