Antenatal colostrum harvesting.

Some call it essential. Others call it unnecessary pressure.

In this episode, Katie and Joh unpack the nuance — without extremes.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Latch Revolution, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant, IBCLC's sit down for an unplanned, cuppa-style conversation about antenatal colostrum harvesting — and quickly discover that while their opinions are strong, they are surprisingly aligned.

They explore how colostrum harvesting has evolved from a targeted strategy for mothers with gestational diabetes to something increasingly promoted to the wider pregnant population. Katie reflects on how social media, online kits, and pressure to “prepare properly” can strip the nuance from what is meant to be a gentle, curiosity-based skill.

Joh shares how she approaches the conversation in prenatal consults: as an opportunity for a breastfeeding mum to learn how to handle her breasts confidently, without urgency or expectation. The focus is not on stockpiling syringes, but on familiarity, technique, and understanding how the body works while the placenta is still in place.

The episode also addresses common concerns, including why using a pump in pregnancy is not recommended, and the important distinction between curiosity and rigidity. Katie and Joh discuss the second night feeding frenzy, how small amounts of expressed colostrum can sometimes support maternal well-being, and why larger volumes may interfere with the natural frequency that brings milk in.

Throughout the conversation, they return to the same core principle: context matters. Technique matters. Personality matters. And above all, nuance matters.

In This Episode, We Cover:

Why colostrum harvesting moved beyond gestational diabetes

The difference between curiosity-based practice and pressure

Why using a pump in pregnancy is not recommended

How placenta hormones affect milk production before birth

Why technique may determine whether colostrum appears

The second night feeding frenzy and how small volumes may help

How large antenatal stores could potentially interfere with early feeding frequency

The importance of tailoring advice to each breastfeeding mum’s personality and capacity

Need More Support?

Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties

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Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals – Course for birth professionals

katiejames.site

The Feeding Couch® – Breastfeeding SOS – for new mums and parents

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Katie: @katiejameslactation

Johanna: @milkandmotherhood

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Editor’s Note:

During this conversation, Katie misquoted the proportion of women in the DAME trial who collected zero colostrum antenatally. The correct figure is approximately one in four. We have added a brief in-episode clarification to ensure accuracy.

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.

Keywords:

antenatal colostrum harvesting, colostrum expression in pregnancy, DAME trial colostrum, gestational diabetes breastfeeding, hand expression technique pregnancy, placenta and milk production, second night feeding frenzy, breastfeeding preparation pregnancy, hand expressing colostrum before birth, breastfeeding confidence antenatal

Breastfeeding pain is one of the most common reasons mums stop feeding — yet many are never given the language to describe what they’re feeling.

In this episode of The Latch Revolution, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant unpack breastfeeding pain with nuance, practicality, and honesty.

Breastfeeding pain is often talked about in extremes: either it’s “normal, push through,” or “it should never hurt.” In this conversation, Katie and Joh slow the topic down and help differentiate between normal, stretchy discomfort and pain that signals injury or a deeper feeding issue.

They talk about why pain often peaks in the early days, what ongoing pain is telling us, and how positioning choices — particularly upright feeding with firm pillows — can contribute to shallow attachment and nipple damage. The episode also explores laid-back feeding, why it supports baby reflexes and maternal comfort, and why it still isn’t taught routinely despite decades of discussion.

A key theme throughout is observation. Rather than focusing only on the breastfeeding, Katie and Joh discuss watching the whole mum — posture, breathing, hands, shoulders, voice, and tension — and how these cues give vital information about what’s really happening during a feed.

This episode is about giving mums and lactation supporters better language, clearer guidance, and confidence to know when to seek help — without guilt or dismissal.

In this episode, we cover:

Why breastfeeding pain isn’t one thing and needs better language

The difference between normal stretchy discomfort and injury pain

Why the belief that breastfeeding should never hurt is unhelpful

When pain typically peaks in the early days

Signs that pain needs further assessment

How positioning and pillows affect attachment and comfort

Why laid-back feeding supports deeper attachment

What observing the whole mum can tell us about pain

If you want to go deeper into breastfeeding assessment and support:

Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties

Learn how to assess suck, attachment, and oral function with confidence, and support babies whose feeding challenges aren’t straightforward.

