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

I have a bumper edition of Makes Milk for you today, with not one, not two, but three stories of solo motherhood. In this episode, I’m speaking to Jenny and Kat, and in the next, I’ll be speaking to Becky. 

We’re focusing on the concept of 'solo motherhood' by choice, through the personal experiences of Kat and Jenny, who both conceived with donor sperm and faced various challenges along the way. They discuss their decision-making processes, the hurdles they overcame, including medical and financial challenges, and the support networks they relied upon. As usual, we’ll also cover their breastfeeding stories, the resources they found useful, and how they have gone about ending breastfeeding.

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 recommended - 

Book - Genevieve Roberts, Going Solo: My choice to become a single mother using a donor https://www.waterstones.com/book/going-solo/genevieve-roberts/9780349421513

Podcast and solo mum courses - The stork and I https://thestorkandi.com/thrivingsolopod/

Podcast - Motherhood Reimagined https://motherhoodreimagined.com/podcast-home/

Podcast - Not by Accident https://notbyaccident.net/

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

 This week I’m talking to Jill Nason from Wicklow, Ireland, who has racked up nearly every parenting experience, or so it seems!

Jill discusses her first child, Clodagh's, premature birth, NICU stay, and successful breastfeeding journey. With her second child, Cian, she underwent a home birth but faced challenges with sleep training and medical issues. For her third child Seán, a c-section was necessary due to prior medical complications, and she experienced reflux issues. Jill reflects on her struggles with wanting to conceive a fourth child while breastfeeding and how modifying her feeding schedule meant she finally achieved pregnancy while continuing to breastfeed her third child. 

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 - 

Carol Smyth IBCLC for fertility and breastfeeding https://www.carolsmyth.co.uk/breastfeeding-resources/posts/2017/june/breastfeeding-fertility-and-subfertility-1/

Breastfeeding support in Ireland https://www.cuidiu.ie/

@‌lyndsey_hookway for sleep information

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

This summer bonus episode is a replay of episode 76, where I speak to Scott Mair from Fatherhood Solutions.

I’m taking a break over the summer holidays. I’ll be back with a brand new episode on 2nd September 2025.

In this 2nd part of my conversation with Scott, we answer questions on natural term breastfeeding, dealing with comments from family members, where to go for advice, and sex and intimacy after birth. I’m grateful to Scott for joining me in some honest and open, and not always easy, conversations.

Find out more from Scott on Instagram @‌fatherhood__solutions_

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 

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

This summer bonus episode is a replay of episode 75, where I speak to Scott Mair from Fatherhood Solutions.

I’m taking a break over the summer holidays. I’ll be back with a brand new episode on 2nd September 2025.

Scott is an ex-military dad of seven children, and one grandchild, who specialises in fathers’ mental health and inclusion. Who better to answer your questions about how dads can support breastfeeding, how non-feeding partners can form a bond with their babies, and how to overcome embarrassment about breastfeeding in public? This episode is part one and we continue talking next week with a focus on natural term breastfeeding.

Find out more from Scott on Instagram @‌fatherhood__solutions_

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 

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

This week, I’m joined by a breastfeeding legend - Jan Edye. Jan was one of the first people to qualify as an IBCLC in the UK, and has run her local breastfeeding support session for decades. She’s a fount of all knowledge and it’s a joy to have her on the show.

We’re talking about grannies and breastfeeding. From how to talk about past experiences, to what to do if you stay over to help, to what Jan’s dream post-natal class for grannies would look like.

You can find more about Jan at https://breastfeedingnorfolk.co.uk/

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 

Books mentioned - 

Practical Breastfeeding by Caoimhe Whelan

Saggy Boobs and other breastfeeding myths by Valerie Finigan

The Food of Love by Kate Evans

Breastfeeding and the fourth trimester by Lucy Webber

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

This week’s episode is a prime example of how everyone’s situation is unique, and every solution must be too. 

My guest is Phoebe, a nurse from Paris, France. Phoebe shares her experiences, including her initial plans to breastfeed, facing issues like inverted nipples, her daughter Adele’s jaundice and weight loss, and conflicting advice from healthcare professionals. At four months postpartum, after much hard work, Phoebe is now exclusively pumping. She details her current routine of pumping five times daily, managing milk storage, and preparing to return to work while continuing to provide breast milk for Adele.

Phoebe recommends this Instagram account for French speakers - @‌madametirelait

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 

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

This week I’m talking to Amy Winterbourne, a mother of two from Watford, about her experience breastfeeding after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Amy shares her journey of breastfeeding her eldest son, William, until he was two and a half, and how she weaned him gently during her pregnancy with her younger son, James. She then delves into her MS diagnosis when James was nearly one, describing the initial symptoms, the process of diagnosis, and her concerns about continuing to breastfeed while undergoing treatment. Despite initial advice to stop breastfeeding, Amy sought further information and found it possible to safely continue. She also discusses the complexities of parenting with MS, the support from her work, and her ongoing commitment to breastfeeding. 

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 - 

The UKDILAS service https://www.sps.nhs.uk/home/about-sps/get-in-touch/medicines-information-services-contact-details/breastfeeding-medicines-advice-service/ (health professionals and breastfeeding supporters make contact on behalf of parents).

The Breastfeeding Network Drugs in information service: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/

MS Society https://www.mssociety.org.uk/

Facebook groups - 

MuMS UK - https://www.facebook.com/groups/351614711568755/

MS UK - https://www.facebook.com/groups/MSUK1/

Breastfeeding and pregnancy on Ocrevus, Rituxan and Kesimpta  -https://www.facebook.com/groups/412257639666264/

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

 My guest this week has personal and professional experience of tandem feeding to share with us. Nicola De Sousa is an infant feeding coach from Jersey, in the Channel Islands. She fed her toddler Mikayla, all through her pregnancy and alongside her infant Diogo.

We talk about Nicola’s experience of feeding both her children, but also from 28:30 we answer your questions about tandem feeding. For details of the questions covered, please refer to the transcript of this episode.

You can follow Nicola on Instagram @infantfeedingcoach.jersey

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 

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

My guest this week shares her amazing journey of triandem feeding - what she calls the ‘path of least resistance’, though I think the rest of us would describe her as inspirational. Golnessa is a GP from Fife in Scotland, and is currently breastfeeding her three children, Gus (10 months), Gertie (3 years) and Gilligan (5 years). 
We talk about the challenges, logistics and the emotional support involved in feeding three nurslings. Golnessa shares how she and the children have adapted and managed their nursing relationship through two pregnancies and each subsequent new baby, and how the decision to triandem, or tricycle feed, was almost not a decision at all.

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 

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

In honour of this being officially my 100th episode, I’m answering listeners’ questions this week. We cover natural term breastfeeding, weaning older children, dealing with conflict with family and a response to a request to share my own breastfeeding story.

If you’d like to read the questions, you’ll find each one in Bold in the transcript for this episode.

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 

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