WNY Orofacial

08/22/2026

08/18/2026

So interesting! https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42592109/
Antenatal or prenatal hand expression has been proposed as a possible intervention for folks with gestational diabetes. Now we have more evidence than ever. I find it interesting that it reduced maternal depressive symptoms.
The study found:
Findings: Over the 8-week postpartum period, the proportion of women exclusively breastfeeding in the intervention group was higher than in control group at discharge (16.3% vs. 8.9%; aOR 2.28 [95% CI 1.01-5.14]), four weeks (30.9% vs. 20.3%; aOR 2.00 [1.07-3.74]), and eight weeks (29.3% vs. 25.2%; aOR 1.37 [0.73-2.56]). The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher odds of exclusive breastfeeding over time (adjusted odds ratio 2.43 [95% CI 1.17-5.04], p < 0.05). Regarding secondary outcomes, the intervention group reported significantly lower maternal depressive symptoms at 8 weeks postpartum (mean difference -1.74 [95% CI -2.94 to -0.54], p = 0.004) and higher breastfeeding self-efficacy at 8 weeks postpartum (mean difference 3.30 [95% CI 0.12-6.48], p = 0.042). Rates of any breastfeeding did not differ significantly between groups at any time point (aOR 0.68 [95% CI 0.21-2.20]). Neonatal hypoglycemia and gestational age at birth did not differ between groups.

Interpretation: The GAME program significantly increased exclusive breastfeeding, improved breastfeeding self-efficacy, and reduced maternal depressive symptoms in women with GDM, with no added perinatal risk. Integrating structured AME into routine antenatal care could improve both infant feeding and maternal psychological well-being in this high-risk population.

08/15/2026

New research: Breastfeeding helps babies' gut health bounce back after cesarean birth or antibiotics.

Cesarean birth and antibiotic exposure around delivery can affect a baby’s gut microbiome in two ways that impact health: They reduce both the diversity of the gut microbiome and the overall levels of helpful bacteria.

The great news: exclusive breastfeeding helps restore that balance over time. A new systematic review and meta-analysis has shown:

✅ By 8 weeks: Cesarean-born babies who are exclusively breastfed show partial recovery toward the gut profiles seen in vaginally born babies
✅ By 24 weeks: That recovery is nearly complete
✅ Beyond 12 weeks: Extended exclusive breastfeeding is the strongest predictor of full microbial recovery

Breastfed babies in the meta-analysis showed roughly twice as much beneficial bacteria as formula-fed babies.

As we close out World Breastfeeding Week 2026, it’s one more reason to celebrate the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, the evidence-based care that best supports breastfeeding outcomes.

🔗Read the study: https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e004170
🌐 Learn more about Baby-Friendly care: https://www.babyfriendlyusa.org

08/04/2026

Did you know that delaying breastfeeding by even a few hours can have life-threatening consequences and limit a mother's ability to breastfeed?

08/03/2026

Breast milk is the ideal first food for a baby.

It's safe, clean and contains antibodies which protect against dangerous illnesses.
☑️ Start within 1 hour after birth
☑️ Breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months
☑️ Continue alongside healthy family foods until the baby is at least 2 years old

05/11/2026

This comes up so often as a topic for discussion during our appointments. Transgenerational trauma is endlessly fascinating!

04/25/2026

Mouth breathing doesn’t just affect your teeth and airway—it can ripple all the way down to your gut. Here’s how those systems connect:

1. Less nitric oxide and poorer digestion: When you breathe through your nose, your body produces nitric oxide, a molecule that helps improve blood flow and oxygen delivery. With chronic mouth breathing, nitric oxide levels drop, which can reduce circulation to digestive organs and subtly impair digestion and nutrient absorption.

2. Altered oral microbiome and downstream gut impact: Mouth breathing dries out the mouth, reducing saliva. Saliva isn’t just for lubrication—it helps control harmful bacteria. A dry mouth allows more pathogenic bacteria to thrive, which you then swallow. That can disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome, contributing to issues like bloating or inflammation.

3. Increased risk of inflammation: Chronic mouth breathing is associated with airway stress and sometimes poor sleep. This can increase systemic inflammation, which is linked to gut problems like irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive sensitivities.

4. Poor sleep and gut dysfunction: Mouth breathing often goes hand-in-hand with sleep-disordered breathing (like snoring or mild airway restriction). Poor sleep affects hormones that regulate digestion, gut motility, and even hunger signals—disrupting the gut’s normal rhythm.

5. Reduced stomach acid efficiency: Proper breathing supports the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your body. Chronic mouth breathing can shift this balance, which may interfere with stomach acid production—making it harder to break down food and absorb nutrients.