Jill Asher Breastfeeding

06/08/2025

Just cos it’s World BF week.. This is one of 4 ‘Nereids’ around the fountain of Neptune in Bologna, Italy. A great way to celebrate. Thanks to my friend Rachel who was there last year for the photo - would be lovely to go myself sometime.

06/08/2025

It’s World Breastfeeding Week. I’ve shared this post five years in a row now as it remains relevant. One year I hope I won’t have to. I’ll become a cat or running shoe researcher instead.

This week was designed to protect and support breastfeeding. To highlight why we need to invest in mothers, families, babies and the future. Yet for many, this week just makes them want to shout and throw things because breastfeeding certainly isn’t something to celebrate for them.

For far too many, any mention of breastfeeding reminds them of pain, anxiety & a lack of support. It reminds them of their determination to do what had been promised as simple, enjoyable and the ‘right’ way to feed their baby. Determination which slowly turned to desperation when it didn’t work for them.

It reminds mothers of the heartbreak they felt as they stopped breastfeeding before they were ready – it wasn’t just about the promised health benefits but the feeling that their body wasn’t doing what it was meant to do, and the fact they just really wanted to do it.

But this pain is the reason we continue. This week is not about telling everyone they should breastfeed... but more about insisting that those with power step up and actually do something about investing in making a better future for the next generation.

At the moment, rather than protecting breastfeeding, the government doesn’t invest properly in the services, support & expertise that would actually enable breastfeeding – despite reports finding it could save the NHS money.

Instead, cuts to services take away volunteer groups and funding of breastfeeding specialists. What should be an easily fixable issue can turn turned into months of physical pain - and a lifetime of continued emotional pain.

The simple truth is that we set women up to fail. Most breastfeeding problems are created by a society that is not breastfeeding friendly: the actions of others are responsible for poor breastfeeding rates & trauma.

This week is about recognising that hurt and calling for change. I wish we didn’t have to have it. I certainly wish that not so many women and families were hurt by it.

04/08/2025

This is World Breastfeeding Week

"A newborn baby has only three demands.
They are warmth in the arms of its mother,
food from her breasts, and security
in the knowledge of her presence.
Breastfeeding satisfies all three."
~Dr. Grantly Dick Read



Sadly the artist is unknown
Source: breastfeeding international
Charter for Compassion

03/08/2025

Morning all.. a bit last minute, but if any parents-to-be would like to join a Microbirth session I am holding tomorrow (Monday) afternoon, then message me for details asap. it will be at my home in central Dumfries.
And if you are interested, but unable to get along, then message anyway and I'll fix up other dates/times with more notice!
Ideal from early pregnancy, but any stage is fine - it's never too late!

25/07/2025

Please do complete and share this survey. I’m going to be very interested in the results.

Emily is one of our PhD students and is exploring experiences of breastfeeding support for her research.

Her PhD is exploring awareness, access to and experience of support from International board certified lactation consultants in the UK and how this might affect feeding experiences.

As part of this she is looking for mothers to complete a survey that will take between 20 – 30 minutes depending on how much you would like to say.

She would like to hear from those who:

• Are based in the UK
• Had a baby between May 2021 and May 2025
• Breastfed at least once

It does not matter whether you received IBCLC support or not. If you did there are some questions on your experience, if you did not there are some questions about your reasons for this.

The survey will remain open for the next 4 weeks from 24th July to 21st August 2025.

If you’d like to take part please click the link for further information and the survey questions

https://swanseachhs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8uGyfv2Nl3ugWZ8

There is chance to leave contact details (stored separately) to be placed in a prize draw to win one of 10 x £20 Love2Shop vouchers. Thank you!

21/07/2025

For those breastfeeding mums having issues with night time wakers. What’s your experience been.

If you aren’t willing to get up at night repeatedly with children, you aren’t ready to have a child.

Night time parenting is part of the deal with having kids. If my child needs me at night, they get me.

Yes, it is hard Yes, I’m tired. Yes, I am still going to respond to them and help them. No, I will not leave them to cry it out without me. Yes, I will night wean and still expect to get up with them.

They didn’t ask to be born, it is my responsibility to not traumatize them and to help them when they’re having a hard time. Even at night. Even when I’m exhausted.

“All done. Time to let go.” Low and gentle, I use the phrase I’ve established as the signal that it is time to stop.

Little desperate fluttery sucks was the only response.

“Ok, all done now. Time to let go. 1, 2, 3, let go.”

This time he released and rolled onto his back.

“Mama, hmmmm” he babbled with his eyes closed. A sound of contentment and peace.

My fatigue was overwhelmed by an intense wave of love for this little human who had done a number on my body and sleep in the last 22 months.

