Spill the Milk with Nicola

In this episode of Spill the Milk, Nicola speaks with Emma Flynn, mum of three, midwife, and artist, about breastfeeding with chronically low milk supply due to insufficient glandular tissue (IGT).Emma’s journey spans three very different postpartum experiences. With her first baby, she chose not to breastfeed in order to protect her mental health. With her second, she did everything: triple feeding, supplementers, pumping - only to find herself physically and emotionally depleted. It was only with her third baby that she was able to redefine success and breastfeed without pressure, focusing on connection rather than output.This conversation explores:What IGT (insufficient glandular tissue) actually meansPCOS and hormonal influences on milk supplyThe realities of triple feedingThe grief of stopping breastfeedingThe power of naming what’s happeningWhy exclusive breastfeeding is not the only valid goalProtecting maternal mental health during feeding challengesAdjusting the load when support is limitedThis episode is a reminder that breastfeeding is not binary — and that a well mother matters just as much as a well-fed baby.We’re nearly at the end of this first series of Spill the Milk, with one final episode still to come. Thank you for listening and sharing these conversations. Nicola hopes to return before the summer with a second series.For antenatal or postnatal feeding support, see details in the show notes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Spill the Milk with Nicola, I’m joined by Laura, a mum of five, including three-month-old twin girls born at 36 weeks.Laura had successfully breastfed her older children, but feeding twins, particularly late preterm twins, brought new challenges, decisions and unexpected lessons.We talk honestly about:The reality of feeding babies born at 36 weeksOne twin spending time in NICUSupplementation in the early daysTriple feeding and the mental load of pumpingThe turning point when direct breastfeeding became easierManaging older children while establishing feedingThe role of practical support at homeHiring a postnatal doulaLetting go of perfection and saying yes to helpThis episode is not about doing everything “right”. It’s about preparation, flexibility, and removing unnecessary pressure.Late preterm babies often need additional feeding support early on. That does not mean breastfeeding is off the table. With the right information and realistic expectations, many families go on to feed successfully and sustainably.Laura’s story highlights something important: breastfeeding twins isn’t about being superhuman. It’s about systems, support, and understanding what’s normal.If you’re pregnant with twins and want evidence-based, practical preparation, I run a Twins Antenatal Breastfeeding Preparation session where we cover:Late preterm feeding patternsNICU possibilitiesSupplementation without panicProtecting milk supplyPumping when it’s helpful — and when it’s notTandem feeding vs individual feedingSetting up meaningful support at homePreparation changes the experience. Booking for this service is here https://www.breastfeedingsupport.ie/online-classes/twins-antenatal-prep/Laura is an Occupational Therapist - her website is here The doula we discussed is Nicky McEntee - more info here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 overwhelmingFeeding after cancer and rebuilding trust in your bodyLate preterm babies, pumping, and delayed latchKnowing when to keep going and when it’s okay to stopLetting go of all-or-nothing feeding expectationsThis 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.htmlhttps://www.bfmed.org/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/Protocol%20%2334%20-%20English%20Translation.pdfbreastfeeding 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Spill the Milk with Nicola – Jen HoganJournalist 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.