The Latch Revolution

Mastitis isn’t just an infection. And the way we’ve been treating it… might be making things worse. In this episode, Katie and Joh unpack mastitis through a more current lens — moving away from the idea of “blocked ducts” and towards understanding inflammation as the key driver. They explore the early signs many women miss — including the flu-like symptoms that can appear before any visible breast changes — and why recognising these early can change the entire trajectory of the condition. The conversation also challenges long-standing advice around heat, massage, and increased feeding, explaining why these approaches may worsen inflammation rather than resolve it. Instead, they introduce a more physiologically aligned approach focused on rest, anti-inflammatories, cold therapy, and maintaining normal feeding patterns. Importantly, they discuss what happens when mastitis doesn’t fully resolve — including subclinical presentations, changes in milk supply, and the impact on baby behaviour. The episode also highlights the emotional and practical realities for mothers navigating mastitis, and the need for clinicians to remain flexible, transparent, and responsive when protocols don’t fit the individual. In This Episode We Cover Early “boob flu” symptoms and why mastitis can present before breast changes The shift from “blocked ducts” to inflammation-based understanding Why heat and massage may worsen symptoms How cold therapy and anti-inflammatories may support recovery When to manage at home vs when to seek medical review Subclinical mastitis and recurring symptoms Changes in milk taste and baby feeding behaviour Maintaining milk supply when baby refuses one breast The role of clinical judgement beyond protocol Transparency and trust in complex lactation care   Want More From Katie and Joh? Check out our courses for professionals:Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals Pregnant or a new mum or parent? Find more support from Katie: The Feeding Couch® – Breastfeeding SOS – for new mums and parents Instagram Katie: @katiejameslactation Johanna: @milkandmotherhood YouTube The Latch Revolution Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5 star review Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes Support the podcast via Patreon: Medical Disclaimer Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content. Keywords mastitis breastfeeding, mastitis inflammation vs infection, blocked ducts myth, mastitis treatment cold therapy, lactation mastitis protocol, breastfeeding pain inflammation, milk supply mastitis, baby refusing breast mastitis, subclinical mastitis, lactation consultant education

“My milk has disappeared.” It’s one of the most common messages mums send in panic — often around the 8–10 week mark. Breasts feel soft, leaking stops, letdowns change… and suddenly everything feels different. In this episode of The Latch Revolution, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant (IBCLCs) explore the common experience of breastfeeding mums feeling like their milk has suddenly disappeared. They begin with the classic scenario around 8–10 weeks, where breasts feel softer, leaking reduces, and sensations like letdown are no longer as noticeable. This shift can feel alarming, particularly as many mums are no longer receiving regular support at this stage. Katie and Joh explain how this change is often a normal transition from the early, less regulated phase of milk production into a more efficient, demand-led system. The body has learned how much milk to make and no longer needs to overproduce. The conversation then moves into other situations that can feel like milk has disappeared, including illness, hormonal changes, return of periods, pregnancy, and thyroid changes. They explain how these factors can temporarily affect milk supply but do not mean that milk is gone permanently. Finally, the episode explores a more sensitive and complex topic — how grief and significant stress can affect the milk ejection reflex and make it feel as though milk is no longer there. They discuss how this is a physiological response to overwhelming stress, and the importance of compassion in these situations. In This Episode We Cover – Why breasts feel softer around 8–10 weeks – Why leaking and letdown sensations can disappear – How milk production becomes more efficient over time – Why babies are the best indicator of milk supply – Temporary changes from illness or hormonal shifts – The impact of returning periods on milk supply – Pregnancy and breastfeeding changes – Thyroid conditions and milk production – How grief can affect milk ejection Want More From Katie and Joh? Check out our courses for professionals: Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties “My milk has disappeared.” It’s one of the most common messages mums send in panic — often around the 8–10 week mark. Breasts feel soft, leaking stops, letdowns change… and suddenly everything feels different. Episode Summary In this episode of The Latch Revolution, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant explore the common experience of breastfeeding mums feeling like their milk has suddenly disappeared. They begin with the classic scenario around 8–10 weeks, where breasts feel softer, leaking