Elna's Preggy and Baby Centre

01/08/2025

01/08/2025

Tomorrow, 1st August, is the start of World Breastfeeding Week.

The slogan for 2025 is "Prioritise Breastfeeding. Create sustainable support systems."

In South Africa, as in many countries around the world, the initiation of breastfeeding rate is relatively high, but sadly rates of exclusive breastfeeding drop dramatically over the first 6 months.

Clearly more support is needed to sustain breastfeeding for longer.

info@milkmatters.org
082 895 8004

19/05/2025

🧬The Science of Breast Milk Adapting to Baby’s Needs
Did you know that breast milk composition changes in response to environmental conditions, including temperature and your baby’s health status? A fascinating study published in Cell (2021) demonstrated that breast milk contains microRNAs and live immune cells that shift based on a baby’s illness or exposure.
This means during winter—when viruses and bacteria are more prevalent—your body may naturally tweak milk composition to offer extra protection. That’s nature’s way of supporting your baby’s evolving needs, no matter the season.

07/05/2025

Winter Immunity Boost: Breast Milk’s Natural Protection
Winter often brings a rise in colds, flu, and respiratory infections. Fortunately, breast milk is tailor-made to help your baby fight off infections. Rich in immunoglobulins—especially IgA, which lines the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract—breast milk acts like a personalized immune shield. A 2020 review in Nutrients confirms that human milk contains active antiviral properties and enhances the infant’s immature immune system.
Breastfeeding in winter doesn’t just nourish—it protects. Babies who are breastfed have fewer respiratory infections, shorter illness durations, and reduced need for hospitalization. If you're feeling under the weather yourself, your body produces specific antibodies that pass through your milk to your baby. It's not just okay to keep breastfeeding when you're sick—it's actually one of the best things you can do.

19/04/2025

Vibrant, passionate HCW - rigorous course to become a certified lactation consultant ! To pass we need 70% a 3 hour exam, other practical and theoretical knowledge . We love helping dyads pre and post partum! Your CLC must be updated ask about their CPDs

18/03/2025

Did you know breastfeeding burns up to 500 calories a day? Stay hydrated and fuel your body with whole foods to maintain your milk supply 💪🍎💦

10/03/2025

Your first milk, colostrum, is rich in antibodies and nutrients — your baby's first vaccine! Give your baby the golden start 💛🤱

08/03/2025

8 March - International Women’s Day. How amazing it is that the female body naturally produces milk that is just right for her baby in nutrition and immunity! However mothers can face a variety of barriers to achieving their breastfeeding goals: being separated unnecessarily from their baby, poor and conflicting advice, undermining comments, over-cautiousness when medicines are prescribed, etc. Enabling them to overcome such barriers can be like starting ripples in a pool that then influence others positively. Supporting a woman’s right to breastfeed is a measure of gender equality—and building a breastfeeding-friendly society is everyone’s responsibility

05/03/2025

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life is widely recommended by health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Research shows that EBF provides essential nutrients and antibodies that boost a baby’s immune system and protect against infections such as diarrhea and pneumonia, which are significant causes of infant mortality worldwide (Victora et al., The Lancet, 2016). Studies have also linked EBF to lower risks of obesity and chronic conditions later in life. Let’s discuss the incredible impact EBF can have on long-term health outcomes for both mother and baby!

22/01/2025

Breastfeeding doesn’t have to be perfect. Every mama and baby duo is unique—embrace your journey. 💜🤱