New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition

12/08/2025

Photo Credit 📸 Stacie the Brainy Doula

12/08/2025

Normalize Breastfeeding

12/08/2025

Breastfeeding Expert Patty Gatter Explains Infant Illness Prevention in HelloNation
News provided by EIN Presswire
Dec 05, 2025

What role does breastfeeding play in lowering the risk of infant health complications?

EMMAUS, PA, UNITED STATES, December 5, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- "What role does breastfeeding play in lowering the risk of infant health complications? In a detailed article published by HelloNation, Patty Gatter of The Breastfeeding Shop in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, highlights how breast milk provides powerful immune protection while supporting long-term development. Her insights make it clear that breastfeeding is more than just nourishment; it is a key factor in protecting infants from early illness and setting the stage for a healthier future.

The article explains that newborns enter the world with underdeveloped immune systems, making them vulnerable to infections and disease. Breast milk helps close this gap by passing maternal antibodies directly to the infant. These antibodies are specifically designed to target germs the mother has encountered, creating customized protection against harmful bacteria and viruses. This immune support is especially concentrated in colostrum, the first milk produced after birth, which contains high levels of immunoglobulins that coat the baby’s digestive tract and guard against illness.

Research cited in the article underscores that breastfeeding reduces the risk of respiratory infections, ear infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses in the critical first months of life. Beyond these immediate benefits, evidence also shows that breastfeeding lowers the chances of chronic conditions developing later in life. Studies indicate that breastfed infants have a reduced risk of asthma, allergies, obesity, and even type 2 diabetes in adulthood. The nutrients in breast milk also play an essential role in neurological development, with some findings suggesting a link to improved cognitive outcomes.

A vital aspect of breastfeeding’s impact lies in the gut microbiome. Breast milk contains prebiotics that feed healthy bacteria in the infant’s digestive system, promoting balance and reducing the likelihood of gastrointestinal complications. This early foundation of digestive health not only helps with immediate nutrient absorption but may also contribute to a stronger immune system and lower inflammation risk throughout life.

Gatter also discusses the practical challenges families may face when trying to exclusively breastfeed for six months. Balancing schedules, work responsibilities, and daily life can make it difficult to maintain consistency. This is where breast pumps become an essential tool for mothers. By allowing milk to be expressed and stored, pumps ensure that babies continue receiving the immune-boosting benefits of breast milk even when direct nursing is not possible. This flexibility supports long-term breastfeeding goals while preserving the health advantages linked to breast milk.

The article emphasizes that breastfeeding is a dynamic, living process that adapts to the baby’s needs. Its protective properties extend far beyond basic nutrition, offering a natural shield against illness and laying a foundation for long-term well-being. While each family’s circumstances are unique, the scientific evidence remains strong: breast milk delivers unmatched benefits for infant immune system development and illness prevention."
https://www.wane.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/872856458/breastfeeding-expert-patty-gatter-explains-infant-illness-prevention-in-hellonation/

12/08/2025

Govt should act on breastfeeding corners in public places

Monday, Dec 08,2025
"THE absence of breastfeeding corners in public spaces has become a systemic failure undermining maternal dignity and child nutrition. Despite a High Court directive issued in 2023 that ordered the installation of breastfeeding corners in all public places, workplaces, transport hubs and commercial establishments, the provision remains almost entirely elusive. Reports indicate that no functional, accessible facility is available in major terminals, shopping malls or even the international airport, leaving lactating mothers without safe, private spaces to feed their infants. Their experiences show a pattern of daily distress. Mothers are compelled to travel with their babies, unable to find a single public location to breastfeed and forced to endure discomfort, anxiety and, at times, public humiliation. The Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation has attributed this inadequacy to official indifference, warning that its consequences will span across generations. The shortage of breastfeeding spaces is emerging at a time when exclusive breastfeeding is already declining although it is essential for preventing early childhood illnesses and ensuring optimal development during the first six months of life. This infrastructural neglect now stands as a critical public-health concern with far-reaching implications.

