The Ivy Doula Group, Birth and Lactation Support

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

World Breastfeeding Week is here and there's no better time to celebrate the community behind the work.

Every day, ABM members around the world show up for families, advance evidence-based care, and push the field of breastfeeding medicine forward. This week is a reminder of why that work matters, and who we get to do it with.

To every clinician, researcher, advocate, and supporter in our community: thank you. 🌍💛

How are you celebrating World Breastfeeding Week? Share in the comments! 👇

08/03/2026

🎉Breastfeeding Basics Class Announcement📢
💪​Get ready for confidence, connection, and success on your feeding journey! Join us for an upcoming Breastfeeding Basics class designed to give you the fundamentals and techniques you need.
🤱​Class Details
▪️​Hosted by: Maple & Moon Midwifery (10009 Wi******er Ave, Bunker Hill, WV 25413)
▪️​Presented by: Ivy Doula & Lactation, featuring Mandee Logan-Keil (Lactation Specialist)
▪️​Date & Time: Saturday, August 22nd from 1:00 to 3:30 PM (Light refreshments will be provided!)
▪️​Cost: $100 — This covers two attendees, so bring your support person and learn together! (Partial scholarships may be available to those who qualify).
🔸️​Bonus: This class makes a great baby shower gift!

❗️​Save Your Seat Today!
​Learn, grow, and thrive—because you don’t have to do this alone!
​Register via Email: Send a message to [email protected]
​Register via QR Code: Scan the QR code right on the flyer image to secure your spot!
https://forms.gle/kMLmFuJnrbHELooy7

08/03/2026

✨🌍 World Breastfeeding Week 2026: Strengthen What Works 🌍✨
​As we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2026, we focus on a powerful global call to action: "Strengthen What Works."

​Real progress happens when communities, civil society, and governments come together with a shared mission. This year, our collective effort is dedicated to enhancing policies, protecting legal rights, improving workplace accommodations, and expanding access to skilled breastfeeding counseling. 🤱💖

Breastfeeding is far more than a method of nutrition; it is a cornerstone of health, development, and deep connection. It forms an unbreakable bond between mother and child while offering unparalleled protection against illness for the baby and significant health benefits for the mother. 💖

​But this journey is not one a mother walks alone. It thrives within a supportive village.

​Let us commit to strengthening the warm chain of support for every family. Whether it’s a partner offering encouragement, an employer providing a safe space to pump, a healthcare provider offering skilled guidance, or a friend lending a listening ear—every action matters.

​When we lift up mothers, we help babies flourish, ensuring an accessible, sustainable, and equitable start in life for all. 🌍
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08/03/2026

Join us as we celebrate the many cultural and community observances that make National Breastfeeding Month such a powerful time for learning, advocacy, and connection. Throughout August and September, we'll honor the diverse voices, traditions, and movements that strengthen the First Food field.

Check out the 2026 observance calendar and visit our NBM webpage to learn more about each observance and discover ways to get involved. https://bit.ly/3PUR38w

Together, let's RISE. 🌄

07/24/2026

Babywearing is a Total Superpower! 🦸‍♀️👶
Wearing our babies is also a tradition as old as humanity. We are carry mammals; designed to keep our nurslings close for frequent feeding. 🤱✨
There is something deeply comforting about keeping your little one snuggled right against your chest, listening to the familiar rhythm of your heartbeat. Beyond that incredible biological bond, babywearing is an absolute game-changer for your daily life as a parent! Whether you are trying to grab a quick cup of coffee, fold a basket of laundry, or soothe a fussy baby during a growth spurt, having your hands free while keeping your baby safe and cozy is pure magic.
Here is how babywearing can support you and your little one:
😴The Ultimate Cozy Nap: Slings and structured carriers provide the snug, secure environment babies crave, helping them drift off to sleep easily while you move about your day.
🏃‍♂️On-the-Go Nourishment: With a little practice and mindful repositioning, feeding your baby right inside the carrier is entirely possible, making outings feel much less intimidating. Also helpful for older, distracted nurslings!
👩‍⚕️Wonderful Therapeutic Benefits: Beyond comfort and convenience, carrier time can be a wonderful supportive tool to help manage acid reflux, gently stretch a tight neck, or prevent flat spots caused by torticollis.

