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

Another candidate for the breastfeeding hall of fame, my guest this week is Metasha who has fed her seven children over 20 years! Unlike many of my guests, Metasha’s story isn’t one of enormous challenges and struggles. Her attitude to breastfeeding and parenting has been to go with the flow, and to respond to her family’s needs, although she does admit that she sometimes lost herself in that process. Nearing the end of her breastfeeding journey with her youngest child, she is now beginning to focus on her maternal wellness business, teaching baby yoga and baby massage among other things.You can find Metasha on Instagram @‌the_hart_of_motheringMy latest book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow 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.

Emma Rosen, an accomplished author and breastfeeding counselor, joins to discuss the vital importance of educating children about breastfeeding. They explore how early conversations can normalize breastfeeding and the need for schools to incorporate this topic into their curriculum. Emma highlights the unique benefits of breast milk, the role of literature in shaping understanding, and the necessity of inclusive discussions involving boys and men. The conversation also critiques current educational gaps, advocating for comprehensive reforms to support breastfeeding education.

Back in episode 21, we explored breastfeeding and diabetes with Lucy Lowe IBCLC, and I’m delighted to be joined this week by Beth, to talk about her personal experience of breastfeeding her two sons, Sage and Jago, with her type 1 diabetes.We talk about how Beth’s long-term health condition affected her pregnancies, births and breastfeeding. We also cover prematurity, VBAC, aversion and weaning during Beth’s story.Beth Hawkins is a doula and holistic wellness practitioner. You can find her at @‌bethanyrosehawkins on Instagram. She will be launching a special diabetes coaching option next year so watch this space.My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow 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.

Trigger warning - Listeners who would prefer not to hear discussion of maternal suicide should skip from 44:48-46:00 minutes.This episode contains some conversational swearing.Francesca’s inspirational story is one of determination, positivity and courage. Led by attachment parenting philosophy, she tandem fed her twins, while also bringing up her 3 year old daughter, escaping a coercive relationship, and building her own business. Our conversation touches on PCOS, coercive control, breastfeeding with implants, twin grief and much more.Francesca is @francescaamber on instagram and you can find out more about her podcast at @lawofattractionchangedmylife My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comMentioned in this episode - The Continuum Concept https://continuumconcept.org/When the Bough Breaks documentary https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Bough-Breaks-Brooke-Shields/dp/B06XDN3PL1Donations to support the work of Mums in Need can be given here https://www.mumsinneed.com/This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

No one expects their motherhood journey to begin in the NICU, but that’s where Emma found herself, after the birth of her daughter Maya, by c-section due to placenta previa. At 35 weeks, Maya did not have a fully developed sucking reflex, and so they began a process of tube feeding, formula, pumping, and eventually breastfeeding. Emma’s determination shines through this story, especially as she faced the additional challenges of overstimulation and feeling touched out because of her autism. Now at 5 ½ months, Maya is exclusively breastfed and beginning to explore the world of food.My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow me on Twitter @MakesMilk and on Instagram  @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.comResources mentioned in this episode - @‌jessurlichs poet and author of Beautiful Chaos For information on autism and breastfeeding, look for the work of Dr Aimee Grant online and the Autism from Menstruation to Menopause project - https://www.autismmenstruationtomenopause.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDhlZ5Lu4wkAnna Wilson IBCLC - https://wiloaklactation.co.uk/This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week’s episode has it all - feeding twins, c-sections (both emergency and elective), triple feeding, cross-nursing, tongue tie, vasospasms - but what comes across most from Emily and Ali’s story is their love and support for one another as they breastfeed together.Emily had her son Frankie just weeks before Ali’s twins, Suni and Kiri, were born, and they have fed together, often literally side by side at their parent’s home. They have overcome a number of challenges through their journey, and continue to feed their sons at a year old.My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow 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.

Hypoplasia or IGT is not often spoken about, but there are estimates that up to 1 in 10 of us have insufficient breast tissue to exclusively breastfeed. Katie found out that she was one of those people when she sought help after her son, Ezra, lost 11% of his birth rate in a matter of days. The advice she received from midwives and health visitors was conflicting and confusing, leading to Katie mixed feeding, taking Domperidone and trying triple feeding for a few weeks. It was only when Katie was able to come to terms with bottle feeding Ezra, and see breastfeeding not as a source of nutrition, but as a bonding experience, that they were able to settle into a more comfortable relationship. Ezra is now two years old and still happily nursing.Resources - Making More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production, 2nd Edition (lllgbbooks.co.uk) Essay on IGT by ABM breastfeeding counsellor Philippa Lomas - https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/item/igt#:~:text=Breastfeeding%20with%20Insufficient%20Glandular%20Tissue.%20ISSN%202516-5852%20(Online)%20To%20readFinding Sufficiency: Breastfeeding with insufficient glandular tissue (lllgbbooks.co.uk)My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow 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.

This episode does contain discussion of miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death.This week, I’m speaking to Charlotte Mills, a midwife and IBCLC, whose third son, Robin, died before his birth at 20 weeks. Charlotte talks about losing Robin and her decision to continue lactating. She donated Robin’s milk to the Hearts Milk Bank where it went on to support premature and vulnerable babies.We talk about the importance of discussing lactation after loss and the value donation can bring some parents. It’s not the right choice for everyone, but everyone deserves to have information about their options and how to manage milk production after their baby dies.You may find the following resources helpful - Find Charlotte at @birthtale on Instagram Chester Milk Bank’s resource on donating after loss https://www.milkbankatchester.org.uk/donationafterloss/memorymilkgift/Hearts Milk Bank’s resource on being a Snowdrop Donor: https://humanmilkfoundation.org/hearts-milk-bank/donating-after-bereavement/https://www.tommys.org/https://www.sands.org.uk/My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow 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.

This week, I have the privilege of chatting with Ellie Warner, a hairdresser from Leeds, about her breastfeeding journey with her son, Ezra.Ellie initially knew little about breastfeeding but had an instinctual desire to do it. Ellie faced challenges, including gestational diabetes, a tongue-tie and torticollis, which eventually contributed to a breast abscess developing within weeks of Ezra’s birth. But Ellie was not to be deterred! At the same time she became a peer supporter and is passionate about providing support for working-class mothers.My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Look on instagram for @tortibreastfeeding for Nicola Walker’s discussion on torticollis and breastfeeding. Follow 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.

This week, I’m talking to Eleanor Nightingale about her breastfeeding experience with Bell's Palsy. During the birth of her daughter Hattie, Eleanor had an emergency forceps delivery, extensive tearing and haemorrhage. Six days later, the left side of her face became paralysed and after a rushed trip to A&E fearing a stroke, Eleanor was diagnosed and treated for Bell’s Palsy.Eleanor faced several challenges with breastfeeding, from trouble latching and tongue tie to sleep deprivation, but overcame them with support from her husband and a lactation consultant. Despite her difficulties, she successfully breastfed her daughter, Hattie, for two years and shares her weaning experience here too. Eleanor also shares practical tips to help others who might be struggling with Bell’s Palsy in the postnatal period.My new book, ‘Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding: a Guide to Weaning for Professionals, Supporters and Parents’, is out now.You can get 10% off the book at the Jessica Kingsley press website, that's uk.jkp.com using the code MMPE10 at checkout.Follow 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.