The shortage of breastfeeding corners is not a peripheral inconvenience but a public-health deficit with measurable consequences. Exclusive breastfeeding rates have already fallen to 55 per cent, down from about 65 per cent in 2017–18, reflecting a regression at a time when global health agencies emphasise its irreplaceable role in preventing diarrhoea, pneumonia and long-term metabolic diseases. This decline is unfolding alongside a sharp rise in unnecessary Caesarean deliveries, now 45 per cent nationally, far exceeding the World Health Oragnisation’s recommended 10–15 per cent, which further disrupts early lactation without adequate post-operative support. A weak enforcement of the Breastmilk Substitutes Act 2013, coupled with aggressive formula marketing and the unethical inducement of health workers, has created a parallel market that fills the vacuum left by absent public facilities. Socially, the lack of breastfeeding spaces pushes working mothers into untenable choices, diminishing labour-force participation and embedding gender-based inequities in urban life. The broader implication is a generation of children entering life with compromised nutrition, increasing the burden on an already strained health system. An effective redress must prioritise the enforcement of laws, installation of breastfeeding corners in all public institutions, maternity protection at workplaces and sustained public education to rebuild breastfeeding norms.

A coherent policy response is now required to arrest the decline in breastfeeding and address the structural gaps enabling it. Installing functional breastfeeding corners, enforcing relevant laws and ensuring adequate maternity protection are actionable steps supported by legal mandates and public-health evidence. Prioritising the measures through coordinated oversight would strengthen child-nutrition outcomes, reduce preventable health burdens and align national practice with established international standards."
https://www.newagebd.net/post/editorial/284488/govt-should-act-on-breastfeeding-corners-in-public-places

12/08/2025

Dads Play a Key Role in Breastfeeding Success
by Sherry Eagle GUEST COLUMNIST 12-07-2025

"While breastfeeding is often viewed as a bonding experience between mother and baby, experts say fathers play a crucial—yet sometimes overlooked—role in supporting successful breastfeeding. From providing emotional encouragement to managing day-to-day tasks, dads can have a significant impact on both the mother’s well-being and the baby’s development.

Health professionals emphasize that breastfeeding offers multiple benefits. It provides ideal nutrition, strengthens a baby’s immune system, and supports healthy development. For mothers, it can reduce certain health risks and aid in postpartum recovery. Understanding these advantages, experts note, helps fathers become more confident and active partners in the process.

The father’s role begins long before the first feeding. Specialists recommend that dads attend prenatal and breastfeeding classes alongside their partners to learn the basics and reduce uncertainty. Preparing a comfortable space for feedings—such as arranging supportive seating, proper lighting, and easy access to water—also contributes to early success.

In the first days after birth, breastfeeding can come with challenges. Fathers can offer significant support by helping limit distractions, managing visitors, and ensuring a calm environment for feedings. Encouragement is key; experts say early difficulties are common, and reassurance from a partner can help mothers stay motivated.

Practical involvement also matters. Tasks such as burping the baby after feeds, handling diaper changes, managing household responsibilities, and helping with nighttime routines can relieve stress and allow the nursing parent to rest. Simple gestures—like providing water during feedings—can make a meaningful difference.

Some fathers express concern that breastfeeding might limit their bonding time with the baby. However, lactation specialists highlight that dads have many opportunities for connection, including skin-to-skin contact, baby-wearing, participating in bedtime routines, and engaging in quiet moments after feedings.

Recognizing when a mother needs additional breastfeeding support is another essential role for fathers. Encouraging professional help from a lactation consultant, attending appointments, or advocating for the mother’s preferences in clinical settings can provide critical reassurance during stressful moments.

Experts agree that while breastfeeding is natural, it often requires teamwork. And in that team, dads play an essential part. By staying involved, offering support, and sharing responsibilities, fathers help create an environment where both mother and baby can thrive.

The Meigs County Health Department’s WIC program provides comprehensive support for families of breastfed babies. Our team includes trained breastfeeding professionals and paraprofessionals who are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a lunch break from 12 to 1 p.m.

You do not need to be enrolled in the WIC program to receive breastfeeding assistance—our services are open to all. And remember…We also encourage dads to be actively involved and welcome their participation in every aspect of the support we provide. "

https://www.wvnews.com/rivercities/gallipolis/dads-play-a-key-role-in-breastfeeding-success/article_0c641f4e-790f-4a9d-bbc3-8bb713c5abb2.html