reduces, and sensations like letdown are no longer as noticeable. This shift can feel alarming, particularly as many mums are no longer receiving regular support at this stage. Katie and Joh explain how this change is often a normal transition from the early, less regulated phase of milk production into a more efficient, demand-led system. The body has learned how much milk to make and no longer needs to overproduce. The conversation then moves into other situations that can feel like milk has disappeared, including illness, hormonal changes, return of periods, pregnancy, and thyroid changes. They explain how these factors can temporarily affect milk supply but do not mean that milk is gone permanently. Finally, the episode explores a more sensitive and complex topic — how grief and significant stress can affect the milk ejection reflex and make it feel as though milk is no longer there. They discuss how this is not a failure of milk production, but a physiological response to overwhelming stress, and the importance of compassion in these situations. In This Episode We Cover – Why breasts feel softer around 8–10 weeks – Why leaking and letdown sensations can disappear – How milk production becomes more efficient over time – Why babies are the best indicator of milk supply – The role of nappies and swallowing as evidence – Temporary changes from illness or hormonal shifts – The impact of returning periods on milk supply – Pregnancy and breastfeeding changes – Thyroid conditions and milk production – How grief and stress can affect milk ejection Want More From Katie and Joh? Check out our courses for professionals: Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties “My milk has disappeared.” It’s one of the most common messages mums send in panic — often around the 8–10 week mark. Breasts feel soft, leaking stops, letdowns change… and suddenly everything feels different. Episode Summary In this episode of The Latch Revolution, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant explore the common experience of breastfeeding mums feeling like their milk has suddenly disappeared. They begin with the classic scenario around 8–10 weeks, where breasts feel softer, leaking reduces, and sensations like letdown are no longer as noticeable. This shift can feel alarming, particularly as many mums are no longer receiving regular support at this stage. Katie and Joh explain how this change is often a normal transition from the early, less regulated phase of milk production into a more efficient, demand-led system. The body has learned how much milk to make and no longer needs to overproduce. The conversation then moves into other situations that can feel like milk has disappeared, including illness, hormonal changes, return of periods, pregnancy, and thyroid changes. They explain how these factors can temporarily affect milk supply but do not mean that milk is gone permanently. Finally, the episode explores a more sensitive and complex topic — how grief and significant stress can affect the milk ejection reflex and make it feel as though milk is no longer there. They discuss how this is not a failure of milk production, but a physiological response to overwhelming stress, and the importance of compassion in these situations. In This Episode We Cover – Why breasts feel softer around 8–10 weeks – Why leaking and letdown sensations can disappear – How milk production becomes more efficient over time – Why babies are the best indicator of milk supply – The role of nappies and swallowing as evidence – Temporary changes from illness or hormonal shifts – The impact of returning periods on milk supply – Pregnancy and breastfeeding changes – Thyroid conditions and milk production – How grief and stress can affect milk ejection Want More From Katie and Joh? Check out our courses for professionals: Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties https://thelatchrevolution.com Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentalshttps://katiejames.site The Feeding Couch® – Breastfeeding SOShttps://katiejames.site You can also access the 5 Gentle Questions Booklet — a clinical tool designed to support deeper conversations in breastfeeding consultations: https://www.thelatchrevolution.com/gentle-questions If this episode stayed with you, leaving a review helps more mums and professionals find these conversations. You can also subscribe or support the show with a coffee. Instagram Katie: @katiejameslactation Johanna: @milkandmotherhood YouTube The Latch Revolution Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5 star review Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes Medical Disclaimer Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content. Keywords milk supply disappeared, breastfeeding 9 weeks, soft breasts breastfeeding, breastfeeding panic milk gone, letdown disappeared breastfeeding, breastfeeding hormones period return, thyroid breastfeeding milk supply, pregnancy breastfeeding changes, stress milk supply, grief breastfeeding  

