Can I freeze breast milk in glass jars ?

- Julie Matheney

Freezing breast milk in glass mason jars is considered safe, as long as the jars are properly sterilized and you leave enough space at the top to account for expansion when freezing; glass is generally considered a good material for storing breast milk and is a safe option for freezer storage when used correctly. 

Key points to remember:

  • Use freezer-safe jars:
    Ensure your mason jars are labeled as freezer-safe. 
  • Leave space at the top:
    Always leave about an inch of space at the top of the jar to accommodate milk expansion when frozen. 
  • Sterilization is crucial:
    Before first use, sterilize your jars by boiling them in water for at least 20 minutes.
  • Wide-mouth jars preferred:
    Opt for wide-mouth mason jars as they are less likely to crack when freezing. 

The importance of tummy time for babies with a PEG tube

- Julie Matheney

Tummy time is important for every baby, including those with PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) tubes. While the tube can present unique challenges, tummy time is still possible and incredibly beneficial for helping babies develop strength and coordination. Here’s why tummy time matters for babies with PEG tubes, along with some tips to make it a comfortable, safe experience.

Why Tummy Time Matters for Babies with PEG Tubes

• Strengthens Core Muscles: Tummy time helps build neck, shoulder, and arm strength, which supports motor skills like reaching, rolling, and crawling.

• Promotes Motor Development: It encourages babies to learn new movements and explore their environment, essential for cognitive and motor development.

• Helps Prevent Flat Spots: Spending too much time on their back can lead to flat spots on a baby’s head. Tummy time helps relieve this pressure, promoting healthy skull shape.

• Aids in Digestion: Gentle tummy time movement can support digestion, which may be especially helpful for babies with feeding tubes who might experience some digestive sensitivity.

• Builds Visual and Sensory Skills: When babies lift their head to look around, they’re improving their visual tracking and sensory processing skills, both important for future milestones.

Tips for Tummy Time with a PEG Tube

Create a Comfortable Position: Place a soft, rolled-up blanket under the baby’s chest to ease pressure on the PEG site. This will help them feel comfortable and supported while on their tummy.

Start Slow: Begin with short sessions (just a few minutes at a time) and gradually increase as the baby gets used to the position. There’s no need to rush—each small step is a win.

Choose the Right Time: Aim for tummy time when the baby is alert and not too full after feeding. This reduces the risk of discomfort or reflux.

Use Engaging Toys: Place toys or mirrors at eye level to encourage the baby to lift their head and look around. This will not only make tummy time more enjoyable but also strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles.

Adjust as Needed: If the baby seems uncomfortable, try adjusting their position or using a tummy time pillow to ease pressure on the PEG tube site.

Monitor the PEG Site: Keep an eye on the tube and surrounding skin to ensure there’s no irritation. Some parents find it helpful to place a gentle pad or gauze around the tube area for extra cushioning.

Involve Family Members: Tummy time is a great bonding opportunity! Get down on the floor at eye level and make faces, sing, or play with them to make it feel like family time.

When to Seek Guidance

Always feel free to check with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re uncertain about positioning or if tummy time seems uncomfortable for your baby. Physical or occupational therapists who work with feeding tube babies can also be a wonderful resource for specific positioning and support.

With a few adjustments, tummy time can be safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for babies with PEG tubes. Each tummy time session is another opportunity for growth, helping them gain the strength they need for all the milestones ahead.

Random drop in breast milk supply

- Julie Matheney

Occasionally I’ll hear of moms who had a well established milk supply and all of a sudden their supply drops. What can cause a late onset decreased milk supply?

