Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Coalition

12/03/2025

Needing pull-up diapers size 4t-5t for a mom in need in our community! Please inbox me Stephanne Rupnicki

12/03/2025

International Doula Institute trains professional doulas providing emotional and physical support - contact IDI at 484.278.1648.

12/03/2025

The 4th trimester, postpartum women need to be seen beyond the 6th week postpartum period! Maternal Mortality rates are highest during the 4th trimester for various reasons.

A growing body of scientific research is rewriting long-held assumptions about postpartum healing, showing that full recovery from pregnancy takes more than a year, not the traditional six-week period often cited in medical guidelines. Scientists studying hormonal shifts, cardiovascular changes, musculoskeletal healing, and neurological recovery found that nearly every major system in the body continues to readjust for months after childbirth.

Researchers explain that pregnancy transforms the body in profound ways—stretching connective tissue, altering bone structure, changing blood volume, and shifting organ placement. These effects do not simply disappear after a few weeks. Studies reveal that joints and ligaments may take up to a year to regain pre-pregnancy stability, while core and pelvic floor muscles often require many months of rehabilitation. Hormonal changes, especially those affecting mood, energy, and metabolism, can continue well into the first postpartum year.

Scientists also discovered that the cardiovascular system needs significant time to normalize. During pregnancy, a mother’s blood volume increases dramatically, and the heart works harder to support fetal development. These changes can take nine to twelve months to return to baseline.

The findings highlight an essential truth: recovery is not a race but a biological process that requires time, support, and realistic expectations. Researchers hope that redefining postpartum healing will encourage better healthcare guidance, more compassionate workplace policies, and greater societal understanding for mothers navigating one of the most transformative periods of their lives.

12/03/2025

Postpartum depression (PPD) is more common than you think.

Nationally, about 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depressive symptoms after birth. In some states, this statistic can rise to 1 in 5 women (1).

Increased feelings of anxiety and depression, mood swings, and overwhelming exhaustion or feelings of loss post birth does not mean you’re failing, it means you are human. And you are not alone.

Symptoms of PPD can include:

➡️ Sleep disturbance; trouble falling asleep even when baby is sleeping
➡️ Appetite disturbance
➡️ Persistent crying, sadness, irritability
➡️ Feeling disconnected from baby and/or others
➡️ Memory loss and/or difficulty concentrating
➡️ Feeling guilty, inadequate, and/or having fear of social situations
➡️ Physical symptoms and/or pain (2)

If any of this resonates with you personally, or reminds you of someone you know, help is out there. Talking with a provider or reaching out to others for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your well-being matters just as much as your baby’s! 🩵

🔗 (1) https://www.postpartumdepression.org/resources/statistics/
🔗 (2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9851410/

12/02/2025

Information for ADHD Breastfeeding Moms

✨ New Journal Publication! ✨

Huge news for breastfeeding mothers with ADHD — our study on atomoxetine is published!

Our study shows that only very small amounts of atomoxetine enter breast milk. Most mothers had an RID under 0.2%, and even the highest level found was only 0.65%, suggesting very low risk while breastfeeding.

Because of this new evidence, we are updating atomoxetine’s lactation safety rating from L4 to L2, reflecting a much safer profile than previously thought.

A few reports of infant fussiness have been noted, so monitoring is still important. Any concerns should be reported to systems like FAERS to help strengthen safety data.

This research provides encouraging evidence that atomoxetine may be a safe, viable ADHD treatment for breastfeeding mothers.

https://journals.lww.com/psychopharmacology/fulltext/9900/atomoxetine_as_a_viable_adhd_treatment_in.482.aspx #:~:text=Conclusions:,of%20ADHD%20in%20lactating%20women.

12/02/2025

Traveling just got easier for breastfeeding families. We are so thrilled to share that the BABES Enhancement Act was signed into law!

11/25/2025

Congratulations Camie Jae Goldhammer so well deserving!!

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month ❤️

✨2025 Sister Spirit Honoree ✨ Camie Goldhammer (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyaté

Camie Goldhammer, MSW, LICSW, IBCLC is a devoted leader for Indigenous families locally, nationally, and internationally. She brings joy into all the work that she does and creates community and care in all her relationships.

She is held by the love of her ancestors and the support of her community in pursuing a vision of increasing breast/chestfeeding and decreasing maternal and infant mortality in Native and Pacific Islander communities. Camie has spent nearly 20 years serving urban Native families, and most recently founded Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services , whose mission is "Healthy Indigenous babies, born into healthy Indigenous families, supported by healthy Indigenous communities.".

Additionally, she created the first and only lactation counselor training created by Native people for Native communities and addresses the role that Historical Trauma (HT) and colonization have played in interruption this traditional practice. Cami and her "breastfriend" Kimberly Moore-Salas (Diné) have trained nearly 1000 Indigenous Lactation Counselors or Indigi-LCs across Turtle Island and the Pacific. She served as the lead consultant on Michelle Obama's Let's Move Indian Country campaign, supporting all 13 IHS hospitals in reaching Baby Friendly Hospital designation and worked as the Campaign Director to bring paid family and medical leave to Washington State, which was signed into law in July 2017. She is a national leader on topics of racial equity, birth and breastfeeding reclamation, perinatal mental health, and parenting practices in Native communities.

📸 Photo by Arlin Yazzie

11/21/2025

Breastfeeding is extremely beneficial to moms health as well! Reduction of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, breast and ovarian cancer!

Want low-literacy lactation infographics to share with families? This is one of the 9 different topics I co-created with the amazing folks at Noodle Soup. Order all 9 tear pads of 50 sheets (one side in English, one in Spanish) here (for shipment to US addresses): https://www.noodlesoup.com/product-category/breastfeeding-2/educational-handouts-breastfeeding-2/nancy-mohrbacher/

11/18/2025

‼️Donation has closed‼️

💛Community Milk Sharing is traditional, breastmilk is our first traditional food, it is our medicine! Igwiyėn to our milk donor you were able to help provide milk to 3 babies/mamas in need! Over 400oz was given and accepted!💛

I have a mama that has extra nunu milk (breastmilk) that she would love to donate if any other mamas are in need! Please contact me Stephanne Rupnicki as ill be the one to handle the pick up and drop off.

This would be for the Jackson, Brown, Shawnee County Kansas areas please and thank you

11/18/2025

Night feedings are still very important under 1

11/17/2025

Maternal mortality awareness post