Birth Savvy Bub Savvy

27/09/2025

💻 New Blog Post 💻

After I shared the new WA research on colostrum and food allergies, my friend and colleague Vicki Hobbs - Back to Basics Birthing asked me to expand on it in a blog. And I couldn’t say no, because this study is a world-first and the implications are huge.

We’ve always known colostrum is liquid gold 💛, packed with living cells, lactoferrin, secretory IgA, and over 200 human milk oligosaccharides that train a baby’s immune system.

But this research found that:
👉 Babies exclusively fed colostrum in their first 72 hours were 5x less likely to develop a peanut allergy.
👉 They were 11x less likely to develop multiple food allergies.
👉 Not a single baby who had 9+ feeds of colostrum in those first days developed peanut allergy.

❌ And yet it also found that, right now in WA, 1 in 2 newborns are still given formula top-ups in their first 72 hours and therefore missing out on the full protective effects of colostrum.

In the blog, I dive into:
• Why colostrum is about immunity, not calories
• What the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) protocols say about jaundice and hypoglycaemia
• Why “fresh is best” when it comes to colostrum, and my thoughts on antenatal expressing
• How evidence-based prenatal breastfeeding education can help parents feel confident to say no to unnecessary formula in those critical first hours

👉 You can read the full blog here: https://birthsavvy.com.au/colostrum-protects-against-food-allergies/

A big thank you to Vicki for encouraging me to write this piece.I hope it helps parents and professionals alike see why those first colostrum feeds matter so much.

Babies deserve colostrum. 💛

New WA research shows colostrum protects against food allergies. Learn why formula top-ups in the first 72 hours can undermine this vital protection.

26/09/2025

🌏 World-first research from WA has revealed something shocking.

We’ve always known colostrum is liquid gold 💛 — packed with human growth factors that line and protect a newborn’s gut.

In those first days, a baby’s gut lining is thin and leaky — designed this way so it can absorb colostrum’s protective compounds. Growth factors in colostrum help the epithelial layer of the gut to mature, tighten up, and form a strong protective barrier. This not only supports digestion but also educates the immune system, teaching it to recognise what’s safe and what’s harmful. Formula simply cannot do this.

Now, WA research has shown just how critical those first feeds of colostrum really are:
👉 Babies exclusively fed colostrum in their first 72 hours were 5x less likely to develop peanut allergy.
👉 They were 11x less likely to develop multiple food allergies such as egg or cow’s milk.
👉 And not a single baby who had 9+ colostrum feeds per day in the first 72 hours developed peanut allergy.

⚠️ To be clear: the answer here is not antenatal expressing. The research didn’t specify antenatal vs postnatal, and fresh is best when it comes to colostrum. What this evidence highlights is the importance of ensuring babies receive as much of their mother’s colostrum as possible after birth — and not defaulting to formula unless there is a genuine medical reason.

❌ What really shocked me? Right now in WA, 1 in 2 newborns are given formula top-ups in their first 72 hours — before colostrum has had the chance to finish its vital job of sealing and protecting the gut and shaping the immune system.

This is despite the research and best practice guidelines like the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) being crystal clear:
👉 Formula should only be given if there are clear medical reasons.

Colostrum isn’t just “first milk.” It’s a powerful biological tool — uniquely designed to protect babies in those critical early days.

✨ That’s why evidence-based prenatal breastfeeding education matters so much. Parents who understand the role of colostrum are confident to say no to unnecessary formula in those critical first hours — and know how to make sure their baby gets only colostrum unless a true medical need arises.

