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 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 - chlrt@uwa.edu.au #Thankyou!

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

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: abreast.network/abreast-2026 #ABREAST2026 #Conference #EarlyBird

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.

#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 abreast.network/abreast-2026 @uwa_hlrg @geddesdonna1

#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 abreast.network/abreast-2026

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 - abreast.network/abreast-2026 @uwa_chlrt @TheKids_AU @UWAresearch @geddesdonna1

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

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: abreast.network/abreast-2026 #Abreast2026 #Diversity #EarlyBird

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! abreast.network/abreast-2026

Huge congratulations to Xuehua Jin on submitting her PhD: Exploring milk composition and maternal factors in women with low milk supply. Your dedication and hard work inspire us all. Here’s to a bright future ahead! 🎉 Congratulations!

New Research Reveals Why Breastfeeding Can Be Challenging for Some Mothers Our latest study has discovered something crucial about milk production: maternal body composition—not just weight—significantly impacts milk production, and it's not for the reasons you might think. The Key Finding: Higher maternal adiposity (excess body fat) was linked to lower milk production, but here's the important part—it's NOT necessarily because of latch difficulties or mechanical problems. Instead, it appears to be related to incomplete breast development. The Science: We studied 281 mothers and found that "breast storage capacity" (the amount of milk-producing glandular tissue) mediated nearly 70% of the relationship between body fat and milk production. Essentially, higher adiposity may interfere with proper breast development during pregnancy. What This Means: - Nearly 18% of mothers had low milk supply (<600ml/24h) - Body composition analysis was more accurate than - BMI alone in identifying at-risk mothers - Milk removal efficiency wasn't affected—so pumps and babies can still effectively empty the breast - The issue lies in milk synthesis, not milk transfer The Takeaway: Our research provides biological evidence for what many mothers experience and validates that breastfeeding challenges aren't simply about "trying harder." It also suggests we need better antenatal screening and support for mothers at higher risk. For healthcare providers and expecting mothers, this highlights the importance of antenatal lactation screening and early intervention for mothers with higher adiposity to optimise breastfeeding outcomes. mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/23/372… #BreastfeedingResearch #MaternalHealth #LactationScience #EvidenceBasedCare #UWAResearch @geddesdonna1 @uwanews @UWAresearch

Save the Date: #ABREAST Conference 2026 is set for June 25, 2026 We’re excited to bring together researchers, clinicians, and the community for a day of cutting-edge sessions, #networking, and #collaboration. Stay tuned for the full agenda and registration opening soon #ABREAST2026 #savethedate

Catch the latest in breastfeeding science: researchers tested a #quick #bedside #tool to measure #sodium and #potassium in #humanmilk to help spot #inflammatory breast conditions faster. Our study led by PhD candidate Emma Herron found that handheld ion-selective electrode probes (ISEPs) give results that closely match the lab standard and are highly acceptable to mothers. This means clinicians could #diagnose breast inflammation more #promptly, helping mums to keep breastfeeding with less disruption. Full findings show good agreement between the point-of-care tests and lab measurements for Na , K , and the Na :K ratio, and mums rated the test as #quick and #easy. Key takeaways: •A quick at-bedside test (ISEPs) can reliably measure milk Na , K , and Na :K ratio. •The new method aligns well with traditional lab results. •Mothers found the testing fast and easy. More details can be found here buff.ly/BOLWYpo

Thanks to everyone who joined #ABREAST! Your energy, insights, and curiosity made the event truly special. Looking forward to continuing the conversation—check your inbox for highlights and next steps. See you next year! #ABREAST2025 #ThankYou

Gratitude to our #ABREAST sponsors for powering a conference that brings together researchers, clinicians, and community voices. @ParagonCare, @EvarisPharma, Western Obs, @ACNN, Bloom Pelvic Health, @Tinysparks, Assay Matrix, Kings Park Motel, Scientronic Instrument Services

What a day at #ABREAST 2025! Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to a powerful program spanning lactation risk factors, milk production, pumping dynamics, skin-to-skin, preterm infant care, #live ultrasound and pumping demo's and more. Special appreciation to the dedicated ABREAST #team, our wonderful #volunteers, and #speakers for their expertise and engagement. Deepest thanks to our #sponsors for enabling this conference. Here’s to turning insights into practice and better outcomes for mothers and babies. #ABREAST2025 #MaternalNewbornCare #BreastfeedingResearch #Neotnatalcare #ACNN #ACM ParagonCare Limited The University of Western Australia Evaris Pharma Kings Park Motel Scientronic Instrument Services Bloom Pelvic Health Western Obstetrics UWA Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation ACNN Justine Parsons