ABREAST Network

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

Looking forward to this - Tonight 7pm

[Centre for Human Lactation Research & Translation @uwa_chlrt]

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2026
Join Dr Sharon Perrella this evening for a free online webinar on Breastfeeding - what makes it work?
Whether you are a parent, expecting a baby, or a health professional providing care during pregnancy and the months after birth, this session will provide useful insights on:
- Preparing for breastfeeding during pregnancy
- Setting up for success in those critical early weeks
- What to do when things go wrong
- Making the breastfeeding journey work

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the #live Q&A. Event details: #TONIGHT,
Thursday, 6 August 2026 at 7:00 PM (Online via Microsoft Teams)
https://t.co/c8oiGZ16uG #WorldBreastfeedingWeek #BreastfeedingSupport #Midwifery #IBCLC #ParentingJourney #WBW2026

[Centre for Human Lactation Research & Translation @uwa_chlrt]

World Breastfeeding Week 2026 | Supporting every breastfeeding journey with better evidence

Not producing enough milk is one of the most common concerns among breastfeeding mothers. But how do we know when milk supply is truly low?

Our research involving 460 breastfeeding women used a data-driven approach to better understand and define #low #milk #supply. We identified distinct patterns based on measured milk #production, infant #intake, and #growth, and found that a milk production threshold of 708 g/24 h may provide a more evidence-based approach to identifying low milk supply.

We also found that low milk supply is not simply about breastfeeding effort or infant demand. #Maternal #biological and #metabolic #factors matter, highlighting the need to recognise low milk supply as a #complex #physiological #condition rather than placing responsibility on mothers.

This World Breastfeeding Week, our message is simple: better identification leads to better support.

https://t.co/TMSB2stc8u

#WorldBreastfeedingWeek2026 #WorldBreastfeedingWeek #BreastfeedingSupport #BreastfeedingAwareness #MaternalHealth #InfantNutrition

[Centre for Human Lactation Research & Translation @uwa_chlrt]

This week, in line with World Breastfeeding Week 2026, Prof Donna Geddes and Dr Sharon Perrella from the UWA Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation conducted two lactation and breastfeeding #workshops for 3rd year Human Reproduction students.

The workshop covered the #anatomy and #physiology of #milk #production and #breastfeeding, with special guests Sally and baby Rory, Lauren and baby Jack providing #real-life insights into the practical aspects of breastfeeding.

With this week's World Breastfeeding Week theme being "Breastfeeding for a sustainable start in life: strengthen what works" it was a great opportunity for students to learn about the #factors that #help mums and babies to continue breastfeeding when faced with challenges.

#WBW2026 #WorldBreastfeedingWeek #Breastfeedingsupport

[Centre for Human Lactation Research & Translation @uwa_chlrt]

#WBW2026
If you've struggled with milk supply, it probably wasn't something you did wrong

One of the hardest things a mother can hear is that she just needs to try harder. Feed more often. Relax. Drink more water. For most women with genuinely low supply, often none of that is the real story.

Our team has just published a study of 281 breastfeeding mothers, where we #measured milk production #directly over a full 24 hours rather than guessing it. We found that differences in #supply were closely linked to how much milk-making #tissue a woman's breasts had developed. This is something largely set during pregnancy, and not something she chooses or controls.

That's important. It means low supply is often a #matter of #anatomy and #physiology, not effort or dedication. Mothers who struggle are usually working extremely hard.

It also points to something better than reassurance after the fact: knowing in #advance. If we can #identify during #pregnancy which mothers may need more support, that support can be there from day one - a skilled clinician, a plan, a follow up - rather than arriving in week three when everyone is exhausted and disheartened.

This World Breastfeeding Week, the theme is strengthen what works. Getting the right help to the right mothers, early, is exactly that.

And if this was your experience: it likely wasn't your failing.

📄 https://t.co/So3nTYzIqw

#worldbreastfeedingweek #breastfeedingsupport

[UWA @uwanews]

It can be a shock when #breastfeeding doesn't go according to plan. A Perth midwife has developed an early detection tool that identifies the pregnant women most likely to struggle. She'll share details in a free webinar for #WorldBreastfeedingWeek.🔗 https://t.co/XIDO5cExXu

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors for this years #ABREAST Conference at The University of Western Australia. Your generous support accelerates our research and makes events like this possible!
We are extremely #grateful, #Thankyou

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

Excited to announce that the #5th ABREAST
Conference is on the horizon—in just a few weeks! Tickets are officially #sold #out, and we can’t wait to welcome our passionate community back. Huge #thanks to the speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who’ve helped make this milestone possible. Here’s to evidence based #research, meaningful connections, and an unforgettable event ahead!
#AbreastConference #SellOutStatus #CountdownToConference

@geddesdonna1 @uwa_hlrg @SMS_UWA @UWAresearch @uwa_chlrt

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

#ABREAST Conference 2026 — SOLD OUT
Thank you to everyone who registered! We’re at full capacity and cannot accept additional attendees at this time. For updates, future events, or waitlist information, please visit our website or contact us via - [email protected]

#Thankyou!

[Centre for Human Lactation Research & Translation @uwa_chlrt]

Happy International Midwives Day 2026

Today we honour the expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment of midwives who support families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey. Your leadership in safe, respectful, evidence-based care makes a lasting impact on communities worldwide. #Thankyou for all you do!

