New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition

02/16/2026

As fasting begins for some families, breastfeeding mothers may have questions about what this could mean for them and their babies.

Every experience is different.
Some mothers choose to fast.
Some decide to wait.
Some take it one day at a time.

Your comfort and your baby’s behavior can help you decide what works best for your family. If concerns arise, you may choose to adjust your plans.

During non-fasting hours, eating and drinking regularly may help you feel better while caring for your baby.

Your wellbeing matters too.
If you would like to talk with someone, your local La Leche League group is there to listen and support you.

02/16/2026

There are approximately 700 stillbirths per year in New Jersey, and behind this statistic are real families, real grief, and real love. Through tears and strength, New Jersey parents open up about their stillbirth experience.
Please take a moment to watch and share.
🔗 Stillbirth Awareness Website: https://www.njstillbirth.org for resources if you or someone you know are planning to be or currently pregnant, has experienced a stillbirth, or if you are a provider.
🎬 Video by Trailpack Media
Stillbirth: Can happen to Any Pregnancy campaign is a collaboration with The Cooperative, the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ, and stillbirth advocate Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya — as part of the NJ Department of Health's Stillbirth Awareness Campaign.

02/16/2026

This week, we pay tribute to a remarkable woman who delivered over 4,000 babies during her seven-decade career as a midwife.
Bennie “Mama” McGuire, born in 1885, embarked on her midwifery journey at the age of 13 when she assisted in delivering her first baby, marking the beginning of her lifelong dedication. In a 1973 newspaper article from The Courier News, Bennie shared her early experiences, highlighting her unwavering commitment to natural childbirth and breastfeeding within medically permissible bounds.
As midwifery gradually yielded to nurse practitioners, Bennie advocated for the irreplaceable bond between a midwife and an expectant mother. She believed that mothers entrusted her with a distinct sense of confidence that transcended mere medical care.
Image: Adapted from the original black and white photo of Bennie “Mama” McGuire, housed at the Central Arkansas Library, African Americans Photograph Collection.

This week, we pay tribute to a remarkable woman who delivered over 4,000 babies during her seven-decade career as a midwife.

Bennie “Mama” McGuire, born in 1885, embarked on her midwifery journey at the age of 13 when she assisted in delivering her first baby, marking the beginning of her lifelong dedication. In a 1973 newspaper article from The Courier News, Bennie shared her early experiences, highlighting her unwavering commitment to natural childbirth and breastfeeding within medically permissible bounds.

As midwifery gradually yielded to nurse practitioners, Bennie advocated for the irreplaceable bond between a midwife and an expectant mother. She believed that mothers entrusted her with a distinct sense of confidence that transcended mere medical care.

Image: Adapted from the original black and white photo of Bennie “Mama” McGuire, housed at the Central Arkansas Library, African Americans Photograph Collection.

02/16/2026

A common question from professionals and parents alike is, "will the vernix of the baby wash off in a waterbirth?"
The vernix caseosa is that cheesy protective coating that covers the baby in utero and starts to diminish around 38 weeks. What scientist tell us is that this fatty substance is also part of the immune system of newborns, especially when baby remains skin to skin with the mother and father. The microbes from their skin are passed on as the vernix soaks into the baby's skin.
Leave it on. It will absorb into the skin. The exposure to water through a waterbirth does not get rid of the vernix and does not decrease the effectiveness of the microbiome of the newborn.
And by the way, if there is an excess, like in this photo, take a little bit for your skin. I've put a few drops on my skin for 40 years and no one believes that I'm almost 70. Was it the vernix? Never know!
Photo credit: Sage Mama Doula
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159325387682948

02/16/2026

Effects of breastfeeding and bottle feeding as the initial oral feeding on physiological parameters and feeding performance in preterm infants: A randomized controlled study
Randomized Controlled Trial J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2026 Feb;82(2):592-604. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.70295. Epub 2025 Nov 29.
Abstract
Objectives: Breastfeeding and bottle feeding are frequently used in preterm infants' transition to oral feeding, but there has been limited research regarding which has more favorable effects on the infant when initiating oral feeding. This study aimed to compare breastfeeding by the mother and bottle feeding as the initial oral feeding method on preterm infants' physiological parameters, amount of food taken, and feeding performance.

Methods: This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a sample of 90 preterm infants. Half of the infants were breastfed by their mothers, and half were bottle-fed in line with clinical routine practice for their first oral feeding in the transition from gastric feeding. Oxygen saturation and heart rate before, during, and after feeding, weight before and after feeding, and feeding performance were evaluated and compared between the groups.

Results: Oxygen saturation increased and heart rate decreased during feeding in breastfed infants, while bottle-fed infants showed a decrease in oxygen saturation and an increase in heart rate (p < 0.05 for both). The change in weight after feeding (used to assess the amount of food taken) was greater in the breastfed infants (38.67 ± 8.15 g) than the bottle-fed infants (32.82 ± 7.21 g) (p < 0.05). The breastfeeding group also had a higher mean percentage of recommended food taken (91.64% ± 6.53% vs. 85.14% ± 5.76%, p < 0.05) and higher feeding efficiency rate (2.79 ± 0.79 vs. 2.32 ± 0.79 mL/min, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Preterm infants whose oral feeding was initiated by breastfeeding with their mothers showed more favorable physiological responses and better feeding performance compared to those fed with a bottle.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05651035. Clinical Trials URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05651035?cond=NCT05651035&rank=1.

