Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio

02/03/2026

Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening (BABES) Act was signed into law 2016.
In November 2025, an Enhancement to this act was passed to further simplify traveling with breastmilk and associated equipment.
Yet we know that families still face challenges traveling, whether with their infant and/or with appropriate tools to express milk. Please share your stories- successes and challenges in the comments below.
Also, The United States Breastfeeding Coalition is looking for YOUR STORIES to help educate and inform policymakers. Share your infant feeding story at https://www.votervoice.net/USBC/Surveys/7763/Respond

01/29/2026

A recent study in J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol (Dec 2025) explored the relationship between breastfeeding and psychological well-being after traumatic childbirth.
The study was a small study of 143 women self-reporting a traumatic birth event (TBE) and followed breastfeeding status at 2 and 9 weeks as well as questionnaires including on maternal infant bonding, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder.
Parents breastfeeding at 2 weeks reported fewer symptoms of parent infant bonding difficulties at 2 weeks. The authors noce "Our findings suggest that when both factors—trauma and not giving breastfeeding—are present, they may collectively exacerbate challenges in mother–infant bonding. This highlights the importance of implementing targeted initiatives to support and strengthen parent–infant bonding in cases of TBEs. Extra attention should be given when breastfeeding is not initiated or early cessation, as the combination of trauma and lack of breastfeeding may further challenge bonding.".
This study while small, helps highlight the importance of early breastfeeding support for those families wanting to initiate breastfeeding and especially for those experiencing a challenging birth.
Interested in reading the full article see: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41320986/

01/19/2026

Prenatal Questions #14: When does engorgement happen and do you have any tips?
Engorgement is normal. it commonly occurs when your milk supply increases (around 3 to 5 days postpartum)
If you experience pain with engorgement start with the basics: feeding your infant on demand (rather than at scheduled times), cool compresses to help decrease inflammation, gentle movement of the breast including a light touch stroking toward armpit with your hand.
Some babies will have trouble latching with engorgement, softening the ar**la around your ni**le and ar**la before they can latch can help!.

01/12/2026

Engorgement is common and can contribute to latching difficulties in the early postpartum. One effective technique is Reverse Pressure Softening (RPS)or using your finger tips to apply gentle pressure on your ar**la at the base of the ni**le, to facilitate the extra fluid of engorgement backward so that the milk can flow more readily and then ar**la is softer so the baby can latch.
A 2025 article in Journal of Nursing and Health Science added to the literature quantifying the benefit. They included 50 women with engorgement with 25 cases using RPS and 25 controls . Using a pre/post intervention assessment they found a reduction in engorgement severity and improvement in latching in the group using RPS.
For more study details see: https://share.google/TvJjAQfqaRP1AJXU8

01/02/2026

12/30/2025

Prenatal Question #13: What is donor milk and why would I use it for my newborn in the hospital?
Donor milk is milk that has been donated from other breastfeeding parent's who undergo a rigorous screening prcoess. the milk is then heat treated so it is safe to give to your infant.
Pending the availability our office dispneses pasteurized donor human milk from the Ohio Mothers' Milk Bank for those families to bridge if needing to supplement while waiting for milk supply to increase.

12/21/2025

Skin to skin after cesarean improves latching after delivery and early breastfeeding initiation after delivery and in the hospital according to a recent meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials and 3 quasi-experimental studies involving a total of 1.990 participants.⁠⁠
See the study by Martinez-Hortelano et al in the June 2025 issue of Int J Nurs Stud⁠ies for more info. ⁠
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12/10/2025

Prenatal Question s #12: What should i do if I am concerned baby isn't getting enough at the breast?⁠⁠
In general, we look at weight, babies output, and signs of increased milk production. If you are concerned, you can hand express and refeed that milk until you are able to connect with your medical provider or lactation consultant.⁠⁠
Interested in more prenatal education. Our next Prenatal Plus class (see Linkin.bio for details) is Thursday January 29th. The group is free but spots are limited so call 216-230-2154 or email lactation@bfmedneo.com if interested.⁠⁠
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12/05/2025

At this time of year we are mindful of our bodies adjustment to time changes and shortening day. It takes time to adjust.⁠⁠
Newborns also need time to sort out their days and nights and one of the things that helps them is breastmilk! ⁠⁠
A recent study in the September 2025 issue of Nutritional Immunology looked at "Day/night fluctuations of breast milk bioactive factors and microbiome" and found that melatonin and cortisol levels change during the day in breast milk. They measured levels at 4 times points in 24 hours and found melatonin levels to be highest at 12 am and cortisol was higher at 6am⁠⁠
Another example of the adaptability of breastmilk!⁠⁠
Check out linkin.bio for more details ⁠
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11/24/2025

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 30th Annual Meeting offered lots of great opportunities for learning and collaborating! This year's special highlight was gathering with a group of Cleveland area colleagues also committed to supporting families prenatally, in the early postpartum, and throughout their breastfeeding journey. It was great to see all of you - Thanks for joining us!⁠⁠
Swipe to check out some of the conference topics we look forward to sharing updates about in the near future.⁠⁠
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11/19/2025

Prenatal Question #11: What should I do to protect breastfeeding if I am separated from my baby after delivery?⁠⁠
In general if separated for your medical needs, your baby can be skin to skin with someone else until you are able. When you are feeling up to it you can start hand expressing and if the separation is longer ask for help setting up a breast pump.⁠⁠
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11/14/2025

Dr Stachowiak and Dr Witt had a great time in San Diego at a recent Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine conference expanding and fine tuning our OMM body work skills to help breastfeeding families. It was a treat to connect in person with colleagues around the country. Though the true star of the conference was Dr Stachowiak’s newborn daughter who enjoyed snuggles with many at the conference - including the instructors - scroll through the pics to see!