This is exactly why I cover breastfeeding and those first 72 hours in my classes and consultations—so parents walk into birth ready to protect those feeds and give their baby the best start.
I also have an online course because this is so important!

https://birthsavvy.com.au/breastfeeding-course/

Parents deserve better support.
Babies deserve colostrum 💛

📖 Reference:
Bhasin M, Cooper M, Macchiaverni P, Joys RS, O'Sullivan TA, Keelan JA, Venter C, Palmer DJ, Lowe AJ, Prescott SL, Silva D, Verhasselt V. Colostrum as a Protective Factor Against Peanut Allergy: Evidence From a Birth Cohort. Allergy. 2025 Sep 18. doi: 10.1111/all.70043. Epub ahead of print.
*EDIT Free Access here: https://doi.org/10.1111/all.70043

17/09/2025

✨ Silver Ni**le Cups – What the Research Really Says ✨

Silver ni**le cups (like Silverette®) are everywhere right now. They’re promoted as the “must-have” for sore or damaged ni**les, with claims that they:
• Protect from friction
• Use silver’s antimicrobial properties
• Create a “moist healing environment”

Sounds impressive, right? But here’s what the research actually says.

📚 The evidence is limited.
Small studies and surveys exist, but there’s no strong proof that silver cups heal ni**les any better than other products. By contrast, reviews consistently report that the most effective way to prevent and heal ni**le pain is correct fit and hold (latch and positioning).

💦 The “moist healing” debate:
In wound care (like surgical wounds or ulcers), moist healing can promote faster recovery. That idea has been borrowed for ni**les.
But ni**le skin is different and it’s already exposed to saliva and milk many times a day. Dr Pam Douglas and others warn that over-hydration of ni**le skin can cause moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), actually slowing healing rather than speeding it up. This is why many creams, gels, and cups that keep ni**les constantly damp don’t live up to the promise.

🔬 How silver heals — and why ni**le cups are different:
In hospitals, silver is used in creams and special wound dressings that release silver ions (Ag⁺). These ions kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, which can help burns and surgical wounds heal.
But most ni**le cups are made from sterling silver (92.5% silver + copper), which is not the same as the ionic or nanoparticle silver used in treating wounds. Sterling silver only releases tiny amounts of ions when wet, and copper can tarnish or irritate sensitive skin. Cheaper knock-offs may even be just silver-plated over unsafe base metals like nickel or lead. 🚩

So while silver can heal in certain medical forms, there’s no strong evidence that the kind used in ni**le cups makes a meaningful difference.

⚠️ Other risks include:
•If cups press tightly, they can compress ducts and contribute to mastitis (definitely be on the lookout for red rings on your breast).
•Trapping milk can cause over-hydration, delaying healing

💡 Here’s the bottom line:
Silver cups may feel soothing for some, but they don’t fix the cause of ni**le pain. The real solution is understanding how to position your baby deeply at the breast so there’s no ni**le or breast tissue drag.

That’s exactly what I teach in my Online Breastfeeding Course — evidence-based, up-to-date with the latest biomechanics research, and designed to help eliminate breast tissue drag (something even many professionals don’t fully understand).

👉 If you’re experiencing ni**le pain, or better still, you want to learn how to prevent it before your baby arrives, this is the best investment you can make for a more comfortable breastfeeding journey. And it's cheaper than silver ni**le cups. 😊

📲 Find out more here: https://birthsavvy.com.au/breastfeeding-course/

🎁 And here’s a thought: instead of buying silver ni**le cups as a baby shower gift, why not give something that truly helps? My Online Breastfeeding Course makes a far more valuable present. Contact me to organise a gift voucher for the expectant parent in your life.

💬 Have you tried silver ni**le cups? Did they help you — or not so much?

15/09/2025

✨ Rethinking Transition ✨

Most of us have been taught to fear transition. Antenatal classes and TV portray it as the dramatic breaking point, with women shaking, crying, and yelling, “I can’t do this anymore.”

But new research into undisturbed physiological birth shows another side:

🌿Women described instinctive knowing. Their bodies and babies working together.
🌿They spoke of deep safety. Sometimes with trusted support, sometimes in solitude.
🌿Many entered an “other world”. Altered states of consciousness, oneness, even bliss and euphoria.
(Young et al. 2025)

👉This matters because if you understand the hormones of birth (oxytocin and endorphins), then transition should feel amazing!

