Carrie Foo, Malacca Lactation Counsellor

05/03/2026

🛑 STOP! Don’t pour that liquid gold down the drain just yet! 🍼✨
As a lactation counselor, one of the most heartbreaking things I hear is: "My baby only took an ounce, so I had to throw the rest of the bottle away." 😭
For years, we’ve followed the "1–2 hour rule"—the idea that once a baby’s mouth touches the bottle, bacteria from their saliva makes the milk unsafe almost immediately. But a brand-new study just released on medRxiv is challenging those old guidelines in a HUGE way.
The Groundbreaking News:
New microbiological testing (researching the actual bacterial growth in leftover milk) suggests that current disposal rules might be way too strict. 🔬
What the study found:
✅ Refrigerator: Leftover, "touched" milk showed no significant bacterial increase for up to 24 hours when kept in the fridge.
✅ Room Temp (25 -27 degrees Celsius): Even at room temperature, the milk remained stable for 4 hours (and showed safety markers even up to 8 hours in some tests!). For in Malaysia, make sure your room is cool in order to use this guideline.

Why this matters: The researchers found that 46% of parents are discarding milk daily because of these old rules. That is a massive emotional and financial burden on families! Breast milk has incredible antibacterial properties that are much "tougher" than we previously gave them credit for.
The Takeaway for My Families:
While we wait for official bodies like the CDC or ABM to formally update their pamphlets, this peer-reviewed data gives us a huge sigh of relief.
If your baby doesn't finish a bottle:
* Pop it back in the fridge! ❄️
* Use it for the next feed within 24 hours.
* Save your sanity (and your milk)!
What do you think? Does this change your "bottle routine"?
🔗
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.02.13.26346179v1.full?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQWSLNjbGNrBBZIqGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHt59XO_d_yIgg-lBKK51SKAf55byYqF6a8f0L_Q3Ugw9gLqxHHQt9rP33uQc_aem_I1G2rnLmucF4swqEKTN9wA

Importance Current guidelines from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine recommend discarding all milk remaining in bottles immediately after infant feeding. However, these recommendations lack supporting microbiological evid...

08/08/2025

Its been quite sometime, since I went for conference for breastfeeding. Updating knowledge in progress to help more mothers who need help in breastfeeding.

Hope it's not too late to wish all, Happy Breastfeeding Week 2025.

06/08/2023

Happy World Breastfeeding Week 2023. This year's theme is about making breastfeeding mama having an easier time then they return to work.

How can society help a breastfeeding mama?
- having a comfortable space for breastfeeding mama to pump their milk while working.
- supporting colleagues that understand breastfeeding mama's needs to express their milk .
- Allowing mother to have paid maternity leaves for at least 3 months

Together we can help and encourage more mothers to breastfeed their babies.

28/06/2023

Breastfeeding struggles are like learning to drive a car initially.

Breastfeeding is a natural process, but it can be challenging for some mothers, especially in the beginning. Just like learning to drive a car, it takes time and practice to get the hang of it.

Some common breastfeeding struggles include:

Sore ni**les
Low milk supply
Engorged breasts
Difficulty latching
Painful letdown

If you are experiencing any of these struggles, don't despair! There are resources available to help you. Talk to your healthcare provider, a lactation consultant, or join a breastfeeding support group. With the right support, you can overcome any breastfeeding challenges and successfully breastfeed your baby.

Here are some tips to help you through the early days of breastfeeding:

Get help from a lactation consultant. They can help you with positioning and attachment, and troubleshoot any problems you may be having.
Be patient. It takes time for both you and your baby to learn how to breastfeed.
Don't give up. Breastfeeding is a learned skill, and with practice, you will get the hang of it.
Remember, breastfeeding is a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs along the way, but with support and perseverance, you can do it!

21/02/2023

New mommas, have you watched this hilarious stand up comedy that revolves a lot about motherhood and breastfeeding.
Well if you have not, watch it to have a good laugh. Though breastfeeding is not like sitting on the lotus leaf and feeling zen all the time, it shouldn't feel like feeding piranha as well.

The key to success is EARLY PREPARATION. Go for breastfeeding class and antenatal class when you are pregnant.
If attending a physical class is a hustle, Gina Yong, Breastfeeding Consultant has online classes that can prepare new or experienced mother for their breastfeeding journey.

20/12/2022

Epsom salt is one of my favourite recommendation for mommy that I see. It can be used for blocked duct, ni**le bleb, sore ni**le or even and mastitis.

Dissolve a teaspoon or two of epsom salt into 5-8 Oz of warm water. Soak the affected breast for 5-10 mins. Rinse the breast with clean water before nursing.

Try it out if you are having a blocked duct.

12/11/2022

My messanger wouldn't work. Kindly WhatsApp for enquiries. Thank you.

30/08/2022

Thank you MBSG for inviting me to give an online talk for World Breastfeeding Week.

06/08/2022

For the past 1 week has been tough for my family and I. My youngest son had diarrhea, vomiting and fever making him unable to tolerate any solid food. It's heart breaking to see him cry and in pain.

So for the past 1 week, I became 24 hours "7/11" , nursing him on demand providing the fluid and nutrients he needed during these critical moments which otherwise would require hospitalisation. He clings on me for comfort as well.

Breastfeeding save lives.

Happy Breastfeeding Week.

03/08/2022

When everyone step up to give support and encouragement, breastfeeding will be easier.

World Breastfeeding Week starts today!

You can help mothers feel comfortable breastfeeding their babies whenever and wherever they get hungry.

If everyone strives to step up for breastfeeding, it will become much easier! 🤱🏿🤱🤱🏾🤱🏻🤱🏽🤱🏼

28/07/2022

This year's World Breastfeeding Week theme is about educating and supporting mothers to breastfeed. This is something that I have been doing since 2015. Hoping that more mothers get the support they need to breastfeed their baby.
It definitely takes a whole village to raise a child. Please remember you are not alone. Help is always a message away.

02/07/2022

Thank you for inviting me to give a talk on breastfeeding to new parents. This is the first talk ever since MCO happened. Glad to be back sharing my breastfeeding tips to mommies and daddies.