#InternationalMidwivesDay #MidwivesMatter #BirthWithCare

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

Don’t miss out! Early bird rates for the #ABREAST Conference close on May 15
#Save with the best pricing and secure your spot among leaders in the field to this almost #SOLD #OUT EVENT

Register now: https://t.co/qvQcVnYf7H

#ABREAST2026 #Conference #EarlyBird

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

@uwa_chlrt EARLY BIRD RATES CLOSE 15 MAY! REGISTER NOW :)

https://t.co/qvQcVnYMXf

[Centre for Human Lactation Research & Translation @uwa_chlrt]

ABREAST CONFERENCE 2026 - 25 JUNE
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT - Dr Zoya Gridneva

Zoya Gridneva, PhD is a Research Fellow at the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group. Her research on maternal factors, such as #adiposity, on breast #anatomy, milk #composition, #production and #removal has revealed significant impacts on lactation. Zoya also focuses on the effect human milk component intakes on the breastfed infants’ growth and body composition and how this #reduces childhood and adult #obesity risk. Zoya's work has been widely recognised, with her international collaborations, awards and publications. Her research on how milk components affect #infant #body #composition has earned notable recognition, including the 2024 ISRHML Ehrlich Koldovsky Early Career Award and 2024 UWA School of Molecular Sciences Award for Research Impact and Innovation.

Zoya will be presenting at #ABREAST2026 on:

'Maternal experiences with exclusive pumping'

Mothers who exclusively pump breast milk to feed their infants face unique challenges, however, are underrepresented in research. Our studies confirm it is possible for these women to sustain lactation with exclusive pumping and provide sufficient expressed breast milk volumes for the infant, challenging long held dogma that this is not possible. However, the time commitment required for exclusive pumping represents a serious burden. These women face unique challenges and feel under supported indicating targeted evidence-based education for health professionals on exclusively pumping to improve lactation outcomes and maternal wellbeing.

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

#SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT - Dr Sharon Perrella will be presenting at #ABREAST2026 on:

Shield Fitting
The #fitting of breast pump #shields is such a hot topic! We know it’s not a case of ‘one size fits all,’ and finding the right size for an individual woman can be tricky. Our @uwa_chlrt #data show changes in nipple diameter measurements over the course of a #breastfeed or #pumping session, and between measurements on different days. Also, some women have more elastic tissue with noticeable nipple expansion and extension during pumping.
Join us for a discussion on fitting a ‘moving target’ where flexibility rather than a fixed rule is needed.

EARLY BIRD TIX OUT NOW https://t.co/44DuvLfQPW
@uwa_hlrg @geddesdonna1

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

#SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT - Prof Donna Geddes
We are thrilled to announce Donna will be hosting two #live #ultrasound demos at ABREAST2026!

1. Live ultrasound #sucking demonstration:
2. #Live ultrasound #shield fitting demonstration:

EARLY BIRD TIX OUT NOW
https://t.co/qvQcVnYf7H

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

ABREAST CONFERENCE 25 JUNE 2026 SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT - Tanya van Aswegen

Tanya is an Accredited Practising #Dietitian with almost two decades of experience in clinical and public health nutrition across Australia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. She holds a Master of Public Health and is currently a first year PhD candidate at UWA. Tanya’s clinical practice and research focus on #supporting breastfed #infants and their #caregivers navigating #food #intolerances and #allergies, with a particular interest in improving caregiver experiences, and evidence-informed care in this complex space.

Tanya will be presenting at #ABREAST2026 on:

Over-diagnosed or under-recognised? A look at food allergy in breast-milk fed infants

#Food #allergies are #immune reactions to specific food proteins and can affect the #gut, #skin or #respiratory system. In breastfed infants, this is a particularly complex and uncertain space. Symptoms are often delayed, overlap with normal infant behaviour, and we have limited validated diagnostic tools to guide us. Much of the current management is based on consensus rather than strong evidence, creating potential risks of both over and under-diagnosis. Tanya will explore what is currently known about this area and where the gaps remain. There will also be insights shared from a new qualitative study capturing the lived-experiences of Australian caregivers and healthcare providers, which might help improve care and shape meaningful research priorities in this field. Join Us! Early bird registrations are now #open - https://t.co/BTk7gEaljJ

@uwa_chlrt @TheKids_AU @UWAresearch @geddesdonna1

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

@uwa_chlrt Congrats! @lisafstinson

[Centre for Human Lactation Research & Translation @uwa_chlrt]

This week the centre attended the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Congress #PSANZ2026, which encompasses research focused on mothers and babies during pregnancy and at birth as well as the health of the new born as its development continues after birth. The Centre was well represented with an amazing line up of both staff and student researchers.

A special #congrats to Dr Lisa Stinson, PhD who won an Oral Presentation Prize for her presentation titled 'Feeding over seeding: Nutritional exposures drive infant gut microbiome development more than delivery mode'

Huge thanks to all our colleagues, mentors, and partners who support our researchers and clinicians every day.

#PSANZ2026 #ChildHealth #NeonatalResearch #OralPresentationPrize #Teamwork #UWA #CHLRT

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

Early bird registrations for #Abreast2026 are now open!

Save on registration, join a powerhouse line up of speakers and supporters advancing research and advocacy and help shape the conversation.

Register here: https://t.co/qvQcVnYf7H

#Abreast2026 #Diversity #EarlyBird

[ABREAST Network @ABREAST_Network]

Registrations NOW OPEN for ABREAST Conference 2026!
We’re thrilled to announce that registrations are now open for #ABREAST2026

When: Thursday, 25th June 2026. 9am - 4pm
Where: The University Club Of Western Australia

#Earlybird pricing ends 15 May!

https://t.co/qvQcVnYf7H