⚡️And yes, adrenaline plays a role too.
✅ In the right balance, it provides the final surge of energy to birth the baby.
❌ But in the wrong environment — bright lights, unfamiliar faces, constant surveillance — adrenaline flips women into fight-or-flight. Transition then looks and feels like fear and pain, instead of power and transformation.

As reminds us: to birth physiologically, women need to feel private, safe, and unobserved.

Sadly, this research will probably get dismissed as the media, obstetricians and maternity services zero in on the fact that this study involved women who freebirthed. But in doing so, they will miss the point entirely.

👉The lesson isn’t about freebirth. It’s about what happens when birth is undisturbed. It's about what transition can feel like—and what birth was probably always meant to feel like.

As Dr Michel Odent said, “One cannot actively help a woman to give birth. The goal is to avoid disturbing her unnecessarily.”

💭 Imagine if every woman were given the chance to feel transition, not as a breaking point, but as labour's most powerful peak.

Reference: Young, E., Clarke, K-A., Reed, R. and Hastie, C., 2025. Women’s experiences of the transition phase of physiological labour during freebirth: A qualitative study. Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare, 45, p.101115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101115

08/09/2025

This

Have you been offered an induction just because you’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?If so, this is such important information from sarawickham.com

"There is no evidence that induction of labour improves outcomes for women with gestational diabetes."

A small trial did look at this and found no difference in key outcomes. But here’s the catch: different people will interpret that result in different ways:

Your caregiver might say: “Well, induction won’t make things worse, so let’s do it.”
You might think: “If it doesn’t make things better, why go through it?”

The trial looked at outcomes like:
• number of bigger babies
• babies’ shoulders getting stuck during birth
• breathing problems, low blood sugar
• NICU admissions

What wasn’t looked at were the risks of induction itself, like longer labours, the cascade of interventions, increased chance of caesarean and risks to breastfeeding journeys.

And the study did find that the babies who were induced had more cases of jaundice.

So if you’re being offered an induction for gestational diabetes, remember: this is not about clear evidence of benefit, it’s about weighing up the pros, cons, and what feels right for you.

Read Sara Wickhams's full blog here: https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-for-gestational-diabetes/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMrICBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFmUXNTT29MRzV5Q2pnMU1vAR6jY8vVF6KvgYYci0MrHskyvpgM4Pvh5D1vE7p2HdRoaK788qhnsRPMnxVfjQ_aem_BPGPFeG1-qHB8mGBRDxI4w

A few years back, I was in conversation with a hospital-based midwife colleague about a shared frustration.

We were both so tired of hearing that women who had been told they had gestational diabetes (or GD, which is a debatable label in itself) were also being told they needed induction.

"The problem is," she said, "that some obstetricians tell women they're at high risk because they have GD, and that induction is the solution, but there's no evidence for that. But the lack of studies mean the issues are complex and there's no easy place I can point women to, so they can read more."

I knew just what she meant.

I had written about GD in my Inducing Labour book, but our conversation made me realise that I didn't have a blog post on this topic.

I wrote one that week.

Since I wrote it, my blog post on Induction for gestational diabetes: what's the evidence? has become one of my most popular.

And today I have checked and updated it, to ensure that it stays relevant and useful for the thousands of women, families, midwives and birth workers who visit it every year.

You can read it at https://www.sarawickham.com/articles-2/induction-for-gestational-diabetes/

I hope you'll find it useful.

04/09/2025

🚫 Trapped at home by nap schedules? 🚫

So many mums are told: “Follow wake windows and put your baby in the cot for every nap.”

But here’s what really happens 👇
➡️ You’re stuck inside, planning your life around a sleep chart.
➡️ You miss out on coffee with friends, playdates, or just getting some fresh air.
➡️ Your mental health takes the hit.

