Southern Womens Aid Network’s Post

PSA - Donate extra breastmilk! 🍼 Today is my child's first day of daycare, and we sent him with a few bottles of expressed breastmilk. Due to a variety of factors, we had (and still have) more milk from pumping sessions than he drinks, leading to us choosing to donate about 150oz of milk earlier this year and still have plenty in the freezer for emergencies and to send to daycare. If you find yourself in a similar situation, or for any other reasons have frozen breastmilk less than a year old that you no longer need, please consider donation. Donating breastmilk to organizations like Mother's Milk Bank (https://lnkd.in/g2Pg-ccP) is extremely easy, and incredibly impactful. Donated milk can be used in several circumstances in the hospital (1oz of donated milk can feed a preemie in the NICU for an entire day!),and my personal experience in the hospital included needing to supplement with some donor milk due to nursing being too painful. We needed some donor milk to bridge the gap until we were able to work with lactation consultants** (IBCLCs) to get to a more manageable, an eventually a wonderful, breastfeeding journey. **Additional PSA for IBCLCs - Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultants are available for covered visits under the ACA, and I cannot recommend enough taking advantage of this. Mine were able to help me navigate intense pain, mastitis, and the emotional toll of breastfeeding.

Could you do 5k every day for a month? In this weather? If you head over to my page you'll see how far I've run already. I'm fundraising for Tommy's, the pregnancy and baby charity. I'm helping them fund research to stop the heartbreak and devastation of baby loss and make pregnancy and birth safe - for everyone. So far I've raised just over £100, which could cover the cost of 1 day of specialist blood tests for our clinical trial looking at the link between low vitamin D levels and miscarriage. This could help our researchers find out if giving supplements during pregnancy could reduce the risk of miscarriage. As we head into Baby Loss Awareness Week, you can help save babies' lives too by sponsoring me. Every penny counts. https://lnkd.in/euQCyUJU

Donated my first ever bottle of breastmilk for premature babies and I couldn’t have been more grateful. 3 years ago, I struggled to produce enough milk for my firstborn. The guilt, the stress, the constant worry - every drop felt precious yet insufficient. Today, I donated my first bottle to help premature babies. 🤱 This journey taught me powerful lessons about motherhood: 1. Your worth isn't measured in ounces. When I struggled with supply, I felt like I was failing. Now I know that fed is best, and every mother's journey is unique. 2. Support matters more than advice. During my first time, I got plenty of "tips" but what I really needed was someone to say "You're doing great." 3. Our bodies are incredibly adaptive. With my second baby, everything changed. Same person, different experience - and that's completely normal! For moms currently struggling with supply: * Supply = Demand (more you remove, more will be produced) * Stay hydrated (track it like it's your job!) * Protein and galactagogues rich diet * Stress is your biggest enemy - find what helps you relax * Consider working with a lactation consultant early For moms with oversupply wondering about donation: • Check with your local NICU • Search for human milk banks around you • Start with small donations - every drop helps! The most beautiful part? That bottle I donated could feed 3-4 premature babies for an entire day. 💕 If you're struggling or have questions about milk donation, my DMs are open. Let's support each other through this beautiful journey of motherhood. What's your experience with feeding journeys? Share below - your story might give hope to another mom who needs it today. 👶 #Motherhood #BreastfeedingJourney #MilkDonation #MomSupport #WomenSupportingWomen

#HyperpigmentationMelasmaAwarenessMonth Melasma is a common skin condition that causes brown or gray-brown patches to appear on the face, especially on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. It's more common in women during their reproductive years, and often starts between the ages of 20 and 40. Melasma can worsen in the summer or after intense sun exposure, but it usually improves in the winter. For women, melasma often fades on its own after pregnancy or after stopping birth control pills. Skin lightening creams can also help with lasting melasma. You’re not alone! #acommunityforthosewithskinconditions #volunteer #causes #donate #change #activism #nonprofit #dogood #charity #fundraising #philanthropy #socialgood #madeamasterpiece #+perspective #skinconditions #communityforskinconditions #yourenotalone #yourskinisacanvas #extrodinary #diseases

