Amy Owen MA, IBCLC

08/18/2025

Infant sleep can be a very controversial topic with lots of thoughts, opinions, and research. There are two primary methods families tend to follow:
•Safe Sleep Seven
Promoted by La Leche League to support breastfeeding dyads who choose to bedshare.
Goal: Minimize risk while recognizing the reality of bedsharing in many families.
•Safe to Sleep Campaign
Led by the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Goal: Reduce SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths through avoidance of all bedsharing.

•Safe Sleep Seven
Bedsharing may be safe if:
1. Baby is breastfed
2. Parent is non-smoking
3. Parent is sober & unimpaired
4. Baby is full-term & healthy
5. Baby sleeps on their back
6. Baby is lightly dressed and UNSWADDLED
7. Bed is firm with no pillows or blankets

•Safe to Sleep Campaign
Recommends:
•Baby sleeps alone in a separate sleep space
•Always on the back but they can be swaddled
•On a firm mattress with no pillows, blankets, or soft items
•In the same room as caregiver, but not in the same bed

•Safe Sleep Seven:
Cautiously supportive of bedsharing when all 7 criteria are met in breastfeeding families.
•Safe to Sleep:
Firmly discourages bedsharing due to increased risk of sleep-related death.

Common Ground
Both agree on:
•Back sleeping
•Firm, flat surface
•Avoiding overheating
•No smoking or substance use
•Room-sharing is safer than solo room or bed sleeping

In Summary:
•Safe to Sleep = strict avoidance of bedsharing
•Safe Sleep Seven = harm reduction framework for low-risk bedsharing in breastfeeding families

One of the major differences is swaddling. To reduce risk to baby, if you’re going to bed share, even accidentally from falling asleep while feeding, make sure baby is unswaddled.

06/24/2025

06/14/2025

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05/24/2025

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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