The truth? Sleep isn’t about set wake windows; it’s about sleep pressure, the natural build-up in the brain that drives sleep. Sleep pressure rises at different rates depending on how active and stimulated your baby’s brain is. So in reality, there is incredible variability in "wake windows" from baby to baby and from day to day

✨ Tip: Don’t compare your baby to other babies — or even to what they did yesterday!

👉 So why are wake windows all over social media?
Because they’re easy to package, share, and sell. But here’s the thing:
⚠️ At best, they oversimplify the science of sleep pressure.
⚠️ At worst, they completely misunderstand it.
This is what happens when a trending idea takes off without any grounding in real biology.

NDC/Possums approach understands infant sleep biology and encourages:
🌞 Naps out and about, in daylight.
🌿 Short naps that take the edge off sleep pressure (without resetting it to zero)
✨ Keeping parents free to live their lives — and babies’ nights naturally consolidate better too.

My clients tell me over and over how liberating this information is:
💬 “I finally feel free.”
💬 “I’m not chained to the cot anymore.”
💬 “My mental health has improved so much.”

👉 Babies don’t need timers. Parents don’t need to feel trapped. You both deserve freedom and enjoyment.

01/09/2025

Dr Guddi Singh’s review of Prof Helen Ball’s How Babies Sleep in BMJ Paediatrics Open (Aug 2025) is a great read.

Singh highlights how infant sleep is still “scandalously under-researched” (she recalls getting maybe an hour of teaching on it in her whole medical and paediatric training!) and too often framed through outdated behavioural models. She says that Ball then cuts through the myths with evolutionary biology, cross-cultural research, and feminist critique to remind us: babies are not broken — it’s our expectations that are. Night waking, frequent feeding, wanting contact… these are not “problems”; they’re biology.

It’s our Western cultural obsession with independence, “self-settling,” and uninterrupted nights that needs fixing — not babies’ (or parents’) biology.

I know I am biased because Prof Helen Ball has collaborated with Dr Pam Douglas, whose work underpins the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC) / Possums approach and I’m very proud to be an accredited NDC health practitioner, but I honestly believe "How Babies Sleep" should be compulsory reading for anyone working with new families and babies; especially lactation consultants and sleep consultants.

Supporting parents with this evidence-based, compassionate framework to have realistic expectations of newborn and infant biology is protective of maternal mental health, and this book makes that case beautifully.

The takeaway? Trust babies. Support parents. And stop pathologising normal infant behaviour.

Read the review here: https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/9/1/e003760?fbclid=IwY2xjawMh4OZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgU9lNL2-nVXG13lWoLMES6-68nTuQ6ldZGi6RVjTuHYDnMhZCtAoqKb2yV3_aem_7V3edAXG_EcdiyPqTiADWA

21/08/2025

I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Dr Michel Odent.

I heard him speak at the Passage to Motherhood conference, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. I’ve read most of his books and articles, and listened to every podcast I find. (That thick French accent 💛 )

Early on in my chilbbirth education career, I came across his writing on the nocebo effect, the idea that the words and expectations can have just as much power to harm as they do to help. That insight reshaped how I spoke about birth and how I support women to feel safe and confident.

And then there was his beautiful phrase about “falling into labour”
( like we fall in love). Such a simple, powerful way to describe the hormonal dance of prelabour. It’s an image I’ve carried with me ever since, and one I share in my workshops.

Dr Odent also never shied away from questioning medicalised approaches. In his 2004 article “Gestational Diabetes: A Diagnosis Still Looking For a Disease?” he described a gestational diabetes diagnosis as “not a disease with symptoms leading to complementary inquiries, but the mere interpretation of a laboratory test.”

Dr Odent’s influence is everywhere: in birth pools, in dimly lit rooms, in the respect we give to the primal nature of labour and birth. He reminded us to trust women’s bodies and protect the environment that allows birth to unfold.

