Lactation Consultant Townsville

16/02/2022

❤️

Do you know that feeling when you wake up in the middle of the night and it’s cold and your diaper feels heavy. And there are so many strange sounds all around you, and it’s dark and scary. And you get a hit in your head and it’s your hand that’s on its own adventure. And you can’t control it at all and it flings itself around and scratches your face and pulls at your hair. And your legs start kicking off the duvet, even though you’re cold as it is and you try to make it stop but they have their own will. And so you’re lying there completely helpless with flailing limbs that want to do everything, but none of the things you want.

And you can’t find mom. And you call for her and you find yourself feeling really scared. What if your beloved mom doesn’t come for you. You can’t imagine anything worse and you start to cry because you miss her so terribly. You have never felt as alone as this very moment.

And then she is suddenly there. Standing right by your bed and looking at you with worry and love. And she is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. And you grin up at her with happiness and relief. You don’t think you’ve ever felt as happy as this very moment.

And she picks you up and holds you close. And she smells like herself, and also a bit like you. Like milk and safety and love. And it’s the best smell in the whole entire world.

And she is warm and safe and soft and her hands caress you and she feeds you and hums your favourite tune. And you love her voice. You’ve known it far longer than you’ve really known her. It has lulled you to sleep and made you laugh and calmed you when you were distressed. It is the most beautiful voice in the whole entire world.

And you get to lie right up against her and you feel your entire body start to warm up again. And your still cold hand starts stroking her and moves up towards her neck and accidentally scratches her. Stupid uncontrollable hand. But mom doesn’t get angry. She takes your stupid hand in hers and it turns all warm again. And this is the best feeling in the world. Right here in mommy’s arms, with your hand in hers. Even the diaper doesn’t feel as horrible anymore.

And you feel your eyes getting heavy and you know that everything is okay now cause mommy is here. Your mom. Your wonderful, incredible mom who always looks after you. Night and day.

You look up at her one last time before you fall asleep. She looks tired and her eyes are closed, and yet she is still the most magnificent thing you know. How amazing that she wants to sit here with you in this moment. How amazing that she will always sit with you for a bit when you need her to.

You smile to yourself. How lucky you were that she became your mom. The most perfect mom anyone could have asked for.
You knew, even before you saw her, that she would be the best thing in the world.

Oh how you love her. Your mom.
❤️

Words by: The Mommy Poet
The Mommy Poet

28/09/2021

Researchers believe such antibodies could be used to treat people with severe coronavirus

11/09/2021

Many women are given incorrect information about medications prior to and during pregnancy and lactation. If you’re thinking of having a baby and are wondering about the safety of your medication please get in touch

It is not necessary to wean or pause breastfeeding for the vast majority of medications. If you are ever advised to do so, please seek confirmation about the medication and your breastfeeding circumstances from an expert source such as Rodney Whyte and his team.

02/09/2021

👏

👶🤰 COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy – what you need to know 🤰👶

As Townsville’s COVID-19 vaccination numbers soar into the thousands each month, obstetrics and gynaecology staff specialist Dr Danny Tucker has urged pregnant women to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their unborn baby.

“COVID-19 infection in pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy complications such as premature birth and needing neonatal intensive care,” Dr Tucker said.

“Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 are much more likely to need intensive care admission and we are just starting to understand the implications of long COVID, which is when people have persistent symptoms for many months afterwards.”

Dr Tucker said obstetricians and midwives had conversations with women every day about the benefits and misconceptions of the vaccine.

“Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding are already routinely and safely offered vaccines in pregnancy, for example, to protect against influenza and whooping cough," Dr Tucker said.

“These vaccines, like the COVID-19 vaccines, are non-live, so you cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccine and although it’s called an mRNA vaccine it doesn’t alter a mother or baby’s individual genetic code.

“We know the vaccine prevents severe COVID-19 infection, reduces the chance you will need to go to hospital, and prevents death due to COVID-19 complications.

“All pregnant women are currently eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and there are very sound reasons why obstetric and midwifery leaders recommend vaccination.”

Danny said no studies to date had found any harm to pregnant women or their baby after they received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Over 200,000 pregnant women have received a COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and national and international medical organisations recommend routine vaccination at any time during pregnancy,” Dr Tucker said.

“The risks of COVID-19 for mothers and babies are clear and yet harm from vaccination has not been found.

“It’s normal to be anxious and we encourage you to talk to your care provider about the best options for you.”

Townsville University Hospital Obstetrician Dr Natasha Frost said she didn’t hesitate when she was offered the vaccine during pregnancy.

“The risks of COVID-19 are higher for pregnant women, and I’m happy there’s enough evidence for vaccine safety to have it myself,” Dr Frost said.

“Anyone pregnant should speak with their care provider about the pros and cons of vaccination and make the choice that’s right for them.

“We have a window of opportunity in Australia, a luxury that most of the world hasn’t had.

“We need to act now and get vaccinated to protect ourselves and our family.”

31/03/2021

11/12/2020

'Breastfeeding … with ABA' podcast and blog is another way ABA is here for you. Have you listened to our latest podcast episode?

Catch up on all our episodes at: https://blog.breastfeeding.asn.au

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