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

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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 overwhelming
• Feeding after cancer and rebuilding trust in your body
• Late preterm babies, pumping, and delayed latch
• Knowing when to keep going and when it’s okay to stop
• Letting go of all-or-nothing feeding expectations

This 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.html

https://www.bfmed.org/assets/DOCUMENTS/PROTOCOLS/Protocol%20%2334%20-%20English%20Translation.pdf

breastfeeding 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.