Breastfeeding Articles

Breastfeeding articles for parents, doulas, lactation consultants, and other perinatal care providers.

How to raise prolactin levels: Practical tips for boosting milk supply

If you’re worried about milk supply, you've probably heard the word prolactin. For many new parents, figuring out how to increase prolactin is the top priority, and it all comes back to one simple, powerful action: frequent and effective milk removal.Whether you're nursing or pumping, this is the key. It creates a feedback loop that tells your brain to make more of this essential hormone, which in turn, helps you make more milk.What Is Prolactin and Why Does It Matter for Milk Supply?So, what is this hormone, really? Think of prolactin as the "milk-making hormone." It’s produced by the pituitary...

When do women produce milk?

One of the biggest questions on a new parent's mind is, "When will my milk come in?" It's a common worry, but the answer might surprise you. Your body doesn't just flip a switch after you give birth. It’s been quietly preparing for months.This incredible process actually starts around 16 to 22 weeks of pregnancy. That's right, long before your baby arrives, your body is already making colostrum, the nutrient-dense "first milk" that will be ready for your baby's first feeding.The Milk Production Timeline ExplainedIt’s easy to think of milk production as a single event that happens after delivery, but...

Can You Re Refrigerate Breast Milk? A Guide to Safe Handling

So, can you put breast milk back in the fridge? The short answer is yes, but only if it's freshly expressed, untouched, and has been at room temperature for less than four hours.If your baby has already started drinking from the bottle, that milk cannot be put back in the fridge. The clock is ticking. It must be used within two hours.Your Quick Guide to Re-Refrigerating Breast MilkNavigating the rules of breast milk storage can feel like a high-stakes puzzle, especially during a 3 AM feeding. When you’re dealing with precious liquid gold, the last thing you want is to...

​A Parent's Guide to Tea to Increase Milk Production

If you're exploring ways to boost your milk supply, you've probably heard someone mention a tea to increase milk production. These special herbal teas, often called lactation teas, have been a quiet staple for nursing parents for centuries, seen as a gentle, natural way to support a healthy milk supply.Understanding How Lactation Teas WorkWorrying about your milk supply is one of the most common anxieties new parents face. You are definitely not alone. While lactation tea is just one of many tools people turn to for support, it helps to first understand what it is and how it’s believed to...

Can you breastfeed with an inverted nipple?

Yes, you absolutely can breastfeed with an inverted nipple. Let that sink in. The key is understanding that your baby latches onto the areola, not just the nipple tip. With the right techniques and a little patience, a successful nursing journey is very much possible. For many parents, learning a few specific positions and preparation methods makes all the difference.Understanding Your Unique AnatomyFirst things first, let's talk about what an inverted nipple actually is. Instead of pointing outward, an inverted nipple retracts or pulls inward into the breast tissue. It’s a completely normal anatomical variation, much like having a particular...

What Causes Nipple Thrush

Nipple thrush is a yeast infection, plain and simple. It’s caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of fungus that lives on our skin all the time without causing any trouble. But when certain things throw your body’s natural balance out of whack, this yeast can multiply and turn into a painful infection on your nipples.This often kicks off when there's an existing infection somewhere else, like oral thrush in your baby, which creates a frustrating cycle of passing the infection back and forth.Understanding What Causes Nipple ThrushThink of your skin as a bustling ecosystem, like a garden....

The 7 Best Breastfeeding Positions for Newborns

Welcome to your breastfeeding journey. It's a unique and personal time, but it often comes with a steep learning curve and plenty of questions. One of the most common concerns for new parents is whether they are "doing it right." Finding a comfortable and effective nursing position is a fundamental piece of that puzzle. The right hold isn't just about feeding your baby. It's about ensuring a deep, painless latch, promoting efficient milk transfer, and making the experience relaxing and sustainable for both of you.This guide is your practical playbook, designed to help you discover the best breastfeeding positions for...

Baby Cluster feeding at night: Practical Tips for Exhausted Parents

When your newborn seems attached to your breast for hours on end, especially as the evening wears on, it can be both baffling and utterly exhausting. This intense period of frequent, back-to-back nursing is called cluster feeding, and it’s a completely normal, and temporary, phase.It’s not a red flag about your milk supply. Quite the opposite, actually. This is your baby’s brilliant, instinctual way of signaling your body to ramp up milk production to meet their growing needs.What Is Nighttime Cluster FeedingSo, your newborn was feeding every few hours, and now, suddenly, they want to nurse constantly all evening. Welcome...

How to Wean from Breastfeeding

Deciding when and how to wean from breastfeeding is a deeply personal choice, one that looks different for every mother and baby. At its core, weaning is the process of gradually phasing out nursing sessions, giving both your body and your little one time to adjust to a new normal. It’s a major transition, closing one chapter of your feeding relationship and opening another.Your Guide to Starting the Weaning JourneyThere's no magic date on the calendar that signals the "right time" to start weaning. It’s a mix of your own readiness, your baby's developmental cues, and what works for your...

How to Relieve Engorgement When Breastfeeding

When your breasts feel rock-hard and painful, the goal is a simple one: relief. Getting there involves a combination of frequent milk removal, some gentle massage, and using cold compresses to bring down that swelling. You're just trying to soften the breasts enough to feel comfortable and, more importantly, to help your baby latch on properly. This strategy helps manage your milk supply without accidentally telling your body to produce even more.Understanding Why Breast Engorgement HappensThat sudden feeling of intense, painful fullness can be a real shock, especially for new parents. It typically pops up around day three to five...