🤰🏽Pregnancy. Milk supply drops during pregnancy because of hormone shifts to protect and grow the fetus. Domperidone or other milk making herbs/medications and more pumping or feeding will not work to increase supply

💊Hormonal birth control (pill including progestin only pill, IUD, etc)

🤱🏽Breastfeeding on only one side at a feeding or “block feeding” to correct an oversupply if done too long or with a small storage capacity

💊Some medications can decrease the milk supply (antihistamines, decongestants). Certain herbs in excess or as essential oils can, too (too much peppermint or sage)

🛌 Sleep training. Babies are supposed to wake often at night for the first 3 months and continue to wake through the first year. Night nursing keeps milk hormones high for making supply and sleep training can sabotage milk supply for some

😷Blocked ducts/mastitis as well as any illness with a fever may decrease the milk supply

🍼Giving bottles can very much decrease the milk supply if you’re not pumping to replace those feeds. When at all possible, pump whenever baby is getting a bottle, regardless of if it is formula or breast milk being given

🎡”Overdoing it”. Anything that interrupts feeding baby on demand, including too many visitors, too many errands, or making baby wait to feed by the clock

📌Periods. Supply can temporarily dip during periods

🚿An “abundant milk supply” associated with a less than “ideal” latch. The milk flows into baby’s mouth with little participation of baby. Baby may often choke while breastfeeding, especially during let down. Tongue tie is a common cause of baby having a shallow latch and can be a significant cause of decreased milk supply even if there were no problems early on. Baby was riding an abundant supply instead of stimulating milk supply

.

#milksupply #milksupplybooster #breastmilkbooster #breastmilksupply #breastmilkmagic

What they don’t tell you about your baby’s sleep

- Julie Matheney

The sleep industry has become a significant player in the parenting world, offering products and services that often frame infant sleep as a problem to be solved rather than a biological process to be supported. This framing has led to a growing market of sleep training programs, specialized swaddles, bassinets, and apps designed to “fix” perceived sleep challenges. However, this approach frequently disregards the normal biological patterns of infant sleep, rooted in evolution and human physiology.

Biological Infant Sleep Patterns

Newborns and infants have sleep-wake cycles that are drastically different from adults, characterized by:

• Short sleep cycles of 40–60 minutes, with frequent awakenings.

• A strong biological need for nighttime feeding, particularly in the first 6–12 months, to support rapid growth and brain development.

• A preference for proximity to caregivers, which has evolutionary roots in ensuring safety and promoting bonding

Studies show:

• Night wakings are normal: Research indicates that 50–70% of infants wake at least once per night to feed at 6 months of age, and about 30% still wake regularly at 12 months.  Night feeding is linked to maintaining milk supply in breastfeeding mothers and reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) due to lighter sleep patterns in babies

The sleep industry often capitalizes on parental exhaustion, societal pressures for “independent” babies, and a lack of understanding about normal infant sleep. By marketing solutions that promise longer stretches of sleep or earlier “self-soothing,” the industry shifts the narrative toward sleep as a problem requiring intervention.

Key issues include:

• Creating unrealistic expectations: Sleep training programs often promise that infants can sleep through the night by 3–6 months, despite evidence that this is biologically uncommon.

• Commercializing fear: Products like high-tech bassinets and sleep monitors frequently market themselves as essential for safety or parental peace of mind, exploiting fears about SIDS or sleep deprivation.

• Undermining parental confidence: The focus on external solutions can make parents feel inadequate or dependent on products rather than trusting their instincts and understanding their baby’s needs.

Economic Impact

The baby sleep industry is lucrative, with estimates suggesting it generates billions of dollars annually. Sleep training programs alone can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, while specialized products like bassinets (e.g., the SNOO) or sleep consultants command premium prices.

Supporting Biological Sleep

Supporting biological infant sleep involves educating parents about what’s normal and providing realistic, evidence-based guidance:

• Co-sleeping or room-sharing: Studies show that close proximity helps regulate infant sleep and feeding, aligning with natural patterns【16†source onsive parenting:** Responding to a baby’s nighttime needs fosters secure attachment and helps them feel safe, which can improve long-term sleep habits.

• Adjusting expectations: Understanding that night wakings decrease gradually as babies grow can reduce stress and the perceived need for intervention.

Why This Matters

By acknowledging infant sleep as a normal, adaptive process, we can shift the focus from “fixing” babies to supporting families holistically. This involves recognizing the pressures placed on parents by the sleep industry and offering empathetic, science-based support that validates their experiences. Ultimately, the goal should be to empower parents to trust their instincts and navigate the realities of infant sleep without unnecessary commercial pressures.

