No one expects their motherhood journey to begin in the NICU, but that’s where Emma found herself, after the birth of her daughter Maya, by c-section due to placenta previa. At 35 weeks, Maya did not have a fully developed sucking reflex, and so they began a process of tube feeding, formula, pumping, and eventually breastfeeding. Emma’s determination shines through this story, especially as she faced the additional challenges of overstimulation and feeling touched out because of her autism. Now ...
Dec 10, 2024•47 min•Ep. 70
This week’s episode has it all - feeding twins, c-sections (both emergency and elective), triple feeding, cross-nursing, tongue tie, vasospasms - but what comes across most from Emily and Ali’s story is their love and support for one another as they breastfeed together. Emily had her son Frankie just weeks before Ali’s twins, Suni and Kiri, were born, and they have fed together, often literally side by side at their parent’s home. They have overcome a number of challenges through their journey, ...
Dec 03, 2024•50 min•Ep. 69
Hypoplasia or IGT is not often spoken about, but there are estimates that up to 1 in 10 of us have insufficient breast tissue to exclusively breastfeed. Katie found out that she was one of those people when she sought help after her son, Ezra, lost 11% of his birth rate in a matter of days. The advice she received from midwives and health visitors was conflicting and confusing, leading to Katie mixed feeding, taking Domperidone and trying triple feeding for a few weeks. It was only when Katie wa...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 68
This episode does contain discussion of miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death. This week, I’m speaking to Charlotte Mills, a midwife and IBCLC, whose third son, Robin, died before his birth at 20 weeks. Charlotte talks about losing Robin and her decision to continue lactating. She donated Robin’s milk to the Hearts Milk Bank where it went on to support premature and vulnerable babies. We talk about the importance of discussing lactation after loss and the value donation can bring some parents...
Nov 19, 2024•58 min•Ep. 67
This week, I have the privilege of chatting with Ellie Warner, a hairdresser from Leeds, about her breastfeeding journey with her son, Ezra. Ellie initially knew little about breastfeeding but had an instinctual desire to do it. Ellie faced challenges, including gestational diabetes, a tongue-tie and torticollis, which eventually contributed to a breast abscess developing within weeks of Ezra’s birth. But Ellie was not to be deterred! At the same time she became a peer supporter and is passionat...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 66
This week, I’m talking to Eleanor Nightingale about her breastfeeding experience with Bell's Palsy. During the birth of her daughter Hattie, Eleanor had an emergency forceps delivery, extensive tearing and haemorrhage. Six days later, the left side of her face became paralysed and after a rushed trip to A&E fearing a stroke, Eleanor was diagnosed and treated for Bell’s Palsy. Eleanor faced several challenges with breastfeeding, from trouble latching and tongue tie to sleep deprivation, but o...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 65
If there was a Breastfeeding Hall of Fame, my guest this week would certainly have a place. Laura has breastfed her three children, Beatrice, Joseph and Georgina, for 11 years and 3 months. She talks to me about the challenges she has overcome, including a traumatic NICU experience with her first child, her decision not to pump, the benefits of tandem feeding, and the emotional journey of weaning her children. Laura's story highlights the significance of community and personal commitment in reac...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 64
This week, I’m delighted to speak to Sam Petridis, a neonatal nurse and IBCLC, about her breastfeeding and neonatal care. She is Baby Friendly Initiative Lead for her hospital, so we discuss what that means, and what the UNICEF guidelines mean for breastfeeding. Sam explains the different levels of neonatal care (Levels 1, 2, and 3) and the importance of early breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact. She talks about leading the way on Baby Friendly accreditation, the challenges of balancing medic...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 63
This week, I’m delighted to be joined by Dr. Vicky Sibson, Director of the First Steps Nutrition Trust, to talk about the challenges and regulations surrounding infant formula marketing. Vicky explains the importance of the WHO Code, which aims to protect infant health by regulating the marketing of breast milk substitutes, and clarifies what infant formula companies should and shouldn’t be doing in the UK. We also talk about the impact of digital marketing, the high costs of formula, and the ro...
