Growing Gems

02/02/2026

Finally managed to get myself on google ♥️

04/12/2025

TOMORROW: free event- Chai & Chat!
***With free Karak chai and snacks from Chaiiwala!***

Because of the growing interest, this event opened to Middle Eastern mums as well 🥰

There’s still time to quickly sign up!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1963594564200?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/11/2025

👶 Human Milk
• High in healthy fats & carbohydrates and moderate protein
• Packed with antibodies to support immune factors to support system development
• Supports slow, steady, brain-focused growth
* high in gut affirming bacteria’s
* Sugars: lactose to promote brain grown and a healthy digestion, over 200 human milk Oligosaccharides(HMO) that feed the baby’s good bacteria and promotes a healthy immune system

✨ Fun fact: Preterm human milk naturally contains more protein, minerals, and immune compounds to support faster catch-up growth and protect vulnerable infants!

06/11/2025

🐄 Cow Milk
• Higher protein and minerals (especially calcium & phosphorus)
• Helps calves rapidly build large bones and muscle
• Designed for fast growth and mobility

Fat is slow to digest and releases energy over time, which:
• Keeps the calf’s stomach full longer
• Provides steady calories for growth
• Reduces the need for constant nursing

Protein
Cow milk has a high % of casein, a slow-digesting protein. It forms a curd in the calf’s stomach, breaking down gradually and:
• Helping the calf feel full
• Releasing amino acids over hours
• Supporting muscle and tissue growth

By 1–3 weeks old:
The cow may leave the calf alone for a few hours at a time, returning to nurse and check on it.
• The calf often lies hidden or stays with a small group of other calves for safety.
• By 1–2 months old:
The cow and calf spend more time apart, with the calf following her during grazing and resting nearby.

06/11/2025

Whales 🐋
• Super thick and fat-rich (up to 40–50% fat!) - like clotted cream!
• Helps calves build a blubber layer for insulation
• Fuels extremely rapid weight gain in icy oceans
❄️ high-calorie milk for survival
They feed for 5-30seconds each time between 4-20 times a day

06/11/2025

17/09/2025

we officially have a therapy dog where we can volunteer together to make others days a little brighter ❤️

13/09/2025

I had the pleasure in supporting along side .hana.a .shaheda on a study day about Kinship in milk banking but it was so much more that Kinship, it was about inequities in maternity services, informed choice, empowering women and a start in conversations around solutions. I had notes to speak about this study along with others when talking about the Muslim experience and facilitators of breastfeeding and donating to a milk bank but I decided that .shaheda would be much better placed to discuss this topic. One thing this research shows is the conflict some Muslim women have with their religious practices and culture and western cultures. Something else that was also discussed on the Kinship study day was the variations in religious practices. It is good to have an awareness and curiosity around practices but never assume that you know how any family you are caring for will make decisions, it’s our place as HCPs to support and provide information for families to make their own INFORMED Choice. Ref: Hassan SM. Religious practices of Muslim women in the UK during maternity: evidence-based professional practice recommendations. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Apr 19;22(1):335. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-04664-5. PMID: 35440069; PMCID: PMC9020041.

11/06/2025

Breastfeeding Trauma and grief matters! There has been some controversy over debates around breastfeeding a baby over 6 months on a chat show today. What jumped out to me was me wondering what this persons experience was like with feeding babies? These types of opinion come from somewhere and I have a sneaky suspicion it’s their own trauma and guilt. Feeding babies (how ever they are fed) affects everyone person in the world yet “breastfeeding” is seen as a niche subject but everyone is fed as a baby, or they feed their own baby or family members ect yet so little is known about the research and experiences of women/people feeding their baby. Intergenerational trauma is a real thing and how you were fed and how your mother was fed and their experiences will impact you and future generations. has some great research and resources around breastfeeding trauma. How you feed your baby is no one else’s business and as long as you have made an informed decision your Health care professional and your family should support you in meeting those goals.

19/05/2025

If you would like to donate and have kinship concerns, a great leaflet has been created (you can find it on the BIMA website) to support a conversation to enable decision making.

https://britishima.org/advice/donor-breastmilk-and-milk-kinship-a-guide-for-muslim-parents/ #:~:text=Our%20new%20leaflet%2C%20developed%20by,to%20ensure%20milk%20kinship%20traceability

19/05/2025

Happy “World Human Milk Donation Day”. Thank you to the donors who selflessly give their time, generosity and milk to other families and babies in need. In particular thank you to the milk donors who donate after loss 💓 If you would like to know more about milk donation have a look at website. I will add some leaflets to my story.