Marca Lactation

11/05/2025

How cool is this!!!

Whales breastfeed underwater through direct contact, where the mother sq**rts nutrient-rich, high-fat milk into the calf’s mouth from her mammary slits.

Instead of external ni***es, Mama whales have mammary glands hidden within slits on their abdomen that are surrounded by folds of skin.

The calf nudges the slits with its head, and the mother responds by releasing the ni***es for feeding. The calf then uses its tongue to curl around the ni**le and capture the milk being sq**rted into its mouth.

Mama uses her abdominal muscles to flex the mammary glands and forcefully sq**rt the milk into the calf’s mouth.

Milk composition: Whale milk is extremely rich in fat (35–50%) and protein, making it very thick and nutritious. This consistency ensures it is easily consumed by the calf and does not easily dissolve in seawater.

The high-fat milk allows calves to grow rapidly. For example, a blue whale calf can gain about 200 pounds (90 kilograms) per day.
Nursing sessions are short, sometimes lasting only 23 seconds, but they can happen frequently, especially during periods between foraging.

The length of nursing varies by species. Baleen whales, like humpbacks, may nurse for about 6 to 9 months, while toothed whales like belugas can nurse for 20 to 30 months.

11/03/2025

This little boy right here is what spurred my lactation journey. I was an 18 year old first time mom, I had no idea what I was doing but I knew without a shadow of a doubt I wanted to breastfeed my baby. I read and researched all I could to prepare for his arrival but nothing could have prepared me for the difficulty I had getting him latched.

None of the women in my family had breastfed recently and no one could help me understand why something that should have been so natural had become so difficult. I went to my local WIC clinic desperately hoping for some guidance and I left with a ni**le shield and a breast pump.

For 4 months I suffered with cracked painful ni***es and extremely engorged breasts. My aunts told me to give up and give him formula, he was going to sleep better, he was going to be spoiled because I held him all the time, he was colicky and gassy because my milk was the wrong food for him. I breastfed until my supply dried up at 4 months and then I gave him the milk I had stored while I was pumping until he was 6 months old.

No one told me I was creating an oversupply by pumping. No one told me I wasnt getting a deep enough latch, or that my ni**le shield was the wrong size. And no one told me I wasn't removing milk often enough to support my supply.

Now he is 20, I have learned so much in these years and realize he had some oral restrictions that contributed to his inability to latch and his tummy issues. I was determined to change the outcome with my future babies and successfully nurses them to 1 year, 19 mths, and 3 years.

I committed myself to learning all I could to prevent all the future moms in my family from having the same experiences. In 2020 I learned about the process of becoming an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and I started on my educational pathway to earn my certification.

Now in 2025, I have been in practice for one year officially. I am committed to helping my families achieve their breastfeeding goals and I look forward to working with all my future !

10/28/2025

What’s a baby monster’s least favourite holiday?
You guessed it… Hallo-WEAN!

If your little one is just getting starting, weaning, or somewhere in between, we’re here to make every stage a little less spooky and a lot more supported.

Find your local LLLC support at www.lllc.ca/get-help

10/28/2025

Does your sweet baby turn into a fussy little night creature when the sun goes down? You might be in the witching hours!

This tricky time often hits between 5 PM and midnight. Everyone’s tired and patience can run low. Younger babies might cluster feed or refuse the breast, while older ones fight sleep with everything they’ve got.

Here are a few ideas that can help:
~ Try white noise or calm music in a dark, quiet room.
~ Go skin-to-skin, it helps even older babies reset.
~ Step outside for fresh air and a change of scenery.
~ Wear your baby while making dinner or tending to others.
~ A warm bath together can calm you both.
~ Gentle massage can help your baby relax and reconnect.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths, place your baby somewhere safe, and reach out for support.

Read more: https://www.lllc.ca/witching-hours

Your local LLLC support is here to help: www.lllc.ca/get-help

10/28/2025

Breasties!! Just stop! Oversupply comes with its own set of issues! Your body knows what your baby needs! Trust your body!!

10/27/2025

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 By Mia Parkinson Image Immediate skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their mothers offers a better start in life, improving a number of key health metrics, according to a newly-updated Cochrane review.The review found that babies who have skin-to-skin contact with t...

10/27/2025

Mastitis usually starts with a simple inflammation in just one milk duct which causes the duct to narrow, slowing down the flow of milk. This has often been called a “plugged” duct but since there isn’t really a “plug,” this term can be misleading.

It's not necessary to squeeze the “plug” out. Pumping or feeding more than baby wants to “free the plug” is also not helpful. These strategies can make the problem worse.

Using cool compresses, anti-inflammatory drugs and feeding only as much as baby wants, helps to reduce the inflammation. This reduces pressure on the ducts so the milk is able to get flowing again.

For more strategies and information on mastitis please see https://www.lllc.ca/mastitis-matter-inflammation

If you are not starting to feel better after 24 hours and continue to have a fever and/or fast heart rate, talk with your healthcare provider about the possible use of antibiotics. Antibiotics are not recommended unless a bacterial infection is suspected. You can continue to nurse your baby while you are taking antibiotics.

Remember that breastfeeding can and should carry on throughout treatment for mastitis. If you need information and support, La Leche League Canada is here to help. Go to lllc.ca/get-help to find your local LLLC Group.

10/27/2025

FREE HANDOUT illustrating a simple technique to help babies latch during engorgement developed by the amazing Jean Cotterman. Full permission to share. Download "Reverse Pressure Softening for Parents" by scrolling to the bottom: of this page: https://nancymohrbacher.com/pages/free-downloadable-lactation-handouts

10/21/2025

10/18/2025

Next group is Tuesday October 21st at 12:00 PM!