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Understanding High Lipase in Breast Milk: When Your Stored Milk Tastes Different
Has your stored breast milk developed a soapy, metallic, or rancid smell? You might be dealing with high lipase activity. Let’s break down what this means and how to work with it – because this common situation doesn’t mean your milk has “gone bad.” What is Lipase? Lipase is a natural enzyme in breast milk…
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Understanding Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT/Hypoplasia)
If you’re struggling with milk supply despite doing “all the right things,” you may be dealing with insufficient glandular tissue (IGT), also known as mammary hypoplasia. Let’s discuss what this means, how to identify it, and most importantly – how to move forward with feeding your baby. What is IGT? Insufficient glandular tissue means there…
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Understanding and Treating Thrush During Your Breastfeeding Journey
Thrush is a common concern for breastfeeding families, but before assuming you have thrush, let’s understand what it is, what it isn’t, and how to properly identify and treat it. What is Thrush? Thrush is a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans that can affect both parent and baby during the breastfeeding journey. However, it’s…
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Safe and Effective Ways to Increase Milk Supply
Concerned about your milk supply? You’re not alone. Before diving into ways to increase supply, let’s first make sure you actually need to. Remember: Many parents worry about supply when it’s actually completely normal! Signs Your Supply is Actually Fine: Baby is gaining weight appropriately Producing 6+ wet diapers per day Baby seems satisfied after…
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Understanding Pacifiers, Bottles, and Early Feeding: What Parents Need to Know
One of the most common concerns we hear from new parents is about “nipple confusion.” However, the real concerns about early pacifier and bottle use are quite different from what you might think. Let’s break down what you actually need to know to support a successful feeding journey. Pacifiers and Missing Early Feeding Cues The…
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Flat or Inverted Nipples: What You Need to Know
Many parents worry about their nipple shape and whether it will affect their breastfeeding journey. The good news? Having flat or inverted nipples doesn’t mean you can’t breastfeed successfully. Let’s break down what you need to know and how to navigate any challenges that may arise. What Are Flat or Inverted Nipples? Flat nipples don’t…
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Understanding Anti-müllerian Hormone (AMH) and Fertility
Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is a protein produced by small developing follicles in your ovaries. These follicles contain your eggs, and AMH levels can give doctors information about your ovarian reserve – the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries. Many people have this lab done as part of an evaluation of their fertility. What AMH…
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How to Find the Right Doula for You
Finding the right doula can be an important step in ensuring a positive birth experience. Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support throughout your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum journey. But with so many different doulas out there, how do you choose the one that’s best for you? Here are two great ways to find a…
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Understanding Genital Herpes During Pregnancy
Genital herpes is a common viral infection that impacts millions of pregnancies worldwide. While many worry about the impact herpes could have on their pregnancy and baby, this is a common infection and something ObGyns and midwives deal with all the time. Let’s talk about what you need to know about managing herpes during pregnancy.…
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Folic Acid Before and During Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Folate is a B vitamin that’s essential for healthy cell growth and DNA production. While folate occurs naturally in foods like leafy greens and legumes, folic acid is the synthetic form used in supplements and fortified foods. Your body can use both forms, but folic acid is specially designed to be more easily absorbed by…