Antenatal colostrum harvesting. Some call it essential. Others call it unnecessary pressure. In this episode, Katie and Joh unpack the nuance — without extremes.   Episode Summary In this episode of The Latch Revolution, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant, IBCLC's sit down for an unplanned, cuppa-style conversation about antenatal colostrum harvesting — and quickly discover that while their opinions are strong, they are surprisingly aligned. They explore how colostrum harvesting has evolved from a targeted strategy for mothers with gestational diabetes to something increasingly promoted to the wider pregnant population. Katie reflects on how social media, online kits, and pressure to “prepare properly” can strip the nuance from what is meant to be a gentle, curiosity-based skill. Joh shares how she approaches the conversation in prenatal consults: as an opportunity for a breastfeeding mum to learn how to handle her breasts confidently, without urgency or expectation. The focus is not on stockpiling syringes, but on familiarity, technique, and understanding how the body works while the placenta is still in place. The episode also addresses common concerns, including why using a pump in pregnancy is not recommended, and the important distinction between curiosity and rigidity. Katie and Joh discuss the second night feeding frenzy, how small amounts of expressed colostrum can sometimes support maternal well-being, and why larger volumes may interfere with the natural frequency that brings milk in. Throughout the conversation, they return to the same core principle: context matters. Technique matters. Personality matters. And above all, nuance matters.   In This Episode, We Cover: Why colostrum harvesting moved beyond gestational diabetes The difference between curiosity-based practice and pressure Why using a pump in pregnancy is not recommended How placenta hormones affect milk production before birth Why technique may determine whether colostrum appears The second night feeding frenzy and how small volumes may help How large antenatal stores could potentially interfere with early feeding frequency The importance of tailoring advice to each breastfeeding mum’s personality and capacity   Need More Support? Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties thelatchrevolution.com Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals – Course for birth professionals katiejames.site The Feeding Couch® – Breastfeeding SOS – for new mums and parents katiejames.site   Instagram: Katie: @katiejameslactation Johanna: @milkandmotherhood   YouTube: The Latch Revolution   Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a 5-star review Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes   Editor’s Note: During this conversation, Katie misquoted the proportion of women in the DAME trial who collected zero colostrum antenatally. The correct figure is approximately one in four. We have added a brief in-episode clarification to ensure accuracy.   Medical Disclaimer The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.   Keywords: antenatal colostrum harvesting, colostrum expression in pregnancy, DAME trial colostrum, gestational diabetes breastfeeding, hand expression technique pregnancy, placenta and milk production, second night feeding frenzy, breastfeeding preparation pregnancy, hand expressing colostrum before birth, breastfeeding confidence antenatal

We nearly didn’t record this episode because breastfeeding and nutrition is a topic loaded with pressure, strong opinions, and a lot of misinformation. But after an Instagram comment asked us to cover it, we realised this conversation is exactly what many breastfeeding mums and clinicians need: less perfection, more realism, and a lot more nuance. Katie shares a vivid early-midwife memory of breastfeeding leaflets paired with food pyramids and impossible expectations, and Joh describes the common end-of-consult question: “What should I eat?” Often it comes with a long list of foods a mum has been told to avoid — brassicas, onion, legumes, spicy food, dairy, gluten, eggs, caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks — until it feels like there’s nothing left. We talk about why, for most breastfeeding mums, the most helpful message is simple: you should be able to eat everything, unless you have a diagnosed medical condition and specialist support. We explore the difference between “ideal,” “optimal,” “good,” and “okay,” and why removing foods based on fear can cause guilt, anxiety, and unnecessary restriction in a vulnerable postpartum period. We also unpack common myths: the assumption that “gassy foods” or fizzy drinks create unsettled babies, and how sleep deprivation plus repeated advice can lead mums to blame themselves for normal baby behaviour. Katie and Joh discuss cultural patterns around postpartum foods and how many traditional recommendations have the same themes: calorie-rich, nutrient-dense, comforting, and nurturing. Finally, we talk about calories and diet culture postpartum. Making milk requires fuel, and severe restriction can become risky, especially when anxiety or OCD shows up as control of food intake. The thread that runs through the whole episode is clinical reality: meet the mum where she is, support her capacity, and choose advice that reduces pressure rather than adding to it. Key Takeaways: • Many breastfeeding mums are told to avoid long lists of foods, leaving them restricted, stressed, and hungry.  • For most mums, the simplest helpful message is that they should be able to eat everything, unless a diagnosed medical condition is involved with specialist support.  • Postpartum food advice should reduce pressure, not add guilt or anxiety.  • What often matters most is adequate calorie intake and practical nourishment during an intense period of life.  • “Ideal” nutrition and “what is possible right now” are not the same thing — flexibility matters.  • The idea that foods like cabbage, onion, legumes, or fizzy drinks automatically cause unsettled babies is often assumed and then self-blamed when a baby has a hard night.  • Many cultural postpartum food traditions share common themes: calorie-rich, nutrient-dense, comforting, and nurturing.  • Diet culture postpartum can collide with the demands of making milk, and restrictive control of food can spiral in an already vulnerable period.  • Good clinical care includes meeting the mum where she is, understanding capacity, and supporting mental health alongside feeding. Want to go deeper? Head to thelatchrevolution.com to learn more about our latest "baby": Decoding The Suck: Gentle support for Babies With Sucking Difficulties. For More Resources & Courses: katiejames.site Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals The Feeding Couch Instagram: @katiejameslactation@milkandmotherhood YouTube: The Latch Revolution Leave us a 5 star review! Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on new epsiodes.   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.   breastfeeding nutrition, breastfeeding diet, foods to avoid breastfeeding, cabbage and breastfeeding, spicy food breastfeeding, onion garlic breastfeeding, fizzy drinks breastfeeding, gassy foods myth, milk supply calories, diet culture postpartum, postpartum nutrition, breastfeeding myths, lactation consultant advice, maternal nutrition pressure

Low milk supply is one of the biggest trigger topics in breastfeeding — and in this episode, Katie and Johanna sit with the rage, grief and nuance that surround it.    Joh shares why she has avoided this topic for so long because low milk supply is her own story. Together they unpack how the phrase “perceived low milk supply” can humiliate mums, undermine instinct and become a barrier to help.     They explore how often a new mum has to justify her pain before anyone will support her — whether that’s in online groups, clinics, or emergency departments where unsettled babies are checked, labelled “well”, and the mother’s worry is dismissed.     They talk through what they actually look at when low supply is on the table: how the breasts feel between feeds, whether a mum ever feels full, what she notices during a feed, whether she hears swallows, and the story of when her milk came in. They bring nuance from later-postpartum mums around 9–10 weeks, who suddenly feel “empty”, stop leaking and stop feeling letdowns — even while their baby is swallowing happily.  And as always they keep circling back to counselling skills: pausing, asking open questions, letting mums talk, watching a feed together and helping her see what’s really happening.    They discuss weight gain as a trend, nappy output as a key sign of intake, and why believing mums — rather than forcing them to defend themselves — is the foundation for any plan.     This is not a list of causes and fixes. It’s a deep dive into trust, listening, and the emotional reality of low supply for breastfeeding mums and the professionals who support them.    Takeaways  Why the term “perceived low milk supply” can feel humiliating and dismissive to mums.  How online forums and some services make women justify their pain before offering help. What we looks at when low supply is suspected: breast fullness patterns, swallows, history of milk coming in, and baby’s nappies and weight trend.   Why many mums around 9–10 weeks panic that their milk has “disappeared” when breasts regulate and stop feeling full or leaky.  How open questions, silence, and watching a feed together help mums rebuild trust in their own perception.   Why partners’ emotional support and whole-family dynamics matter when low supply worry has been simmering for weeks.   Keywords  low milk supply, perceived low milk supply, low supply anxiety, breastfeeding worry, new mum support, nappies and weight gain, breastfeeding consult, counselling skills, lactation consultant, IBCLC, emergency visit crying baby, nine weeks postpartum, breast fullness, leaking stopping, letdown sensations, partner support, believing mums   Want to go deeper?  Head to The Latch Revolution to learn more about our course Decoding the Suck: Gentle support for babies with sucking difficulties.     Resources & Courses:  katiejames.site   Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals  The Feeding Couch     Instagram: @katiejameslactation   YouTube: The Latch Revolution    Leave us a 5 star review!   Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on any new videos.    Medical Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should always seek the guidance of their own healthcare provider, midwife, or lactation consultant with any questions they may have regarding their own situation or that of their clients. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant do not accept responsibility for any decisions made based on this content.

