Jill Asher Breastfeeding

18/01/2026

If you are interested in joining either of these classes, please let me know asap. Hoping to arrange for end of Jan/start of Feb. Probably weekend or weekday evening. I will aim to arrange to suit those interested.

Microbirth Classes are ideal for early pregnancy. Be fully informed about the crucial role of your gut microbiome for the long-term health of your baby. Science explained in easy terms and ideas for doable small changes that you can do now to make a difference.

Breastfeeding preparation.. What it says! information to enable you to feel confident and able to get off to a good start. plenty of opportunity to talk through hopes and fears.

Small group sessions are ideal for meeting other parents-to-be and starting your own mini support network. I'm also very happy to offer one-to-one sessions. Partners welcome too.

Get in touch for more information or to book.

14/01/2026

In case there are any health professionals here who might be interested….
Parents.. do feel free to share.

· Normal Infant Sleep: Friday 16th January to Friday 13th February 2026, Online Discussion Friday 13th February 10-11am (GMT)

13/01/2026

In case anyone needs reminding about this.. because there is a lot of narrative out there telling us the complete opposite. Not just about co-sleeping either... also about just spending time holding our babies, carrying them, popping them in a sling etc. Close human contact builds a baby who feels safe and secure; the basic building blocks for all aspects of life as they grow.

When you keep your baby close day and night
they’re getting 10 to 12 extra hours a day of your skin, your warmth, your presence.

That’s not spoiling.
That’s wiring.

Touch is brain food.
It releases oxytocin, serotonin.
It lowers cortisol.
It teaches your baby's body how to feel safe.
How to come back to calm.

We actually have studies showing co-sleeping babies have lower stress reactivity meaning their little bodies bounce back from stress faster.

That’s not dependence.
That’s co-regulation.
That’s safety being built from the inside out.

So the next time you’re co-sleeping or doing whatever gets you both some rest…
and someone tells you you’re creating bad habits

Remember this,
You’re not creating a clingy baby.
You’re creating a resilient one 🩷

11/01/2026

Classes for parents-to-be. Small groups or 121.
Central Dumfries but can be online or other venues by agreement.
Get in touch for more info and to book.
Planning for this month, but dates still tbc and can be flexible.

Baby on the way? Are you planning to breastfeed?
Classes coming up this month (likely a Saturday morning, but still tbc) in Dumfries will suit if your baby is due February/March time.

My classes cover all the basics to get you off to a confident start. By which I mean solid information about how your body makes milk and how babies manage to transfer that milk into their tummies - the crucial steps to an effective latch. Not rocket science, but very important.

What have others told you about their feeding journey? Do the experiences of friends and family inspire you or make you feel anxious? Classes offer time to explore any concerns you might have. There is always time to ask questions and to explore feelings; to discuss the wider social context and emotive aspects of infant feeding; to prepare you for life with a breastfed baby.

Interested?? get in touch asap.. and don't forget to tell me your due date.
I am also always able to arrange classes in other areas, or on a video link if you live further afield.

09/01/2026

Baby on the way? Are you planning to breastfeed?
Classes coming up this month (likely a Saturday morning, but still tbc) in Dumfries will suit if your baby is due February/March time.

My classes cover all the basics to get you off to a confident start. By which I mean solid information about how your body makes milk and how babies manage to transfer that milk into their tummies - the crucial steps to an effective latch. Not rocket science, but very important.

What have others told you about their feeding journey? Do the experiences of friends and family inspire you or make you feel anxious? Classes offer time to explore any concerns you might have. There is always time to ask questions and to explore feelings; to discuss the wider social context and emotive aspects of infant feeding; to prepare you for life with a breastfed baby.

Interested?? get in touch asap.. and don't forget to tell me your due date.
I am also always able to arrange classes in other areas, or on a video link if you live further afield.

07/01/2026

Where is everyone getting their breastfeeding information from these days?
Family or friends?
Breastfeeding or parenting online forums?
NHS local support - groups or in-person - or the National Breastfeeding helpline?
Google or AI?
Or maybe you are just winging it alone?

I wonder how many of you have had the chance of an in-depth chat (at least an hour) about all aspects of breastfeeding and general newborn baby queries?
As an IBCLC Lactation Consultant, I have loads of experience to share, gleaned over many years of working one2one with women and babies from all walks of life and with a huge range of different issues. The joy in this work for me has always been the individual nature... it is totally true that all mother and baby pairs are different, as many women discover for themselves when they have more than one baby.
In very many cases where someone has sought help and support, there is a fairly easy fix. With some skilled latch work, the difference can be immediate, and it is always so rewarding to hear mother's say 'this feels totally different' and to see that both of them can relax and enjoy a feed. Other situations can require more input, exploring aspects that might not be immediately obvious. Sometimes it turns out to be a baby issue (eg a tongue tie), sometimes more of a mum issue (eg around milk supply), sometimes it is a bit of both. And although I am usually able to work with mothers to turn around or hugely improve a feeding situation, there are always some where we need to look at alternative options. There are always options.

