This week, I’m honoured to be joined by Dr. Laura Thomas, a community pediatrician from Reading, La Leche League leader, and breastfeeding peer supporter, to talk about breastfeeding in pediatric palliative care. Laura explains her day-to-day work with neurodiversity and neurodisability, her training and her own breastfeeding experiences. We discuss Laura’s masters project using a questionnaire for palliative care and pediatric staff, which found breastfeeding is often not considered unless families request support, and that staff want simple guidance and signposting. We explore why breastfeeding and milk donation can matter at end of life and after bereavement, highlight resources like the Memory Milk Bank and Herts Milk Bank, and consider practical hospice support and future research into lactation supporters’ preparedness.

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, by going to https://bit.ly/JKPbooks and using the code MMPE10 at checkout.

Follow me on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com

Resources mentioned -

The Milk Bank at Chester https://www.milkbankatchester.org.uk/donationafterloss/memorymilkgift/

The Human Milk Foundation https://humanmilkfoundation.org/hearts-milk-bank/donating-after-bereavement/

Breastfeeding the Brave https://breastfeedingthebrave.com/

Framework for Practice: Lactation and loss | British Association of Perinatal Medicine https://www.bapm.org/resources/lactation-and-loss-management-of-lactation-following-the-death-of-a-baby

Together for Short Lives: Children's Charities - Children Hospices https://www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk/

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week, I’m pleased to be joined by Auden Krauska, a non-binary parent of two originally from Wisconsin now living near Copenhagen, to talk about their nursing journeys and the complexities of lactation alongside gender dysphoria and healthcare systems. Auden describes binding, being misgendered, considering top surgery but delaying it to lactate, and stopping testosterone to conceive. Their first pregnancy involved hyperemesis, followed by a home birth, sidelying nursing, a newborn hospitalisation for enterovirus meningitis, and recurrent mastitis linked to oversupply and outdated advice, which improved with the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s updated protocol and ibuprofen. Auden shares experience of parent-led weaning at 14 weeks pregnant, using a personalised storybook, and discusses nursing-friendly and pregnancy clothing, working remotely, Denmark’s health care, and evidence and monitoring around resuming testosterone while lactating. If Auden does return to taking testosterone, they will do blood testing to check their daughter’s liver function and hormone levels, and that decision is a way off.

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, by going to https://bit.ly/JKPbooks and using the code MMPE10 at checkout.

Follow me on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com

Find out more about Auden on their blog https://thepregnantpapa.wordpress.com/

Resources mentioned -

Where’s the Mother? - a book by Trevor MacDonald https://www.queerlit.co.uk/products/wheres-the-mother?srsltid=AfmBOorXJK6ekxR3phw_y4N2NWXZ4vKNfrwshyJ9XpzXWTcom_fQCunf
Trevor’s Facebook group - Birthing and Breast or Chestfeeding Trans People and Allies https://www.facebook.com/share/g/183Qi5ryX9/

Angela Marchant in Madison, WI https://www.tallgrassosteopathy.com/

Trans Fertility Co https://transfertility.co/

Trystan Reese https://www.trystanreese.com/

Being You: A First Conversation About Gender – Early Pride Matters https://earlypridematters.org/teaching-guide/being-you-a-first-conversation-about-gender/

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Emma Erskine-Fox, a Bristol-area lawyer, ABM peer supporter, and mother, to talk about breastfeeding her daughter Isabelle to nearly age four, including a gentle self-weaning ending. Emma describes being breastfed herself, antenatal education that helped normalise cluster feeding, an induced birth ending in an emergency caesarean, early latch and weight-loss difficulties resolved with midwife and IBCLC support, and some intense cluster feeding. She also shares navigating planned thyroid surgery while breastfeeding: initially being wrongly told her baby couldn’t stay and that she must pump and dump. Emma postponed surgery when Isabelle wouldn’t take a bottle, then did some research, contacting the trust infant feeding team and PALS, and secured a private room so her husband and baby could stay overnight. Emma continued to breastfeed Isabelle throughout her recovery and return to full time work, until Isabelle finally weaned herself around 3 years and 10 months.

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, by going to https://bit.ly/JKPbooks and using the code MMPE10 at checkout.

Follow me on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com

Emma is @‌emma.is.milking.it on instagram

Resources mentioned -

ABM Clinical Protocol #35: Supporting Breastfeeding During Maternal or Child Hospitalization https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20protocol%2035%20Nov%202021.pdf

Kate Battersby https://www.theperfectstart.org.uk/

Training with the ABM https://abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-training/

Olivia Hinge @‌olivia_lactation_consultant on Instagram

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week, I’m welcoming Danielle Kyaligonza, who joins me from Uganda to talk about her breastfeeding journey with insufficient glandular tissue (IGT). Danielle describes a positive planned C-section birth in Cheshire, but on day five her baby Annie had lost 13% of birth weight and was later found to be severely dehydrated. This led to hospital admission, formula supplementation, and a traumatic start with pumping and limited breastfeeding support on a children’s ward. After weeks of triple feeding and minimal pumping improvement, a lactation consultant suggested IGT, with possible hormonal factors including suspected PCOS. Danielle sought domperidone via Dr Sharon Silberstein, and saw some supply increase and leaking, but experienced insomnia, vivid dreams and anxiety when tapering off too fast. She now combi-feeds, breastfeeding six months old Annie mainly when she isn’t hungry to encourage positive associations. Danielle is rightly proud of her perseverance in carrying on with breastfeeding despite all the challenges she faced.

