Healthy Habits: Lactation Lab

For the first time, new moms can get immediate insight into the nutrition of their breastmilk. Developed by an M.D mom, Lactation Lab is the first to offer testing for breast milk, empowering parents with key nutritional information. It’s like a label for breast milk. I had a chance to interview creator Dr. Stephanie Canale (her own pregnancy issue sparked the idea) on her mission to help moms optimize breast milk!

Why is it helpful for mothers to see the nutritional contest of their breastmilk?

As a family physician, I am seeing escalating rates of postpartum anxiety and depression and increases pressures and expectations for mothers to breast feed. The WHO, AAP and CDC are all recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and ideally until age 1. Learning about a mother's milk can decrease that anxiety for a few reasons: a mother can see exactly how many calories her baby is getting., learn which supplements she actually needs and which food she should focus on. Having actionable items is empowering. Some critics say that looking at breast milk may cause more stress and anxiety and for those moms we suggest they don't test their milk.

We have helped so many moms learn to tweak their diet and optimize their milk. For many when they see that heir milk often has a much higher calorie count than formula they are encouraged to continue to breastfeed for longer too.

What kind of nutrients should mothers be looking for?

We at Lactation Lab look at what studies have found to be affected by maternal diet. Common nutrients that a mom can focus on are: iron, Vitamin C, B12 and calcium. We do caution breastfeeding women on not consuming too much fish (mercury) and being careful about rice consumption (arsenic).

How can mothers best use this information?

We are all about empowerment. We want to help moms learn  which food hey should focus on themselves , learn which supplements they could really benefit from (if any) and which first food to introduce in order to compliment their milk.