
Makes Milk with Emma Pickett
A companion to your infant feeding journey, this podcast explores how to get breastfeeding off to a good start (and how to end it) in a way that meets everyone's needs.Emma Pickett has been a Board Certified Lactation Consultant since 2011. As an author (of 4 books), trainer, volunteer and breastfeeding counsellor, she has supported thousands of families to reach their infant feeding goals.Breastfeeding/ chest feeding may be natural, but it isn't always easy for everyone. Hearing about other parent's experiences and getting information from lactation-obsessed experts can help.
Latest episodes

Jan 30, 2024 • 1h 9min
Breastfeeding and allergies
Allergic reactions can be swift and frightening, but they can also be persistent and confusing. They are not only distressing for the baby, but also for their carers too, and the treatment often involves elimination diets for the nursing parent. This week I’ve got Kaya Thorpe IBCLC with me, who has personal and professional experience of coping with allergies in infants. Kaya explains what allergies are, how they present in babies and how we can treat them. Find out more about Kaya at The Milk Hub www.themilkhub.co.uk or www.lowestoftandwaveneybreastfeeding.co.ukFind out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsGet 10% off my books with the code MMPE10 from 21st December 2023. Find them at https://uk.jkp.com/collections/author-emma-pickett-pid-240164Follow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comResources mentionedInfant milk information from First Steps Nutrition Trust - https://infantmilkinfo.org/Dr Chris van Tulleken article - https://allergynorthwest.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Allergy-CMPA-Overdiagnosis-Industry-BMJ-2018.pdfThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Jan 23, 2024 • 1h 7min
The one with the abscess and the breastfeeding
As a self-confessed TV addict, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to talk to Lauren Heeley, Senior Script Editor at Emmerdale, about representations of breastfeeding on TV. We begin with Lauren’s own story, a struggle to get help when an infection became an abscess just weeks after her daughter was born. Then at around 20 minutes, we discuss breastfeeding in some of our favourite, and not so favourite shows, including Friends, The Office (US) Game of Thrones and the notorious, Little Britain.Find out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsGet 10% off my books with the code MMPE10 from 21st December 2023. Find them at https://uk.jkp.com/collections/author-emma-pickett-pid-240164Watch the clips we talk about here - Friends: The one with the breastmilk Season 2 Episode 2 https://youtu.be/D2RNE-RttKg?si=n33-2s8JZblKC7XbFriends: The one where Rachel has a baby. Season 9 Episode 1 https://youtu.be/PCNqt7qnXwo?si=-ZKCFFJiGPpO7ShFThe Office US Season 6 Delivery Part 2 https://youtu.be/pS9rTOEN3FY?si=TJ8UlROW7on-stqwPeep Show - Luxury Milk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtiyNv7zCbQA Dark Adapted Eye - https://youtu.be/sE1hYGKNXt0?si=_i2Tnz4LHGYKmh-jLittle Britain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuPBbFOiygoFollow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Jan 16, 2024 • 1h 13min
All things poo!
This might not be the episode to listen to while you are eating your breakfast. We’re talking poo. We’re covering texture, colour, smell, frequency - all the questions you ever wanted to ask, but were afraid to ask. And who better to answer those questions than Charlotte Treitl, IBCLC and founder of the Baby Poo Gallery? Charlotte and I discuss every aspect of poo from newborn to potty training, via allergies, when to seek medical help, elimination communication and much more.You can find follow Charlotte on Instagram @themilkrebel or find out more about her here About Us – Breastfeeding SupportThe Baby Poo Gallery is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/babypoogalleryFind out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsGet 10% off my books with the code MMPE10 from 21st December 2023. Find them at https://uk.jkp.com/collections/author-emma-pickett-pid-240164Follow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Jan 9, 2024 • 1h 14min
Unsettled babies
Parenting an unsettled baby can be distressing and frustrating, especially when you feel like your concerns are not being heard. My guest this week, Shel Banks IBCLC, is working to help parents to address their worries, calm their babies and ultimately calm them.In our conversation, we touch on colic, reflux and faltering growth, looking at what each term really means and how they can be addressed. We also talk supplements, exclusion diets and probiotics. Find out more about Shel at www.shelbanks.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @shel_banks or Facebook www.facebook.com/ShelBanksIBCLCFind out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsGet 10% off two of my books with the code MMPE10 from 21st December 2023. Find them at https://uk.jkp.com/collections/author-emma-pickett-pid-240164Follow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comResources mentioned20 Myths about Colic - Shel Banks http://babyem.co.uk/20-myths-about-colic/ Managing the baby with colicky symptoms - Shel Banks https://shelbanks.co.uk/managing-baby-colicky-symptomsNICE guidance on reflux https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng1NICE guidance on faltering growth https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng75Cochrane Review on diet changes for infant colic https://www.cochrane.org/CD011029/BEHAV_diet-changes-infant-colicCochrane Review on probiotics to prevent infantile colic https://www.cochrane.org/CD012473/BEHAV_probiotics-prevent-infantile-colicThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Jan 2, 2024 • 1h 3min
Diabetes and breastfeeding
