Born Motherhood LLC

12/18/2025

Does flu season have you freaked-out?

Breastmilk is a living fluid! It adapts perfectly for your unique baby and their ever-changing needs. How cool is that?!

If you are concerned about your baby picking up germs during flu season, be sure to give them extra kisses- your body will pick up on any germs they have been exposed to and your breastmilk will adapt to prevent and fight off illness.

Are you sick and worried about breastfeeding your baby? Don't be- your body will make super-powered breastmilk to protect and heal your baby from the inside out. God's design for our bodies and babies is intentional and perfect!

✨ Breastmilk is a living, responsive fluid — and it’s one of the most remarkable designs in the human body. ✨

Unlike formula, breastmilk isn’t static or one-size-fits-all. It is biologically alive, constantly changing based on your baby, your environment, and even exposure to illness. From the very first drops of colostrum to milk for a growing toddler, your body is actively responding in real time — adjusting nutrients, immune factors, and protective components to meet your baby’s exact needs. Science is now confirming what many mothers have intuitively known for generations: breastmilk is intelligent, adaptive, and powerfully protective.

🧬 Science backs this up:
Breast milk contains antibodies, immune cells, hormones, enzymes, and bioactive compounds that support your baby’s developing immune system and help protect against infection. These components don’t just exist — they respond and adapt as your baby grows and encounters the world.
🔗 NIH review: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11659933/

💛 Immune protection that evolves with your baby
Breast milk is rich in secretory IgA, lactoferrin, oligosaccharides, and living immune cells that coat your baby’s gut and respiratory tract, helping prevent bacteria and viruses from attaching and causing illness. These protective factors remain present throughout breastfeeding — not just in the newborn stage.
🔗 American Academy of Pediatrics:
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Breastfeeding-Benefits-Your-Babys-Immune-System.aspx

🤧 Concerned about flu or cold season?
When your baby is exposed to germs, your immune system recognizes those pathogens and produces specific antibodies — which are then delivered directly to your baby through breastmilk. Research shows immune activity and white blood cell levels in milk can increase when either parent or baby is sick.
🔗 Healthline overview:
https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/does-breast-milk-change-when-baby-is-sick

🤱 Are you sick and worried about breastfeeding? Don’t be.
The CDC confirms that breastfeeding during illness (including flu) is safe and encouraged. Your milk does not make your baby sick — instead, it helps protect them and reduce illness severity by delivering targeted immune support.
🔗 CDC guidance:
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/illnesses-conditions/flu.html

🛡️ Real, measurable benefits:
✔ Reduced risk of ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and respiratory illness
✔ Lower hospitalization rates for breastfed infants
✔ Immune protection even when the breastfeeding parent is ill
🔗 UNICEF summary:
https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/why-breastfeeding-best-babies

💖 The takeaway:
This isn’t just nutrition — it’s living medicine. God’s design for mothers and babies is intentional, intricate, and deeply protective. Every feeding is an act of nourishment and immune support, uniquely crafted for the baby in your arms.

12/14/2025

We walk with you every step of the way—emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. At Born Motherhood LLC, our Christian doula support helps expecting mothers and families in Roanoke, VA, New River Valley, and the Rocky Mount Areas feel confident and cared for through pregnancy and birth.

Visit https://wix.to/W7ugKsW to learn how we can support your journey.

Book a free discovery consultation today to learn how we can support you on your journey.

❤️🤝

12/14/2025

During the holiday season, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the need for perfection and extravagant traditions. But the true essence of connection lies in simplicity. 💕 This inspiring blog post shares beautiful, faith-centered ways to celebrate this holiday season with simple yet deeply meaningful traditions. Dive into how slowing down can bring your family closer and nurture lasting memories through intentional moments. 🎄

Read the full article here: https://wix.to/u8qNF8l

The schedules feel fuller, the expectations heavier, and the pressure to “make it special” can quietly creep in—especially for mothers already carrying the weight of daily life. In the midst of the busyness, it’s easy to assume that meaningful connection requires elaborate plans, expensive t...

12/13/2025

The holidays can be hectic, but meaningful connections don’t require grand gestures. It's the simple traditions that matter. Discover how slowing down can reshape your family's identity this season. Read more: https://wix.to/T8HJAx7

11/24/2025

11/15/2025

The Tongue-Tie Epidemic - Why We Need to Pause Before We Cut

Across the world, more babies than ever are being diagnosed with “tongue tie.”
📈 United States - 866% increase (1997 to 2012)
📈 Australia - 420% increase (2006 to 2016)
📈 Some regions - over 3,000% increase

Yet breastfeeding rates have not improved.

Over her 50-year career, Dr Robyn Thompson observed a worrying trend of parents being told their baby needed oral surgery within hours/days of birth, often before gentle breastfeeding support was even offered.

Painful ni***es, fussiness at the breast, or milk-transfer concerns are often blamed on “ties.”
But in many cases, these issues can be resolved with small adjustments to positioning and attachment...

Not surgery.

Even more concerning is that frenotomy is often marketed as a simple, painless procedure.
In reality, it can be quite painful for babies, sometimes repeated multiple times, and carries real risks - bleeding, infection, oral aversion, and loss of oral coordination that can make breastfeeding harder.

The truth is, only a very small percentage of babies truly need a surgical release.

For most, gentle fine-tuning to optimise oral function and face-to-breast symmetry is enough to restore comfort and connection.

Before agreeing to surgery, Dr Robyn's encouragement for every mother is to ask:
🌸 What are the benefits and risks?
🌸 What are the alternatives?
🌸 Can we try gentle adjustments first?

Surgery should never be the first intervention.
It should be a carefully considered last resort, after time, observation, and skilled support.

Because protecting your baby’s oral function begins with understanding, not intervention. 💛

We’ve seen so many families find relief and success without surgery - gentle, pain-free breastfeeding through informed support and education.

You can read their stories here → https://vist.ly/4djxa

Every woman and baby deserve care that is respectful, informed, and free from fear or pressure.

You have the right to make decisions that feel right for you and your baby, with confidence, not coercion 💕

11/06/2025

Coffee delivery and check-in for the postpartum mamas and dads! 🩷💙

People always ask about how we schedule births/take on clients. My response is usually the same- we have a max number per month and trust God with the scheduling. Lol.

I have helped welcome 6 babies at 3 hospitals in the past week! How amazing and crazy is that!?!
*I did miss the birth of one baby because she arrived a super fast 30 minutes after the waters broke and mama felt the first contraction. Wild!!

It is such an honor and privilage to walk alongside these families during this precious season in their lives. I am humbled by God's goodness.

Our books are closed for 2025, but if you are looking for a doula to help support you on your journey next year, our team is expanding and booking for 2026! I would love to chat with you!

Blessings,
Ayla

09/26/2025

Playing catch-up on emails today while at parent pick-up! 😅

09/09/2025

Starting the day by going to a birthday party!

09/03/2025

We just wrapped up another amazing session of the Beautiful Breastfeeding Program!

I am always so honored to walk alongside moms as they prepare for this incredible journey. Over the past few weeks we have talked through real-life challenges, hands-on skills, and confidence-building strategies to make breastfeeding a smoother, more joyful experience. 💕

From preparing for birth and breastfeeding to enjoying the 3 Golden Hours and navigating positioning and latch to talking about pumping and bottles, each session reminds me of the strength and dedication of the families I serve. You are not alone in this—community and support make all the difference.

If you’ve been curious about breastfeeding or want to feel prepared and empowered for your own journey, keep an eye out for upcoming class dates on our website, www.bornmotherhood.com
I’d love to have you join us! 🌸