Your microbiome is the diverse community of microorganisms which live within your body. These microbes are vital to our existence. They aid digestion, produce vitamins and neurochemicals, interact with our hormones, and protect us from infection. In return we give them an ideal place to live. We couldn't live without them, and they couldn't live without us. Emerging research shows that how we birth and feed our babies can have a life-long impact on their microbiome and their health.
The Fourth Trimester
‘he won’t let me put him down’ ‘she’s using me as a dummy’ ‘he wants to feed all the time’ ‘she will only sleep on my chest’ Why does my baby want to be constantly attached to me? Why is it called 'the fourth trimester'? And how can I cope?
How your breasts work!
How do breasts make milk? A quick look at the science behind lactation.
Blue breastmilk, is it antibodies?
When you or your baby is fighting infection, the level of antibodies in your breastmilk increases, helping your baby to fight off any pathogens they have been exposed to. I'm sure we can all agree that this is pretty amazing, but does it make breastmilk turn blue? Probably not.
What’s so great about breastfeeding?
'Fed is best', 'Breast is best'. Go to any article or Facebook post concerning infant feeding and you'll more than likely see one of these two phrases, and no doubt a lot of arguments about it in the comment section. I hate them both. Neither is true, and neither is remotely helpful to a woman who is trying to decide how to feed her baby, so isn't it time we started moving away from such restrictive language?
15 and pregnant: What it’s really like being a young, breastfeeding mum
Just a few months after my 15th birthday, I found myself pregnant with my first child, Ellie. Now 10 years on, I reflect on my experience and the challenges I faced in the hopes of empowering other young parents to have confidence in their parenting abilities and to reach their breastfeeding goals.
It’s Easter! Time for crafts, food, and messy play!
Easter is just around the corner. In my house, that means its time for Easter themed messy play, decorating my mantle and walls with my kid's artwork, and making delicious treats! Here's a run down of my favourite ideas for Easter fun with babies, toddlers, and older kids.
Crochet boobs (free pattern!)
Crocheted boobs are a brilliant tool for teaching mums about breastfeeding, and for showing them techniques which may make breastfeeding easier. (They also make awesome toys for Boobie Babies! The smallest boob shown in the photo above is actually a rattle!). As breasts come in all shapes and sizes, this pattern is very versatile. You … Continue reading Crochet boobs (free pattern!)
The insatiable greed of infant formula milk companies
Formula milk companies exist to make profit–lots of it– and they often use misleading marketing techniques to make that profit at the expense of women and babies. Find out how formula companies are undermining informed choice here, as well as independent and evidence-based information on the different types of formula milks available.
