New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition

01/31/2026

“For 9 months, your mother was all you knew. Before I held you in my arms, your mother held you and never let you go. Before I sacrificed time for you, your mother gladly sacrificed her body. Before I consoled you when you were upset, your mother consoled you with just the beat of her heart. Before I comforted you when you were restless, your mother comforted you with just the sound of her voice. Before I could do anything for you, your mother gave everything for you.
Your mother is the reason I hold you today. Before you were even a twinkle in my eye, you were in your mother’s heart. Your life, your safety, and your very existence depended on her. Something I’ll never be able to repay.
It will take a long time for you to understand the weight, the depth, and the immeasurability of your mother’s love for you. But someday, when you have children of your own, you will then understand what I now see so clearly. So I’ll hold you tight, but I’ll hold your mother tighter, because my love for you grows the more I understand the measure of a mother’s love.” — William Trice Battle
Tag an incredible daddy ❤️
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📷:

“For 9 months, your mother was all you knew. Before I held you in my arms, your mother held you and never let you go. Before I sacrificed time for you, your mother gladly sacrificed her body. Before I consoled you when you were upset, your mother consoled you with just the beat of her heart. Before I comforted you when you were restless, your mother comforted you with just the sound of her voice. Before I could do anything for you, your mother gave everything for you.  
  
Your mother is the reason I hold you today. Before you were even a twinkle in my eye, you were in your mother’s heart. Your life, your safety, and your very existence depended on her. Something I’ll never be able to repay.  
  
It will take a long time for you to understand the weight, the depth, and the immeasurability of your mother’s love for you. But someday, when you have children of your own, you will then understand what I now see so clearly. So I’ll hold you tight, but I’ll hold your mother tighter, because my love for you grows the more I understand the measure of a mother’s love.”  — William Trice Battle 
  
Tag an incredible daddy ❤️  
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⛔️ Don’t Forget To Follow For the best pregnancy content 🤰😍

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01/31/2026

100 days of breastfeeding, day 24 - portrait. I’m sneaking this in as day 24, although really it’s a private commission. Lovely Ray Dodd asked me to do a portrait of her and her gorgeous boys at just the perfect time as I was thinking it might be something I could look into. She very kindly agreed to be my guinea pig and I’m so pleased with how it’s turned out!

Ray was also my LLL leader (so long ago now it seems!) and so a very considerable amount of all this is thanks to her 🥰 She’s now mentoring a whole new community of women through her Taking Up Space Facebook group, workshops, events, podcast...all the things - go check her out, especially you working mammas ❤️

I’m going to open my books for a small number of portrait commissions over the next few weeks, if you’re interested, please message me for details. Prices start at £55 - £65 ❤️

01/31/2026

“Beautiful girl, you were put on this earth to do amazing things⁣ 🌻⁣
⁣⁣
Whatever journey you wish to follow, I will be here to guide you, inspire you, and support your choices.
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No matter who you grow up to be, I will always love you unconditionally, that is my promise🤞🏼💜” -

“Beautiful girl, you were put on this earth to do amazing things⁣ 🌻⁣
⁣⁣
Whatever journey you wish to follow, I will be here to guide you, inspire you, and support your choices.
⁣
No matter who you grow up to be, I will always love you unconditionally, that is my promise🤞🏼💜” -

01/31/2026

Breastfeeding and multi-tasking.. What have you achieved at the same time as breastfeeding? Let's celebrate your skills!
[Image: mother leaning back in a hairdressers, having her hair washed while breastfeeding her baby who is wearing a red hat.]

Breastfeeding and multi-tasking.. What have you achieved at the same time as breastfeeding? Let's celebrate your skills!

[Image: mother leaning back in a hairdressers, having her hair washed while breastfeeding her baby who is wearing a red hat.]