Oct 14, 2024•56 min•Ep. 62
Louise’s story might be a difficult listen if you have suffered from depression, anxiety, or postnatal depression, but it is a story that she feels is helpful to share, and I am so grateful that she has. Louise Chappell went into her pregnancy and birth excited and happy, but after her son Robin was born, anxiety and trauma surfaced, and she became fixated on her feelings of inadequacy over breastfeeding and fear. It was the chance meeting of a former-health visitor friend that finally got her t...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 61
Sometimes our children can be our greatest teachers. That’s certainly what my guest this week, Bec, believes. Although she was a midwife before she was a mother, Bec has learnt so much about mothering and herself since having Lily two and half years ago. Their journey began with a peaceful water birth at 42 weeks, but continued with vomiting and possible reflux, leading to breast refusal. Bec talks openly about that breast refusal period and how it felt. Since those early struggles, they have sl...
Oct 01, 2024•56 min•Ep. 60
It’s a pleasure to have Molly Morgan back with me today, to answer your questions about starting nursery and breastfeeding. You can find out more about Molly on Instagram at @molly_foxandthemoon and www.foxandthemoon.co.uk 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 Twitte...
Sep 23, 2024•58 min•Ep. 59
In this episode I’m talking about natural term breastfeeding with someone who has both personal and professional experience of it. Olivia Hinge is an IBCLC, midwife and mum of three, currently breastfeeding her youngest child (who makes a sleepy appearance in the episode). We talk about the realities of breastfeeding support on the maternity ward and what training Olivia would provide to all hospital staff if she had a magic wand, as well as Olivia’s own breastfeeding and weaning journey. Olivia...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 58
Volunteer breastfeeding peer supporters are among the unsung heroes of the breastfeeding and chest feeding world. This week we’re exploring who they are and what they do. I’m joined by two peer supporters, Hilary and Katrina, who volunteer for Treasure Chest, in York. We talk about how they came to train as supporters, what they enjoy and find challenging about the role, and how they help families with their feeding journey. Maybe being a peer supporter is something that you might be interested ...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 57
It’s my pleasure to be joined this week by Rakhee to talk about her gradual weaning journey with her daughter Isla. It was lack of sleep and aversion connected to her cycle that made Rakhee consider putting in some boundaries with Isla when she was around 18 months. With the support of her husband, Sandy, she made these changes very slowly, allowing for Isla to adapt and grow as she went. Eventually they ended their breastfeeding journey this year, when Isla was 3 years old. This story touches o...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 56
This summer bonus episode is a replay of episode 5, where I explore your motivations for weaning, and whether a refresh on nursing manners could help. I talk about ways you can upskill to meet your child’s needs without the breast, how to cut down on the number of feeds and how you can talk with your child to wean with kindness and authenticity. I’m taking a break over the summer holidays, and replaying a few of my most popular episodes. I’ll be back with a brand new episode on 3rd September 202...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr
This summer bonus episode is a replay of episode 2, where I explore why you might want to end breastfeeding/chest feeding. I discuss the misleading advice that some parents receive, the societal pressures, and the guilt that you may be feeling, but also the autonomy that you can have to make this decision for yourself and your family. I’m taking a break over the summer holidays, and replaying a few of my most popular episodes. I’ll be back with a brand new episode on 3rd September 2024. My new b...
Aug 19, 2024•45 min
‘You’re not feeding him again are you?’ ‘I’m only saying this because I’m worried about you’ ‘Don’t you think she’s a bit old for that now?’ Unsupportive comments from family members can be hurtful and stressful for you and your child. Especially when you’re trying to relax and enjoy your holiday. This summer bonus episode is a replay of episode 16, where Raksha and Lauren share their stories of difficult relatives, and we share some tips for dealing with them. I’m taking a break over the summer...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Today we’re talking about a condition that is surprisingly common in babies, but little known - torticollis. Alessia Testa had already suffered mastitis following a painful latch on one side by the time her son was six weeks old, but it was her insistence that her son had a head tilt that led to him being diagnosed and treated. With the help of physiotherapy and some simple changes at home, Luca’s neck muscles have stretched and strengthened, and he now feeds well as an 18 month old. We’re also ...
