Delta County Breastfeeding Coalition

11/30/2025

This is what breastfeeding moms mean when talking about the scrutiny they receive.

Random things people have told me are “signs” to stop breastfeeding and why none of them are actual reasons:

“If they can ask for it, they’re too old.”
Babies communicate early. Some can sign, gesture, or talk before their first birthday. Should I have ignored all medical recommendations and handed them a cheeseburger instead? No. Development ≠ deadline.

“They’re wiggling and climbing all over you that means they’re done.”
If breastfeeding required babies to sit perfectly still, none of us would’ve made it past newborn stage. Wiggles, acrobatics, upside-down latches… that’s literally just them learning how bodies work.

“Once they turn one, it’s over.”
Apparently at midnight on their first birthday my b***s are supposed to turn into decorative pumpkins and the milk self-destructs. Meanwhile, real science says: keep going as long as it works for you and your baby.

“They bit you. Time to quit.”
Teething is rough. Exploration is normal. And no, one accidental bite does not mean I throw in the nursing towel forever. If biting ended feeding, nobody would ever survive toddlerhood.

“You’re only still breastfeeding for yourself.”
If only they knew. I do this because it calms her. Because she still falls asleep this way. Because it’s comfort, connection, regulation, nutrition all wrapped into one. This isn’t selfish; it’s responsive mothering.

Experts with actual credentials (not people who “read something once”) recommend nursing up to two years and beyond if it’s working. And guess what? It’s working for us.

So unless someone is the one up at 2am nursing a tiny breakdancer who pinches, twirls, and attempts parkour mid-latch… maybe just let moms feed their babies however works best.

11/30/2025

Feeling unwell and not sure if you can keep breastfeeding? 💭

Good news — in most cases, you can continue.

Your body makes antibodies as it fights infection, and those protective antibodies are passed straight to your baby through your breastmilk. 🤱✨

This extra immune boost helps reduce the chance of your baby getting sick.

Learn more: aba.asn.au/gastro.

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

Is your baby not gaining enough weight?
Have you been advised to supplement with formula to help?

Some babies will need supplementing with formula for a short while, but formula should not be the first option. There are several other things you can try first:

*Access some good quality breastfeeding support to check baby is latching well and feeding efficiently. Try to see if you can find local breastfeeding support, a breastfeeding counsellor or IBCLC. If you can't find face to face support then video support can be quite effective

*Breast compressions - basically, hand expressing and massaging whilst baby is latched on. Thie increases the flow of milk, can increase the fat content and also keeps a sleepy baby more interested in feeding. Doing breast compressions often helps babies take more milk during each feed. See my reels or youtube for a tutorial

*Add an extra feed or two in each 24 hours. Make sure you are watching for the earliest feeding cues, waking, fidgeting, licking lips, sucking fingers, and latch baby on as soon as possible. Or if baby is a bit sleepy, maybe wake them every 2.5 hours instead of every 3 hours. And always try to encourage baby to take the second breast. A quick nappy change can wake them up enough to get them to feed again. Twins can go back on the same breast, they will get another let-down

*Express some top ups. This can be given by syringe, teaspoon or cup in the early days for small volumes. Later on you may want to try a tube at the breast (SNS). Or use paced bottle feeding technique if you prefer a bottle

Donor milk can also be an option

And if you do need to use some formula, it often doesn't have to be too much and doesn't have to be for too long. It's usually just until the baby is feeding more effectively and milk supply can catch up. Then, you can work on dropping the supplements

There are some situations when formula needs to be a long-term addition to breastfeeding. Try to focus on maximising your own milk making potential and truly value the attachment, bonding and immunological aspects of breastfeeding. Remember that every drop of human milk you can give your baby is worth it. Even a small volume is worth it

10/21/2025

10/09/2025

Don’t change a thing ♥️

Sometimes breastfeeding is really hard. We think about breastfeeding being natural - but that doesn’t mean it comes easy to everyone. Breastfeeding is a learned skill; the more you practice, the better you get. Just because the latch wasn’t perfect for the first few days or weeks doesn’t mean you have failed. It just means that you and your baby are still learning. Please reach out for help if you are struggling! You don’t have to do this alone.

10/09/2025

You are incredible. Just remember that. Those moments mean everything to your little one!

09/22/2025

💫 Weird but True: Breastmilk Edition 💫

Breastfeeding isn’t just food it’s science straight out of a superhero comic. 🦸‍♀️

👉 Your breastmilk actually contains living stem cells that can become ANY type of cell in the human body. Heart, brain, skin 😊you name it. Mind. Blown. 🤯

👉 And that’s not all… every drop is like liquid medicine 💊 custom made by your body for YOUR baby, changing from feed to feed to meet their needs.

So the next time someone says, “It’s just milk,” remind them: nope, it’s pure magic. ✨

09/18/2025

scientists have confirmed breastmilk is more than food. it’s alive.

your body makes medicine.
real time protection.
immune cells. stem cells. healing messengers.

when your baby is sick, your milk changes.
when they grow, it evolves.

no lab can match that.
no formula can copy it.

this isn’t just breastfeeding
it’s your body doing something extraordinary.

you’re not *just* feeding.
you’re protecting. healing. building.

be proud of that 🥹
because your body is doing more than you know

The Breastmilk Queen - Amy McGlade