Balanced Lactation

21/06/2025

The more you learn about the components of breastmilk, the more you understand our passion!

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a group of complex sugars; the third most abundant component of human milk. Over 100 different HMOs have been identified in human milk so far.

Which ones are found, and in what concentration, is unique to each mother. Genetics, how many children the mother has had, the age of the nursling, and even the seasons, have been found to influence this unique HMO set in each woman.

Many HMOs cannot be digested by humans but instead act as food for bacteria in your baby’s tummy. These bacteria help your baby to resist infection from harmful bacteria and to develop a normal gut microbiome.

The microbiome plays an enormous role in making sure the gut and immune system develop properly. HMOs can also trick bacteria and viruses into binding to them, instead of the gut wall, preventing them from infecting your baby.

Some HMOs have the potential to reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases, one of the most common causes of infant mortality under age 5.

One HMO called DSLNT has been linked to a reduction in the risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). NEC is a potentially fatal disorder, most often affecting premature babies, in which tissues in the gut become inflamed and start to die.

Researchers say that this is likely only the beginning of our understanding of this remarkable set of breastmilk components.

Image: The Human Milk Oligosaccharides Constellation poster is back in stock. This image was imagined and designed by our Graphic Designer Lisa.

She took one look at the molecular shape of HMOs, and said “They look like constellations”. The moon is composed of the known components of human milk. And so it began.
Shop the poster: https://human-milk.com/collections/science-resources

More science, references, support and resources can be found at https://human-milk.com

11/05/2025

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day! 🌸

Today, we celebrate the strength, love, and dedication of mothers everywhere 🩷

As a lactation consultant, I’m constantly inspired by the resilience, vulnerability, and deep commitment I see in the mothers I work with. Whether you're breastfeeding, pumping, combo feeding, or finding your own unique path — you are doing beautifully.

Thank you for trusting me to walk beside you in this tender chapter. Today and every day, you deserve to be celebrated. 💕

03/08/2024

Oh I love this! Which is why long maternity leave is so important, we're still growing our babies 24/7, just on the outside!!
Let's normalise this ❤️

Whatever society tells you about the idea that babies should be able to sleep alone, play alone etc, the biological reality is that they are exterogestates!
When babies are held in our arms they thrive. They are biologically programmed to expect to be in our arms (day and night). Unfortunately we usually aren’t told about that before our babies arrive with us. Therefore - if we put our baby down and they cry, we are confused. If our baby wants back to the breast frequently, even when we know they are well fed, we think there must be something wrong - when in fact babies are usually just indicating good attachment needs.

We understand more about these security and attachment needs now than we used to in the past. Unfortunately there is still a lot of parenting information out there encouraging us to put babies down, not spoil our babies, make them independent etc. This kind of information came from the earliest days of psychology and were common in the 19th century. We now know that this was misguided. A child cannot be independent until they have the physical and psychological capacity for that independence. We can’t force something that doesn’t exist yet. We can’t teach a child to settle on their own if they don’t have the brain development to do that yet.

For the first few months a baby is best described as an exterogestate. Part of their gestation is in the womb. Part of it is on a caregiver’s body. By providing those loving arms and body we allow babies to feel secure, which means they can switch on growth hormone, learn and develop.
It’s ok that your young baby is always wanting to be in your arms. This is normal. Overwhelming at times, but normal.

01/08/2024

Today marks the start of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7) & International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Appreciation Day (August 1st).

This year's World Breastfeeding Week theme is 'Closing the Gap'. Celebrating breastfeeding mums in all their diversity, throughout their breastfeeding journeys.

I am proud to be an IBCLC and feel privileged to be able to share my knowledge and skills with families of all different backgrounds; cultural, economical and situational!!

A special shout out to all the IBCLC's I have had the privilege of knowing, working and collaborating with; such a beautiful supportive group of people dedicated to helping parents navigating their infant's feeding journey. I appreciate you all!!

30/06/2024

Kia Ora friends! Balanced Lactation is currently closed over the next two weeks while we have a little family holiday. How beautiful is this sculpture I just found out front of Ilam Health centre in Christchurch?!

19/05/2024

World Human Milk Donation Day!! Thank you to the women who are generous and lucky enough to donate their excess breast milk for other families. We appreciate you 💗

06/05/2024

A day late, but doesn't take away from the need to recognise these incredible people.
Thank you to the midwives who supported me and safely delivered my babies; to my colleagues I'm incredibly lucky to work along side, who always go above and beyond to empower families and support them through this period; And to all midwives across the world, what an amazing job you do.
I see you, I celebrate you and I support you ❤️

A sweet definition I think we can agree is pretty spot on:
Midwife: An incredibly special person with an abundance of empathy and compassion. A cheerleader for women, at a very vulnerable time in their life. A person with an innate ability to comfort, support, encourage & empower others. Someone you are forever grateful for and you never forget.

see also; guardian angel, superstar, gift.

06/03/2024

Happy IBCLC day to all the amazing Lactation Consultants out there providing up to date, evidence based lactation support to families all over the world! And a particular warm recognition to my colleagues and peers I have worked with, trained with and learnt from during my own IBCLC training and career.