My favourite quote:

“One cannot actively help a woman to give birth. The goal is to avoid disturbing her unnecsessarily.” ~Michel Odent

What a gift he gave us all. Thank you, Dr Odent. Your legacy will live on in every birthing setting where trust in birth is honoured. 💜

20/08/2025

📊 More Intervention… But stillbirth possibly heading in the wrong direction

Looking at the National Mothers and Babies Report (AIHW 2025):

Over the past 13 years, intervention in birth has risen steeply in Australia:

· Caesarean rates rose from 31.6% in 2010 to 40.4% in 2023

· Induction rates peaked at 36% in 2020( thanks covid) and remain >30%

· Yet stillbirth rates have barely shifted, sitting between 7–9 per 1,000 births

WHY?

It is important to remember that the vast majority of stillbirths occur early in pregnancy: between 20 and 27 weeks. Not something you can target with induction and caesareans.

At term, the absolute risk of stillbirth remains very low (~2 in 1,000 births, or 0.2%).

But we can’t ignore that in 2023, the stillbirth rate reached its highest level in decades.

Is there a caesarean connection? 🤔

There’s growing evidence that caesarean itself increases the risk of stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies:

· A 2013 meta-analysis of 1.96M pregnancies found a 23% increased odds of stillbirth post-C-section (O’Neill et al. 2013).

· A large Danish registry study (832,996 women) reported a 14% higher hazard, with an absolute risk increase of 0.03% (≈1 extra stillbirth per 3,333 caesareans) (Sevelsted et al. 2014).

· A UK cohort study found a 54% higher hazard, (Gray et al. 2007).

· And more recently, research has shown that a previous caesarean can significantly increase uterine artery resistance in a subsequent pregnancy, raising the risk of preeclampsia (Hashemi et al.,2024).

Physiologically, this makes sense: uterine scarring can alter placental implantation and function, increasing risks

⚖️ The absolute risks are still small, but with caesarean rates climbing every year, even modest increases could start to matter at a population level.

So, here’s the big question:
If most stillbirths happen preterm and are caused by congenital anomalies… and if intervention hasn’t reduced the overall numbers… then why do we continue to push induction and caesarean as the solution?

And are we potentially seeing the consequences of such high caesarean rates starting to show in the stillbirth data? And should we be doing something about it now before it gets worse?

References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2025). Australia's mothers and babies. Cat. no. PER 101. Canberra: AIHW.

O’Neill, S. M. et al. (2013). Cesarean delivery and subsequent stillbirth or miscarriage: systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine, 10(3), e1001370.

Sevelsted, A. et al. (2014). Cesarean section and chronic immune disorders. JAMA, 311(15), 1578–1579.

Gray, R. et al. (2007). Cesarean delivery and risk of stillbirth in subsequent pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study in an English population. BJOG, 114(3), 264–270.

Hashemi, N. et al. (2024). Cesarean Section and Its Impact on Uterine Artery Resistance and the Risk of Preeclampsia in Subsequent Pregnancies. J Reprod Infertil, 25(3):211–218.

18/08/2025

Positive Induction Workshop (In Person) — Sunday 7 September, 9:00am–12:00pm
Make informed choices and feel confident about your birth

📈Did you know? In WA, around 1 in 3 babies (31–32%) are born via induction between April and June. And for first-time mums, the chances are even higher — closer to 40–45%.
That’s why being prepared matters.

Are you getting ready for an induction of labour? Or wondering what it might mean if it’s suggested? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to face it without feel fully informed.

Join my 3-hour Positive Induction Workshop, led by an experienced midwife & childbirth educator. You’ll walk away with clarity, a practical plan, and calm confidence for your induction.