01/31/2026

How does breastfeeding affect bone health? This 2024 study found the risk, of bone fractures later in life decreases by 3% per month of exclusive breastfeeding in its 6.6K study mothers. Another reason nursing our babies is good for us, too! Read more here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39696047/
BMC Public Health 2024 Dec 18;24(1):3409. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20890-2.
Fracture incidence in women: the impact of reproductive characteristics
Maryam Farahmand 1, Maryam Rahmati 2, Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz 1, Mina Amiri 1, Mahsa Noroozzadeh 1, Mahbanoo Farhadi-Azar 1, Fereidoun Azizi 3, Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani 4 5
Affiliations Expand
PMID: 39696047 PMCID: PMC11654412 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20890-2
Abstract
Background: Although endogenous estrogen exposure, influenced by reproductive factors (RFs), is negatively associated with fracture risk, there is limited and conflicting information on the association between these factors and the incidence of fractures. This study aimed to evaluate the association between RFs and fracture incidence (FXI) separately.
Methods: This longitudinal study commenced in 1999 and concluded in 2021. It is performed on women without previous fractures and adjusted for confounders. RFs, including age at menarche, parity, abortion, duration of breastfeeding (BF), hormonal contraceptive use, and age at menopause, were exposure variables. The incidence of fractures was the primary outcome. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the associations between RFs and FXI outcomes.
Results: The median (interquartile range) of follow-up time was 15.0 (12.1-17.0) years. A total of 19.9% (1324/6653)of the women were menopausal at baseline, and 13% (865/6653) of the remaining participants reached menopause at the end of follow-up. At the end of the follow-up, 222 (3.3%) participants had fractures. The mean age of participants at the initiation of the study and last follow-up were 35.8 (15.5) and 50.0 (15.3) years, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, the HR of FXI increased by 10% per one extra delivery (HR: 1.10,95% CI: (1.03, 1.18); p = 0.01), and by 12% per one-year increase in age at menarche (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: (1.02, 1.23); p = 0.02). The HR of FXI decreased by 3% per month extra exclusive BF (HR: 0.97,95% CI: (0.94, 0.99); p = 0.04).
Conclusions: The results elucidate that a longer duration of exclusive BF has a protective effect on FXI. In contrast, increasing age at menarche and the number of parities increase the risk of FXI.

01/30/2026

ABC-7 at 4: The importance of breast milk and the development in infants By Nichole Gomez" Published January 27, 2026
"El Paso, TX ( KVIA-TV)- A recent clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics reinforces that breastmilk is the best nutrition source for infants born with very low birth weight, offering strong protective benefits during a critical period of development. Dr. Fernando Najar, neonatologist at Las Palmas Medical Center, joins us to talk about the importance of breastmilk to the development of underweight infants.
https://kvia.com/local-focus/2026/01/27/abc-7-at-4-the-importance-of-breast-milk-and-the-development-in-infants/

Articles
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January 13, 2026
AAP clinical report reinforces human milk as optimal nutrition for very low birth weight infants
Author(s)Morgan Ebert, Managing Editor
Fact checked by: Celeste Krewson, Assistant Editor
New AAP guidance affirms mother’s own milk as optimal for very low birth weight infants, citing reduced NEC and infection risk and outlining donor milk use.
A mother’s own milk provides the strongest short- and long-term health benefits for infants hospitalized with very low birth weight, according to an updated clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The guidance emphasizes fortified maternal milk as the preferred nutritional source for very low birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), supported by extensive observational data and randomized clinical trials.1,2

The revised report, Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant, was developed by the AAP Committee on Fetus and Newborn, the Section on Breastfeeding, and the Committee on Nutrition.

Human milk feeding is associated with lower risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and infection
Very low birth weight infants—defined as those weighing 1500 g or less at birth—face increased risks of serious complications, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), late-onset sepsis, chronic lung disease, retinopathy of prematurity, and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The clinical report summarizes evidence showing that use of mother’s own milk as the base diet, when appropriately fortified, is associated with lower rates of NEC and other complications compared with preterm infant formula.

“A mother’s own milk, when fortified properly, gives very low birth weight babies powerful health benefits both right now and in the future,” said Margaret G. Parker, MD, FAAP, a lead author of the report and member of the Committee on Fetus and Newborn. “No formula can fully match the unique makeup and protective qualities of human milk. In addition, breastfeeding has been associated with many health benefits for mothers, including a reduction in cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

Dose–response evidence supports prioritizing maternal milk supply
The report highlights a consistent dose–response relationship between exposure to mother’s own milk and improved neonatal outcomes. Higher volumes and longer duration of maternal milk feeding are associated with reduced risk of NEC, late-onset sepsis, and neurodevelopmental impairment across multiple observational studies and meta-analyses.