Knuplez, E., & Marsche, G. (2020). An updated review of pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of plasma lysophosphatidylcholines in the vascular system. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(12), 4501. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21124501

• Mindell, J. A., & Owens, J. A. (2015). A clinical guide to pediatric sleep: Diagnosis and management of sleep problems (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

• Gettler, L. T., & McKenna, J. J. (2011). Evolutionary perspectives on mother-infant sleep proximity and breastfeeding in a laboratory setting. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 144(3), 454–462. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.21430

Mom, you’re not angry, you’re overstimulated

- Julie Matheney

When Overstimulation Feels Like Anger: Understanding, Triggers, and Coping as a Mom

Being a mom is beautiful, messy, and—let’s be honest—utterly overwhelming at times. There are moments when the noise, the demands, and the constant everything of parenting hit a limit you didn’t know you had. For many moms, that feeling of overstimulation doesn’t just feel like being overwhelmed—it feels like anger.

What Does Overstimulation Look Like?

Overstimulation happens when our senses or emotions are bombarded past our ability to process them. For moms, it often manifests as:

•Irritability: Snapping at your partner, kids, or even yourself.

•Need to Escape: That urge to shut yourself in a quiet room or leave the house—alone.

•Overreaction: Yelling or having a strong emotional reaction to something small.

•Physical Symptoms: Racing heart, headache, or even feeling nauseous.

•Emotional Overload: Crying or shutting down entirely.

It’s important to remember that feeling overstimulated doesn’t make you a bad mom—it makes you human.

Common Triggers for Overstimulation

Every mom is different, but here are a few triggers that tend to set off that cascade of overwhelm:

•Sensory Overload: Loud noises (crying, toys, TV), clutter, or constant touching can push your senses to their limit.

•Emotional Demands: Meeting everyone’s needs (sometimes at the expense of your own) can feel suffocating.

•Sleep Deprivation: Lack of sleep makes your brain less able to handle sensory or emotional input.

•Feeling “On” All the Time: If you don’t get a break, your nervous system never gets to reset.

•Personal Stress: Financial worries, relationship tension, or work stress add fuel to the fire.

Why Overstimulation Feels Like Anger

Anger is often a secondary emotion—it rises up when we feel unsafe, frustrated, or powerless. When overstimulation hits, your brain may interpret it as a threat, and your fight-or-flight response kicks in. That flood of adrenaline can make you feel irritable or outright furious, even if your baby is simply crying or your toddler is climbing on you for the tenth time.

Coping Strategies for Maternal Overstimulation

The key to managing overstimulation is recognizing it early and giving yourself the care you need. Here’s how to start:

1. Pause and Breathe

•When you feel the anger rising, take a moment. Breathe deeply—inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, and exhale for 6. This slows your heart rate and calms your nervous system.

2. Lower the Sensory Input

•Dim the lights, turn off the TV, or lower the volume on toys.

•Step into a quiet room, even for just a minute or two.

3. Set Boundaries Around Touch

•If constant touching is triggering, create moments where your body is your own. This might look like wearing your baby in a carrier instead of holding them, or encouraging independent play while you sit nearby.

4. Communicate Your Needs

•Tell your partner or support system what’s happening. Say, “I’m feeling really overwhelmed. I need 10 minutes to reset.”

5. Create Small Breaks

•Build micro-moments of peace into your day. Drink your coffee on the porch, listen to a favorite song, or close your eyes for 30 seconds and visualize a calming scene.

6. Release the Pressure to Be Perfect

•Give yourself grace. You don’t need to be a supermom. A calm mom is more valuable than a “perfect” one.

7. Seek Support

•Connect with other moms who understand how hard it can be. Sharing your struggles with someone who “gets it” can be incredibly validating.

•If anger or overstimulation feels constant, talking to a therapist or counselor can provide tools to cope.

What to Tell Yourself in the Moment

When overstimulation flares, it’s easy to spiral into guilt or shame. Instead, remind yourself:

•“This is temporary. I am safe, and I will get through this.”

