Jill Asher Breastfeeding

05/03/2026

Yesterday, March 4th, was IBCLC day... and I missed it! Too busy trying to sort out my garden!
Never too late to post though.. and for just this one day.. to blow the trumpet for my professional organisation, IBCLE, which stands to 'serve the global public interest by advancing professional practice in lactation consultation and support through credentialing'. There are now over 39,000 IBCLCs in 137 countries, so it truly is a global organisation. The qualification has long been seen as the 'Gold Standard' in lactation knowledge.

I've been proud to be an IBCLC Lactation Consultant since 2006. Those letters, IBCLC are important. Anyone can call themselves a lactation consultant, or any one of many similar titles, which imply the same... eg breastfeeding expert, breastfeeding specialist and anyone using a title like this might indeed be very experienced, they might be highly professional and well placed to give excellent help and support. But without those letters, it's impossible for anyone looking for help to know just how well qualified they actually are.

To qualify as an IBCLC, you have to take a demanding exam.. but you are only permitted to sit that exam once you have proved 90 hours of lactation specific training, plus a further 5 hours of 'communication skills' training, and on top of that, many hours of lactation-specific clinical practice (anything between 300 and 1000, depending on the route you take).
And then, every 5 years, there is a requirement to recertify - either by proving 75 hours of lactation specific on-going training (a full day at a conference will usually only give 5 hours!) or by re-taking the exam. I have done both. Compare this with the breastfeeding training that most midwives and health visitors currently get.. and the 12 hours or so that most peer supporters will receive.. it's in a different ball park entirely.

All sources of help and support for new parents are important and have their place. Not every new mother will require an expert. For many, a bit of moral support and friendship with other mums will be key to them having a great breastfeeding experience.. I know this from the many groups I have facilitated over the years.
However the thing which I (and, I know many IBCLC colleagues around the country... it's not just me) find troubling is that the number of parents who have been given information about my service by another health professional has been minimal (almost none). Apparently it's 'not allowed' to share any information about a private service, even if that service might be able to help resolve challenges, and despite the fact that no one is obliged to take that route if they choose not to. However, if they don't know about it, then the option to explore it is not even available to them.

Word of mouth from other parents is often the way that people find out about me... that and Google! If you've managed to read this far... I'd be interested to hear how you got to hear about me.. and please, please, if you know anyone who might benefit from my input (pregnant, new parents, even if breastfeeding is going well, but especially if there appear to be some challenges), do make sure they know how to get in touch. Also, there are IBCLC's all around the country, and the LCGB website has an interactive map to show where they are located, so it's an appropriate thing to share with non-local friends and family.

I am due to recertify this year, but have reluctantly decided that the time has come to retire. Which will mean no stress about exams or scraping together enough training modules. No stress about the required ongoing self promotion, which I find totally energy sapping, either! And there will be more time for the garden and other joys! I'll be available until the end of the year.. so make the most of the opportunity. No questions to big or too small. I'm always happy to help.

Breastfeeding Help in Dumfries & Galloway. Antenatal breastfeeding classes and postnatal consultations from an experienced and qualified lactation consultant.

01/03/2026

Facebook tell me that I've had 73 new views... I'm wondering who is looking, and why?
Just to let everyone out there know.. I am available for consultations... just reach out with some brief details about your situation... and ideally mention whether you are local to Dumfries or a bit further afield. Distance is no barrier - I had a video call with a mum in Australia yesterday!
And it's not always necessary to book a full consultation. Sometimes, you might just need some information, or reassurance.
Sometimes a second opinion might be useful.
Small niggles and major challenges are all worthy of seeking help or input with.
Don't be shy about getting in touch.

Call now to connect with business.

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.