Visit thelatchrevolution.com

Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals

A comprehensive, evidence-based foundation for birth workers who want to strengthen their understanding of breastfeeding physiology and clinical decision-making.

Visit katiejames.site

The Feeding Couch® – Breastfeeding SOS

Ongoing support for breastfeeding mums who need reassurance, clarity, and help navigating feeding challenges.

Visit katiejames.site

Follow on Instagram: @katiejameslactation @milkandmotherhood

Watch on YouTube: The Latch Revolution

Enjoying the podcast?

Leave us a 5-star review — it helps more mums and birth workers find the show.

Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.

Keywords:

breastfeeding pain, nipple pain breastfeeding, normal breastfeeding pain, painful latch, laid-back breastfeeding, breastfeeding positioning, breastfeeding assessment, lactation support, midwife breastfeeding care, IBCLC support

We nearly didn’t record this episode because breastfeeding and nutrition is a topic loaded with pressure, strong opinions, and a lot of misinformation.

But after an Instagram comment asked us to cover it, we realised this conversation is exactly what many breastfeeding mums and clinicians need: less perfection, more realism, and a lot more nuance.

Katie shares a vivid early-midwife memory of breastfeeding leaflets paired with food pyramids and impossible expectations, and Joh describes the common end-of-consult question: “What should I eat?”

Often it comes with a long list of foods a mum has been told to avoid — brassicas, onion, legumes, spicy food, dairy, gluten, eggs, caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks — until it feels like there’s nothing left.

We talk about why, for most breastfeeding mums, the most helpful message is simple: you should be able to eat everything, unless you have a diagnosed medical condition and specialist support.

We explore the difference between “ideal,” “optimal,” “good,” and “okay,” and why removing foods based on fear can cause guilt, anxiety, and unnecessary restriction in a vulnerable postpartum period.

We also unpack common myths: the assumption that “gassy foods” or fizzy drinks create unsettled babies, and how sleep deprivation plus repeated advice can lead mums to blame themselves for normal baby behaviour.

Katie and Joh discuss cultural patterns around postpartum foods and how many traditional recommendations have the same themes: calorie-rich, nutrient-dense, comforting, and nurturing.

Finally, we talk about calories and diet culture postpartum. Making milk requires fuel, and severe restriction can become risky, especially when anxiety or OCD shows up as control of food intake.

The thread that runs through the whole episode is clinical reality: meet the mum where she is, support her capacity, and choose advice that reduces pressure rather than adding to it.

Key Takeaways:

• Many breastfeeding mums are told to avoid long lists of foods, leaving them restricted, stressed, and hungry. 

• For most mums, the simplest helpful message is that they should be able to eat everything, unless a diagnosed medical condition is involved with specialist support. 

• Postpartum food advice should reduce pressure, not add guilt or anxiety. 

• What often matters most is adequate calorie intake and practical nourishment during an intense period of life. 

• “Ideal” nutrition and “what is possible right now” are not the same thing — flexibility matters. 

• The idea that foods like cabbage, onion, legumes, or fizzy drinks automatically cause unsettled babies is often assumed and then self-blamed when a baby has a hard night. 

• Many cultural postpartum food traditions share common themes: calorie-rich, nutrient-dense, comforting, and nurturing. 

• Diet culture postpartum can collide with the demands of making milk, and restrictive control of food can spiral in an already vulnerable period. 

• Good clinical care includes meeting the mum where she is, understanding capacity, and supporting mental health alongside feeding.

Want to go deeper?

Head to thelatchrevolution.com to learn more about our latest "baby": Decoding The Suck: Gentle support for Babies With Sucking Difficulties.

For More Resources & Courses: katiejames.site

Instagram: @katiejameslactation@milkandmotherhood

YouTube: The Latch Revolution

Leave us a 5 star review!

