Monroe County Lactation

02/20/2026

Nursing strikes are a real thing. Let no one deny ‘baby rules’…

If a baby who has happily been nursing, suddenly stops, it could be a nursing strike and can be distressing for both of you. More information here on what it is, and what to do.

https://www.laleche.org.uk/nursing-strikes/

[Image: mother and baby lying on their backs on a bed looking up Text: Has your baby suddenly stopped breastfeeding? Is it a nursing strike? ]

02/20/2026

Side lying position

Such a useful position as it means you can stay lying down whilst you breastfeed!

But it can be a bit tricky to get a deep and comfortable latch.

Here are my top tips:

Baby tucked in very close
Head tilted back
Baby looking up at ths breast
Sometimes it helps to lift yourself up on your elbow when you first latch, then you can lower yourself back down again.

Thank you to my client who allowed me to share this photo as we nailed a fabulous deep latch. Baby was drinking beautifully with deep sucks and swallows. Baby 3 weeks old.

02/10/2026

02/08/2026

What I needed vs what I was told

No one tells you how often you have to build confidence without support.

• I needed: Reassurance I was not failing
I was told: Just keep trying

• I needed: Practical help
I was told: Trust your body

• I needed: Someone to sit with me
I was told: You will figure it out

• I needed: Clear guidance
I was told: Every baby is different

• I needed: Validation that it was hard
I was told: Millions of women do this

• I needed: Support without judgment
I was told: At least your baby is healthy

• I needed: Permission to struggle
I was told: You should be grateful

• I needed: Confidence built slowly
I was told: It will click

• I needed: Someone to listen
I was told: You are overthinking it

• I needed: Help
I was told: You are doing great

And somehow, through trial and error, tears, and late-night doubt,
I built my confidence anyway.

Not because I was given it.
But because I had to.

👉 Add one more. What did you need vs what were you told?

02/08/2026

Hey new mom or mom to be…As a Lactation Consultant, I have access to a wide range of lactation resources. I will provide evidence-based, supportive information to help you in your journey.
I want to be your encourager, offering positive reinforcement because, mom you are amazing!!

I will trouble shoot the challenges and guide you to where you will achieve your goals for both you and baby.

Call for an in home visit. Let’s talk📱👶🏼

02/06/2026

🚨 Let’s Talk About the recent NYT Article: “The Secret to Marriage Equity Is Formula” 🚨 and why this is just NOT evidence based information.

A recent New York Times opinion piece claims that the “secret” to marriage equity is formula feeding.

Let’s be clear: formula is not the solution to unequal partnership in marriage.

The idea that breastfeeding is the cause of marital imbalance shifts responsibility away from where it truly belongs — unequal division of labor and lack of support — and places it on mothers’ bodies.

Breastfeeding does not sabotage marriage.
Lack of shared responsibility does.

Here’s what research actually consistently shows:
• When partners are supportive, breastfeeding satisfaction increases.
• When parents communicate and intentionally divide household labor, relationship satisfaction improves — regardless of feeding method.
• Breastfeeding itself does not cause inequity — systemic expectations and cultural norms do.

Suggesting that formula is the “fix” implies:
❌ A mother’s body is the problem
❌ Breastfeeding is selfish or exclusionary
❌ Equity can only happen if mothers step aside

That narrative undermines families who desire to breastfeed and dismisses the well-documented health benefits for both baby and mother.

True equity looks like:
✔️ Partners sharing night responsibilities in ways that don’t undermine milk supply
✔️ Non-feeding partners taking on household labor
✔️ Emotional support and protection of the breastfeeding relationship
✔️ Societal policies that support parental leave for BOTH parents

Formula is a valuable, lifesaving option when needed. But it is not a marital strategy.

Equity in marriage comes from partnership — not from replacing breastfeeding.

As advocates who work every day to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding, we know families thrive when they are supported — not when they are told their biology is the problem.

Let’s center the conversation where it belongs: on shared responsibility, structural support, and informed choice.