Can I still breastfeed with type 1 diabetes? What will happen to my baby now that I have gestational diabetes?In this episode, I’m talking to Lucy Lowe, an IBCLC specialising in working with diabetes in pregnancy. We talk about how gestational diabetes is diagnosed and treated, what steps you can take to prepare for breastfeeding a baby if you have any type of diabetes, and how to get more support.Find out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsGet 10% off two of my books with the code MMPE10 from 21st December 2023. Find them at https://uk.jkp.com/collections/author-emma-pickett-pid-240164Follow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comResources mentionedFree online antenatal course: https://abm.me.uk/product/team-baby-online-course/Expressing your milk before your baby arrives - https://abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/antenatal-expression-colostrum/Language Matters article https://www.diabetes.org.uk/resources-s3/2018-09/language-matters_language%20and%20diabetes.pdfhttps://jdrf.org.uk/https://www.laleche.org.uk/diabetes-and-breastfeeding/https://www.lowestoftandwaveneybreastfeeding.co.uk/https://www.breastfeedingsupportnorwich.com/https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/10/Having-meaningful-conversations-with-mothers.pdfNICE guidelines: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng3https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs109https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/pregnancyThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Dec 24, 2023 • 14min
Happy Christmas from Makes Milk
Happy Christmas. I hope you’re having a lovely time, whether you’re celebrating with family and friends or tucked up at home. In this short episode, I want to offer you a few words of encouragement if you’re having a challenging time, and to answer a few common questions about food and alcohol consumption.If you need more support with your breastfeeding at this time of year, you can call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. They’re open everyday from 9.30am to 9.30pm.Find out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsMy book on supporting the end of breastfeeding: Supporting the Transition from breastfeeding: a guide to weaning for professionals, supporters and parents is out in February and can be pre-ordered here: Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: A Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents: Amazon.co.uk: Pickett, Emma: 9781839977855: BooksFollow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Dec 19, 2023 • 1h 16min
Breastfeeding boundaries and big feelings
Exploring the challenges of weaning and the emotional needs of parents and children. Encouraging the use of symbolic play in the weaning conversation. Discussing responsive breastfeeding and setting boundaries with aggressive behaviors. Emphasizing the importance of emotional stability as a parent. Exploring alternative connections after weaning. Recommending resources to manage big feelings and breastfeeding boundaries.

Dec 12, 2023 • 1h 12min
Oversupply
Many parents worry that they won’t make enough milk for their child to thrive, but oversupply is much less talked about. For families who experience it though, it can cause pain, worry and lots of stress. This week I’m joined by fellow IBCLC Alice Lucken to identify the signs of oversupply, its causes, and what you can do to ease it. We talk about pumping, positioning, block nursing and supplements, as well as well-meaning advice to avoid.Follow Alice on Instagram @babyetaluk or go to her website Home - Baby et AlFind out more from my article on oversupply: “You’ve got so much milk! You’re so lucky!” “No, I’m bloody not”: oversupply, ‘colic’ and ‘reflux’ — Emma Pickett IBCLC (squarespace.com)Find out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsFollow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comResources mentioned - The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (lllgbbooks.co.uk)For donating milk:Home - Human Milk FoundationUK Human Milk Bank - Breast Milk Donation, BreastMilk Storage, UKAMBThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 29min
Breastfeeding after loss
Deborah’s story is a long one and it deserves to be. The story of her multiple losses helps us to understand why her breastfeeding journey with her son had the impact that it still does today. This may not be an easy listen for anyone who has experienced baby loss themselves but it’s also a story of hope and repair. It’s a valuable listen for anyone who works with new families and needs to better understand the rainbow baby journey. Breastfeeding can do a lot of very special things, including changing a parent’s relationship with their own body. Running gets a shout out too!Follow Deborah on Instagram @_spilling_the_milk and @mother_runner_Get support for baby loss at Together, for every baby - Charity for Babies | Tommy's (tommys.org) and Aching Arms – the charity bringing comfort after baby lossFind out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsFollow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Nov 28, 2023 • 1h 4min
Dealing with family pressure
‘You’re not feeding him again are you?’ ‘I’m only saying this because I’m worried about you’ ‘Don’t you think she’s a bit old for that now?’ Unsupportive comments from family members can be hurtful and stressful for you and your child. In this episode, Raksha and Lauren share their stories of difficult relatives, and we share some tips for dealing with them.You can find more from me on this topic in A first Christmas - The Natural Parent MagazineAnd support from other parents here Breastfeeding Older Babies and Beyond | FacebookFind out more about breastfeeding and chest feeding older babies and children in my book Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond: A Guide for Professionals and ParentsFollow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comThis podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.