🌟 Breastfeeding isn't always about producing more milk; sometimes, it's about having more than you need! 💧 Whether you're pumping at work or collecting extra, having surplus breast milk can happen for various reasons. From a strong supply to pumping for a NICU baby, having extra milk can happen. 💡 But what do you do with all that extra liquid gold? 🤔 Consider donating to a milk bank! 🥛 Milk banks collect breast milk to supply NICUs, offering a vital resource for sick babies. Plus, donating can be a powerful healing experience for parents who have experienced loss. 💖 Your surplus milk could be a life-saving gift for a baby in need. So, if you find yourself with more milk than you need, consider giving the gift of nourishment to those who need it most. To learn more, check out our latest blog about this at bfsuccess.com/blog  #breastmilk #breastfed # breastfeedingsupport #ebf #pumpingmilk #ibclc #nicu #milkbank #lactationsupport

While promoting breastfeeding is crucial, it's equally important to acknowledge that not all infants can receive breast milk from their biological mothers. Breast milk donation is a wonderful alternative that can provide essential nutrients and immunity to vulnerable babies. Raising awareness about breast milk donation can help: - Increase donations to non-profit milk banks - Support mothers who cannot produce milk or have supply issues - Provide a lifesaving resource for premature, critically ill, or orphaned babies Let's indeed use this World Breastfeeding Week as an opportunity to highlight the importance of breast milk donation and encourage eligible mothers to consider donating their excess milk. Together, we can help ensure that all babies have access to the nutritional benefits of breast milk, regardless of their circumstances.

Today, on #WorldPrematurityDay, we shine a light on the global crisis of premature birth. 💜 Every 2 seconds, a baby is born prematurely. 💜 Every 40 seconds, one of those babies loses their fight. 💜 In the UK, preterm birth costs the NHS £3.4bn annually and remains the leading cause of child mortality. Despite these heartbreaking statistics, premature birth remains underfunded, and the UK is not on track to meet the government’s target of reducing premature births to 6% by 2025. At Borne, we are on a mission to change this. By funding world-leading research into pregnancy and childbirth, we aim to make birth safer for women and babies everywhere. Together, we can build a future where no baby is born too soon. 💙 Donate today > https://tr.ee/jQr3UhG73v #Prematurebirth #researchcharity #charity

Gamete donation: A growing need in expanding families🧬 The need for gamete donation has significantly increased in recent years, with some countries seeing births from these treatments triple in the last 15 years, allowing people from all walks of life to fulfil their family dreams. This compassionate act offers hope to many facing unexpected fertility challenges, including: • Medical conditions • Genetic considerations • Diverse family structures As society evolves, so do the reasons people may need gamete donation - often in ways we might not anticipate. It's a complex and deeply personal journey that touches more lives than we may realise. Gamete donation continues to play a crucial role in helping people achieve parenthood, highlighting the need for ongoing discussion and support in this field. #EFW2024 #TheGameteStory #EuropeanFertilityWeek2024 #GameteDonation

Gamete donation: A growing need in expanding families🧬 The need for gamete donation has significantly increased in recent years, with some countries seeing births from these treatments triple in the last 15 years, allowing people from all walks of life to fulfil their family dreams. This compassionate act offers hope to many facing unexpected fertility challenges, including: • Medical conditions • Genetic considerations • Diverse family structures As society evolves, so do the reasons people may need gamete donation - often in ways we might not anticipate. It's a complex and deeply personal journey that touches more lives than we may realise. Gamete donation continues to play a crucial role in helping people achieve parenthood, highlighting the need for ongoing discussion and support in this field. #EFW2024 #TheGameteStory #EuropeanFertilityWeek2024 #GameteDonation

An egg is not equivalent to a child—let’s understand the facts. Egg donation is a voluntary act, similar to organ or blood donation. The eggs ovulated monthly are not children. With a maximum of six donations in a lifetime, egg donation is a carefully regulated process. Let's approach this topic with clarity and knowledge. #eggdonation #education #fertility