Mainely Perinatal Education LLC

09/14/2026

09/14/2026

09/14/2026

In honor of NICU Awareness Month, 👶we’re proud to recognize Cindy R. as our September Volunteer of the Month! Cindy recently reached an incredible milestone—3,000 hours of volunteer service as a NICU Cuddler—earning her a well-deserved place on our Volunteer Honor Wall in the medical center lobby. 🏥

For our tiniest patients, the comfort of being held can make a meaningful difference. 👩‍🍼NICU Cuddlers provide a calm, reassuring presence while also offering invaluable support to the dedicated clinical teams caring for these babies every day. Cindy has given thousands of hours to simply being there, with patience, warmth, consistency, and an extraordinary ability to bring comfort when it’s needed most.

“Cindy is a devoted, loving, and caring volunteer who is always willing to help wherever she is needed. She has a special knack for settling a baby who is having a hard time and will often step in beyond her committed hours when the unit needs support.” — Richard L., CNA & NICU Cuddler Volunteer Leader

Cindy’s 3,000 hours represent countless moments of comfort for babies, support for staff, and compassion for families during some of their most vulnerable days.

Congratulations, Cindy, and thank you for the heart you bring to our NICU and for making such a lasting difference, one cuddle at a time. 💜 🍼

09/14/2026

Vitamin K after birth: what are the pros + cons? 👶

Within the first few minutes or hours after birth, you’ll likely be asked whether you want your baby to receive a vitamin K injection. Is it a ya or nay for you?

The reason: Babies are naturally born with very low stores of vitamin K, a vitamin the body needs to make blood clot normally. Only small amounts cross the placenta, newborns don't yet have the gut bacteria that help produce vitamin K, and breast milk contains relatively little.

THE PROS 💛

- Protects against vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). This rare but potentially devastating condition can cause internal bleeding, including bleeding in the brain.

- One shot provides long-lasting protection. The injection slowly releases vitamin K and helps protect baby during the months when their natural stores are low.

- It is extremely effective. Babies who don't receive the injection are 81x more likely to develop late VKDB than babies who receive it.

- It doesn't have to interrupt the golden hour. The CDC notes that vitamin K can be given within the first 6 hours, allowing time for immediate skin-to-skin and bonding first.

THE CONS / CONSIDERATIONS 🤍

• It is an injection, so baby may experience brief pain, redness, bruising or swelling at the injection site. Serious allergic reactions are considered extremely rare.

• Some parents prefer fewer interventions immediately after birth and may want to delay the injection until after uninterrupted skin-to-skin or the first feed.

• Oral vitamin K exists as an alternative in some places, but it requires multiple doses and isn't considered as effective as the injection, particularly for preventing late VKDB.

One important piece of context: an early study raised concern about a possible connection between the vitamin K shot and childhood cancer. Larger follow-up studies have not supported that association.

Informed consent starts with actually being informed. 💛

For more helpful, empowered, and beautifully designed resources for parents and doulas, visit: MotherboardBirth.com

This post is for education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

09/14/2026

All over the world, many mothers stop breastfeeding soon after they start because of early challenges. This free video shows an approach that can make early nursing much easier. What was your experience? Did you ever try this? https://naturalbreastfeeding.com/

09/13/2026

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09/03/2026

Let's discuss silver nursing cups. The benefits of using silver cups are due to its mechanical cover effect, and creating a moist hypoxic environment. Silver nursing cups have been embraced by women worldwide, and research has confirmed they speed the healing of ni**le wounds. One study found using silver cups during late pregnancy reduced ni**le trauma in that group. However, Lactation Consultants are seeing adverse effects from misuse of silver ni**le cups if use instructions are not followed. Eg. if the cups are filled with breast milk the ni**le and ar**la can become over-moist, causing maceration/breakdown of the skin. The makers recommend taking breaks from wearing them to reduce the risk of skin maceration.
The silver cups can also cause tissue compression around the mother’s ar**la, which occurs as the breast refills and enlarges prior to each breastfeed. The compression ring can lead to inflammation and blocked ducts in the surrounding zone, potentially resulting in mastitis. Avoiding tight fitting nursing bras and removing the cups an hour or so before breastfeeds can reduce the incidence of ar**la compression.
The maker’s advice about cleaning the cups frequently needs to be followed to ensure their safety. After each breastfeed the cups should be rinsed with warm water to remove milk residue. Apart from breastmilk rubbed gently into the ni**le, other ni**le skin treatments should not be used with the silver cups. A mild soap such as handwash liquid can be used to clean the cups. They should not be put in the dishwasher, scrubbed with scourers or exposed to bleach sterilisers. Tarnishing of the silver surface is normal and can be treated with baking soda and water, rinsed and gently dried.
A Board Certified Lactation Consultant can guide mothers to avoid ni**le trauma by teaching positioning and attachment techniques which suit their unique breast and baby.