What we’ll cover:
✔️ Why/when/how inductions happen — reasons, benefits, and risks

✔️A clear understanding of how induction differs from physiological birth

✔️ How to ask for what you need — key questions & working with your care team

✔️ Birth partner game plan — advocacy and hands-on support that actually helps

✔️ Your induction birth plan — tailor the process to your preferences

Why this is different:
It’s personalised and evidence-based, focused on real options and decision-making — not a one-size-fits-all hospital script.

Who it’s for:
• Anyone with an induction booked
• Parents who want to be prepared if induction is suggested
• Birth partners who want a clear role on the day

✨ Don’t leave it to chance — get prepared and protect the birth you’ll feel proud of.

Reserve your spot:
👉 https://birthsavvy.com.au/events/positive-induction-workshop/ or send me a DM with “INDUCTION” and I’ll share details.
(Spaces are limited so everyone gets personalised support.)

👉 Can’t make it in person, or need the information right now?
You don’t have to miss out. My Online Positive Induction Course gives you all the same evidence-based information, tools, and strategies — in your own time, from the comfort of home. Perfect if you’ve already got an induction date booked and want to feel prepared straight away.

💻 Learn more & enrol here: https://birthsavvy.com.au/positive-induction/

Join our 3-hour Positive Induction Workshop for expert guidance, tools, and support. Prepare for a positive birth experience. Book now!

11/08/2025

❓ Have you been offered a planned birth at 39–39+6 weeks because it’s “safer”?

A large Queensland study compared Planned Birth (PB) (induction or booked caesarean at 39–39+6 weeks) with Expectant Management (EM) (continuing pregnancy beyond 40 weeks) is being used to sway women into early planned birth.

The headlines do sound convincing: lower perinatal mortality and fewer low Apgar scores with PB. But here’s what you might not hear:

🔹 For first-time mums, induction at 39 weeks was linked to higher emergency caesarean rates than waiting.
🔹 The absolute risk reductions were small, and the numbers needed to treat were high, meaning many women would need to be induced or have caesarean sections to prevent just one adverse outcome.
🔹 Planned caesarean and induction were lumped together, but their outcomes were quite different.
🔹 Births between 37 and 38+6 weeks carry well-documented short- and long-term risks, so avoiding them unless necessary is crucial.

Reading beyond the abstract matters.

Numbers can look dramatic when given as relative risk, but the real picture emerges when we look at absolute risk, numbers needed to treat, and all potential trade-offs.

The bottom line: The safest timing for birth isn’t a one-size-fits-all number. It should be about what’s right for you and your baby, not just a hospital policy, a calendar date, or a statistical trend.

📖 Read my full breakdown here: https://birthsavvy.com.au/planned-birth-at-39-weeks/

Is a planned birth at 39 weeks safer? Learn the real risks, benefits & why timing should be right for you and your baby.

07/08/2025

🧡 World Breastfeeding Week 2025 – Final Reflection 🧡

All week, I’ve been posting about the 10 Steps of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) on my Instagram page, showing how hospitals can support breastfeeding when they follow evidence-based, sustainable, and family-centred practices.

Too often, we hear that a hospital “supports breastfeeding",
but what does that actually mean?

If they’re not following the 10 Steps…
If they’re not accredited by BFHI Australia…
If they’re still separating mums and babies, handing out formula without clear medical indications, or discharging families with no plan for support…

Then it’s just words.
❌ And words aren’t enough.
✅ BFHI accreditation is how you prove it.

You can check BFHI-accredited facilities in Australia here: https://bfhi.org.au/find-an-accredited-facility/

For those in WA, only KEMH and Osborne Park Hospital are accredited. 😳

This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week was all about building sustainable support systems—for families, for communities, and for the planet.

And the 10 Steps are one of the most powerful systems we have.

You can read through each step—and what it looks like in practice—over on my Instagram page:
-bubsavvy

Let’s keep the conversation going.
Let’s ask better questions.
Let’s demand better care.

Because women don’t fail at breastfeeding; systems fail them.
And that’s something we can change.