Onēsan Labor Doula + Birth Photography -By Erica Curtis

28/05/2026

This week’s highlights how earlier breast milk expression—within 6 hours of delivery—may increase milk production for mothers of NICU infants, emphasizing the importance of timely lactation support in the early postpartum period. 📊

Check out the article here: 🔗 https://bit.ly/3R9zkQw

26/05/2026

25/05/2026

Do formula companies sabotage breastfeeding?

These bottles of formula come in a packet of 6 marketed as a ‘First Baby Milk Formula Starter Pack From Birth’.

Although it comes with a disclaimer on the box that ‘Newborn babies may take only small amounts of infant formula to start with’ what sort of message does the size of this bottle send to parents worried that their newborn is having enough of their breastmilk?

Research tells us that on average in the first 24 hours a newborn’s feed will average about 7ml...meaning this bottle is 10 TIMES larger!

For many new babies 4-5 swallows of colostrum per feed is all they need in the first 24 hours.

The formula company also advises that once opened any unused formula be disposed of within one hour meaning a lot is going to be wasted in this kit making it an expensive and non environmentally friendly option.

23/05/2026

28/04/2026

What's normal during labor vs red flag labor symptoms?

While an infograph can't cover every nuance, replace medical care, nor replace prenatal education, it does provide important information about when to call your midwife or doctor.

Were you surprised by any symptoms during labor?

19/04/2026

19/04/2026

🩸✨ Breast milk is made from blood — not directly from what you eat.

Your body pulls from your bloodstream to create milk that’s perfectly designed for your baby. Most newborn gas is normal, and diet usually only matters if there’s a true protein allergy or intolerance.

Evidence matters. So does reassurance.

19/04/2026

A 2025 study published in AJOG adds powerful, up-to-date data showing associations between doula care and improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Key Maternal Outcomes:

More vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC): For every 100 patients who received doula care, there were 15 to 34 additional VBACs compared with those without doula care.

Higher postpartum follow-up attendance: 5 to 6 more per 100 received postpartum office visits.

Key Neonatal / Infant Outcomes

Increased exclusive breastfeeding rates: Babies whose families had doula support were more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

Fewer preterm births (and early preterm births): Doula-supported births showed a reduction in preterm birth rates.

In short, the study links doula care with improvements in birth outcomes — across birth mode (more VBACs), infant health (less prematurity), and early infant care (breastfeeding, postpartum follow-up).

Read more: https://internationaldoulainstitute.com/2025/11/evidence-for-doulas-new-ajog-study-finds-doulas-improve-outcomes/

14/04/2026

Mark your calendars!!!

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