🥰Every parenting journey looks a little different, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Embracing tools like babywearing can give you the flexibility and confidence you deserve!

What is your absolute favorite way to babywear? Drop a comment below, or send us a message/email if you need help finding the right fit for you and your little one! 💕



Accessibility Alt Text:
Infographic titled "A Drop of Advice: Babywearing is a Superpower!" featuring two inset photos of a newborn baby sleeping and nursing inside a gray wrap carrier. Text details the benefits of babywearing, including cozy naps, hands-free movement, nursing on the go, acid reflux relief, and help with torticollis.

07/23/2026

👶We got the ties released, but why isn't my baby feeding better? 🤔

It’s a heartbreaking and common question. You’ve taken the big step to have your baby’s ankyloglossia (oral tie) surgicallly revised. You've made it through the wound stretches, but feeding is still a challenge. If you are feeling discouraged, you are not alone!

Oral ties develop very early in pregnancy, meaning the associated poor suck habits become deeply ingrained over many months of swallowing amniotic fluid before they're born and try breastfeeding for the very first time. Releasing the physical restriction is only the *first* step.
Here’s what else is often needed to help your baby thrive:

💜 Bodywork: Muscle tension can persist after the release. A craniosacral therapist, chiropractor, or osteopath who specializes in infants can work on jaw, neck, and body tightness to help them use their tongue more effectively. Ideally, body work would be a part of treatment before AND after a release!
👅 Oral Motor Exercises: Just like physical therapy, targeted exercises can help retrain the use of baby's tongue, lips, and cheeks while improving range of motion and coordination. Again, should be included before AND after revision.
🤱 Specialist Support: A lactation professional that has specialized oral tie training can assess your baby’s latch, check for compensatory behaviors (like gumming or pinching), and help you rebuild your feeding journey.

Be patient with yourselves. This is a process of relearning, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Have you navigated this journey? Drop your questions or encouragement below! 👇


The Ivy Doula Group, Birth and Lactation Support

07/16/2026

☀️🌡️ As the temperatures rise, it's crucial to keep our little ones safe and cool. A common question we get is: "Should I give my baby water to prevent dehydration?"🥵

​The answer is NO for babies under 6 months old. 🙅‍♀️🚫🙅‍♂️

​For infants under 6 months, breastmilk and/or formula should be their only source of hydration and nutrition.

🤔Here’s why:
​💧 Perfectly Composed: Breastmilk and formula are mostly water and contain all the essential nutrients, calories, and electrolytes your baby needs. Their tiny stomachs have limited space, and adding water can fill them up, causing them to drink less milk and potentially leading to poor nutrition or growth.
​👶 Delicate Kidneys: An infant's kidneys are not mature enough to handle plain water. Drinking extra water can dilute the sodium in their blood, leading to a rare but serious condition called water intoxication.
​🌡️ Even in Summer Heat: Even when it's hot, an exclusively breastfed or formula-fed baby does not need extra water. They should be offered the breast or bottle more frequently to meet their increased thirst.

​So, this summer, if you're feeling the heat, just offer a tata top-off. 🍼
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Image Alt Text (for accessibility):
An infographic titled "A Drop of Advice: Summer Time Baby Safety." It features an illustration of a breast and milk drop, and a photo of a baby holding a sippy cup in a circle. The text reads: "Are you sweating in the summer heat? It's essential to ensure your baby stays cool! Remember, infants are particularly sensitive to high temperatures during their first 12 months of life. Concerned about dehydration? Don't give water to babies under six months, even if they nurse more during summer heat." At the bottom is the handle "".

07/16/2026

Third stage of labor needs to be respected and protected!

07/16/2026

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