Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Breastfeeding Coalition

03/25/2026

🚨🚨🚨 Study shocks exactly no one: New Moms Need Weeks Of Monitoring To Catch Post-Pregnancy Complications

A new Canadian study found around 40% of pregnancy complications would have been missed had doctors not kept tabs on new moms for six weeks postpartum.

Something which seems completely obvious, given the number of complications we see in places with little to no postpartum followup in the first 1-6 weeks.

Many parents are only observed in the first few days after birth and not followed up with again until 6 weeks. However, thr study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found that extending observation until 6 weeks catches more cases of severe maternal morbidity such as sepsis, hemorrhage, cardiovascular complications, etc.

With many parents only being observed through the intrapartum period for severe complications, many face the risk of missed or delayed treatment.

With this research, one hopes we'll see a difference in standard perinatal care. Unfortunately, changes in policy take time.

What could help?

Parents should be made aware of red flag symptoms. Partners, support people, and doulas should know red flags of when a parent should immediately seek care with their providers. OBs and midwives need to be available to postpartum parents for care.

Until we see change, parents need to remain educated and advocate to protect themselves during the postpartum period.

What care did you receive (or not receive) in the postpartum period?

03/25/2026

US doctors are sounding the alarm that an increasing number are declining vit K at birth.

As doulas, we don't give medical advice, we share evidence-based info.

Vitamin K shot has been recommended since 1961 in the US. Vit K impacts the body's ability to properly clot and prevent bleeding.

Why? Vit K is a fat soluble vitamin humans do not produce and don't store well. Older infants can maintain vit k through diet.

Newborns have low levels as it doesn't transfer well from the pregnant person to the baby.

Human milk also doesn't have high levels of Vit K.

Most infants' blood will clot even with naturally low levels, but some babies will not. We aren't sure which until bleeding occurs.

Why is vit k given to babies? In the 1930s, a Dutch scientist discovered vit k deficiency caused Haemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn (HDN), now named Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB) as it can occur after the newborn period.

Since 1961, we have over 60 years of data showing the vit k shot reduces the risk of VKDB. There is also data showing oral vit K reduces the risk, however, it has not shown to be as effective as the shot.

What is the risk of VKDB? The overall risk is low. However, once it occurs it can be life altering and even fatal. Classic VKDB is more common but often less severe. Late VKDB can be severe.

Among infants who do not receive the vit k shot: Risk of classic VKDB (first week of life), depending on the source is 0.25% to 1.5% of newborns (250 to 1,500 out of 100,000) or 0 to 0.44% (0 to 440 out of 100,000)

For late VKDB, no vit k: 4.4 to 7.2 infants out of 100,000 will develop late VKDB

One dose oral vit k at birth: 2.6 infants out of 100,000 will develop late VKDB

Oral vit k at least 3 doses in infancy: 0 to 0.9 infants out of 100,000 will develop late VKDB

Vit K shot at birth, anywhere from 0 to 0.4 infants per 100,000 get late VKDB. The shot doesn’t prevent every case of late VKDB, but most countries report incidence rates of zero or close to zero.

So, should your baby get vit k?

Research shows it reduces the risk of VKDB.

Parents should look at the evidence, chat with providers, and make informed decisions.

03/25/2026

The 4th trimester is often completely over looked! How is it ok to just have a 6wk or 8wk check up and be like your good to go! No no no no!!!!!!!!!!!!! This period is extremely hard on women especially with zero to little support!

Our ancestors understood the importance of women and they respected this transition for moms! Postpartum moms where taken care of, they were allowed to rest fully with their babies allowing them to nurse them and establish supply, moms were fed properly to ensure they had what they needed to feed their babies and also heal there body!

When we birth our womb opens 10cm this is a portal bringing our sky babies earth side! We should be treating this time with respect for our moms and babies!!!!

A woman’s body can need two years or even more to fully recover after pregnancy because childbirth creates major whole body changes that go far beyond the usual 6 week postpartum visit.

The process takes extensive time for organs to shift back, connective tissues to repair, nutrient stores to rebuild, and hormones, along with brain structure and neurological function, to settle again.

To explain further, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues, especially the pelvic floor and abdominal wall, need considerable time to regain strength, often requiring 6 to 18 months or even longer. Hormonal changes also continue for months, affecting mood, metabolism, and energy. Research shows some blood markers, including bone and liver health, can take more than a year, around 56 weeks, to return to pre pregnancy levels.

Pregnancy also causes organs to move and expand. On top of that, the placenta uses up vital nutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, and DHA, leading to significant nutritional depletion that takes time to restore, especially during breastfeeding.

