The Breast Room

23/01/2026

Jaundice in newborn babies can present challenges in the early days. Our article looks at the importance of breastfeeding going well to prevent jaundice and what to do if your baby has jaundice:

https://www.laleche.org.uk/jaundice/

[Image: newborn baby with jaundice lying on his back with arms above his head in a green sleepsuit. Text: Jaundice and breastfeeding]

21/01/2026

Today, we’re talking about blocked ducts — when inflammation causes milk ducts to narrow.

This can be caused by:
• sudden changes in feeding patterns
• latch issues
• pressure on the breasts from bras, clothing, or fingers during feeding
• knocks and bumps

You can continue to feed or express as normal — this will help ease discomfort. Avoid trying to empty the breast, as this can lead to oversupply.

If you choose to massage, it’s important to be gentle. Any pressure should be no firmer than stroking a cat 🐱

A warm compress on the ni**le may help with let-down - not too hot, or often, as this could increase the swelling. A cool compress on the inflamed area may help ease symptoms between feeds.

If you experience blocked ducts frequently, speaking with one of our peer supporters may help. They can look at feeding positions, latch, and feeding patterns if needed.

Visit a local group or contact our National Breastfeeding Helpline UK - available 24/7 💜

You can find self-help measures on our website:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastfeeding-information/mastitis-breastfeeding/

It’s also important to watch for early signs of mastitis. Symptoms may include breasts that are painful and/or hot to the touch, and changes in skin colour (reddened or darker areas, depending on skin tone).

If you start to feel ill, dizzy, confused, or develop nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or slurred speech alongside mastitis symptoms, please seek urgent medical attention.

✨ Have you received support from us for blocked ducts or mastitis? Let us know in the comments ✨

[ID: What are blocked ducts? Blocked ducts. (Inflamed ducts/ductal narrowing). Researchers now think that ducts don't become blocked or plugged with thickened milk. Milk ducts can narrow due to inflammation, which may cause milk to 'back up' behind swollen lumps. Attempting to unblock a 'plug' by squeezing or aggressively massaging your breast isn't likely to be effective and may damage the tissue.]

20/01/2026

"We're now talking about safer bed-sharing," he says. "And that takes all the steam out of the controversy...We recognize and acknowledge that bed-sharing happens. We don't promote it, but neither do we judge people about it," Blair says. "By doing that, you can open up a conversation with the parents about the really dangerous circumstances when you shouldn't do it." https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/05/21/601289695/is-sleeping-with-your-baby-as-dangerous-as-doctors-say
Also see safe co-sleeping guidelines here https://raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/sleep/where-your-baby-sleeps/co-sleeping

19/01/2026

Kia ora!
We are open as usual this week on Thursday at Te Whānau Arohanui, 137 Victoria Rd, St Clair.

Come in for a cuppa and a chat, and have any of your feeding or babycare concerns answered.

Your friendly faces this week are Denise, Carrie and Angela.

Arrive anytime between *1030am and 1145am* so we can see you before we close.
Partners, family and friends are very welcome come with you.

18/01/2026

Playgroups are back this week at DPC! 🎉Older siblings are welcome, and grandparents are always welcome too.

Our fences are all finished — a big thank you to Ben Wooltorton Building and our neighbour. Visitors/Regulars are now welcome to park inside the compound.

There is also plenty of off-street parking available outside our centre on Kenmure Road and Hawthorne Avenue.

Please note: roadworks to resurface High Street will be happening from 26–30 January (the following week). We’ve been advised that part of Kenmure Road (outside our centre) will be closed during this time, so it’s best to park on Hawthorne Avenue then.

If this is your first time visiting, don't stress — everyone here is a parent and understands how it goes! Feel free to chat with our volunteers or playgroup leaders if you have any questions about our playgroups, becoming a member (membership is a standard $80 for two years, including access to our toy library), or anything else about the centre and upcoming events.

13/01/2026

13/01/2026

Breast milk is NOT made directly from your stomach contents but within the breast itself from your blood. The foods you eat are broken down in your digestive system. Proteins, carbs, vitamins, white blood cells, enzymes, pre- and probiotics, water, fat, and chemicals (alcohol, caffeine, medications) are pulled from your intestines into the blood stream. Blood delivers these nutrients to the milk making glands in the breast. Every nutrient you consume gets used or stored and each type gets cleared from your blood in a certain amount of time. Cow protein, for example, is completely cleared from your blood steam within 8-12 HOURS of consumption. So it is completely eliminated in no more than 24 hours from your milk. Not weeks like some people are told when doing elimination diets. Caffeine clears your blood in 4-7 hours and alcohol within 2. Medications have longer or shorter half lives, which is how long they stay in your body, and larger or smaller molecules. Some can pass into breast milk and some can’t.

⚔️MYTH: Digestive discomfort and reflux is always from eating dairy
💡FACT: Cow milk protein allergy is only in 2-7% of the people. Digestive discomfort/reflux are more commonly caused by unidentified tongue ties

⚔️MYTH: Spicy food makes spicy breastmilk which will upset baby’s tummy
💡FACT: While the foods you eat can change the flavor of your milk, there is no evidence that capsaicin (the compound that makes foods spicy) is ever present in breast milk

⚔️MYTH: Beans, cabbage, broccoli, etc give baby gas
💡FACT: The insolvable fiber found in vegetables mixes with your gut bacteria and makes you gassy. Insoluble fiber does not leave the GI tract and cannot reach your milk

⚔️MYTH: Baby will refuse your milk if you eat garlic or other potent flavors
💡FACT: Research studies have found babies actually prefer the flavor of garlic in breastmilk and will spent more time at the breast and drink more milk. (Mennella, 1993)

⚔️MYTH: Soda and other carbonated beverages will make baby gassy
💡FACT: Carbonated drinks don’t carbonate the blood. The bubbles don’t get into your milk

What’s your favorite food and breastfeeding myth?

12/01/2026

Kia ora!
We are back!

We are open this week on Thursday at Te Whānau Arohanui, 137 Victoria Rd, St Clair.

Come in for a cuppa and a chat, and have any of your feeding or babycare concerns answered.

Your friendly faces this week are Carrie, Sam and Emma.

Arrive anytime between 1030am and 1145am so we can see you before we close.
Partners, family and friends are very welcome come with you.

07/01/2026

Recall of infant formula:

Recalled on 7 January 2026 by Nestlé. Cereulide toxin is produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus.

05/01/2026

We are looking for new volunteers to train as part of the amazing team at The Breast Room.

Do you have personal breastfeeding experience?
Are you a good listener?
Willing to learn and able to put your own beliefs or experiences to one side?
Able to work as part of a team?
Do you have time to volunteer with us?

Initital training is 6-8 sessions from 930am to 230pm on a midweek day (dates and Dunedin location to be confirmed).

Want to know more? Email denise.ives@thebreastroom.org