Breastfeeding Support

26/07/2025

О раннем и не раннем отлучении у лошадей и "тетях"

Karen Martell observed 2 year old Butterscotch nursing from her Mom on Friday. It reminds me of what a friend said when I suggested she wait to wean her c**t. She wanted to ride her mare so she said wanted to wean the c**t at 3 months old. She stated "He can survive just fine at this age." I told her I felt the c**t needed mom for so many other things than food. She teaches him manners, what to avoid eating, how to stay out of trouble with other horses, avoid predators, snakebites and beestings and how to survive a storm. She calms the c**t when he gets upset about something. As humans know, raising a child is about so much more than breast milk.

In the wild I have seen several 4 year old stallions get upset about something and run to their mom for a comforting drink of warm milk. She is their rock. She is their professor and their anchor when they get into trouble and need reassurance that everything will be alright.

In the wild, we have witnessed mares with mastitis who could not nurse the c**t at an early age. The family took over while the mare recovered, but once she was feeling better, she resumed the roll of Mom. This is why foals nearly always have the "aunty" who is there from day one to comfort and teach the foal. In many cases that relationship is the strongest one, since in the wild the mom is usually back in foal in a couple weeks.

Observing nature is refreshing; it doesn't overthink everything the way some humans tend to.

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13/07/2025

Про СДВГ кормящих и их питание

Breastfeeding parents with ADHD have distinct nutritional needs that are often overlooked in both lactation support and ADHD care. The postpartum period requires increased calories and micronutrients to sustain both the body’s recovery and breast milk production, but individuals with ADHD may struggle to meet these needs due to executive functioning challenges, sensory sensitivities, and emotional regulation difficulties. ADHD is associated with dysfunction in key neurotransmitter systems—particularly dopamine and norepinephrine—which are influenced by diet and nutrient intake. Common nutrient deficiencies that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms include iron, magnesium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA), B vitamins (particularly B6, B9/folate, and B12), vitamin D, and choline. These nutrients are essential for cognitive function, emotional balance, energy regulation, and nervous system health. For example, iron is critical for dopamine production, and its deficiency can worsen focus and fatigue. Magnesium supports relaxation and sleep; low levels are linked to increased hyperactivity and anxiety. DHA, a form of omega-3, supports brain structure and is transferred into breast milk to benefit the baby—but can leave the parent depleted

In practice, breastfeeding parents with ADHD may skip meals, forget to drink water, rely heavily on caffeine, or eat in repetitive, nutrient-poor patterns due to difficulty with planning, initiation, and follow-through. Sensory aversions can further limit food variety, and overstimulation may make mealtimes feel chaotic or unpleasant. These habits can lead to blood sugar crashes, mood swings, and worsening ADHD symptoms, creating a feedback loop of undernourishment and executive dysfunction. Support strategies should be realistic and neurodiversity-affirming—focusing on visual cues (like visible snack stations), simple and repeatable meals, pairing carbohydrates with protein to stabilize blood sugar, and utilizing reminders for hydration and eating

24/06/2025

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

10/06/2025

Skincubator! Our native invention!Все таки что то осмысленное!

הפיתוח הישראלי שמאפשר להורים לחבק פגים: "בזכות הסקינקובטור הרגשתי חיבור אמיתי לבני"

זה אחד הדברים הכי מאתגרים בהורות לפגים - הצמדת התינוק הזעיר אל גוף ההורה, כדי שיחוש את מגע העור. פיתוח ישראלי חדשני, שכבר מופעל בבתי חולים בארץ, מאפשר שהייה של היילוד על אחד מהוריו במשך שעות רבות ביום, בלי חשש שייגרם לו נזק בגלל ניתוק ממכשירים ומתוך הנחה שהצמידות הזו מסייעת לתפקוד הלב הקטן שלו ❤
https://bit.ly/3ThSiCl

נגה שביט רז |

09/06/2025

Like humans, not all orangutan mothers raise their offspring the same way. Using 15 years of data on wild Sumatran orangutans, researchers found that individual mothers consistently differ in how they care for their infants, even when biological, social, and environmental factors are controlled for. Some mothers carry their infants more than others; some mothers terminate body contact with their infants more than others. Mothers also vary in how flexibly they adjust their parenting as their infants grows. These differences remain consistent across their different offspring and suggest that orangutans may have individual maternal personalities, which could influence offspring development.

Read the article published in Proceedings B:
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.0443

08/06/2025

New at Rambam: Therapy Dogs Helping New Moms Breastfeed 🐶👶

An unexpected new support team has joined the maternity ward at Rambam – therapy dogs. Their role? To help new mothers relax, reduce stress, and encourage breastfeeding.
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The first meeting between mother and baby is magical – full of love, connection, and emotion. Often, that bond is sealed through breastfeeding, which nourishes the baby, supports immunity, and benefits the mom. But for many women, breastfeeding doesn’t come easily.

That’s where Rambam’s new service comes in. The hospital’s certified therapy dogs are now helping new mothers through the often stressful first days after childbirth. Their calming presence boosts endorphins, strengthens the immune system, and supports emotional well-being – all of which can positively impact breastfeeding.

“A therapy dog is a tool,” says Ella Aharonson-Rot, Head Nurse of the Neonatal Department and a certified lactation consultant. “Just being near the dog, feeling its warmth, can release endorphins and help women recover emotionally after birth.”

One new mom, Maria Martzaboy, was the first to try the service:
“I grew up with dogs, so the connection felt natural,” she shared. “It’s soothing, pleasant, and calming. Between pumping, nursing, frequent trips to the nursery, and just wanting to go home – it all creates mental stress. Anything that helps relieve that is a real gift.”

The initiative, which started during the war, is now gaining traction – turning therapy dogs into emotional and physical allies for new moms.

At Rambam, even the staff who are used to being surrounded by adorable newborns admit: these four-legged helpers are making a big impact.

Original article on Ynet

רמב''ם הקריה הרפואית

31/05/2025

In honor of NEC Awareness Month, Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter and Dr. Lawrence Noble are examining how hospital practices, family leave policies, and adherence to the WHO Code all play a role in protecting preterm infants from NEC.

Discover actionable ways to advocate for change by watching on-demand now: https://bit.ly/3RGA8ti.

If you missed an ABM Grand Rounds, there’s still time to register and earn up to 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit per session through December 31, 2025.

Catch up anytime on expert insights into breastfeeding and lactation medicine: https://www.bfmed.org/grand-rounds-webinar-series.

18/05/2025

Для тех у кого есть к кому привязаться и кто в центре страны

15/05/2025

Breastfeeding after a cesarean birth is challenging. But according to this 2025 meta-analysis, mother-baby skin-to-skin contact after a c-section leads to better breastfeeding rates and more exclusive breastfeeding during the hospital stay. Read about it here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748925000471?via%3Dihub

06/03/2024

Did you know today is International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Day? I'm an IBCLC and I'm passionate about helping families navigate the breastfeeding journey.

I also recently recertified as a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator! I believe in providing comprehensive and evidence-based support for birthing families. What questions do you have about childbirth or breastfeeding?