01/31/2026

Long read but …

ABC-7 at 4: The importance of breast milk and the development in infants By Nichole Gomez" Published January 27, 2026
"El Paso, TX ( KVIA-TV)- A recent clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics reinforces that breastmilk is the best nutrition source for infants born with very low birth weight, offering strong protective benefits during a critical period of development. Dr. Fernando Najar, neonatologist at Las Palmas Medical Center, joins us to talk about the importance of breastmilk to the development of underweight infants.
https://kvia.com/local-focus/2026/01/27/abc-7-at-4-the-importance-of-breast-milk-and-the-development-in-infants/

Articles
|
January 13, 2026
AAP clinical report reinforces human milk as optimal nutrition for very low birth weight infants
Author(s)Morgan Ebert, Managing Editor
Fact checked by: Celeste Krewson, Assistant Editor
New AAP guidance affirms mother’s own milk as optimal for very low birth weight infants, citing reduced NEC and infection risk and outlining donor milk use.
A mother’s own milk provides the strongest short- and long-term health benefits for infants hospitalized with very low birth weight, according to an updated clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The guidance emphasizes fortified maternal milk as the preferred nutritional source for very low birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), supported by extensive observational data and randomized clinical trials.1,2

The revised report, Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant, was developed by the AAP Committee on Fetus and Newborn, the Section on Breastfeeding, and the Committee on Nutrition.

Human milk feeding is associated with lower risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and infection
Very low birth weight infants—defined as those weighing 1500 g or less at birth—face increased risks of serious complications, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), late-onset sepsis, chronic lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The clinical report summarizes evidence showing that use of mother’s own milk as the base diet, when appropriately fortified, is associated with lower rates of NEC and other complications compared with preterm infant formula.

“A mother’s own milk, when fortified properly, gives very low birth weight babies powerful health benefits both right now and in the future,” said Margaret G. Parker, MD, FAAP, a lead author of the report and member of the Committee on Fetus and Newborn. “No formula can fully match the unique makeup and protective qualities of human milk. In addition, breastfeeding has been associated with many health benefits for mothers, including a reduction in cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

Dose–response evidence supports prioritizing maternal milk supply
The report highlights a consistent dose–response relationship between exposure to mother’s own milk and improved neonatal outcomes. Higher volumes and longer duration of maternal milk feeding are associated with reduced risk of NEC, late-onset sepsis, and neurodevelopmental impairment across multiple observational studies and meta-analyses.

Although feeding very low birth weight infants a human milk–based diet does not eliminate the risk of NEC, rates are consistently lowest when human milk—rather than preterm infant formula—is used as the primary source of nutrition.

Pasteurized donor human milk is recommended when mother’s milk is unavailable
When a mother’s own milk is not available, insufficient in volume, or contraindicated, the AAP recommends pasteurized donor human milk obtained from screened and approved donors. Randomized controlled trials summarized in the report demonstrate that donor human milk is associated with a reduced risk of NEC compared with preterm infant formula.

However, the report notes that donor milk does not provide all of the same benefits as a mother’s own milk, including reductions in late-onset sepsis or improvements in neurodevelopment. For this reason, pasteurized donor human milk is described as a temporary “nutritional bridge” until a sufficient maternal milk supply is established.

Fortification of human milk is essential for growth in very low birth weight infants
Human milk—whether maternal or donor—requires supplementation with multi-nutrient fortifiers to meet the elevated nutritional needs of very low birth weight infants. The report explains that unfortified human milk alone does not provide sufficient protein, energy, minerals, and micronutrients to support growth comparable to fetal accretion.

Evidence reviewed in the report shows that fortified human milk helps protect very low birth weight infants from NEC while supporting appropriate growth and development. Current data do not support routine preference for human-derived over hydrolyzed bovine-derived fortifiers when human milk is used as the base diet.

Key nutrition recommendations for very low birth weight infants
According to the AAP clinical report, optimal nutritional care for very low birth weight infants includes:

Mother’s own milk, fortified as needed, as the preferred base diet
Pasteurized donor human milk when maternal milk is unavailable or insufficient
Multi-nutrient fortification to meet protein and energy requirements
Preterm infant formula when human milk options are unavailable or declined
Individualized feeding plans based on infant growth, clinical status, and family preferences
Preterm infant formula remains an appropriate alternative when human milk is unavailable
If neither mother’s own milk nor pasteurized donor human milk with fortifiers is available—or if families choose not to use donor milk—the AAP recommends preterm infant formula. The report emphasizes that preterm formulas are nutritionally appropriate and preferable to prolonged parenteral nutrition or the use of non-preterm formulas that do not meet the needs of very low birth weight infants.

