In this episode of Spill the Milk with Nicola, Emma tells the story of her son PJ, who was born at 25 weeks and 5 days.

She describes the shock of sudden preterm labour, meeting her baby through wires and monitors, and how pumping became the one thing she could control during a long NICU stay.

Emma talks honestly about expressing colostrum, building and protecting her milk supply, skin-to-skin care, and the slow transition from bottles of expressed milk to breastfeeding at home.

Just as life began to settle, she discovered she was pregnant again and PJ’s feeding behaviour and her milk supply changed almost overnight.

We discuss the science behind preterm milk, pumping, fortifier, and why milk supply can dip in early pregnancy alongside the emotional reality of making feeding decisions when your baby arrives far too early.

This episode is for NICU parents, pumping parents, and anyone navigating feeding after a preterm birth.

Pumping Masterclass - Tues 3rd Feb 2026 at 7pm booking open

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In this episode of Spill the Milk with Nicola, I’m joined by Dr Jennifer Hogan, consultant obstetrician in Dublin and mum of two boys.

Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s and underwent radiotherapy on one breast, meaning she knew from the outset that breastfeeding would only be possible from one side. In this real conversation, Jennifer shares what feeding actually looked like from antenatal expressing and early supplementation, to nipple pain, reflux, and the realities of feeding a late-preterm baby.

We talk about:

• Breastfeeding from one breast when it can work, and when it feels overwhelming
• Feeding after cancer and rebuilding trust in your body
• Late preterm babies, pumping, and delayed latch
• Knowing when to keep going and when it’s okay to stop
• Letting go of all-or-nothing feeding expectations

This episode is for anyone who has been told breastfeeding might be “difficult”, “unlikely”, or “impossible” and for anyone supporting parents through complex feeding journeys.

If you’re pregnant and want personalised, realistic breastfeeding preparation, I offer private antenatal appointments in my Dublin office and online. Details are linked in the show notes.

https://www.breastfeedingsupport.ie/online-classes/one-to-one-private-prep-in-office/

Research on Breastfeeding Post Breast Cancer - https://healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/breastfeeding-after-breast-cancer-treatment-safe.html

https://www.bfmed.org/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/Protocol%20%2334%20-%20English%20Translation.pdf

breastfeeding after breast cancer, one-breast breastfeeding, late preterm feeding, antenatal expressing, pumping and breastfeeding, Irish maternity care, realistic breastfeeding, IBCLC support, Spill the Milk With Nicola podcast

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Episode 2 of Spill the Milk features Sarah, mum to Caelan.

Sarah induced lactation after Caelan was carried by her friend, who generously offered to be her surrogate. In this episode, Sarah shares her experience of induced lactation, what it involved, the realities behind the process, and what breastfeeding her baby meant to her.

Her story offers rare insight into a pathway to parenthood that’s still not widely understood, and I was very grateful she chose to speak so openly.

Further reading on induced lactation:

This is a comprehensive list of protocols and case studies from a UK hospital .

Support & classes:

Nicola’s newly updated Breastfeeding Preparation Class launches in January, with a refreshed format and mid-week options.

Find details and book at:

👉 https://www.breastfeedingsupport.ie/classes

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Journalist and podcast host Jen Hogan joins Nicola for an honest conversation about breastfeeding in Ireland — as a mother of seven and as someone who has written extensively about parenting and family life.

Jen shares her journey from not breastfeeding her first baby, to secretly breastfeeding her second, to feeding her youngest until he was three and a half. Together, they talk about postnatal depression, taking antidepressant medication while breastfeeding, feeding toddlers, judgement and secrecy, and how breastfeeding is still framed in the media.

Nicola also includes short, evidence-based explanations on postnatal depression, medication safety while breastfeeding, and feeding beyond infancy.

This episode is for anyone feeding a baby, recovering after birth, or supporting someone who is.

Support note: This episode includes discussion of postnatal depression. If you need support, speak with your GP, public health nurse or perinatal mental health team in the Maternity Hospital you attended. .

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spill the Milk with Nicola is a podcast about breastfeeding, feeding babies, and the real, often messy reality of early parenthood.

Hosted by lactation consultant and paediatric nurse Nicola O'Byrne, each episode blends honest parent stories with calm, evidence-based insight — for anyone feeding a baby, supporting new parents, or simply human.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.