Although feeding very low birth weight infants a human milk–based diet does not eliminate the risk of NEC, rates are consistently lowest when human milk—rather than preterm infant formula—is used as the primary source of nutrition.

Pasteurized donor human milk is recommended when mother’s milk is unavailable
When a mother’s own milk is not available, insufficient in volume, or contraindicated, the AAP recommends pasteurized donor human milk obtained from screened and approved donors. Randomized controlled trials summarized in the report demonstrate that donor human milk is associated with a reduced risk of NEC compared with preterm infant formula.

However, the report notes that donor milk does not provide all of the same benefits as a mother’s own milk, including reductions in late-onset sepsis or improvements in neurodevelopment. For this reason, pasteurized donor human milk is described as a temporary “nutritional bridge” until a sufficient maternal milk supply is established.

Fortification of human milk is essential for growth in very low birth weight infants
Human milk—whether maternal or donor—requires supplementation with multi-nutrient fortifiers to meet the elevated nutritional needs of very low birth weight infants. The report explains that unfortified human milk alone does not provide sufficient protein, energy, minerals, and micronutrients to support growth comparable to fetal accretion.

Evidence reviewed in the report shows that fortified human milk helps protect very low birth weight infants from NEC while supporting appropriate growth and development. Current data do not support routine preference for human-derived over hydrolyzed bovine-derived fortifiers when human milk is used as the base diet.

Key nutrition recommendations for very low birth weight infants
According to the AAP clinical report, optimal nutritional care for very low birth weight infants includes:

Mother’s own milk, fortified as needed, as the preferred base diet
Pasteurized donor human milk when maternal milk is unavailable or insufficient
Multi-nutrient fortification to meet protein and energy requirements
Preterm infant formula when human milk options are unavailable or declined
Individualized feeding plans based on infant growth, clinical status, and family preferences
Preterm infant formula remains an appropriate alternative when human milk is unavailable
If neither mother’s own milk nor pasteurized donor human milk with fortifiers is available—or if families choose not to use donor milk—the AAP recommends preterm infant formula. The report emphasizes that preterm formulas are nutritionally appropriate and preferable to prolonged parenteral nutrition or the use of non-preterm formulas that do not meet the needs of very low birth weight infants.

NICU clinicians play a central role in supporting breastfeeding and lactation
The clinical report underscores the role of physicians and NICU teams in helping families initiate and sustain lactation. Recommended strategies include early and frequent milk expression, access to high-quality double electric breast pumps, encouragement of skin-to-skin contact, counseling on the benefits of maternal milk, and support for direct breastfeeding when physiologically appropriate.

“Clinicians, birthing centers, and hospitals can support families who all share the same goal – to provide the best source of nutrition possible for their baby, especially those who are born early and need extra attention,” Parker said.

Addressing disparities in human milk access in the NICU
The AAP also highlights persistent racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in access to mother’s own milk and donor human milk among very low birth weight infants. The report emphasizes the importance of peer lactation support, interpreter services, equitable donor milk availability, and institutional policies aimed at reducing disparities in NICU nutrition and care.

Physicians are encouraged to counsel families on maternal medication use, infection risk, and the potential risks associated with informal milk sharing. By combining evidence-based nutritional guidance with comprehensive lactation support, the AAP aims to improve outcomes for very low birth weight infants during a critical period of development.

References

Parker MG, Stellwagen L, Miller ER, et al. Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant: Clinical Report. Pediatrics. Published online January 12, 2026. doi:https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2025-073625
AAP. American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Clinical Recommendations Promoting Use of Human Milk for Preterm Infants. AAP. January 12, 2026. Accessed January 13, 2026. https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2025/american-academy-of-pediatrics-updates-clinical-recommendations-promoting-use-of-human-milk-for-preterm-infants/