•“Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t make me a bad mom.”

•“It’s okay to take care of myself right now.”

The Bigger Picture

Motherhood is full of joy and love, but it’s also relentless. Overstimulation is not a sign of weakness or failure—it’s your brain and body asking for a reset. By understanding your triggers and learning how to cope, you’re not only taking care of yourself—you’re modeling for your kids how to manage emotions and prioritize well-being.

You’re not alone in this. And you’re doing better than you think.

How much milk do I need in my freezer stash?

- Julie Matheney

“The stash” is actually a modern concept that’s only a few years old. Prior to 2010 and the Affordable Care Act where anyone on an insurance plan can qualify for a free pump, very few people were doing consistent pumping unless there was a reason: a NICU stay for baby or going back to work for mom. Once more parents started getting pumps, freezer stashes because a hot thing to promote. In reality, you never need to pump if you’re exclusively breastfeeding and with your baby all the time. You don’t need a massive freezer stash to successfully breast milk feed your baby. You only need enough in the stash for the first time you’re away from baby, as the expectation is you would pump while you’re away to replace that milk. If you are breastfeeding baby and pumping milk that is going into a stash, you actually have an over supply.

For the first few weeks after delivery, the body usually makes more milk than baby needs because the body knows baby is going through cluster feeding and growth spurts. Young babies usually only take about 65-80% of what’s in the breast at any given feeding, so it’s possible to move this milk to a Haakaa, milk collector or pump. Prior to these inventions, most people just left that milk in the breast and let supply naturally regulate to what the baby was feeding. If you’re actively moving this milk and not immediately feeding it back to baby, you’re creating more milk than baby needs (over supply).

Now I’m a lactation consultant. I understand that not everyone who is pumping has an over supply. There are many people who need to pump to feed the baby with that milk that day. And there are many reasons to pump and stash milk. If you’re concerned about how effectively baby is feeding at the breast or you unique milk supply, work with an IBCLC lactation consultant to figure out if your concerns.

#pumpingtips #milkstash #breastmilkstash #breastmilksupply #breastmilkstorage

Babies have 7 senses

- Julie Matheney

We have 7 senses. They aren’t all fully developed at birth:
👁 Vision. Babies have very poor vision with no depth perception. They can see about 8-10” away, the distance from the breast to your face. They prefer high contrast, like your areola compared to your breast.
👂🏻 Hearing. At birth, fluid in the ear may affect baby’s hearing, but usually clears in a few days. They know your voice and prefer it above all others.
👃🏽 Newborns have a fully developed sense of smell. Your amniotic fluid changes smell based on what you ate and your hormones. Those little bumps that developed around your areola secrete and oil that smells like your amniotic fluid, helping baby locate dinner. Your body odor also become stronger to help baby know it’s you for bonding. You’re supposed to be stinky.
👅 Taste. While breast milk constantly changes flavor based on what you eat, and has a similar flavor to your amniotic fluid, baby’s sense of taste isn’t fully developed at birth. Flavors are much stronger for them and they prefer sweet to bitter or sour.
✋🏿 Touch. Touch is very powerful and can elicit reflexes in the baby to help them survive. Touching baby’s mouth gets them to root for a good latch. Touching the roof of their mouth triggers a sucking reflex which helps them feed. Being held in skin to skin contact regulates their heart rate, respiratory rate, blood sugar and temperature.
🤜🏼🤛🏼Proprioception. The body awareness sense which tells us where our body parts are in relationship to each other. It also gives us information about how much force to use, allowing us to grab the object we want without crushing it. This sense is developed by experience over their first year of life. Reflexive movements in response to movement and sensory input help lay the foundation for posture and motor planning later on.
🎡Vestibular. This sense is all about balance and movement, which tells us where our body is in space. It is the first sense to be fully developed by 6 months gestation. It is the unifying system in our brain that modifies and coordinates information received from other systems. An overactive vestibular system can result in an intolerance to movement.
#thesenses #senseofself

