The Milky Mermaid

03/09/2026

03/07/2026

Love this! 💕💕💕💕

Holding a sleeping baby provides comforting, predictable, nurturing touch that calms the baby’s nervous system, reducing stress hormones and strengthening the communication between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) (rational thought) and the amygdala (fear/emotion center). This builds a strong PFC-amygdala circuit, teaching the brain that stress is manageable and signals safety, which fosters better emotional regulation and reduces the likelihood of an overactive fear response, thereby lowering risk of future anxiety.

To elaborate, gentle, consistent touch stimulates the release of oxytocin and activates the para-sympathetic nervous system, promoting calmness and reducing cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

This soothing input, especially during sleep when the brain processes emotions, helps from stronger, more efficient neural pathways between the PFC and limbic structures like the amygdala.

A caregiver’s presence acts as external regulation, helping the infant’s immature central nervous system manage stress and build its own regulatory capacity.

A well-connected PFC can also effectively “talk down” the amygdala, preventing overreactions to perceived threats.

Consistent positive experiences teach the infant’s brains that the world is safe and supportive, not threatening, creating a resilient foundation against anxiety.

This early buffering effect leads to less intense fear responses and fewer “meltdowns”.

SEE PMID: 33584178, 32966905

02/17/2026

You never know what the person in front of you is going through. Taking a few minutes to share that space with them, the uncertainties it brings, and providing a safe space with a listening ear can be more powerful than most people could possibly imagine.
It’s important, it matters 💕, it’s FREE, and the world needs more of it, especially right now.

02/08/2026

👏 Last year, the city of Carrboro became the first community in the United States to achieve the Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities designation, an accomplishment led by leadership from CGBI founder Dr. Miriam Labbok and a dedicated community: https://sph.unc.edu/vision-realized-celebrating-legacy-leadership-carrboros-landmark-breastfeeding-family-friendly-community-designation/

02/05/2026

02/05/2026

Global support is 🏆🏆🏆🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 Wouldn’t it be awesome if the US had this on the agenda 🤔🤔🤔

02/05/2026

This is happening and is incredibly important (and super awesome…….(would be even more awesome if you’d hit the Like button and share this video to your network because who doesn’t want to AMPLIFY this message together?!? 💕💕💕) 🌎🌎🌎

02/05/2026

🚨🚨This question comes up frequently, so I was thrilled to come across some recent clinical discoveries answering “Does milk temperature matter when expressed breastmilk is given via bottle?” 🙌🏽🙌🏽👶👶🍼🍼

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/15568253251413231?fbclid=IwdGRleAPw_xJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeUPb_K9KPI9t317SXCBdiPgiv6S3KX6YhCGfdwPN9IwV_H5XgOYK-9foLLWg_aem_2iXABOf_trcCsHve1YYgmQ

01/30/2026

A great FREE handout/resource to add to the collection 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

FREE HANDOUT on a simple technique to help babies latch during engorgement. Its creator, the wonderful Jean Cotterman, gave her 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

01/19/2026

http://www.naturalbreastfeeding.com/ Essie succeeds with Natural Breastfeeding positions for the first time. See how she easily breastfeeds 2-week-old Carlos...

01/19/2026

Our bodies are AMAZING! 💪🏽

01/05/2026

💙 New Year, New Awareness 💙

As we step into January, it’s a powerful time to check in on how you’re really feeling after birth.
Not every postpartum mood change is the same, and knowing the difference can help you get the right support:

🔹 Baby Blues: Temporary mood swings, tearfulness, irritability; usually resolve within 2 weeks
🔹 Postpartum Depression (PPD): Persistent sadness, low energy, hopelessness, loss of interest; may last months without treatment
🔹 Postpartum Anxiety (PPA): Excessive worry, racing thoughts, panic; can interfere with daily life

✨ Early recognition leads to earlier support and recovery.

And remember, perinatal mental health conditions can also include OCD, Bipolar Mood Disorders, PTSD, and Psychosis.

💙 You are not alone, and help is available.

If you need support now:
🔷 Call or text the Postpartum Support International HelpLine at 800-944-4773 (no diagnosis needed)
🔷 Call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262
🔷 In a crisis, call or text 988
🔷 Download the Connect by PSI app
🔷 Visit Postpartum.net for programs and resources

✨ A new year can be the beginning of feeling better.