Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group Recruitment Page

01/04/2026

ABREAST CONFERENCE 25 JUNE 2026
SPOTLIGHT - Professor Donna Geddes

Donna is a scientist and is renowned for her novel work with ultrasound imaging that has revolutionized the understanding of the anatomy of the lactating , milk ejection and blood flow, as well as the infant’s technique, suck-swallow-breathe co-ordination, gastric emptying, and body composition of both the term and preterm . Her research has expanded to include the synthesis and removal of milk from the breast, the composition of human milk and its impact on the growth and body composition of breastfed infants, the investigation of human milk metabolites and the search for biomarkers that are indicative of breast dysfunction. As of the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Group, Donna runs a research program that endeavours to provide evidence to underpin clinical practice, improve breast milk production and develop diagnostic tests for women experiencing breastfeeding difficulties.

Donna has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles on human lactation. She was awarded The University of Western Australia Senior Research in 2022 and is Director of the UWA Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation, and Founder of the Network.

We are thrilled to announce Donna will be hosting two demos at ABREAST2026!

1. Live ultrasound demonstration:

Ultrasound imaging gives us a real-time window into the mechanics of breastfeeding that cannot be easily observed any other way. By placing a transducer beneath the infant's chin during a feed, we can visualise tongue movement, ni**le elongation and milk flow. As such ultrasound may allow us to visualise infant oral anomalies that potentially impact milk removal from the breast. These conditions include tongue tie, and cleft lip/palate. This ultrasound demonstration of infant sucking combined with measurement of milk volume removed from the breast will provide a greater understanding of the impact of oral anomalies on breastfeeding.

2. ultrasound fitting demonstration:

Ultrasound imaging transforms our understanding of breast shield fitting providing information for evidence-based practice. By imaging the ni**le within the shield tunnel during pumping, we can observe whether milk ducts with the ni**le are expanding to facilitate milk flow or are constrained inhibiting flow. Seeing this in real time is a reminder that the consequences of a poorly fitted shield are mechanical and immediate, and that optimising fit is one of the levers we have for improving milk removal.

We hope you can join us!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE NOW
https://www.abreast.network/abreast-2026

31/03/2026

31/03/2026

ABREAST CONFERENCE 25 JUNE 2026 SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT - Holly Tickner

Holly Tickner is a Speech Pathologist (BSc, MSPA, CPSP) who has worked for the past two decades in the area of paediatric feeding difficulties, which has become her core clinical passion. She has spent the majority of her career in paediatric and neonatal tertiary hospital settings. She established the Speech Pathology role at King Edward Memorial Hospital and was heavily involved in the ward and outpatient feeding services at Perth Children's Hospital (formerly Princess Margaret Hospital) for many years. Holly considers herself fortunate that in addition to this, during her career she has had the opportunity to work across paediatric mental health, community services, the disability sector, early intervention, and academia. Holly regularly teaches on paediatric feeding disorders to health professionals nationally and internationally and supports many allied health professionals across the country with clinical supervision and mentoring. Holly is deeply committed to evidence-based practice and enjoys robust discussion in this space. Through her role as a writer and science communicator with The Informed SLP, Holly translates research into practical, clinically relevant guidance, with a focus on infant feeding, paediatric feeding disorders and early intervention.

Holly will be presenting at on:

SNIP HAPPENS; When feeding challenges persist after tongue-tie release

Parents often hope the release of their baby's tongue-tie will improve a laundry-list of infant feeding challenges. But what about the babies who don't improve? Join Holly Tickner, Speech Pathologist (MSPA, CPSP), for a series of short case studies illustrating the need for thorough and comprehensive feeding evaluation, including functional oral motor assessment of infant feeding.

Early bird registrations are now open https://www.abreast.network/abreast-2026

31/03/2026

ABREAST CONFERENCE 25 JUNE 2026
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT - Tanya van Aswegen

Tanya is an Accredited Practising with almost two decades of experience in clinical and public health nutrition across Australia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. She holds a Master of Public Health and is currently a first year PhD candidate at UWA. Tanya’s clinical practice and research focus on breastfed and their navigating and , with a particular interest in improving caregiver experiences, and evidence-informed care in this complex space.

Tanya will be presenting at on:

Over-diagnosed or under-recognised? A look at food allergy in breast-milk fed infants

are reactions to specific food proteins and can affect the , or system. In breastfed infants, this is a particularly complex and uncertain space. Symptoms are often delayed, overlap with normal infant behaviour, and we have limited validated diagnostic tools to guide us. Much of the current management is based on consensus rather than strong evidence, creating potential risks of both over and under-diagnosis. Tanya will explore what is currently known about this area and where the gaps remain. There will also be insights shared from a new qualitative study capturing the lived-experiences of Australian caregivers and healthcare providers, which might help improve care and shape meaningful research priorities in this field.

Join Us! Early bird registrations are now open
https://www.abreast.network/abreast-2026

UWA Research

16/03/2026

Are you a -based breastfeeding mum of a 1 to 6-month-old baby with some pumping experience?
We are currently seeking mums and babies (6 months and under) to participate in our exciting research, which involves 2+ visits to The University of Western Australia
and a light from the café provided.
Please get in touch with us for further information via email:
hhlrg-sms@uwa.edu.au or send us a message and we will get back to you ASAP. Thank you so much! 😊

05/01/2026

Are you a -based breastfeeding mum of a 1 to 6-month-old baby with some pumping experience?
We are currently seeking mums and babies (6 months and under) to participate in our exciting research, which involves 2+ visits to The University of Western Australia
and a light from the café provided.
Please get in touch with us for further information via email:
hhlrg-sms@uwa.edu.au or send a message and we will get back to you ASAP. Thank you so much! 😊

18/12/2025

As we look back on the past year, we wish to express our deepest gratitude to our collaborators and volunteers for your unwavering support. Your trust and collaboration have been invaluable.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year.
May 2026 bring you health, happiness, and continued success.

18/12/2025

Huge congratulations to Xuehua Jin on submitting her PhD: Exploring milk composition and maternal factors in women with low milk supply.
Your dedication and hard work inspire us all. Here’s to a bright future ahead! 🎉 Congratulations!

27/10/2025

Congratulations to Honours candidate Luka Haines for presenting her final Honours project poster today. Luka’s poster, “Experiences, characteristics and pumping dynamics of women who exclusively pump to feed their infant,” offers important insights into exclusive pumping. Great work, Luka! 🎉

With supervisors Zoya Gridneva & Perrella

16/09/2025

A new ultrasound study by Dr Zoya Gridneva sheds light on how shape during established lactation

In this ultrasound investigation of 34 lactating women (1–6 months postpartum), we explored how maternal adiposity, breast anatomy, and milk production interrelate.

Key takeaways:
• Glandular tissue representation (GTR) varies widely among individuals and is linked to milk production.
• Milk duct number and diameter, along with mammary blood flow, appear to influence 24-hour milk production.
• Higher adiposity correlates with reduced breast growth during pregnancy, lower GTR, and lower milk production.
• Later menarche and reduced pubertal/pregnancy breast growth associate with reduced ductal structure and lower milk output.
• Findings suggest antenatal lactation assessment and targeted interventions in high-risk women could help maximize lactation potential.

Why it matters:
• Improves understanding of the anatomical and physiological underpinnings of lactation.
• Highlights potential modifiable factors (e.g., adiposity) and informs approaches to support breastfeeding success.
• Opens avenues for personalised lactation care and earlier interventions for those at risk of low milk supply.

This study is published in J Imaging (2025) and is part of ongoing work from UWA’s Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation.

https://buff.ly/WtddHnt