Postpartum Hormone Shifts

- Julie Matheney

When the placenta is delivered, estrogen levels drop. While breastfeeding, periods may not return for several months because the hormone that causes you to make milk, prolactin, also stops you from ovulating and having your period. Breastfeeding, though, can cause hormonal fluctuations that can some times catalyze additional hormonal imbalance symptoms. Breastfeeding mimics menopause due to the production of the milk-producing hormone, prolactin, temporarily blocking estrogen production, which keeps your estrogen levels low and prevents your period from occurring. Around 2-3 months postpartum, hormones begin to reset to pre-pregnancy levels. However, the stress hormone cortisol can increase, and in combination with lack of sleep, melatonin decreases (and, as a result, serotonin) and these hormone changes can negatively impact mood. For most, prolactin levels drop around 6 months postpartum as baby takes more solids and sleeps longer and periods may start again. These hormone shifts can have crazy symptoms. And if you’ve suffered from a hormone imbalance prior to pregnancy, there’s a good chance it’ll come back once this shift happens. Some times just understanding the hormone shift can help you cope. Some times you’ll need to be seen by a health care provider to figure out your exact imbalance to work on strategies, therapies, nutrition or medications to bring you back to balance.

#postpartummooddisorder #postpartumjourney #poatpartumdepression #hormonebalance #moodswings #motherhood #motherhoodinthewild

Coffee and breast milk

- Julie Matheney

Caffeine While Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know

Understanding Caffeine and Breastfeeding

Caffeine is a common component of many beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and certain medications. As a breastfeeding mother, it's natural to wonder how your caffeine intake might affect your baby and your milk supply.

How Caffeine Affects Breastfed Babies

When you consume caffeine, a small amount passes into your breast milk. Most babies metabolize caffeine slowly, especially newborns and premature infants, which means it can accumulate in their systems. The effects of caffeine on babies can vary, but here are some key points:

1. **Sensitivity**:
- Newborns are particularly sensitive to caffeine. High levels in their system may lead to irritability, wakefulness, and fussiness.
- Older infants metabolize caffeine more efficiently, reducing the likelihood of noticeable effects.

2. **Accumulation**:
- Caffeine can accumulate in a baby's system if consumed in large amounts by the mother, leading to overstimulation and sleep disturbances.

3. **Variability**:
- Sensitivity to caffeine varies among infants. Some may be more tolerant, while others may show signs of sensitivity even at lower maternal intake levels.

#### Recommended Caffeine Intake for Breastfeeding Mothers

Moderation is key. According to health experts, a moderate amount of caffeine is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers:

- **Daily Limit**: Up to 300 milligrams per day, roughly equivalent to 2-3 cups of coffee, is typically considered safe. However, it's essential to consider all sources of caffeine, including tea, chocolate, and soft drinks.

Managing Caffeine Intake

Here are some tips to help manage your caffeine intake while breastfeeding:

1. **Monitor Baby's Reaction**:
- Pay attention to your baby’s behavior. If you notice increased fussiness, difficulty sleeping, or irritability, it might be worth reducing your caffeine intake.

2. **Spread Out Consumption**:
- Spread your caffeine intake throughout the day rather than consuming it all at once. This can help minimize potential effects on your baby.

3. **Choose Alternatives**:
- Consider switching to decaffeinated coffee or tea, herbal teas (ensure they are safe for breastfeeding), or other non-caffeinated beverages to reduce your overall intake.

4. **Read Labels**:
- Be mindful of hidden caffeine in foods, energy drinks, and medications.

5. **Stay Hydrated**:
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, which can also help manage any potential effects of caffeine.

While moderate caffeine consumption is generally safe during breastfeeding, it's crucial to observe your baby’s reactions and adjust your intake if necessary. If you have any concerns or questions about caffeine and breastfeeding, consulting with a healthcare provider or lactation consultant can provide personalized guidance and support.

 

There are also coffee alternatives like Rasa Coffee that can give a similar feeling without the caffeine and some blends can still be safe while breastfeeding. Always check the herbs you are consuming prior to taking them as some are not safe while breastfeeding.