02/16/2026

Did you know that can reduce the risk of heart disease? Improved heart health is one of the many breastfeeding benefits for moms.

02/16/2026

New Jersey Bill A2188 requires preeclampsia evaluation to save lives. Preeclampsia is a serious cardiovascular condition and a leading cause of maternal death, and Black women are disproportionately affected.
Early evaluation = earlier treatment.
Earlier treatment = better outcomes for birthing people and babies.
During , we’re highlighting how policy protects maternal heart health. 📣 Share this post and contact your legislators today.

New Jersey Bill A2188 requires preeclampsia evaluation to save lives. Preeclampsia is a serious cardiovascular condition and a leading cause of maternal death, and Black women are disproportionately affected.

Early evaluation = earlier treatment.
Earlier treatment = better outcomes for birthing people and babies.

During , we’re highlighting how policy protects maternal heart health. 📣 Share this post and contact your legislators today.

02/15/2026

February is Black History Month 🖤✨
Let’s celebrate the groups and individuals who advocate for and support Black moms on their breastfeeding journey. Every mom deserves equal access to breastfeeding support, nutritious food, and quality health care. 🤱🏾💞
Learn more about the history of Black women and breastfeeding, & find resources to support your own breastfeeding journey, click here:
👉 https://irthapp.com/the-history-of-black-women.../
Let’s honor the past, support the present, and protect the future of Black maternal and infant health. 💪🏾🖤

February is Black History Month 🖤✨
Let’s celebrate the groups and individuals who advocate for and support Black moms on their breastfeeding journey. Every mom deserves equal access to breastfeeding support, nutritious food, and quality health care. 🤱🏾💞
Learn more about the history of Black women and breastfeeding, & find resources to support your own breastfeeding journey, click here:
👉 https://irthapp.com/the-history-of-black-women-breastfeeding/
Let’s honor the past, support the present, and protect the future of Black maternal and infant health. 💪🏾🖤

02/15/2026

It's Black History Month and I want to celebrate Black breastfeeding/chestfeeding and Black birthing. These are photos of me and my youngest on our 1 year anniversary of nursing (we ended up making it to 2.5 years of nursing). So, I hope these photos of Black nourishment, Black love, and Black parenting authentically grace your feed today.

02/15/2026

History is being made every day. In honor of Black History Month, join us as we spotlight a few modern day Black Breastfeeding History Makers.
In October of 2010, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin MD, MBA released the Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. The Call to Action describes in detail how different people and organizations can contribute to the health of mothers and their children. Benjamin stated that “Rarely are we given the chance to make such a profound and lasting difference in the lives of so many. I am confident that this Call to Action will spark countless imaginative, effective, and mutually supportive endeavors that improve support for breastfeeding mothers and children in our nation.”

[Image: formal portrait of Regina Benjamin. Text: Black Breastfeeding History Maker US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin MD MBA]

History is being made every day. In honor of Black History Month, join us as we spotlight a few modern day Black Breastfeeding History Makers.

In October of 2010, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin MD, MBA released the Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding. The Call to Action describes in detail how different people and organizations can contribute to the health of mothers and their children. Benjamin stated that “Rarely are we given the chance to make such a profound and lasting difference in the lives of so many. I am confident that this Call to Action will spark countless imaginative, effective, and mutually supportive endeavors that improve support for breastfeeding mothers and children in our nation.”


[Image: formal portrait of Regina Benjamin. Text: Black Breastfeeding History Maker US Surgeon General Regina Benjamin MD MBA]

02/15/2026

🖤✨ Honoring Black History Month: Celebrating Black Breastfeeding Journeys ✨🖤
This Black History Month, Chocolate Milk Mommies proudly celebrates the strength, resilience, and beauty of Black motherhood and lactation. Breastfeeding has always been part of our heritage — from ancestral nourishment traditions to modern-day advocacy for equitable lactation support.
Black mothers deserve access to education, encouragement, and community when it comes to feeding their babies. We are committed to breaking barriers, sharing knowledge, and uplifting one another on every breastfeeding journey.
🤎 Join us as we honor our past, support our present, and empower our future. What do you honor most about your breastfeeding journey? Share in the comments.

🖤✨ Honoring Black History Month: Celebrating Black Breastfeeding Journeys ✨🖤

This Black History Month, Chocolate Milk Mommies proudly celebrates the strength, resilience, and beauty of Black motherhood and lactation. Breastfeeding has always been part of our heritage — from ancestral nourishment traditions to modern-day advocacy for equitable lactation support.

Black mothers deserve access to education, encouragement, and community when it comes to feeding their babies. We are committed to breaking barriers, sharing knowledge, and uplifting one another on every breastfeeding journey.

🤎 Join us as we honor our past, support our present, and empower our future. What do you honor most about your breastfeeding journey? Share in the comments.