The Next Feed: A Breastfeeding Podcast

Can you take those antibiotics? What about antihistamines to manage your hay fever symptoms? And x-rays - are they safe for you if you’re breastfeeding? Trying to feed your baby whilst looking after your own health can sometimes feel like a struggle, but luckily The Drugs in Breastmilk Service can help you with information about a lot of different medications, treatments and procedures, so you can make the decision that's best for you and your family. It's completely free to access, and run by the charity The Breastfeeding Network. On this episode we hear from Amanda Da Costa, the service's Clinical Supervisor. She shares with us what they do - and how we can access their support should or when we need it.

Find all the Drugs in Breastmilk Service factsheets here
Drugs in Breastmilk Service Facebook page
You can also email them if you have a question: [email protected]

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

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A breastfeeding book you can dip in and out of as you please? Something to read if you're a mum-to-be or establishing breastfeeding with a newborn?
IBCLC and midwife Olivia Hinge joins us this episode to talk about becoming an author as she publishes her book A Judgement–Free Guide to Feeding Your Baby: Boob, Bottle, and All.
It looks at everything from how breastfeeding works, common feeding challenges, to what to do if you need to introduce a bottle.
The book is published by Yellow Kite (RRP £16.99) and can be purchased from Bookshop.org

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

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If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

When breastfeeding doesn't go to plan you can be left feeling like you failed.
You haven't.
If you're feeling let-down, angry, guilty, even emotionally crushed by your experience, it may be that you're experiencing breastfeeding grief.
In this episode we talk with IBCLC Lucy Ruddle about her new book Breastfeeding Grief: Understanding and Recovery.
To buy the book head here.
You can find out more about Lucy on her website

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

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• Email [email protected]

If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

Should you express colostrum? If you need help and support in the early days, will you know where to turn? How will you handle those well-meaning family and friends who tell you that you don't have to breastfeed?

It's a common misconception that breastfeeding happens naturally and without much effort.  The truth is we all need support. If you're pregnant - this episode if for you! Lydia, Infant Feeding Coach and Breastfeeding Counsellor at Nurture With Lydia, joins us to explain the FOUR things you can do antenatally to help breastfeeding get off to a positive start.

To find out more about Lydia head to her instagram and facebook pages.

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

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• Email [email protected]

If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

Have you heard of Raynaud’s Phenomenon of the Nipple?
This episode we hear from Sally, who suffered incredible pain when nursing. It continued until she got a diagnosis for the condition and started on medication - up until then, no amount of tweaks with latching or positioning stopped the vasospasm, debilitating pain, or colour changes in her nipples.
Hear Sally's experience, along with an explanation of the condition with IBCLC Alice Lucken.

If you would like to find out more about Raynaud's of the Nipple, The Breastfeeding Network has information here.

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

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• Email [email protected]

If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

Did you see the 'icky' breastfeeding video on social media last week? 
It was uploaded to instagram by one of Britain’s biggest parenting websites. 
In it they asked people on the street "when should a mum stop breastfeeding their child?" 
Responses included that mothers should breastfeed for "no longer than 6 months [as] it get's a bit on the icky side", and "as soon as they have teeth". 
Comments underneath the video showed many were upset that it had been posted.  The social media account then deleted the video and issued an apology on their Instagram Stories. 
In this episode we hear from YOU about why that question, and the responses used in the video (which were all negative towards breastfeeding), are doing no favours to support parents who want to breastfeed.

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

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If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

Reflux, silent reflux, spitting up, posseting, colic - these words get used a lot to explain baby behaviour, but what do they mean what can we do to help our babies feel more settled?
In this episode IBCLC Alice Lucken talks about everything to do with reflux - feel free to share this episode with anyone you think might like to hear it!
We look at:

• What is reflux?
• Does it matter if a baby is nursed or bottle fed?
• Do feeding positions matter?
• The role of responsive paced bottle feeding
• When to seek help
• Is reflux always a sign of tongue tie?
• How to breastfeed an unsettled, crying baby
• Whether medications for reflux help
• Whether reflux is linked to allergies

To find out more about Alice head to her Instagram or website Baby et Al

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

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• Email [email protected]

If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

How has breastfeeding been viewed over the centuries? Why has there sometimes been suspicion about breastmilk? And how much does society shape the baby-feeding experience for women?
Joanna Wolfarth, an art historian and writer, joins us on the podcast to discuss her book 'Milk: An Intimate History of Breastfeeding'. She shares some of her fascinating research for the book (including wooden nipple shields and 17th century bottles!) as well as her own difficult experiences with breastfeeding.

You can find out more about Joanna on her website here

Milk: An Intimate History of Breastfeeding is available to buy on Amazon

* Note: Commissions may be earned from the links above, which all goes in to making the podcast

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

• Instagram: Click here
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• Email [email protected]

If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

Baby getting distracted when you’re trying to feed? Stuck in a reverse cycling loop? Or maybe you need help navigating conversations with friends and family when they’re sharing their own breastfeeding horror stories? 

Join us for a Q&A with Lucy Ruddle - IBCLC, Breastfeeding Counsellor, holistic sleep coach and author.

In this episode we talk about the practical tips you can use to overcome your breastfeeding challenges. Whether that's switch nursing, using breast compressions, or looking at how to embrace a feeding journey that's different to the one you imagined. We also look at whether breastfeeding can affect the health of the mother, the lack of diversity in breastfeeding support, and what it's like being an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).

You can find out more about Lucy on her website

Lucy’s Books: 

• Mixed Up: Combination Feeding by Choice or Necessity
• Breastfeeding Myths: Busting the Misinformation Harming You, Your Baby, and Society
• Relactation: A Guide to Rebuilding Your Milk Supply

* Note: Commissions may be earned from the links above, which all goes in to making the podcast

Main takeways from this episode: 

• Breast compressions can help keep a distracted baby engaged and ensure they receive enough milk during feedings.
• Switch nursing, where the baby is switched between breasts more frequently, can help maintain their interest and ensure they receive multiple let-downs.
• Relaxation can play a role in overcoming breastfeeding challenges and reducing stress.
• It is important to seek support and information from reliable sources to counteract negative perceptions and fears surrounding breastfeeding. 
• Taking breastfeeding one feed at a time can help alleviate the pressure and allow mothers to make choices that work best for them and their babies.
• The stories and support surrounding breastfeeding can greatly impact a mother's experience and decision to breastfeed.
• Breast milk provides numerous benefits for babies, including protection against allergies and stomach viruses.
• Breastfeeding can affect vitamin B12 and vitamin D in the mother.
• There is a lack of diversity in breastfeeding support, which can result in a lack of tailored support for women of colour.
• Supporting breastfeeding can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for lactation consultants and peer supporters.

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

• Instagram: Click here
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• Email [email protected]

If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)

Finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards 2023 Chantel Nash joins us this episode to share her experiences of breastfeeding, and the humorous moments she’s found in her parenting journey.

The mum of two shares what is was like when she breastfed for the very first time, how different it is  to nurse an older child in public, what makes her husband the biggest advocate of extended breastfeeding, and how many looks you tend to get off strangers when your talking child asks for “boobie, please?”

Check out Chantel’s instagram page to find out more about her and details of her next gigs!

DISCLAIMER: Chantel's partner does NOT have man-boobs. 

To contact the show you can send us a text message!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Next Feed!

• Instagram: Click here
• Facebook: Click here
• Email [email protected]

If you like what you hear don’t forget you can SUBCRIBE / FOLLOW to join us each episode.

And if you can spare a minute or two to leave a review, it's HUGELY appreciated :)