Jill Asher Breastfeeding

30/08/2026

A quick message to let you know that I'm heading off for a 3 week adventure on 9th September.
If you were pondering about whether to get in touch with a query, it might be a good plan to do it this week. My head is already full of packing plans.. but I can make time for a consultation with you. You can message while I'm away, but just don't expect an instant response!
I'll be back for 1st October.. and then just 3 months to go before my IBCLC accreditation expires. So make the most while I'm available!!!

24/07/2026

This says everything I want to say myself when I see a post asking ‘what is the best pump to get’.
It depends. On so many different things about your own circumstances, about a particular pump, and about how you use it.
There are too many pumps sitting in cupboards out there which didn’t work out the way mums hoped.
Watch / read this. Get in touch if you’d like some 121 input with regard to your own situation.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18sXmxV8bu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

02/07/2026

It'll be quite a while since you've had any posts from me.. This does not mean that I've gone away or am not available.. I'm just suffering from extreme social media fatigue.
If you are looking for any input with feeding, or possibly other baby-related issues, then please get in touch. Have a look at my website for more information about me, what services I offer and how I work. Yes, I charge, but I am also very happy to get a brief (sometimes not so brief!) chat, whether on messenger, WhatsApp, or phone so you can get a feel for whether you'd like to book in with a consultation. And you might even get your burning question answered in the process, with no need to take things further. Making that first move can seem like a big step, especially if you are not even sure exactly what you are looking for... but once we are connected, you will probably wish that you took that step days (maybe even weeks) ago. How can you know what you don't know??
I know that these days, lots of parents look to google or forums to answer their questions.. but... don't be fooled.. forums, online resources, mum chats etc all have their place.. but none of them will have the full information about your unique situation, your unique body and baby. Any information from those sources is likely to be either generic, and therefore not necessarily appropriate to you, or based on the experience of other parents, which again, might be useful, but will not necessarily translate to your circumstances.
I thrive on meeting new parents and babies. It is always a joy and so nice to be able to witness their growing confidence in each other. Feeding challenges are sometimes readily fixable.. sometimes they prove to be, well, challenging. But I like to think that I am always able to explain what is happening, to offer options for a way forward and to provide support for whatever path parents choose to take. One of the most important things i bring is time.. to really explore all aspects of what is going on for you and your baby and how you are feeling. Also time to fully assess what is happening (or not happening) with feeding, to explain, to offer ideas and options. And yes, sometimes to do the quick fix and to give you time to practice some new ways of going about a feed.

I offer several different packages and can always be flexible, including with regard to payment. If you are looking for something specific, do ask. I can do in-person visits - your home, if it is within reasonable distance or at my home office in central Dumfries.. I also offer video consultations, (and have recently had consultations with mothers in Wigtownshire, in London and in Australia, so distance is no barrier) and I find that they can be extremely effective, especially if there is another person present to hold the camera!

My offerings at a glance:
Antenatal breastfeeding preparation
Antenatal learning about the importance of the microbiome
Postnatal new baby consultation
Postnatal Challenges consultation
Questions, Queries, Moving on to family foods, Weaning from the breast etc etc...

I aim to be responsive to any queries.
Do reach out if you would like information, support or help.
Do share with anyone who might welcome being in touch.
Thanks for reading x

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

07/06/2026

Lovely.

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.