NICU clinicians play a central role in supporting breastfeeding and lactation
The clinical report underscores the role of physicians and NICU teams in helping families initiate and sustain lactation. Recommended strategies include early and frequent milk expression, access to high-quality double electric breast pumps, encouragement of skin-to-skin contact, counseling on the benefits of maternal milk, and support for direct breastfeeding when physiologically appropriate.

“Clinicians, birthing centers, and hospitals can support families who all share the same goal – to provide the best source of nutrition possible for their baby, especially those who are born early and need extra attention,” Parker said.

Addressing disparities in human milk access in the NICU
The AAP also highlights persistent racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in access to mother’s own milk and donor human milk among very low birth weight infants. The report emphasizes the importance of peer lactation support, interpreter services, equitable donor milk availability, and institutional policies aimed at reducing disparities in NICU nutrition and care.

Physicians are encouraged to counsel families on maternal medication use, infection risk, and the potential risks associated with informal milk sharing. By combining evidence-based nutritional guidance with comprehensive lactation support, the AAP aims to improve outcomes for very low birth weight infants during a critical period of development.

References

Parker MG, Stellwagen L, Miller ER, et al. Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant: Clinical Report. Pediatrics. Published online January 12, 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2025-073625
AAP. American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Clinical Recommendations Promoting Use of Human Milk for Preterm Infants. AAP. January 12, 2026. Accessed January 13, 2026. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2025/american-academy-of-pediatrics-updates-clinical-recommendations-promoting-use-of-human-milk-for-preterm-infants/

01/30/2026

At birth, your baby’s stomach is tiny—it can only hold about a teaspoon of milk. By day 3, it holds just 4–5 teaspoons. That makes the amounts of colostrum and milk your body produces a perfect fit.

It also means that unnecessary supplements can fill a baby’s stomach quickly. That makes them less likely to feed at the breast—which signals your body to make less milk.

It’s a cycle that can lead to low milk supply and breastfeeding problems—often before parents even realize what’s happening.

At Baby-Friendly USA–designated facilities, breastfed babies are not given food or fluids other than human milk unless there is a medical need or parental request. This protects milk supply and supports parents’ feeding goals—right from the start.

📍Learn how Baby-Friendly care supports your breastfeeding goals: https://babyfriendlyusa.org/for-parents/

01/25/2026

It’s biology…

Separation changes breastfeeding.

This is not a moral judgment.
It is not a commentary on effort, love, or intention.
It is not a statement about worth, commitment, or strength.

It is biology.

Breastfeeding is a dyadic physiological process. Milk production and regulation DEPEND on frequent, effective milk removal, infant suckling, skin-to-skin contact, and hormonal feedback loops driven largely by oxytocin and prolactin. These systems are most efficiently activated when mother and baby are together.

When mothers and babies are separated, whether by NICU admission, medical complications, return to work, lack of paid leave, social pressure, or inadequate support….the biology changes.

Milk removal often becomes less frequent or less effective. Oxytocin release can be blunted under stress. Supply regulation can be disrupted. Feeding cues are missed. Pumping becomes a substitute rather than a biological equivalent.

None of this means breastfeeding is impossible during separation. Many mothers work incredibly hard to maintain lactation through pumping, scheduling, and sacrifice. But acknowledging the added burden matters. Pretending separation is neutral ignores physiology and places responsibility solely on mothers instead of on systems that fail to protect the breastfeeding relationship.

Breastfeeding outcomes improve when mothers have protected time, proximity to their infants, skilled lactation support, flexible work environments, adequate leave, and policies that prioritize keeping families together whenever safely possible. This is consistently supported in the scientific studies.

If this message feels uncomfortable,
that discomfort does not mean it is wrong.

And if it doesn’t apply to your situation,
it is okay to keep scrolling.

But for the mothers navigating separation while trying to sustain breastfeeding, your struggle is real, your experience is valid, and you are not imagining the difficulty.

Breastfeeding does not fail mothers.
Systems fail breastfeeding!

01/22/2026

I’m here to help…

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.]

01/22/2026

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]