01/30/2026

Austin's breast milk secret: Studies confirm what local doctors have known
Neonatologist shares how breast milk improves survival and health outcomes in fragile newborns
By Nicole Villalpando, Staff Writer Jan 30, 2026
"You've heard the slogan: "Breast milk is best." For premature babies, that's especially true, and now a compilation of studies published in the American Academy of Pediatrics' journal confirms it.
The studies examined health outcomes of babies who weigh less than 3.3 pounds and their rates of sepsis, the intestinal problem necrotizing enterocolitis, lung disease, the eye disease retinopathy of prematurity, brain development and in-hospital growth. When comparing babies who received breast milk with those who received formula, growth was the only measure in which formula showed an advantage. This is because of the difference in the calorie makeup of formula versus breast milk.
Breast milk is recognized for its immunity benefits, which protect against infections. That is why the studies saw fewer cases of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in babies who received breast milk or donor breast milk.

The American Academy of Pediatrics now clearly outlines that breast milk from the mom is the best choice. If that is not available, donor breast milk is the second-best choice. Formula can be used if the parent doesn't want to breast feed and won't sign off on donor milk, or there is a medical reason such as an allergy.
Austin doctors have known this for a while, said Dr. Jennifer Goetz, a neonatalogist at St. David's Medical Center. In the 1990s, Austin neonatalogists Dr. Sonny Rivera and Dr. George Sharpe noticed the babies they were treating who had breast milk did better than babies who had formula, particularly in the rates of necrotizing enterocolitis.
hey founded the Mothers' Milk Bank 25 years ago. It is now the largest in the world and serves about 75,000 premature and medically fragile babies a year from around the country. The bank processes about 5,000 ounces of donated breast milk a day. That milk is pasteurized and analyzed for calorie count, which allows doctors to order higher-calorie milk for babies who need it.
The availability of donor milk, combined with Austin hospitals' commitment to providing lactation support to moms whose babies are in the NICU, has meant that babies here are more likely to get breast milk than in other areas of the country. At St. David's, Goetz said, they almost never give formula to babies younger than 34 weeks because doctors are able to educate parents about the importance of breast milk.
"We are all passionate about it," she said. "Parents really understand that we have this great resource of donor milk."

Many of the NICU babies are too young to breastfeed and need to be tube-fed milk their mother has pumped or the milk the hospital receives from the milk bank. Within the first 12 hours, babies typically receive breast milk through a tube. Mothers are encouraged to try pumping as soon as possible after the baby's birth, but some moms have medical complications that might reduce their supply or delay their ability to pump. That's when doctors can start the babies on donor milk and transition to mom's milk if it becomes available.

The donor milk often comes from moms around Texas who have built up an extra supply in their freezers. Some moms specifically pump for the milk bank while nursing their baby, knowing their supply is adequate to do both. Others continue pumping after the loss of an infant, donating milk to honor their babies, Goetz said.

"The nice thing about this community is I've never not been able to get donor milk," she said.
Goetz hopes the routine use and acceptance of breast milk for NICU babies in Austin will continue to spread around the country.

"Word is getting out, especially in premature babies, that this is the standard of care," she said.

How to donate breast milk
Find out more about becoming a milk bank donor at milkbank.org/donate-milk.

https://www.statesman.com/news/healthcare/article/breast-milk-premature-baby-health-benefits-21306797.php

01/30/2026

Arizona bills aim to expand access to lactation care Jan 29, 2026
"A pair of bills that would make it easier for new mothers to access lactation support services is making its way through the Arizona Legislature with bipartisan support.

Why it matters: Doctors often recommend that women see lactation consultants to help establish breastfeeding after birth. But the service, which is not covered by government insurance, is out of reach for some postpartum moms.

The big picture: State Rep. Lisa Fink (R-Glendale) introduced the two House bills that would:

Add breastfeeding and lactation care services to the list of medically necessary offerings that Arizona's Medicaid contractors must cover;
And create a state certification program so that lactation providers can submit for reimbursement through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the state's Medicaid agency.
The latest: Both bills passed unanimously in the House Health and Human Services Committee last week following powerful testimony from Chamber of Mothers, whose members shared firsthand accounts of how lactation support changed the trajectory of their postpartum experiences.

Flashback: Most private insurers began covering lactation care in 2012, but care consultants continued to get denials from AHCCCS, according to Jennie Bever, a lactation consultant, president and CEO of nonprofit 4th Trimester Arizona.

