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

In this episode, Charlotte shares her story of her son Noah’s journey with faltering growth and weight gain challenges. Her family struggled with bottle refusal, insufficient NHS support and hospital stays. Thanks partly to the remote support of lactation consultants, Noah is a happy 14 month old today with some great fat rolls, but the journey to get here was not an easy one.

Charlotte is @the.smart.doula on instagram

Charlotte talks about working with the brilliant Lucy Webber IBCLC. You can hear Lucy talking about the fourth trimester in episode 33 of this podcast. Lactation Consultant | Lucy Webber IBCLC | Bristol, England (lmjinfantfeedingsupport.com)

She also talks about Charlotte Young IBCLC from Milk Matters Infant Feeding Solutions – Infant feeding information, support & education

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.com

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

My guest today has achieved something that many people don’t think is possible - breastfeeding triplets. Tracey Chow-Seegoolam was already feeding her son Miles when she found out she was pregnant with three more babies. 

In our conversation, we talk about how Miles weaned during the pregnancy, where Tracey found support and advice for breastfeeding multiples, how she built up her supply through the hard work of triple feeding and pumping, and how she continues to feed Lewis, Felix and Elodie. It’s a story of determination, self-belief and the importance of getting accurate information and support. Breastfeeding multiples, including triplets, is definitely possible.

Find Tracey on Instagram @tracey.c.s 

Find support for breastfeeding multiples from www.breastfeedingtwinsandtriplets.co.uk and their Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/BfTwinsUk/?locale=en_GB

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.com

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

Today, doula and peer supporter Terri Dell is sharing her breastfeeding story which ends with her night weaning her daughter Riley on attempt number 3. It’s a story that covers some early challenges but ends with a demonstration of how putting some boundaries in place, and getting to grips with nursing manners, can help a breastfeeding journey to continue. As Terri describes, she ‘fell back in love with breastfeeding’ once she started to look after her own needs in the nursing relationship.

Terri is on instagram as @terridell

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.com

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

The breadth of experiences that people from the LGBTQI+ community go through cannot possibly be covered in one episode, but today we’re making a start on how to support the community with lactation in its many forms.

I’m speaking to BJ Woodstein IBCLC, who is also a doula, an academic and a translator, about the many choices open to Queer parents, including induced lactation, feeding after surrogacy and SNS chest feeding, as well as the discrimination that many face during medical care and in the workplace.

Follow BJ on Instagram @‌bjwoodstein
Her website is www.bjwoodstein.com

And her book, We’re Here! A Practical Guide to Becoming an LGBTQ+ Parent by B.J. Woodstein - PraeclarusPress

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.com

Resources mentioned in this episode - 

Some listings and resources mentioned here (US focused): Our Favorite Queer and Trans-Centered Resources for Families and Birth Workers — Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (badoulatrainings.org)

UK directory here: The Great LGBTQ UK Business Directory! http://lesbemums.com

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

This week, I’m speaking to Shona, just three weeks after the birth of her second child, Vaila, who you can hear in the background! We talk about her feeding journey with four year old Jura, anxiety, miscarriage and aversion,  and how he weaned during her pregnancy.

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.com

Resources mentioned in this episode - 

Bedtime meditation from Nehanda Truscott-Reid https://www.emmapickettbreastfeedingsupport.com/resources

The book you wish your parents had read, by Philippa Perry

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/292159/the-book-you-wish-your-parents-had-read-and-your-children-will-be-glad-that-you-did-by-perry-philippa/9780241251027

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

Although the episode title refers to blood loss, Leanne’s story is about far more than that. It is important to flag up that Leanne’s birth contained trauma and her calm and articulate description of her experience is testament to who she is as a person, and the support and debriefing she has received. It won’t be an easy listen for everyone so please consider this a trigger warning for birth trauma. How does someone get breastfeeding off to a good start despite a very challenging and difficult birth? What factor can blood loss play? Leanne’s story is an example of the value of good support, communication and a mother’s determination.

We’ve split Leanne’s story into two parts. This second half begins after her traumatic birth and medically-induced coma.

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.com

Find out if you are eligible to give blood at www.blood.co.uk

Information and support for traumatic births can be found at The Birth Trauma Association and MIND

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

Although the episode title refers to blood loss, Leanne’s story is about far more than that. It is important to flag up that Leanne’s birth contained trauma and her calm and articulate description of her experience is testament to who she is as a person, and the support and debriefing she has received. It won’t be an easy listen for everyone so please consider this a trigger warning for birth trauma. How does someone get breastfeeding off to a good start despite a very challenging and difficult birth? What factor can blood loss play? Leanne’s story is an example of the value of good support, communication and a mother’s determination.

We’ve split Leanne’s story into two parts, so that you can skip this episode if you prefer not to hear the details.

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.com

Find out if you are eligible to give blood at www.blood.co.uk

Information and support for traumatic births can be found at The Birth Trauma Association and MIND

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

Sometimes you meet someone who you instantly connect with, and it feels like you will never run out of things to talk about! That’s how I felt when I met life coach, Mubareka Virjee. 

In this episode, Mubareka brings her creative, intuitive, positive attitude to life to our discussion about her breastfeeding journey. We touch on pressure from family members, divorce and single motherhood, lockdown parenting, weaning, Islamic attitudes to breastfeeding and the concept of milk kinship, in our wide-ranging chat.

You can find Mubareka on Instagram @mubareka__

and on TikTok @mubareka__ 

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.com

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

Can you breastfeed while taking ibuprofen? What about pseudoephedrine? Or even chemotherapy? The published advice on medications and breastfeeding isn’t always clear, so who do you turn to for advice?

Laura Kearney is a clinical lead pharmacist for UKDILAS, an NHS service which provides evidence-based information and advice to healthcare professionals, and professionals and supporters who are working with parents. She’s here to explain how her service works, and to guide us through the evidence for some of the most common medications.

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.com

Those working with breastfeeding parents can contact Laura’s service on

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/about-sps/get-in-touch/medicines-information-services-contact-details/breastfeeding-medicines-advice-service/

Breastfeeding and medications information sheets are available to all here

https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/guidance/safety-in-breastfeeding/

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

For those parents with babies in special care, or those wanting to maintain feeding with human milk while going through their own medical treatment, milk banks are a crucial service. Over the last few decades, they often have Gillian Weaver to thank for that.

My guest this week, Gillian Weaver was president of the European Milk Bank Association from 2012 to 2015. She co-founded Hearts Milk Bank in Hertfordshire, with Dr. Natalie Schenker, after a long career of running milk banks at a hands-on level and also consulting internationally. She has been awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to milk banking and breastfeeding.

We talk about how Gillian got started in the world of milk banks, how the service has evolved, how donations and supply works, and the future of the Human Milk Foundation and Hearts Milk Bank.

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.com

Find out more about Gillian’s work at 

Human Milk Foundation https://humanmilkfoundation.org/

Hearts Milk Bank https://humanmilkfoundation.org/hearts-milk-bank/

Find a milk bank near you in the UK here: 

UK Human Milk Bank - Breast Milk Donation, BreastMilk Storage, UKAMB

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