2026 will be my final year of this work. Please make the most of my expertise while I'm still registered, insured and available.

** Consultations for breastfeeding challenges can be in your own home, or here at my home office. Or via video if you are more distant - I have found it to be a very effective medium. No issue too small or too large.
** Newborn consultations during the first 2-3 weeks to review all the basics, practice a good latch and get you off to a confident start.
** Classes for antenatal breastfeeding preparation.
** Classes to learn about the huge role of the microbiome in the long term health of your unborn baby (you'll not be surprised to learn that breastfeeding plays a big part in this).

Take a look at my website or get in touch direct via Whatsapp - all queries welcomed and I'm always happy to get a brief chat if that helps you decide whether to go for a full consultation.

04/01/2026

What do you know about your 'microbiome'??
Do you know how crucial your own healthy microbiome can be to the long-term health of your baby? It's like a special birthday gift that is yours alone to give to your baby at birth. Perhaps an unusual topic for birth preparation - but very important knowledge that all parent's-to-be should have.
See my website for a bit more information and/or get in touch for details of classes.

04/01/2026

Know someone with a baby on the way? please share.
Exact dates for January classes (for those due late Jan, Feb and March) are still to be confirmed, but likely to be a Saturday morning - I try to be flexible and accommodate working hours etc. Please get in touch to note your interest asap.

28/12/2025

I'm looking forward to offering some more antenatal classes in 2026.
Dates and times for mid-January classes still tbc - but likely to be either a Saturday morning or a Thursday evening. In central Dumfries.
Suitable for anyone with due dates from end of January to March.
Get in touch ASAP to register your interest along with your due date and any particular requests.
Depending on numbers there will either be a single class or 2 over 2 weeks (more people + more chat, which is fun and interesting, but can mean we need more time to cover all the important things!). Price will be the same.
I can also offer:
121 sessions for just you, or you and your partner/other close family member of friend.
Classes on Zoom if you live too far to travel
Classes in a different location if you can get a small group together
Classes for just women, or classes to include partners.
Earlier pregnancy classes if you are interested in how your microbiome impacts on the future health of your baby and would like some simple things to do now which will optimise this.
A general chat about options if you are still unsure about infant feeding choices.
Anything else?? just ask - all queries welcome.

24/12/2025

Apologies.. I’m a bit up to the wire with this as I’ve been out of the country last week and taking a while to catch up with myself!
Sending out warm wishes for a wonderful, joyful and peaceful festive season. Relax. Forget all that overwhelming busyness and enjoy making your own Christmas traditions.
If anyone is looking for breastfeeding help or support, then please feel free to message me (WhatsApp is best - see my website for number). Fb messenger works too - I just tend to take longer to respond. I’ll be available for home consultations after the 27th, but also totally happy to respond to queries anytime over the next couple of days.

Pic.. I always have this thought at this time of year: here in the West, one of the first images of a baby we have as small children, and a very powerful one it is, is of that baby lying in the manger bed. Plus ‘no crib for a bed’ is deeply ingrained along side all the swaddling clothes. Maybe these early images have played into common feelings that babies need to be in a container of some sort?? Rather than in parent’s arms.

15/11/2025

Thank you to the lovely group of people who opted to miss the Christmas lights switch on, and the joys of Comic Relief last night, to attend the screening of The Microbirth Plan. Lots of great feedback, which I'll share with the film's makers.
I hope that there were some positive messages for you all to take away about how important the microbiome is for the long-term health of a baby, as well as for health in general for us all.

If anyone is interested in an antenatal workshop to explore in more detail a 'microbiome mindful' pregnancy, birth planning and for beyond birth too, then get in touch and I can organise a class or a 121 session.
I also offer antenatal breastfeeding preparation - again either as a class with others, or 121. My sessions tend to be at least a couple of hours.. and are sometimes more than one session. They can be tailored to your specific situation or queries. As well as covering all the basics of how breastfeeding works, I prepare you for the realities of life with a breastfed baby, and offer insights into common challenges in the early days.
See my website for more details.

14/11/2025

Last minute reminder re the Microbirth Plan film screening later today.. 6.30pm at the Free Church Hall, off Charlotte Street car park.
Spaces still available. Just turn up. I'll be there from 6pm and the kettle will be on.
Film lasts about 45 mins and there is a chance for chat/feedback/discussion and more tea etc after it.