12/07/2025

Breastfeeding advice I wish I ignored!!!
What should we add to the list? 👇🏽

12/07/2025

✨ We all grow up in different cultures… and moments like this remind me just how powerful that is.
Look at this. A whole circle of women holding one tiny baby with so much joy, pride, and love. A true village. A community that doesn’t just talk about supporting moms, they show up. They hold the baby. They hold the mother. They hold the entire family together.
And it hit me…
This is what so many of us are missing.
This level of support.
This shared responsibility.
This idea that motherhood was never meant to be done in isolation.
In so many places around the world, babies are passed from arm to arm. Moms recover with people surrounding them, feeding them, caring for them, teaching them, guiding them. No one expects a mother to “do it all” alone.
But here?
So many moms are drowning quietly because they have no village. No aunties helping with the baby. No community lifting them up. No shared wisdom passed down. And then we wonder why so many women feel overwhelmed, exhausted, unseen, and unsupported.
Different culture, same universal truth:
A baby thrives with a village.
A mother thrives with a village.
And we deserve to bring that back.
If you grew up with a village, cherish it.
If you didn’t, build one. Borrow one. Create one.
Because no mom should have to raise a child alone.
🤱 Tag a woman who has been part of your village.
Share this if you believe motherhood was never meant to be a one-woman job. ✨

✨ We all grow up in different cultures… and moments like this remind me just how powerful that is.

Look at this. A whole circle of women holding one tiny baby with so much joy, pride, and love. A true village. A community that doesn’t just talk about supporting moms, they show up. They hold the baby. They hold the mother. They hold the entire family together.

And it hit me…
This is what so many of us are missing.
This level of support.
This shared responsibility.
This idea that motherhood was never meant to be done in isolation.

In so many places around the world, babies are passed from arm to arm. Moms recover with people surrounding them, feeding them, caring for them, teaching them, guiding them. No one expects a mother to “do it all” alone.

But here?
So many moms are drowning quietly because they have no village. No aunties helping with the baby. No community lifting them up. No shared wisdom passed down. And then we wonder why so many women feel overwhelmed, exhausted, unseen, and unsupported.

Different culture, same universal truth:
A baby thrives with a village.
A mother thrives with a village.
And we deserve to bring that back.

If you grew up with a village, cherish it.
If you didn’t, build one. Borrow one. Create one.
Because no mom should have to raise a child alone.

🤱 Tag a woman who has been part of your village.

Share this if you believe motherhood was never meant to be a one-woman job. ✨

12/07/2025

Traveling with your breastfeeding baby can feel like a lot, but a little preparation goes a long way. And WIC can help!
Use these tips to make your holiday travel smoother for you and your baby: https://www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/breastfeeding/travel-recommendations.html?

Traveling with Your Baby
Set yourself up for success while traveling and breastfeeding.
https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/traveling-your-baby

12/07/2025

🤰🏼In a groundbreaking study from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, scientists found that stem cells originating from the fetus—and carried via the placenta—can travel to an injured area in the mother's heart and aid in its repair.

Researchers observed these fetal cells migrating to the damaged cardiac tissue, where they transformed into vital heart components, including smooth muscle cells, blood vessel cells, and cardiomyocytes.

Even more remarkable, when grown in lab cultures, these cells began beating on their own, demonstrating real cardiac functionality. The findings, unveiled at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions and published in Circulation Research, suggest a natural regenerative mechanism activated during pregnancy.

What makes these placenta-derived stem cells especially promising is their ability to integrate into maternal tissues without causing immune rejection—an issue that often complicates stem cell therapies. Because the placenta is usually discarded after birth, these cells offer an ethically acceptable and highly targeted option for regenerative medicine.

Follow Science Sphere for regular scientific updates

Reference: Chaudhry, H., Kara, R., et al. (2011). Circulation Research, American Heart Association Scientific Sessions

🤰🏼In a groundbreaking study from Mount Sinai School of Medicine, scientists found that stem cells originating from the fetus—and carried via the placenta—can travel to an injured area in the mother's heart and aid in its repair.

Researchers observed these fetal cells migrating to the damaged cardiac tissue, where they transformed into vital heart components, including smooth muscle cells, blood vessel cells, and cardiomyocytes.

Even more remarkable, when grown in lab cultures, these cells began beating on their own, demonstrating real cardiac functionality. The findings, unveiled at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions and published in Circulation Research, suggest a natural regenerative mechanism activated during pregnancy.

What makes these placenta-derived stem cells especially promising is their ability to integrate into maternal tissues without causing immune rejection—an issue that often complicates stem cell therapies. Because the placenta is usually discarded after birth, these cells offer an ethically acceptable and highly targeted option for regenerative medicine.

