The Lactation Network

14/08/2026

Hi Everyone! Just letting you know I am taking a mini break and heading to Brisbane for the weekend. I will be back on Tuesday 18th August. Cheers Anne-Maree

07/08/2026

03/08/2026

💚 World Breastfeeding Week | 1–7 August

This year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start to Life: Strengthen What Works,” reminds us that supporting breastfeeding is about so much more than helping a baby feed.

It’s about ensuring every family has access to:
🤱 Evidence-based information
🤱 Skilled lactation support
🤱 Compassionate healthcare
🤱 Family and community encouragement
🤱 Workplaces and communities that make breastfeeding possible

Breastfeeding is one of the most sustainable ways to nourish a baby, but families shouldn’t be expected to do it alone.

As an IBCLC and Endorsed Midwife, I see every day how the right support can make all the difference. Sometimes it’s helping a new mother achieve her breastfeeding goals, sometimes it’s reassuring a family through challenges, and sometimes it’s simply reminding parents that they are doing an amazing job.

This World Breastfeeding Week, let’s celebrate breastfeeding while also recognising the importance of strengthening the systems that help families thrive.

Because when we support mothers, we support babies.
And when we support families, we invest in the future. 💚

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

EndorsedMidwife TheLactationNetwork BreastfeedingSupport Tasmania

27/07/2026

Hospital-grade or wearable?
The answer isn't as simple as "one is better than the other."

Wearable pumps have been a game changer for many families, making expressing more convenient than ever. However, convenience doesn't always equal effective milk removal.
Research and clinical experience tell us that while many mothers respond well to wearable pumps, others remove significantly less milk than they do with a hospital-grade or traditional double electric pump.
If you're:
🤱 Establishing your milk supply
👶 Feeding a premature or unwell baby
🥛 Exclusively expressing
📉 Trying to increase your milk supply..a hospital-grade pump is generally recommended because maximising milk removal is essential for building and protecting supply.
Once your milk supply is established, a wearable pump may be an excellent option if it's removing milk effectively for you.
✨ The amount you express isn't always a measure of how much milk you make—but consistently inadequate milk removal can affect milk supply over time.

If you're unsure whether your pump is working well for you, an IBCLC can assess milk transfer, pumping technique, fl**ge fit and help you choose the most appropriate pump for your situation.

💚 The right pump isn't necessarily the most expensive or the most convenient—it's the one that effectively removes milk and supports your breastfeeding goals.

www.lactationnetwork.com.au

23/07/2026

I always have questions about the colour of breastmilk. This explains it well!

🌈 What does the color of your breast milk tell you?

Spoiler: Probably less than you think.

One of the biggest surprises for new parents is that breast milk isn’t always white. It can be yellow, blue, green, orange, pink, or even brown. And most of the time, that’s completely normal.

💛 Yellow = Colostrum. Rich in antibodies, protein, and immune factors. As your milk transitions over the first couple of weeks, it usually becomes lighter in color.

🤍 Creamy white = Mature milk. The shade can change throughout the day depending on the amount of fat in the milk.

💙 Blue or bluish = Often seen after longer stretches between feeds or first thing in the morning when milk volume is higher. It doesn’t mean your milk is “watery” or not nutritious.that milk is very hydrating and important for baby

💚 Green = Usually from something you ate or took! Spinach, kale, seaweed, matcha, chlorophyll supplements, and even some vitamins can turn milk green.

🧡 Orange = Often from foods rich in beta-carotene like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, or pumpkin.

🩷 Pink = Sometimes caused by foods like beets or food coloring, but it can also mean there’s a small amount of blood in the milk from cracked ni***es, pumping trauma, or another breast condition. If it keeps happening or is accompanied by pain, redness, fever, or a lump, it’s worth checking in with your healthcare provider or IBCLC.

🤎 Brown or rust-colored = Can happen with Rusty Pipe Syndrome, where small amounts of old blood mix with early milk. I also saw several cases of brown milk during COVID infections. While it can be harmless, persistent brown or bloody milk should always be evaluated.

One of the coolest things about breast milk is that it isn’t meant to look the same every day. It changes as your baby grows, throughout the day, during illness, and even based on what’s on your dinner plate.

Your milk is alive. It’s constantly adapting to meet your baby’s needs. And sometimes that means changing colors along the way.

🌈 What’s the most surprising breast milk color you’ve seen?

13/07/2026

09/07/2026

Booking's for our next class on the 12th August are now open. Classes run form 5.30-7.30pm.

04/07/2026

Some weeks don't quite go to plan... 🤍

This week has certainly been one to remember!

✔️ I completely lost my voice (not ideal when talking is my job!).
✔️ I had the challenge of re-scheduling a number of wonderful families, and I am so grateful for everyone's understanding and flexibility.
✔️ Then, despite barely having a voice left, I had the privilege of travelling to Launceston to lecture 30 new student midwives about breastfeeding and lactation support.

It's been a reminder that while running your own business can be unpredictable, it's also incredibly rewarding.

Whether I'm supporting a new family in clinic, providing telehealth consultations, or educating the next generation of midwives, I'm reminded why I'm so passionate about this work.

To everyone who has been patient, understanding and supportive this week—thank you. Your kindness never goes unnoticed.

Here's hoping my voice makes a full comeback next week! 💚

21/05/2026

Podcast Episode · The Imperfects · 26 April · 1hr 35min

18/05/2026

Are you in your third trimester and looking for more information on breastfeeding?

Bookings are now open for our Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes on the 10th June.

Time: 5.30 – 7.30 pm
📍 Location: Eternal Women’s Health Studio, Level 1 / 2 Melville St, Hobart
🥗 Light supper provided
💰 Cost: $180
Private health fund rebates may apply.
✨ Learn about:
✔️ What to expect in the early days
✔️ How to position and latch your baby comfortably
✔️ Expressing and storing breastmilk safely
✔️ Common challenges and how to manage them
✔️ Local supports available once baby arrives
Bring your partner — this is a great way to prepare together.

Book now through The Lactation Network.
https://www.lactationnetwork.com.au/book/