Jessica Leighton, DC, IBCLC, CPST

04/02/2026

💻 Screens are a part of modern childhood, but the developing nervous system is incredibly sensitive to the type, timing, and amount of stimulation kids receive.

🧠 Excessive or unregulated screen time has been associated with changes in sleep patterns, attention, emotional regulation, posture, and sensory processing; all of which are connected to how the brain and nervous system grow and adapt.

💛 This post is NOT about judgment. Many families rely on screens at times, and when use is intentional, monitored, and balanced, it can absolutely exist without harm and may even be a necessary support for parents in real life.

👉🏼 The goal is awareness; supporting developing brains with plenty of movement, outdoor play, face-to-face interaction, creativity, and rest so the nervous system has the variety of input it needs to build strong foundations for lifelong health.

👍🏻 Small, realistic changes can make a meaningful difference over time.

04/01/2026

Does your breastfed baby refuse to take a bottle? Cup feeding is another safe method to offer milk or formula! Check out this great video from LA Lactation!

When a baby struggles to take a bottle, cups are a great alternative. Bottle aversion and breast refusal can be very stressful for both parent and baby. My o...

03/18/2026

03/18/2026

Our resistome is the antibiotic resistant genes within our microbial community. Multiple factors influence are microbiome and the type of antibioitic resistant genes(ARG's) they carry. In general a microbiome rich in Bifidobacterium is beneifical.
A recent study in the journal Nature Communications looked at what influences the infant resistome by looking at a 66 mother/infant pairs and measuring microbiome and resistome at 7 days, 1, 6 and 12 mos in the infants. In general, the study noted that the infant gut decreased the amount of ARG's over the course of the first year and that in general infants 6 to 12 months of age had lower levels than their mother.
Interestingly, they identified was that while C-section is associated with a higher number of ARG's at 7 days, exclusive breastfeeding for the first month reversed this trend and the authors identified "importance of breastfeeding as a natural intervention to shape the infant microbiome and resistome."
In general the study noted, any amount of human milk during the first 6 months reduces the amount of antibiotic resistant genes and that the most reduction occurred in exclusive breastfeeding infants.
See the July 2025 issue of Nature Communications for the full article at this link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-61154-w

03/18/2026

How can you prepare your home and body for a cesarean delivery?

This blog is specifically for Moms who are planning a cesarean birth, want to go into labor prepared for all outcomes or moms who are doomscrolling in the hospital after a c-section wondering what to do next. We are looking at support for the first two-ish weeks. Let's walk through how to support yo

03/16/2026

Join us at the office for a FREE workshop with in April!

03/06/2026

The safest way to protect you and your baby in a crash is to wear your seat belt every trip. Expecting or not, the shoulder belt should be centered on your chest and across your shoulder. Wear the lap belt low across the hips, below your belly. Download and share this great free resource from NHTSA: https://bit.ly/2XIMVTy

National Safety Council National CPS Certification Safe Kids Worldwide

03/04/2026

At best, many of the products don’t support infant development and at worst, they hinder it.

While many products can be used intermittently for short duration without significant consequences, frequent use of baby “containers” (think exersaucers, swings, jumpers, Bumbo seats, etc) prevent baby from experimenting with and developing their range of motion and functional movement patterns.

Some of these items can even load joints, muscle groups and the spine with forces that the body isn’t structurally mature enough to handle yet.

What does baby need? A safe, flat place to move and play, a safe place to sleep, and a safe way to be transported in a vehicle. Most everything else is “extra” and for our own convenience as parents/caregivers.

03/03/2026

A new article from InfantRisk Center takes a closer look at the rising use of GLP-1 medications during breastfeeding; an important conversation for modern moms.

While medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are becoming more common, the focus in the postpartum season should be nourishment; supporting your body’s healing and providing optimal nutrition for your baby, not chasing a number on the scale.

If you’re breastfeeding and considering a GLP-1, safety matters.

Informed decisions > pressure from diet culture.

Weight-loss is not the only use for GLP-1 medications. Certain metabolic conditions, such as diabetes and PCOS, may significantly benefit from the use of GLP-1 medications, and in some cases, the therapeutic advantages may outweigh the potential risks.

02/26/2026

Do you or your kiddo breathe through their mouth during the day and/or night?

“My child is a mouth breather at night. How can I help them?” “My child always has their mouth open at rest. What do I need to do?” Or maybe it's you that breathes through your mouth and you notice “I wake up in the morning with a dry throat and I need help.”

02/25/2026

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02/21/2026

💥Safe Kids Coalition Car Seat Check Up💥

FREE Car Seat Check: Feb. 27, 2026
12:30 – 3:00 (last appointment at 2:30)
Mattawan Fire Department
55697 N. Main St., Mattawan, MI
For more information, see the attached flyer or call (269) 639-2753