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Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.

breastfeeding nutrition, breastfeeding diet, foods to avoid breastfeeding, cabbage and breastfeeding, spicy food breastfeeding, onion garlic breastfeeding, fizzy drinks breastfeeding, gassy foods myth, milk supply calories, diet culture postpartum, postpartum nutrition, breastfeeding myths, lactation consultant advice, maternal nutrition pressure

Re-lactation is everywhere in the media right now — and in this episode, Katie and Joh slow the conversation down.

They talk through what re-lactation actually is, who it’s most likely to work for, and why a woman’s early breastfeeding history matters far more than social media makes it seem. 

Katie describes scenarios where a breastfeeding mum has built and maintained a full milk supply, stopped feeding, and later wants to bring breast milk back into her baby’s life — and why, in those cases, re-lactation can be very achievable. They contrast this with situations where a mum never reached a full milk supply in the early weeks, and why restarting later may still be possible, but with different expectations. 

Joh shares real-world stories, including working with a woman whose milk supply was medically suppressed during a vulnerable postpartum period, and the importance of first holding space before talking protocols. Together, they emphasise how re-lactation is intensive work, similar in effort to triple feeding, and why sustainability, mental health and daily life must be part of the conversation. 

The episode also explores goals beyond milk volume — including feeding at the breast, comfort, connection and at-breast supplementation. They discuss how even small amounts of milk, or feeding at the breast with additional milk, can be deeply meaningful for some mothers. 

Finally, they clearly distinguish re-lactation from induced lactation, explaining when induced lactation might be considered, what it involves at a high level, and why these two processes should not be lumped together.

Throughout, the focus remains on nuance, realistic expectations, and listening carefully to what each mother actually wants. 

Key Takeaways:

Keywords:

relactation, induced lactation, breastfeeding after stopping, milk supply restart, breastfeeding goals, at-breast supplementation, breastfeeding support, lactation physiology, realistic breastfeeding expectations, feeding at the breast

Want to go deeper? 

Head to The Latch Revolution to learn more about Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties. 

Resources & Courses:  katiejames.site 

Instagram: @katiejameslactation 

YouTube: The Latch Revolution 

Leave us a 5-star review — it really helps more mums and professionals find the show.  \nSubscribe so you don’t miss new episodes.

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.

Low milk supply is one of the biggest trigger topics in breastfeeding — and in this episode, Katie and Johanna sit with the rage, grief and nuance that surround it. 

Joh shares why she has avoided this topic for so long because low milk supply is her own story. Together they unpack how the phrase “perceived low milk supply” can humiliate mums, undermine instinct and become a barrier to help.  

They explore how often a new mum has to justify her pain before anyone will support her — whether that’s in online groups, clinics, or emergency departments where unsettled babies are checked, labelled “well”, and the mother’s worry is dismissed.  

They talk through what they actually look at when low supply is on the table: how the breasts feel between feeds, whether a mum ever feels full, what she notices during a feed, whether she hears swallows, and the story of when her milk came in. They bring nuance from later-postpartum mums around 9–10 weeks, who suddenly feel “empty”, stop leaking and stop feeling letdowns — even while their baby is swallowing happily.  And as always they keep circling back to counselling skills: pausing, asking open questions, letting mums talk, watching a feed together and helping her see what’s really happening. 

They discuss weight gain as a trend, nappy output as a key sign of intake, and why believing mums — rather than forcing them to defend themselves — is the foundation for any plan.  

This is not a list of causes and fixes. It’s a deep dive into trust, listening, and the emotional reality of low supply for breastfeeding mums and the professionals who support them. 

Takeaways 

Keywords  low milk supply, perceived low milk supply, low supply anxiety, breastfeeding worry, new mum support, nappies and weight gain, breastfeeding consult, counselling skills, lactation consultant, IBCLC, emergency visit crying baby, nine weeks postpartum, breast fullness, leaking stopping, letdown sensations, partner support, believing mums

Want to go deeper?  Head to The Latch Revolution to learn more about our course Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties.  

Resources & Courses:  katiejames.site

Instagram: @katiejameslactation  

YouTube: The Latch Revolution 

Leave us a 5 star review!  