The brain also experiences structural changes, a “pruning” or decrease in gray matter, to adapt to motherhood, and this, together with ongoing sleep deprivation, can contribute to “mom brain” that lasts for years.

Although surface healing may happen within weeks, the deeper abdominal fascia and core often need 6 to 12 months or longer to fully recover. Beyond physical healing, adapting to the mental, social, and emotional demands of motherhood is a long term journey.

Recovery is highly personal, but one thing is clear: the “6 week” rule is far too limited for full healing. Proper nutrition, support, and patience are essential for helping the body gradually return to its pre pregnancy state.

03/14/2026

🩸✨ Breast milk is made from blood — not directly from what you eat.

Your body pulls from your bloodstream to create milk that’s perfectly designed for your baby. Most newborn gas is normal, and diet usually only matters if there’s a true protein allergy or intolerance.

Evidence matters. So does reassurance.

03/06/2026

What's happening in a baby's gut in the first weeks of life shapes their immune system for years.

New research shows babies who develop healthy gut bacteria early, especially Bifidobacteria, have a lower risk of allergies and eczema later in childhood.

Human milk feeds the good bacteria. Early, frequent breastfeeding helps seed a healthy microbiome. This isn't just food. It's immune education.

Science is catching up with what lactation care has always known. Human milk is magic.

I speak to hospitals and organizations about the latest lactation research. Want to bring this conversation to your team or community? DM me or tap the link in bio.

Myers, P. N., Dehli, R. K., Mie, A., Moll, J. M., Roager, H. M., Eriksen, C., ... & Brix, S. (2026). Early-life colonization by aromatic-lactate-producing bifidobacteria lowers the risk of allergic sensitization. Nature Microbiology, 1-13.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41526643/

02/27/2026

Self-care for is especially important before and during pregnancy.

Physical activity lowers your risk of gestational diabetes, extra pregnancy pounds, & postpartum depression. Talk to your provider about safely moving more.

Learn more at: https://hubs.la/Q042ZkdD0

02/27/2026

Your baby is sick.

And your body adjusted.

Not tomorrow.
Not eventually.
Not after a doctor visit.

Immediately.

Antibodies increased.
Immune cells activated.
Protective factors rose to meet the moment.

This was not random.

This was not luck.

This was not “just breastfeeding.”

Your body received information from your baby and responded with precision.

You didn’t have to research it.
You didn’t have to calculate it.
You didn’t have to prove it.

Your body already knew.

While the world talks about feeding as a task, your body is performing a function.

A biological response.
A protective response.
A powerful one.

If you are nursing a sick baby right now, hold this close:

You are not guessing.
You are not failing.
You are not doing “nothing.”

You are doing exactly what your body was designed to do.

And it is working.

🤍

02/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D9CDGuP3m/

Mammary memory is real. Your b***s don't actually get bigger with baby #2 they just remember what to do.

Yep, studies show your mammary glands remember previous pregnancies, so they respond faster and may produce more milk next time around. Your body's like oh, we've done this before. Got it 👌🏻

Did you notice more milk with your second or third baby? I'm so curious if you felt the difference too.

01/30/2026

There so many things you can do with your breastmilk, here is one way!! Check this out!

01/29/2026

Breastfeeding doesn’t always begin at birth — for many families, preparation starts earlier, with knowledge, confidence, and simple skills like hand-expressing 🤍

This visual quick guide highlights a technique that’s often overlooked, yet incredibly empowering. Hand-expressing breast milk (or colostrum) can be useful before birth, in the early postpartum days, and anytime pumping isn’t ideal. It’s gentle, cost-free, and gives you a deeper understanding of how your body works.

✨ Why hand-expressing matters:

Helps stimulate milk flow and trigger let-down naturally

Especially useful in the first days when colostrum is thick and small in volume

Can support babies who need extra milk early on

Gives parents confidence when pumps aren’t available or comfortable

Useful for relieving fullness and supporting supply

Allows safe collection and storage when done correctly

💡 The key isn’t squeezing — it’s positioning. Placing your thumb and fingers at the edge of the ar**la, gently pushing back toward the chest wall, then rolling forward toward the ni**le can make all the difference. When done correctly, it’s effective and comfortable.

🍼 The storage guide shown here is just as important. Knowing how long milk can be safely kept — whether at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen — helps reduce stress and waste, especially for working parents and families planning ahead.

And for expectant mothers: yes, some parents are advised to collect colostrum during pregnancy (with provider approval), so it’s ready if supplementation is ever needed. Preparation doesn’t mean expectation — it simply means options.

Because feeding journeys are deeply personal, and information is power 💛



Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical or lactation advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or a certified lactation consultant before hand-expressing during pregnancy or if you have medical concerns.