Exploring the Realities of Breastfeeding with Emma Pickett IBCLC [episode 6]

Listen to Exploring the Realities of Breastfeeding with Emma Pickett IBCLC on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your preferred listening platform 

I’m honored to be talking with my special guest, Emma Pickett, on today’s episode!

Emma is a breastfeeding counselor, international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), and author. She’s been in the breastfeeding space for nearly 2 decades, and is passionate about not only supporting parents with their breastfeeding journeys beyond infancy, but also with the weaning process (which can feel incredibly daunting). I’ve pretty much devoured all of Emma’s content during my own breastfeeding journey - the abundance of resources she’s created are invaluable, and will no doubt support you wherever you are with your breastfeeding journey.

In this episode, Emma and I are exploring the realities of breastfeeding. We discuss practical tips to help you prepare and support a successful breastfeeding journey, the larger cultural messaging behind the breastfeeding ‘dip’ and push for formula in the late 20th century, the competitive nature that seems to go hand-in-hand with pumping and milk supply, the increasing over and underdiagnoses regarding lip ties and tongue ties, and much more.

In a society that so often tells us babies need to be controlled, birth needs to be medicalized, and nothing matters unless it’s put on a strict schedule or measured on an app, it’s vital that we tune into our own, remarkable intuition to guide us. While nourishing and supporting our children with breastfeeding is a beautiful process, we mustn’t lose ourselves along the way - our sanity and self care should be prioritized too. Emma shares SO thoroughly about breastfeeding and weaning, and everything this journey really encompasses (it’s so much more than you may think) - I know this episode will be incredibly helpful for you!  

Emma Pickett became a breastfeeding counselor with the UK's Association of Breastfeeding Mothers in 2007. She has been an IBCLC since 2011 and volunteers at two groups in Haringey in North London. She is on the board of trustees for the Human Milk Foundation - a charity committed to improving access to donor human milk. She has written several books including ‘You’ve Got it in You: a positive guide to breastfeeding’ for new parents and ‘The Breast Book’ for pre-teens and teens. Her book, “Breastfeeding past the first six months and beyond: a guide for professionals and parents” was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers and followed in February 2024 by ‘Supporting the transition from breastfeeding: a guide to weaning for professionals, supporters and parents’. She devotes a portion of her private practice to supporting parents who continue to breastfeed beyond infancy, including during the weaning process. In 2022, Emma received the Lactation Consultations of Great Britain award for outstanding contribution to breastfeeding.

In this episode, Exploring the Realities of Breastfeeding with Emma Pickett IBCLC, we cover: 

• Practical tips for you to prepare for and support a successful breastfeeding journey

• Why places like the U.S. and U.K. aren’t typically as exposed to breastfeeding, compared to other parts of the world

• What’s really behind the breastfeeding ‘dip’ that occurred in the late 20th century + positives and negatives Emma has seen in her almost 20 years in the breastfeeding space

• The competitive pressures surrounding pumping + why it’s really not an accurate representation of your milk supply

• Common challenges that can arise early in your breastfeeding journey + really adapting your expectations for you and your baby during this time

• Both the over and underdiagnoses regarding lip ties and tongue ties in relation to breastfeeding

• Indicators that you need to seek out breastfeeding support early in your journey

• What to do if you’re worried about a low milk supply + why feeding schedules are not a positive thing for mothers or babies

• Simple resources and guidance to support families when they’re ready to wean and end their breastfeeding journey

Connect with Emma:

• Follow on Instagram

• Check out her website

• Listen to her podcast: Makes Milk with Emma Pickett

Connect with Sarah:

• Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting

• Sign up for my newsletter

• Check out my website

More about the Mothercraft podcast: 

Mothercraft - because becoming a mom today can feel crazy! It’s both uniquely challenging and exciting. The templates about how we should ‘mom’ are outdated and we have the opportunity to reconstruct them in a way that works for us. There are women, parents, and resources available who can support us. 

Let's write a new story, where we experience how to be connected, informed and empowered about our paths forward as moms, professionals, and women without overwhelm, judgment, or a one-size fits all mentality. 

Tune in each week for conversations with host Sarah Dunn, along with other moms and special guest experts, as they share their stories, encouragement, advice, and solidarity about this lifelong journey of motherhood.

We’ll cover topics such as pregnancy, postpartum, mental health, motherhood, being a high-achieving woman, mom guilt. We will touch on the good, the bad, the funny, the ugly – the multifaceted reality that is motherhood. 

This podcast will leave you feeling empowered, connected, and confident to hold space for your love of self, family, and ambitions. 

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