Phases Lactation & Wellness

03/13/2026

Before starting my private practice, I worked in the school system as the mental health counselor for a local high school. During that time, I developed a deep appreciation for working with teenagers and supporting them through the many challenges they face.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by a local news station to discuss concerns about teen su***de related to online gaming. It’s important to note that online gaming does not cause su***de. However, certain online environments can increase vulnerability for individuals who may already be struggling with mental health concerns, isolation, or negative interactions online.

Su***de is a complex issue that affects people of all ages and is rarely caused by a single factor. Anxiety, depression, trauma, life stress, and feeling overwhelmed can all contribute. The most important thing we can do is create spaces where people feel safe asking for help, and as I said in the interview, create a circle for them.

The 988 Su***de and Crisis Hotline is extremely useful for someone who may be in crisis and unable to speak to a therapist immediately but just needs help in the moment.

In my practice, I work with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life stressors. Therapy can provide a safe place to process challenges and build healthier coping strategies.

You don’t have to go through it alone.

02/17/2026

We’re halfway through February, and for many people, those New Year’s resolutions are starting to fade. Motivation feels different than it did on January 1st. But mental health doesn’t operate on a resolution timeline.

In my office, I continue to see teens and adults walking through very real, very heavy struggles such as: trauma that hasn’t had space to heal, anxiety that keeps them in a constant state of alert, depression that makes even small tasks feel overwhelming, and relationship and sexual wellness concerns that are often hard to talk about out loud.

Healing isn’t about a “new year, new you.”
It’s about support, safety, and sustainable growth.

I’m also incredibly grateful to collaborate with my colleague, Evette Nachtigal, LPC at Compass Counseling Services, who specializes in working with women navigating postpartum changes and gynecological issues that deeply impact mental health.

Together, we’re committed to building a stronger, healthier Huntsville/Madison area one client, one family, one conversation at a time. We also both provide telehealth services in the state of Alabama.

Stephanie: Accepting BCBSAL
Evette: Accepting BCBSAL, Tricare, and United Healthcare

https://www.compasscounselingserviceshsv.com/

https://www.mindinmotioncounseling.com/

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. And if we can’t help, we will find someone who can!

-Stephanie

01/26/2026

01/12/2026

01/07/2026

Does breastfeeding lead to lower maternal weight long term? Yes, according to this decades-long 2025 Norwegian population-based study of >172K women. It found a significant link between longer lactation per baby and lower BMI through adulthood that was most pronounced in obese mothers who breastfed >3 months. Download it free to learn more:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916525007269?via%3Dihub

01/01/2026

Human milk is not static. It responds to the environment, including the season!!! 😮

A 2024 study published in eBioMedicine found that the types and amounts of human milk oligosaccharides change depending on the time of year (Matharu et al., 2024). HMOs are complex sugars in breast milk that do not feed the baby directly. Instead, they nourish beneficial gut bacteria and play a key role in shaping immune development 🦠🛡️

The researchers observed that during colder months, when respiratory and gastrointestinal infections are MORE prevalent, specific HMOs were present in different concentrations and patterns. These seasonal changes in milk composition were associated with measurable differences in the infant gut microbiota… meaning the bacteria living in the baby’s intestines shifted alongside the milk they received 🧬🫨

SOOOO why does this matter to us?

HMOs *promote* the growth of protective bacteria while helping block pathogens from attaching to the gut lining. Seasonal adjustments in HMOs may help infants better adapt to seasonal infection, particularly during winter when illness risk is higher ❄️🤍

In simple terms: your breast milk is season aware. It adjusts to help protect your baby when winter bugs are circulating and supports gut and immune health in ways that CANNOT be replicated by formula.

12/03/2025

🌿 What Is the “4th Trimester?”🌿

The “4th trimester” is not commonly known or talked about, but refers to the first 12 weeks after birth — a time of major adjustment for both you and your baby. Your baby has no idea they are seperate from you. Your little one is adapting to life outside the womb, and your body is healing, recovering, and beginning your breastfeeding journey.

✨ What to Expect While Breastfeeding in the 4th Trimester
Here are a few things that are normal in these early weeks:

🍼 Frequent feeding
Newborns nurse 8–12+ times per day. This helps establish your milk supply and comforts your baby as they transition to the outside world.

🤱 Cluster feeding & Growth Spurts
Your baby may want to feed very often in the evenings or during growth spurts. This is normal and helps increase milk supply.

💛 Learning together
Latch, positioning, and milk transfer take practice. You’re not supposed to know everything on day one — every feed helps you both learn.

🌙 Night waking
Night feeds are expected. Your baby’s stomach is tiny, and prolactin (the milk-making hormone) is highest overnight.

🤍 Strong emotions
Hormone shifts, lack of sleep, and new responsibilities can make emotions feel big. Postpartum feelings are normal — but you should never suffer alone. Reach out if you need support.

🌟 You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
For challenges like pain, latch issues, low supply, oversupply, or pumping questions, an IBCLC can make a world of difference.

The Alabama Breastfeeding Committee is here to support breastfeeding families across our state — and the professionals who serve them.
🤱💙 Together, we can make the 4th trimester a little gentler.