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, by going to https://bit.ly/JKPbooks and using the code MMPE10 at checkout.

Follow me on Instagram @emmapickettibclc or find out more on my website www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com

Resources mentioned -

Finding Sufficiency: Breastfeeding with insufficient glandular tissue https://www.lllgbbooks.co.uk/store/p230/FindingSufficiency.html

Breastfeeding Grief by Professor Amy Brown https://professoramybrown.co.uk/breastfeeding-grief

Caoimhe Whelan https://latch.ie/

Dr Sharon Silberstein https://www.breastfeedingdoctor.co.uk/

IGT And Low Milk Supply Support Group | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/IGTmamas/?ref=share

Danielle would like to mention @thriveinfantfeeding on Instagram. Shami gave her lots of messaging support.

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week I’m talking to the lovely Emily from Glasgow about breastfeeding her two-year-old son Finn alongside multiple IgE food allergies and an unplanned separation. Emily and Finn call breastfeeding “bainne” (Gaelic for milk) to avoid confusion because Finn is allergic to cow’s milk. We discuss Finn’s allergy protocols, EpiPen use, contact reactions, and attempts at the milk ladder that caused hives, plus ongoing plans around night weaning. Emily shares a difficult birth, severe early breastfeeding pain linked to a posterior tongue tie that improved after division, the later development of eczema and escalating symptoms leading to allergy diagnosis, a nursing strike at 12 months, and a five-night hospital separation after Emily’s postoperative infection where advocacy and accurate medication guidance helped preserve breastfeeding.

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

Resources mentioned -

Drugs in Breastmilk Service - The Breastfeeding Network https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-in-breastmilk/

Breastfeeding Medicines Advice service – NHS SPS https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/about-sps/get-in-touch/medicines-advice-contact-details/breastfeeding-medicines-advice-service/

Breastfeeding and Food Allergies – La Leche League GB

Allergy in Childhood | Allergy UK | National Charity

https://www.bsaci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Choosing-Wisely-on-IgE-request-in-eczema.pdf

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

This week, I’m honoured to be joined by Nicole from South London, the host and founder of the Squiggly Motherhood podcast. Nicole started the podcast because she couldn’t find motherhood content that reflected her experience as an exclusively breastfeeding Black mother working in a senior corporate role, and she wanted space for the two truths that motherhood can be both hard and loved at the same time, with practical, values-led gentle parenting reflections.

Nicole shares her feeding journeys with her two children who are just 18 months apart. She exclusively breastfed and delayed introducing bottles and dummies out of fear of disrupting breastfeeding, but later faced severe sleep deprivation with frequent night waking and significant pressure from others to stop breastfeeding or use formula, especially because her baby was small. She describes feeling isolated by exclusive breastfeeding and struggling to leave her baby, and explains how nights improved when her husband took over settling and they added other comfort methods.

Nicole’s second birth was an unplanned, very rapid home birth on the living room floor. With her son, early breastfeeding was harder due to a shallow latch and limited postnatal support because staff assumed she already knew what to do. She stayed in hospital longer specifically to get breastfeeding help, used different positions like the rugby hold, and took weeks to feel settled. She describes being more confident and accepting a second time, choosing co-sleeping from day one and not pursuing bottles or pumping. She later returned to work when her son was one. Nicole is still breastfeeding her two-year-old, who feeds frequently, and discusses managing boundaries within gentle parenting. She ends by advising parents breastfeeding past infancy not to justify their choices: it’s enough to say it works for their family right now.

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

Listen to Nicole’s podcast, Squiggly Motherhood, wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.

I’ve got two amazing mums for you this week in a bumper episode about feeding five year olds.

Natalie, in Cornwall, breastfeeds her 5-year-old daughter Georgia mainly at bedtime (and occasionally in the morning or when ill), and describes how continuing breastfeeding helped with starting school, bedtime regulation, co-sleeping, and meeting Georgia’s high attachment needs. She discusses societal pressure, comments Georgia received from her classmates, her own feelings about reclaiming her body (supported by returning to exercise), and managing mixed reactions from family and professionals while staying confident in her choices.

Dana, originally from the Czech Republic and living in Cambridgeshire, breastfeeds her 5-year-old son Alex every couple of days (around her evening work schedule) and tandem feeds him with her 3-year-old daughter River. She shares how tandem feeding worked after River’s birth, how feeds fit around school and very early bedtimes, and how breastfeeding has been largely straightforward for her, supported by family.

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 pleased to be joined by Dr. Kelsey Bianca, an academic researcher and certified lactation counselor from Maryland, USA. Dr. Bianca shares her personal experience with breastfeeding and exclusive pumping, which inspired her PhD thesis - a qualitative study of women who exclusively expressed milk. She discusses her research work involving pumping, the decisions parents face, and her studies on children’s literature about breastfeeding. The conversation delves into practical aspects of exclusive pumping, attitudes of society and statutory protections in the US and UK. Dr. Bianca's insights shed light on the importance of understanding and supporting parents on their exclusive pumping journey.

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

Find out more about Dr Bianca on her website https://drkelseybianca.com/

And read her research here https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-01666-2

This podcast is presented by Emma Pickett IBCLC, and produced by Emily Crosby Media.