The Milky Mermaid

09/24/2025

When I fell in love with science, I never imagined it would be controversial.

Right now, evidence is too often drowned out by oversimplified claims and loud “opinions”. When leaders make public health statements that the scientific community does not support, the consequences can be very real, putting lives at risk.

Right now, we need to pay attention to professional medical organizations that are speaking up, reminding us what is (and isn’t) supported by scientific evidence. Protecting children and families means standing with evidence-based guidance.

09/23/2025

APA Statement on White House Announcement on Autism https://ow.ly/P6k850X0zCi

09/04/2025

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Metime2day.com

09/02/2025

http://www.naturalbreastfeeding.com/ Nancy explains to expectant, first-time mothers Essie and Marivel how the first 40 days of breastfeeding are different a...

08/20/2025

We know the composition of colostrum (the first milk) differs when babies are born term or preterm. But did you know it also differs among term babies who are born small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), and appropriate for gestational age? Download this study free here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40583475/

07/31/2025

06/22/2025

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a group of complex sugars; the third most abundant component of human milk. Over 100 different HMOs have been identified in human milk so far.

Which ones are found, and in what concentration, is unique to each mother. Genetics, how many children the mother has had, the age of the nursling, and even the seasons, have been found to influence this unique HMO set in each woman.

Many HMOs cannot be digested by humans but instead act as food for bacteria in your baby’s tummy. These bacteria help your baby to resist infection from harmful bacteria and to develop a normal gut microbiome.

The microbiome plays an enormous role in making sure the gut and immune system develop properly. HMOs can also trick bacteria and viruses into binding to them, instead of the gut wall, preventing them from infecting your baby.

Some HMOs have the potential to reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases, one of the most common causes of infant mortality under age 5.

One HMO called DSLNT has been linked to a reduction in the risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). NEC is a potentially fatal disorder, most often affecting premature babies, in which tissues in the gut become inflamed and start to die.

Researchers say that this is likely only the beginning of our understanding of this remarkable set of breastmilk components.

Image: The Human Milk Oligosaccharides Constellation poster is back in stock. This image was imagined and designed by our Graphic Designer Lisa.

She took one look at the molecular shape of HMOs, and said “They look like constellations”. The moon is composed of the known components of human milk. And so it began.
Shop the poster: https://human-milk.com/collections/science-resources

More science, references, support and resources can be found at https://human-milk.com

06/21/2025

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/11/1787?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLDyfxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjYHepEwZ4h0vp7bRug_o7lu1rq96sGiXlThABJ4EzT0kR2ElfLHuga3Diq7_aem_cb-N-XGAoeplwOkQYwa2PA Cow’s Milk Allergy in Breastfed Infants: What We Need to Know About Mechanisms, Management, and Maternal Role

Cow’s milk allergy is one of the most prevalent food allergies in infancy. Exclusive breastfeeding is the recommended source of nutrition for the first six months of life, but some infants may develop cow’s milk allergy due to the transfer of milk proteins such as β-lactoglobulin through breast...

06/21/2025