About half of all births are paid for by AHCCCS, which means a staggering number of mothers lacked care, she said.
Between the lines: Lactation consultants provide important support for moms and babies, Bever told Axios.

While the primary focus is breastfeeding, consultants are also the first line of defense against other health issues that may otherwise go undetected.
Postpartum mothers typically see their OBs once or twice after birth, whereas they may see a consultant three or more times.
What they're saying: "It's so many more times that someone is talking to you, looking at you, listening to you, looking at your baby," she said. "Often lactation consultants are the first [ones] to find out from the mom that they're having mental health challenges."

Zoom in: Chamber of Mothers — a nonpartisan group advocating for paid family leave, affordable child care and maternal health — launched a Phoenix Gilbert chapter last year and has spent the past two legislative sessions advocating for measures like the lactation bills.

"We help mothers unite around these initiatives to help improve the motherhood experience in America," Phoenix Gilbert chapter co-facilitator Kelsey Glynn told Axios.
What's next: Chamber of Mothers is also pushing a bill to continue funding for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line, which provides free pregnancy and postpartum mental health support."
https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/29/arizona-lactation-care-medicaid-coverage

01/30/2026

Kris Bernal reflects on her journey as a breastfeeding momma
Published On: January 30, 2026
"Kris Bernal said breastfeeding is the "hardest part of motherhood so far."
Kris Bernal shared her musings and learnings as a breastfeeding momma of more than two years.

The Sparkle star shared on Instagram a video of her breastfeeding her daughter, Hailee Lucca, on the first day and then on the 878th day.

According to Kris, she has been a breastfeeding mom for two years and five months now, and said it “has been the hardest part of motherhood so far.”

“It taught me patience, resilience, and the unspoken bond between a mother and her child. Some moments are sweet and peaceful, and others are overstimulating and exhausting,” she mused.

Kris said there are still days that feel heavy, especially when she's tired from taping the ongoing GMA Afternoon Prime show, House of Lies.

“My baby isn't sleeping well at night, with wake-ups ranging from every 3 hours to every 1.5 hrs at some nights. I am still so sleep deprived. And yet, even on those days, I know this season is such a gift,” she said.

Despite this, Kris said she is still cherishing the special moment with her daughter.

“Sometimes weaning is not winning. So I'm just trying to soak it all in — the laughs, the closeness, and even the hard moments — because I know this is something I'm going to miss when it's over,” she continued.

Kris concluded her caption with an encouraging message for her fellow breastfeeding mommas.

“For the moms going through something similar, [y]ou're not alone. I am with you,” she said. " "
https://www.gmanetwork.com/lifestyle/news/130014/kris-bernal-reflects-on-her-journey-as-a-breastfeeding-momma/story

01/29/2026

Alabama House committee approves bill requiring job accommodations for breastfeeding mothers
By: Anna Barrett January 28, 2026
"
An Alabama House committee approved a bill that would require companies that have more than 50 employers to give breastfeeding mothers time and space to breastfeed.

HB 290, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, is slightly different from federal law. The federal law considers a bathroom to be a “reasonable” location, but Givan’s bill specifies the location to be a room other than a bathroom.

“Some women feel that it’s unsanitary to have to do that, so there should be a smaller closet or some type of reasonable accommodation,” Givan said.
The House Health Committee approved three amendments to the bill, all brought by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, who chairs the committee. The first increased the size of the company that is required to give accommodations to 50 employees. Previously, there was no distinction.

“The thought is an office with three to five employees, certainly they’re going to let them do it, but not to necessarily spend a ton of money to build an extra room or whatever the case is,” Lee said.

The second added that the accommodations can only be given up to one year after the child is born. The federal law allows accommodations up to two years after the child is born, Givan said.

The third required that the location the employer provides to be “reasonably accessible” to the work area.

All three amendments passed unanimously.

“We pass bills every day that are already bills that are enacted into Congress, but we can also make modifications for the purpose that would best fit our state,” Givan said.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.
https://alabamareflector.com/briefs/alabama-house-committee-approves-bill-requiring-job-accommodations-for-breastfeeding-mothers/