His little hand searched for me, resting on my cheek. I felt his body relax more fully and knew he was asleep. Laying still until his hand slipped from my face to his own chest, I breathed in his scent, savoring the quiet moment with him.

In the dark I slipped my arm out from under him and propped myself up on my elbow to look at him, his round cheek glowing in the light from our nightlight. Ten minutes earlier I was groaning that he was awake and looking for me. Now, I was basking in the wonder of his sweet perfection as he slept peacefully next to me.

We’re night weaning. A gentle process to bring night feeds to an end. Again. We’ve done it before only to have it undone by illness. I’m ok with that, my milk helps him get better and is comforting for him and since we’d be up at night anyway when he’s sick, I’d rather just nurse him then. But it’s time now to end the night feeds, for me, my mental health, and for him. I can tell it is distracting him and interfering with his own sleep with waking looking to nurse. He doesn’t need to nurse more than he needs to sleep at this point so I’m gently night weaning him again hoping he sleeps better once that’s done.

But right now, in the process, I’m reminded about how special these moments are with just the two of us at night. His deep trust of me, how safe and secure he feels when he’s close to me, and how deeply I love and enjoy him.

And in the middle of the night by the glow of our nightlight, I’m grateful for this time with him.

Night weaning gently is something I’ve done many times and coach others through but I have never been able to fully convey that through all the exhaustion, frustration over interrupted sleep, confusion as to why they may be awake again, and touched-out-ness of certain stages, there are these moments of precious gifts that in the dark and quiet, I connect so deeply with the joy of the little person that needs me and peace that I can give them in the security of knowing I will be there with them.

(Wonder if your little one is ready to night wean? We have a night weaning checklist for you, let us know if you want it.)

21/07/2025

Babies just want to feel safe. And the only place they can truly feel safe is in your arms, next to your skin and your heart beat. No clever rocking machines can ever replicate that. Make it a priority to learn to use your baby box sling… it’s basic, but it does the job. You can move on later to one which works better for you. Parents these days are so lucky to have access to the multitude of baby wearing options. Back in the day, I had a couple of slings - one was from Mothercare and was the sort that hung from the shoulders, not recommended these days, but I used it a lot. The other one was called ‘Wilkinet’ and much more comfortable…. and much more like a wrap sling in how baby sat. I used that a lot too. But I still wish someone had told me in my early days as a new mum, that it was ok, necessary even, to pick up my crying baby (not something my own mother understood).

06/07/2025

Wise words from Kalil Gibran.

29/06/2025

Morning all.. I'm just off a zoom call with my Microbirth colleagues.... And feel inspired to give you all a bit of a heads up.. There will be a documentary-type film coming out in September and I very much hope that I'll be able to be one of the multiple venues that showcase it on the launch day. It's a follow up to Microbirth, the movie, which is still available to watch for free on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9tNtc6-3Vk. to draw on quotes from this film: 'never before in history have we had so much technology available to us, have we appeared to be in control, but despite all this, at this moment in time, our species has never been sicker... over the past decades there has been a rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs - things like asthma, obesity, diabetes, allergies, autoimmune diseases). The World Health Organisation - WHO - has declared that these are now at epidemic levels. Treatment costs are crippling our NHS. Prevention is possible..... at the very start of life. An understanding of the role and significance of the infant microbiome will help all parents to be to give their children the best chance of a life without the issues of NCDs.
10 years later, the new film will go to a new level, looking in more depth at the ways that modern living and modern birth methods (though both admittedly sometimes very necessary) have served to disrupt and disturb the natural processes which protect us. Crucial information for us all, but especially for new parents.

I have not had much success since late last year in getting sign ups for Microbirth Classes. Maybe the new film will change that?
If you are a parent-to-be and would like to find out more about the science behind the information, as well as learn plenty of easy things you can do NOW to improve your child's chances of lifelong health, then please get in touch and I can arrange a class.. Even 121 (or 122) if no other takers. This is ideally a session for early pregnancy, but honestly, it is never too late.

Winner of Grand Prix Award at 2014 Life Sciences Film Festival. A documentary on the latest research on the origins of the microbiome; how microscopic events...

24/06/2025

Breastfeeding toddlers - joys and challenges of... Chat and information session tonight on Zoom at 8pm. £5 to join. drop me a message if you are a 'last minute' interest! And I'll send over payment details and link.

23/06/2025

After a lovely zoom session and chat this evening all about breastfeeding beyond 6 months... My session tomorrow night (Tuesday, 8pm) will focus more on the ups and downs of breastfeeding a toddler - normality; ongoing benefits; the changing relationship; challenges. This one will also include some ideas for gentle weaning if that is requested. It will be nice to see some faces from the old Milky Way group.
Still spaces available if anyone else would like to join.. easiest is to send me a whatsapp message 07552 312543 and I can give you payment details and then send you the link to join.