Southern Lactation Services, LLC

10/06/2025

Behind every pumping mom is a partner who makes the little things feel big💙

09/18/2025

Yep 👍🏻

If you’ve ever breastfed a baby, you know how busy their little hands can be. They knead, push, scratch, and grab… sometimes in ways that don’t feel so gentle! Many mothers are told to swaddle babies tightly or hold their arms down during feeds to “help them focus.” But what if those restless hands actually serve a purpose?

The truth is, your baby’s hands aren’t getting in the way… they’re working. And when we restrain them, we interrupt an important part of the breastfeeding process.

🌀 Hands Help With Hormones

When a baby touches, strokes, or kneads at the breast, it stimulates oxytocin and prolactin, two essential hormones for milk production. Oxytocin helps with letdown (that surge of milk release), and prolactin supports ongoing supply. Think of baby’s hands as natural “helpers” signaling your body to keep the milk flowing.

🤲 Hands Massage and Push

Babies instinctively massage the breast while feeding, just like how you might hand-express milk. This gentle pressure helps stimulate letdowns and encourages steady milk flow, especially in the early weeks when supply is still regulating.

🎯 Hands Guide the Way

Newborn vision is blurry, but touch is powerful. Babies use their hands to orient themselves, stabilize their bodies, and find the ni**le. Restraining their arms can actually make it harder for them to latch effectively.

🔘 Hands Shape the Ni**le

Babies will often squeeze or push on the breast tissue near the ar**la. This pressure can help shape the ni**le, making it easier to draw into the mouth and latch on deeply. It’s not random… it’s instinct.

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Why This Matters

When parents see flailing arms, they may assume the baby is “fussy” or “distracted.” But these movements are part of the natural feeding reflexes babies are born with. Instead of swaddling arms or pinning hands down, try allowing them freedom. Yes, it might feel chaotic at times, but those busy little hands are helping… not hurting.

Supporting your baby’s instincts builds trust, encourages better milk transfer, and strengthens the bond between you and your baby. So next time you nurse and feel those tiny fingers tugging, scratching, or massaging, remember: your baby’s hands are tools. Let them work. 😌💕

09/13/2025

After 2 long days of learning, now it’s time to have fun & see the city of Chicago

09/11/2025

Honored to be here and so excited to learn more to better support breastfeeding moms! 💪🤱🏻🤱🏼🤱🏾🤱🏾🤱🏿🤱

09/07/2025

Yep👍🏻

breastfeeding is literally a full time job, all on its own..

share if you feel this one in your soul ! !

The Breastmilk Queen - Amy McGlade

09/02/2025

I will be out the office next week 9/10-9/12th to attend a breastfeeding conference. If you are needing to be seen urgently, contact me ASAP

09/02/2025

Nursing parents are commonly warned: “Don’t let your baby use you as a pacifier.” Although often said, this is an incredibly curious statement. After all, which came first, nursing or the pacifier? Nursing, of course, long predates the pacifier (aka “dummy”), a man-made device designed lat...

08/29/2025

Scientists have discovered breastmilk isn’t just food.
It’s alive.

It holds living cells. Stem cells. Tiny exosomes that carry healing instructions through the body.
It can regulate the immune system. Reduce inflammation.
Some studies even suggest it may help fight cancer.

And if you need proof, look at the science. In labs, breastmilk literally stops bacteria from growing.

Your body makes something no lab can fully recreate.
Something that shifts and adapts to your child’s needs in real time.
Something so powerful, it’s reshaping what we know about medicine.

Share this if you’ve ever been in awe of what your body can do. You’re allowed to be proud ❤️ The Breastmilk Queen - Amy McGlade