Follow Science Sphere for regular scientific updates

Reference: Chaudhry, H., Kara, R., et al. (2011). Circulation Research, American Heart Association Scientific Sessions

12/07/2025

With Christmas celebrations just around the corner, you may be wondering whether it’s okay to have an alcoholic drink while breastfeeding 🥂
There’s often a lot of discussion around this, so today we’re sharing some key points to break it down clearly:
• Having occasional, small amounts of alcohol while breastfeeding is generally considered fine (for example, a glass of wine with a meal or a couple of drinks socially).
•You should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without thinking about how to reduce your baby’s exposure.
• If you plan to drink heavily, make sure your baby is cared for by a sober, responsible adult.
• Never share a bed or sofa with your baby if you’ve had any alcohol.
• Anyone who’s been drinking should avoid situations where they could fall asleep with a baby—whether that’s on a bed, chair, or sofa.
• You don’t need to “pump and dump” to remove alcohol from your milk. As your blood alcohol level drops, the amount in your milk drops too.
• You may want to express for comfort to avoid engorgement when missing feeds.
• If you want to minimise your baby’s exposure to alcohol, you can avoid feeding for 2–3 hours after drinking.
Find out more in our factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/alcohol/
✨Having a drink this Christmas?✨
Thinking ahead can help you enjoy the holidays safely - plan your celebrations so you can enjoy a drink while making sure your baby is cared for.
[ID: Alcohol and Breastfeeding. Images of two glasses of wine. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets.]

With Christmas celebrations just around the corner, you may be wondering whether it’s okay to have an alcoholic drink while breastfeeding 🥂

There’s often a lot of discussion around this, so today we’re sharing some key points to break it down clearly:

• Having occasional, small amounts of alcohol while breastfeeding is generally considered fine (for example, a glass of wine with a meal or a couple of drinks socially).

•You should not drink regularly or heavily (e.g. binge drinking) without thinking about how to reduce your baby’s exposure.

• If you plan to drink heavily, make sure your baby is cared for by a sober, responsible adult.

• Never share a bed or sofa with your baby if you’ve had any alcohol.

• Anyone who’s been drinking should avoid situations where they could fall asleep with a baby—whether that’s on a bed, chair, or sofa.

• You don’t need to “pump and dump” to remove alcohol from your milk. As your blood alcohol level drops, the amount in your milk drops too.

• You may want to express for comfort to avoid engorgement when missing feeds.

• If you want to minimise your baby’s exposure to alcohol, you can avoid feeding for 2–3 hours after drinking.

Find out more in our factsheet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/factsheet/alcohol/

✨Having a drink this Christmas?✨
Thinking ahead can help you enjoy the holidays safely - plan your celebrations so you can enjoy a drink while making sure your baby is cared for.

[ID: Alcohol and Breastfeeding. Images of two glasses of wine. www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets.]

12/07/2025

Alcohol and Breastfeeding
🍷 Alcohol and Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know 🍷
Curious about how alcohol consumption affects breastfeeding? Here's some essential information:
⚫Alcohol Transfer: When you drink, alcohol passes quickly from your bloodstream into your breast milk. The concentration in your milk mirrors your blood alcohol level.
⚫Timing Matters: To minimize your baby's exposure, consider breastfeeding right before consuming alcohol. This allows time for the alcohol to metabolize before the next feeding.
⚫Moderation is Key: Occasional drinking hasn't been shown to harm nursing babies. However, heavy drinking can impair your ability to care for your baby and may affect their sleep and development.
⚫Safety Tips:
⭐Have a sober adult present to care for your baby if you've consumed alcohol.
⭐Avoid bed-sharing for 24 hours after drinking to reduce the risk of smothering.
⭐Eating while drinking can reduce the amount of alcohol absorbed into your bloodstream.
⭐Remember, "pumping and dumping" doesn't speed up the elimination of alcohol from your system. Time is the only factor that reduces alcohol levels in your blood and milk.
For more detailed information, visit La Leche League Canada's resource on alcohol and breastfeeding: https://www.lllc.ca/alcohol-and-breastfeeding

Words and photos 📸Credit La Leche League Canada

June 08, 2020
Alcohol and Breastfeeding INFANT RISK CENTER https://www.infantrisk.com/content/alcohol-and-breastfeeding?

May 03, 2022 INFANT RISK CENTER
Alcohol & Breastfeeding: What’s your time-to-zero? https://infantrisk.com/content/alcohol-breastfeeding-whats-your-time-zero?

12/07/2025

There's often an expectation to play pass-the-baby during holiday visits. If you're not comfortable with this, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SHARE YOUR BABY.
"No" is a sufficient answer, but you can try some of these, too.
Photo & Word Credit 📷 Jennie MacGregor, CLC - LactoJenniesis