In this episode, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant unpack the myths and panic surrounding newborn weight gain and loss. They discuss normal physiological weight loss, how over-frequent weighing fuels anxiety, and why nappies (diapers) reveal more than the scales. You’ll learn how to interpret percentage loss correctly, when to act, and how IV fluids, birth interventions, and feeding frequency all play into the picture. Takeaways: • Most babies lose 7–8% of their birth weight — and that’s normal. • Over-weighing increases anxiety and confusion for parents. • Pee and poo output is a more reliable early indicator of milk intake. • IV fluids during labour may be falsely inflating birth weight. • Look at the whole clinical picture — not just the number. • Healthy feeding plans require nuance, not one-size-fits-all charts.  The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from your doctor, midwife, lactation consultant, or another qualified health professional regarding your own health or your baby’s care. Katie James and Johanna Sargeant share insights from clinical experience and current research but do not provide personalised medical care through this podcast. Explore more education: 🌐 katiejames.site 🎓 Breastfeeding & Lactation: The Fundamentals 🛋️ The Feeding Couch 🧠 Decoding the Suck 📸 @katiejameslactation ▶️ YouTube: The Latch Revolution Keywords: newborn weight loss, baby weight gain, breastfeeding, milk intake, infant growth, postpartum care, IV fluids, lactation consultant, midwife, baby scales, feeding plan, nappies, milk transfer

In this episode, Katie James and Johanna Sargeant explore the rise of silicone milk catchers (passive pumps) — those popular “milk-saving” gadgets showing up in baby showers and new-mum starter kits. They unpack how these tools work, why so many of us 'love' them, and the hidden risks that can quietly tip a normal milk supply into oversupply. Through real clinical experience and stories from their work with thousands of families, they explain what’s really happening in the breast, how oversupply impacts both mother and baby, and what to look out for before adding a milk catcher to a breastfeeding experience. It’s an honest, research-informed conversation that balances science with empathy — and offers practical, judgment-free guidance for both mums, parents and professionals. Takeaways Silicone milk catchers can help collect milk, but they also apply some vacuum pressure. Early use may disrupt natural supply regulation and lead to oversupply. Oversupply can cause feeding difficulties, inflammation, and stress for both mother and baby. Breastfeeding is a relationship — not just a method of milk transfer. Waiting until around six to seven weeks postpartum allows milk supply to stabilise naturally. Not every mum needs a milk catcher; support should be individualised. Real success comes from informed, flexible feeding — not gadgets or rigid rules. Chapters 00:00 – What exactly is a silicone milk catcher? 04:30 – How they became so popular 07:15 – Oversupply explained: the physiology behind it 12:45 – The emotional toll of oversupply on mothers and babies 18:00 – When and how these tools can be helpful 23:10 – Our take-home advice: timing, awareness, and support Keywords silicone milk catcher, silicone pump, silicone passive pump, breastfeeding, oversupply, milk supply, lactation, breastfeeding tools, milk storage, breastfeeding education, new mothers, lactation consultant, postpartum care, feeding challenges, parenting, mothering, postpartum, baby

Two clinicians. One mission. Zero fluff. Katie James (RM, IBCLC) and Johanna Sargeant (IBCLC) have spent years in the clinic and the classroom seeing the same thing: families and professionals drowning in mixed messages. This podcast is their antidote—evidence with warmth, practice with heart, and just enough cheek to keep you listening.   Why we’re starting this podcast Because lactation isn’t a “method,” it’s a living system—hormones, emotions, culture, logistics. We’re here to translate research into real-world care, share honest stories from practice, and make complicated things feel simple enough to use tomorrow. What might be landing in your ears each episode A grounded conversation that cuts through the noise A quick “myth check” to retire tired advice A tiny dose of nervous-system kindness (hello breath, voice, and calm)   Who it’s for Midwives, doulas, IBCLCs, breastfeeding peer supporters—and any mum or new parent who likes their support shame-free, and human.   How to ride with us Tap Follow so the first full episode drops straight into your feed. Share the trailer with a colleague who “doesn’t have time for another course” but loves learning on the go. Want deeper support? Head to TheLatchRevolution.com.