Amy Owen MA, IBCLC

06/24/2025

06/14/2025

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📸 Hedger Humor

🌼🌼🌼 OUR GORGEOUS ISSUE 58 IS ON SALE NOW 🌼🌼🌼

It's packed full of inspiration, tips, advice and real-life experiences to guide you on your journey through pregnancy, birth and motherhood - whether you are expecting a new arrival this year, are adjusting to life with a new baby, or are deep in the trenches of parenthood.

Get your copy now - available locally and internationally online.
Find your local stockists here: https://linktr.ee/TheNaturalParentMagazine
https://thenaturalparentmagazine.com/product-category/shop/magazine/

You can pick up a copy from your local Countdown or selected stockists in NZ, from your local newsagent in Australia, from WH Smith High Street stores, selected Waitrose & Partners and independent bookstores across the UK, or online from anywhere in the world. 🌼🌼🌼

05/24/2025

🔗: bit.ly/4kszgVp

A mother and marathon runner just took multi-tasking to a whole new level!

📷: Stephanie Case/Instagram

05/24/2025

Mixing formula and human milk in the same bottle is not recommended, and here’s why:
🧪 Different storage rules:
Formula must be discarded right after a feed, but human milk can be safely stored for 1–2 hours. Mixing the two could lead to wasting your milk if the bottle isn’t finished.
🛡️ Loss of protective properties:
Mixing formula with human milk can reduce lysozyme activity, an enzyme that helps protect against harmful bacteria like E. coli.
⚖️ Nutrient interference:
Added components in formula, like iron, may bind to the nutrients in your milk, reducing their absorbability.
💡 Best practice?
Offer human milk and formula separately to preserve the unique benefits of your milk.
For personalized support and ideas, reach out to a La Leche League Canada Leader.
🔗 Learn more: lllc.ca/should-you-mix-human-milk-formula

05/19/2025

Today is World Human Milk Donation Day! IBLCE thanks all IBCLCs supporting families’ unique feeding needs, as well as those who are able to donate to nonprofit milk banks around the globe!

05/16/2025

05/15/2025

What’s in breastmilk:
1. Water
Breastmilk is composed of about 87% water, which is crucial for keeping your baby hydrated.

2. Proteins
Proteins in breastmilk are essential for your baby’s growth and development.
Whey Proteins: Are highest in early lactation.
Casein Proteins: Casein concentration increases in mature milk and later lactation.

Proteins are highest in premature milk, colostrum and during weaning as an immune defence.

3. Fats
The fats in breastmilk include essential fatty acids, such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid), which are crucial for brain and eye development.
The composition of fats in breast milk changes during each feed and throughout lactation to meet your baby’s developmental needs. The fat content of your milk is directly related to the fullness or emptiness of the breast. The emptier the breast, the higher the fat content.

4. Carbohydrates
The primary carbohydrate in breastmilk is lactose, which provides energy for your baby and aids in calcium absorption. Additionally, breastmilk contains oligosaccharides, which are complex sugars that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and protect against harmful pathogens.

5. Vitamins and Minerals
Breastmilk is rich in vitamins and minerals essential for your baby’s growth and overall health. These include:
Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K: support immune function, bone health, and overall development.

6. Antibodies and Immune Cells
One of the most remarkable aspects of breast milk is its immune-boosting properties. Breast milk contains antibodies, such as Secretory IgA specifically to protect mucosal surfaces, as well as lysozymes and lactoferrin which help protect your baby from infections and illnesses.

7. Hormones and Growth Factors
Breastmilk contains various hormones and growth factors that have significant effects on the developing baby’s gut, blood vessels, nervous system and endocrine system.

These include:
Prolactin and Oxytocin
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)

05/11/2025

🫶🏾🌷💗

05/02/2025

04/25/2025

Did you know that your milk contains painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties? I didn't. And I worried and felt stressed during the times when my son suddenly seemed to want nothing but b**b for days.

Then his teeth came through. Or it turned out he had a cold. Or nothing and it just passed. And when he hurt himself, cuddles and milk just sorted it out.

It always made sense that he'd want to be close when he was under the weather, but sometimes, I resented it because I found myself wondering if this was in fact normal, or whether I had perhaps made that proverbial rod for my back.

Then one day, when he was 16 months, I learned that my milk was giving him painkillers and anti-inflammatory components.

And it all fell into place.

I was still exhausted, but I didn't resent or worry about his increased feeds during colds or teething etc. I felt proud and amazed.

But also angry that no-one had ever told me about just how incredible my body and my milk was. Angry that the default advice was "Careful, rod for your own back".

So that’s why we're telling you. Because you really are truly incredible and everyone needs to know it.

Claire, HM Founder x

Find references, more info and support on https://human-milk.com/pages/science-of-breastmilk

03/09/2025

Many mothers who would like to breastfeed cannot access the support and counseling they need to be successful. Women need support from all levels - health care professionals, the workplace, their communities and beyond - to meet their goals.