Lactation Services of Southington

10/30/2025

Want to dive deep into why Skin to skin is so important? Check out this Cochrane review!

Guest blogger: Anna Blair, PhD, ALC, CLC, IBCLC At the Healthy Children Project, we’re not accustomed to taking a break to celebrate accomplishments. We get so excited for the next project that we sometimes don’t stop to have cake and say YAY! However, this one deserves a pause. As one of the co...

10/27/2025

Feeling like you have to pump right away? 🫠
I’ve been seeing a LOT of oversupply lately — and it’s not just random.

Many new moms are being told to pump from day one… even while baby is latching well. 😳
Yes, sometimes early pumping is necessary.

But most of the time? It creates a whole new challenge: oversupply.
Which means forceful letdowns, choking/gassy babies, engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis… the whole spiral. 😬

And let’s be real — those IG freezers full of milk?
They’re not the goal. They’re not the standard.

They’re not necessary for successful breastfeeding. 🙅‍♀️❌
If breastfeeding is going well, you don’t have to pump right away.

Feed the baby. Protect the supply that matches your baby.
Not someone else’s freezer stash.

If you’re feeling stuck in the oversupply rollercoaster — I’m here to help. 💛
You don’t have to figure this out alone.

👉 DM me “SUPPLY” — let’s get you back in balance.
📍Serving families in Southington + surrounding areas + telehealth

10/26/2025

This is great news!

New Publication!

We’re thrilled to announce our latest study published in the Journal of Perinatology (2025):
“Quantification of illicit and prescription drug residues in pasteurized donor human milk: a comprehensive analytical approach.”

Our team analyzed 150 pooled samples of pasteurized donor human milk — representing 742 donors — for 15 different illicit and prescription drugs. Using advanced LC-MS/MS testing, we found no clinically relevant residues in any samples.

Authors: Michelle Brenner, Kaytlin Krutsch, Ashlynn Baker, Dhavalkumar Patel, & Palika Datta

🔗 Read the full article here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41372-025-02443-6 #:~:text=Conclusion,protocols%20and%20milk%20processing%20practices.

10/25/2025

Feeding your baby isn’t “one size fits all.” 💛
Every family has their own journey — breastfeeding, pumping, bottlefeeding, combo feeding… or figuring it out day by day.

At Lactation Services of Southington, you don’t have to do it alone.
We’re here with expert care, calm support, and zero judgment. ✨

If feeding feels hard — or you just want a little extra confidence — we’ve got you, mama. 🤱🍼
📍 Southington, CT
👶 Serving pregnant and new parents through baby’s first year
📲 Book a visit or learn more at the link in bio!

10/13/2025

Great info!

Anatomy Unveiled: Structures and Functions Within the Lactating Breast

Mammary Glands:
In a lactating breast, the mammary gland is a complex structure dedicated to producing milk. Hormonal changes during lactation prompt these glands to create and release milk, providing essential nourishment for your baby.

Blood Vessels:
Blood vessels within the breast play a crucial role in supporting breastmilk production, delivering nutrients and oxygen to the mammary glands, essential for making breastmilk.

Fat, Ligaments & Connective Tissue
Ligaments and connective tissue in the lactating breast offer crucial support, maintaining breast structure during pregnancy and breastfeeding. They aid in supporting milk-producing structures and facilitating milk flow.

Ni**le and Ar**la:
The ni**le, a prominent projection at the center of the breast, is the primary outlet for milk during breastfeeding. Surrounding the ni**le is the ar**la, the pigmented skin area housing Montgomery glands. These glands produce oils that act as a natural lubricant and protect the ni**le from dryness or irritation while nursing.

Lobules and Alveoli:
Clusters of lobules, resembling grape-like structures, house alveoli, the microscopic sacs responsible for milk synthesis.

Milk Ducts:
The milk ducts play a crucial role in the delivery of milk. They are a network of tubes within the breast that transport milk from the lobules (where the milk is produced) to the ni**le during breastfeeding.

Initiation of Breastfeeding:
When a baby latches onto the breast, tactile stimulation triggers sensory nerves in the ni**le, sending signals to the brain, particularly the hypothalamus.

Milk Ejection and Production:
When oxytocin is released, it triggers the contraction of myoepithelial cells encircling the alveoli. This contraction initiates the let-down reflex, a vital mechanism that propels milk from the alveoli into the ducts, making it available for the baby to nurse. Meanwhile, prolactin plays a crucial role in milk production, stimulating alveolar cells within the mammary glands, guiding them to produce both colostrum. This hormone supports the continuous creation of milk.