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on any new videos.  

 

Medical Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.

In this episode, Katie and Johanna pull apart the confusion around foremilk and hindmilk.

They talk about how mums are told there’s “watery” milk and “fatty” milk, why it feels like there are three or five different milks once you add colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk into the mix, and how this has made feeding feel far more scientific than it needs to be. 

They explore fat globules sticking to the “bunch of grapes” inside the breast, the hot water tap analogy, different milk ejection reflex patterns, the famous six-minute feeder, high sugar milk in oversupply, explosive green “bubble bath” poo, unsettled but thriving babies, and why you can never truly “empty” a breast.

Throughout, they keep coming back to the same theme: nuance – and actually reading the baby, not just the rules.

Takeaways 

• There is one milk that changes – not separate “watery” and “good” milks. 

• Fat globules stick inside the “bunch of grapes” and are released gradually. 

• The hot water tap is a useful way to picture how milk fat changes during and between feeds. 

• Different mums have different milk ejection reflex patterns; some give most of their milk in the first few minutes. 

• Some babies are six-minute, one-side feeders and still completely satisfied; others take both breasts and longer feeds. 

• High sugar milk in oversupply can lead to a very full, thriving but grumbly baby with lots of gas and explosive green, bubbly poo. 

 • We can’t fully empty a breast – babies remove around two-thirds, and some milk always remains. 

• Old rules like “20 minutes on the left and 20 on the right” don’t fit every mum or every breast.

Want to go deeper? 

Head to The Latch Revolution to learn more about our course Decoding The Suck: Gentle support for Babies With Sucking Difficulties. 

🌐 katiejames.site

🎓 Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals 

🛋️ The Feeding Couch 

🧠 Decoding the Suck 

 📸 @katiejameslactation 

▶️ YouTube: The Latch Revolution 

⭐ Please leave us a 5 star review! 

🔔 Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on furture eps!

Keywords: foremilk, hindmilk, watery milk, high sugar milk, fatty milk, oversupply, unsettled baby, reflux, explosive green poo, bubble bath poo, milk ejection reflex, six-minute feeder, 20 minutes each side, bunch of grapes, hot water tap, storage capacity, breastfeeding class, new mum confusion

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.

In this episode, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant unpack the myths and panic surrounding newborn weight gain and loss.

They discuss normal physiological weight loss, how over-frequent weighing fuels anxiety, and why nappies (diapers) reveal more than the scales.

You’ll learn how to interpret percentage loss correctly, when to act, and how IV fluids, birth interventions, and feeding frequency all play into the picture.

Takeaways:

• Most babies lose 7–8% of their birth weight — and that’s normal.

• Over-weighing increases anxiety and confusion for parents.

• Pee and poo output is a more reliable early indicator of milk intake.

• IV fluids during labour may be falsely inflating birth weight.

• Look at the whole clinical picture — not just the number.

• Healthy feeding plans require nuance, not one-size-fits-all charts. 

The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from your doctor, midwife, lactation consultant, or another qualified health professional regarding your own health or your baby’s care. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant share insights from clinical experience and current research but do not provide personalised medical care through this podcast.

Explore more education: 🌐 katiejames.site 🎓 Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals 🛋️ The Feeding Couch 🧠 Decoding the Suck 📸 @katiejameslactation ▶️ YouTube: The Latch Revolution

Keywords: newborn weight loss, baby weight gain, breastfeeding, milk intake, infant growth, postpartum care, IV fluids, lactation consultant, midwife, baby scales, feeding plan, nappies, milk transfer

Katie James and Johanna Sargeant, IBCLC's dive into one of the most exhausting feeding regimes out there: triple feeding — breastfeeding, pumping, and topping up.

They unpack why so many mums are leaving hospital with these plans, how birth interventions and early weight-loss anxiety often set them up, and what happens when “a few days of help” turns into weeks of burnout.

From hospital protocols to social-media pressure, they explore how triple feeding starts, why it’s meant to be temporary, and the five-day rule that can save sanity and protect breastfeeding.