Aug 05, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 55
This week we’re talking about all things childcare and I’m delighted to be joined by Molly Morgan, a holistic sleep coach & maternity nurse. Molly and I discuss choosing between a nursery, childminder or nanny, what to look out for when making your decision, how a setting can support your breastfeeding journey and some of the practicalities of breastfeeding a child around nursery schedules. Find Molly on Instagram at @molly_foxandthemoon or on www.foxandthemoon.co.uk/ My new book, ‘ Supporti...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 54
This week, I’m honoured to have a true legend of UK breastfeeding support for you - Sarah Oakley, IBCLC, Registered Nurse and Health Visitor and Tongue-Tie Practitioner. Sarah and I discuss how and why tongue-ties happen, what you can expect from a tongue-tie division, if it’s right for your child, how to find a practitioner and what after-care is needed. We also dive into the ethics and history of tongue-tie diagnosis, whether divisions are always helpful, and Sarah’s involvement with the Assoc...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 53
Katie had a difficult route to pregnancy, going through two rounds of IVF and several transfers, as well as multiple surgeries to prepare her for conception. Her story is one of struggle, but also of trusting her instincts to continue. Did her route to conception give her more determination to make breastfeeding work? After a c-section delivery, her daughter, Ava, struggled to latch with a high palate, but with the help of nipple shields and pumping, they made it through. Now a year on, Ava feed...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 52
Breastfeeding and perimenopause both suffer from a lack of research and investment. When you put the two together, mothers in their 40s and 50s are often met with a lack of understanding and no clear path to follow. So this week, I’ve got together two women who know as much as anyone can do about these tricky subjects, Dr Claire Phipps, the Menopause GP, and Tamzin West IBCLC, to help me untangle the truth and the rumours. We talk about the symptoms of perimenopause and why blood testing doesn’t...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 51
Few people who practise mostly child-led weaning know when their last feed is. Feeds tend to get few and far between until one day, you realise that it’s probably over. When that happened for today’s guest, Lucy, she chose to mark the occasion by writing a beautiful letter to her daughter, Ivy, which she shares here. However, Ivy had other plans! She returned to breastfeeding, alongside her younger sister, Erin. Lucy continues to then tandem feed both girls, now 5 and 2 but Ivy is very close to ...
Jul 01, 2024•56 min•Ep. 50
This week it’s the return of your questions - this time on the topic of natural term breastfeeding. Questions answered - 2:28How does self weaning happen? 8:57Is there evidence of calories needed to not affect milk supply while pursuing weight loss? 12:47My baby is 13 months old and my health visitor recently said she only needs two feeds a day at this age, so not to feel guilty if I want to impose limitations. Is this rooted in any evidence? 15:03Breastfeeding and travel - I need to go away for...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 49
If you’ve been around breastfeeding support for any amount of time in the UK, you will have benefited from the work of my guest this week. There are few people who have made such an impact on the lives of breastfeeding families. Wendy Jones MBE is a founding member of the Breastfeeding Network (BfN). She ran the Drugs in Breastmilk helpline for many years and she is a respected author of many books and countless fact sheets on breastfeeding and medication. It was a pleasure to have Wendy on the ...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 48
This week’s story from Chloe is about not just breastfeeding through pain and discomfort, but also a wound that seemingly would not heal. Chloe dealt with repeated bouts of mastitis, and an infection, before finally being pain free after 8 months of breastfeeding. She is also a nurse, specialising in wound management, so she’s uniquely placed to talk about how infection and pain affected her feeding journey with her daughter, Nova, and how they overcame their challenges to continue feeding for a...
Jun 10, 2024•53 min•Ep. 47
I’m honoured this week to talk to Leanne Pearce about five of her paintings depicting human milk feeding, and her work in general. You can look at the paintings we focus on as you listen by going to Leanne’s website - www.leannepearce.co.uk/emma-pickett-podcast or by visiting my instagram account @emmapickettibclc . Leanne is a contemporary British artist specialising in portraiture. She has featured twice on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the year. Her skill in elevating early years, breastfeeding...
Jun 03, 2024•55 min•Ep. 46
There are as many approaches to weaning as there are nurslings, so in this episode, I thought I’d get another perspective from an IBCLC across the pond. Katy Baker-Cohen works with the Nurse Family Partnership and has her own private practice called Crescent Lactation Care based in Pennsylvania. Together we talk about our approaches to transitioning from breastfeeding, how to talk about bed sharing, methods of night weaning, and which methods we don’t encourage for families choosing parent-led w...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 45
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 h...
May 20, 2024•59 min•Ep. 44