This conversation is part rant, part rescue plan — grounded in physiology, empathy, and hard-earned experience.

Takeaways

• Triple feeding means breastfeeding + pumping + supplementing.

• It’s designed as a short-term intervention — not a lifestyle.

• Prolonged triple feeding often leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and milk-supply confusion.

• Many mums begin this regime unnecessarily after early weight checks or birth interventions.

• Clinicians must always plan how and when to stop triple feeding before starting it.

• The “five-day rule”: if milk supply and baby’s feeding haven’t improved, change strategy.

• Support plans should include who’s caring for the mother — not just the baby.

For more evidence-based education and resources, visit:

🎓 For professionals: Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals

🧠 For advanced professional learning: Decoding the Suck: Gentle Support For Babies with Sucking Difficulties

🛋️ For during pregnancy and new motherhood: The Feeding Couch

📸 Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiejameslactation

▶️ Watch full episodes on YouTube: The Latch Revolution

Subscribe for more evidence-based conversations on infant feeding, lactation, and postpartum care.

Medical Disclaimer

The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from your doctor, midwife, lactation consultant, or another qualified health professional regarding your own health or your baby’s care. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant share insights from clinical experience and current research but do not provide personalised medical care through this podcast.

In this episode, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant explore the rise of silicone milk catchers (passive pumps) — those popular “milk-saving” gadgets showing up in baby showers and new-mum starter kits. They unpack how these tools work, why so many of us 'love' them, and the hidden risks that can quietly tip a normal milk supply into oversupply. Through real clinical experience and stories from their work with thousands of families, they explain what’s really happening in the breast, how oversupply impacts both mother and baby, and what to look out for before adding a milk catcher to a breastfeeding experience. It’s an honest, research-informed conversation that balances science with empathy — and offers practical, judgment-free guidance for both mums, parents and professionals. Takeaways Silicone milk catchers can help collect milk, but they also apply some vacuum pressure. Early use may disrupt natural supply regulation and lead to oversupply. Oversupply can cause feeding difficulties, inflammation, and stress for both mother and baby. Breastfeeding is a relationship — not just a method of milk transfer. Waiting until around six to seven weeks postpartum allows milk supply to stabilise naturally. Not every mum needs a milk catcher; support should be individualised. Real success comes from informed, flexible feeding — not gadgets or rigid rules. Chapters 00:00 – What exactly is a silicone milk catcher? 04:30 – How they became so popular 07:15 – Oversupply explained: the physiology behind it 12:45 – The emotional toll of oversupply on mothers and babies 18:00 – When and how these tools can be helpful 23:10 – Our take-home advice: timing, awareness, and support Keywords silicone milk catcher, silicone pump, silicone passive pump, breastfeeding, oversupply, milk supply, lactation, breastfeeding tools, milk storage, breastfeeding education, new mothers, lactation consultant, postpartum care, feeding challenges, parenting, mothering, postpartum, baby

Flat Nipples, Feeding Challenges & Why Most Babies Don’t Mind

Are flat nipples a breastfeeding problem? Not always.

In fact, for many mothers, it’s not a problem at all — until someone tells them it is. In this myth-busting, practical, and warm-hearted episode of The Latch Revolution, Katie and Johanna unpack:

• What flat and inverted nipples actually are (and what they’re not)

• Why some babies latch just fine — and others may need more support

• The problem with how “flat nipples” are diagnosed and discussed

• When shaping techniques, flipple, or shields may help

• The critical importance of confidence, time, and language

• Tools like syringe pullers or suction devices — do they work?

This is a must-listen for anyone working with passion in the infant feeding field, and new mums alike — full of laughter, lived experience, and a refusal to reduce breastfeeding to nipple shape alone.

Want to go deeper?

Head to The Latch Revolution to learn more about our course Decoding The Suck: Gentle support for Babies With Sucking Difficulties.

And for more courses, guides, and resources for supporting effective infant feeding for both professionals, mums-to-be and new parents head over to Katie James' website

Share this with someone who’s ever worried about “flat nipples.” You might just change their story.

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Disclaimer:
The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.