Breastfeeding and human milk have well-documented health benefits for newborn infants, particularly those who are sick. However, breastfeeding rates and human milk feeding among infants in neonatal intensive u...
The number of pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD) is rising, and the disease poses increased risks of cardiovascular and obstetric complications during pregnancy, potentially impacting breastfee...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Letter to The Lancet highlights ‘aggressive marketing’ by manufacturers of commercial milk formula International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®) partnered with five global and regional healthcare professional associations (HCPAs), including midwives, neonatal nurses, breastfeeding medicine specialists, and paediatricians to draft a letter that was published in The Lancet on 9 March that calls for an end […]
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
We present a case of non-puerperal induced lactation in transgender woman. Medical literature on lactation induction for transgender women is scarce, and the majority of literature and protocols on lactation i...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Prior research has explored the association between women’s employment status and breastfeeding at the individual level, however; a notable gap in scholarly inquiry exists regarding the relationship between labor market performance and breastfeeding at the population level.Research Aim:The aim of this paper is to investigate the association between labor market performance and breastfeeding prevalence in the United States.Methods:This study is a cross-sectional analysis of the association between labor market performance and the prevalence of breastfeeding. Our analysis is conducted at the state level using data published up to late 2021 from the Current Population Survey and the National Immunization Survey. The first dataset was used to construct aggregate and sex-specific state level indicators of labor market performance for both males and females. The second dataset supplied the proportion of mothers breastfeeding for the corresponding birth cohort from each state.Results:Higher average weekly hours worked by females in the year before giving birth was associated with a lower prevalence of breastfeeding, but employment rates among females did not significantly affect breastfeeding prevalence. Among males, current employment rates were positively associated with breastfeeding prevalence; however, no significant relationship was observed between breastfeeding prevalence and average weekly work hours worked.Conclusion:Sex-specific labor market performance may play a role in breastfeeding decisions and the timing of labor market performance relative to childbirth is important. Furthermore, these results highlight that employment rates and hours worked might be associated with child health through breastfeeding prevalence.
Breastfeeding has long-lasting effects on children’s cognition, behavioral, mental and physical health. Previous research shows parental characteristics (e.g., education, race/ethnicity, income level) are asso...
Breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates are shaped by complex and interrelated determinants across individual, interpersonal, community, organisational, and policy spheres. Young mothers, however, face...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Mothers commonly experience pain, fatigue, sleep disruption, and breastfeeding problems after cesarean delivery. To date, no follow-up study has examined all of these variables to evaluate the utility of reflexology in reducing these problems and supporting breastfeeding.Research Aim:This study aimed to determine the effect of foot reflexology performed in the postpartum period on pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and lactation in primiparous women who underwent cesarean delivery.Methods:This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Data were collected between January 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, with a sample of 80 women who were randomly assigned to the reflexology (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. The reflexology group received 40 minutes of foot reflexology once a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcomes of the study were pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and breastfeeding efficacy.Results:Pain scores in the reflexology group decreased by 90.9% in week 1, 90.2% in week 2, and 59.8% in week 3 compared to the control group. Pain resolved at week 4 in the reflexology group and week 7 in the control group. The reflexology group showed a 36.9% decrease in fatigue level, a 48.0% increase in energy level, a 70.7% increase in sleep quality, and a 20.2% increase in breastfeeding efficacy compared to the control group (p < 0.05).Conclusions:Foot reflexology reduces postpartum symptoms and positively affects breastfeeding and can be used safely in postnatal care practices.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:The field of lactation currently uses breastfeeding rates to measure effectiveness. While monitoring breastfeeding outcomes can provide insight into the successes of lactation consulting as a profession, the improvement of breastfeeding outcomes is a multifactorial issue. In order to facilitate the growth of lactation education processes, understanding experiences during training and perceptions of readiness of current International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) for clinical practice is necessary.Research Aim:The aim of this survey was to provide a baseline assessment of the current landscape of the lactation profession through data related to certification, job market, practice confidence after passing the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) certifying examination, and perceptions of specializations.Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the experiences of practicing IBCLCs. Non-probability convenience sampling was implemented from December 2021 through January 2022. A total of 281 unique responses were recorded with complete data on variables of interest.Results:The majority of respondents were white females under age 50 located in the United States. The majority of respondents were certified through a Pathway 1. The largest barrier to certification was reported to be a lack of clinical/mentorship opportunities. Respondents were significantly more confident in providing entry-level support to dyads when mentored by four or more preceptors.Conclusion:Diversification of the field of lactation is necessary to provide appropriate support to lactating families in the United States. Additionally, addressing the barrier of accessing clinical/mentorship opportunities is essential for continued growth of the field of lactation.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Little is known about the relationship between maternal age and the macronutrient content of colostrum.Research Aims:This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal age and human milk macronutrient content by comparing the concentrations of lactose, proteins, and lipids in the colostrum of women with younger, moderate, and advanced maternal age.Methods:An observational, cross-sectional study was designed to compare the macronutrient concentrations in the colostrum of women aged < 20 years, 20 to 34 years, and > 34 years (younger, moderate, and advanced maternal age, respectively; n = 33 per group). For each participant, 3 ml of colostrum was collected by manual extraction from the right breast at 10 am, 39–48 hr after delivery, and analyzed using a Miris Human Milk Analyzer. Macronutrient concentrations were compared between the groups using analysis of variance. P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results:Mothers with moderate maternal age had a higher colostrum lipid concentration than those with younger or advanced maternal age (2.3 mg, SD = 1.4 mg vs. 1.5 mg, SD = 1.0 mg vs. 1.6 mg, SD = 0.9 mg, respectively; p = 0.007). Lactose and protein contents in the analyzed samples did not differ among the three study groups.Conclusion:This study lends support to the potential variation of lipids in colostrum by maternal age and suggests individual adaptation to the nutritional components of milk to the needs of the infant may be beneficial.
Early and exclusive breastfeeding may reduce neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in low-resource settings. However, prelacteal feeding (PLF), the practice of giving food or liquid before breastfeeding is esta...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Human milk banks have been established to provide human milk to preterm infants who are unable to obtain milk from their mothers. Donor screening methods vary, and prospective donors are commonly screened for drug and recreational substance use through behavioral screening. Although the risk of illegal drug consumption in Japan is extremely low, caffeine may be consumed unknowingly and can be found in human milk. To date, only a few reports have been conducted on the concentration of caffeine in donor milk.Research Aim:This study aimed to examine the pre-pasteurization levels of caffeine in human milk donated to a milk bank in Japan.Methods:This was a cross-sectional, observational study of caffeine concentrations in human milk donated to a human milk bank in Japan. Caffeine concentration in the donor milk was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.Results:Caffeine was detected in 70% of the donor milk samples (N = 350). The median (range) of caffeine concentration was 0.46 [< 0.10, 7.54] mg/L, and 64.0% of the samples had less than 1 mg/L of caffeine. The caffeine concentration varied widely among as well as within individuals.Conclusion:The average caffeine concentration in Japanese donor milk samples was higher than that previously reported in samples from Spain, but the range was similar. Donors should be informed that caffeine intake should be within a moderate range, to further increase the safety of donor milk.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Human milk is essential for a child’s best development. However, what a mother eats while breastfeeding can directly influence the composition of mother’s milk.Research Aim:This study aimed to assess the antioxidant-oxidant profile of human milk and establish a connection between this profile and the dietary habits of the mothers.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hospital Infantil e Maternidade Alzir Bernardino Alves (HIMABA), located in the municipality of Vila Velha-ES, Brazil. The sample included 98 participants. All volunteers completed a structured interview and a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Approximately 5–10 ml of colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk were manually collected. The antioxidant activity of human milk was assessed using the colorimetric method for free radical scavenging with 2,2’-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring lipid peroxidation through malondialdehyde concentration, evaluating advanced oxidation protein products, and assessing total protein content using the Bradford method.Results:The antioxidant profile of colostrum was higher than that observed in later phases of milk, whereas pro-oxidants increased in later phases. Maternal dietary patterns influenced the pro-oxidant status of human milk. Participants with a higher daily intake of milk, dairy products, vegetable oils, olive oils, and legumes exhibited lower levels of lipid peroxidation in colostrum, transition milk, and mature milk, respectively.Conclusions:Our study highlights the vital role of a balanced maternal diet in shaping the pro-oxidant status of human milk, with implications for infant health.
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which may occur in utero, during birth, or through breastmilk, is now largely preventable with the advancement of HIV testing and treatment for women and their infants. Glo...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex is an understudied condition of lactation involving emotional dysregulation during letdown or milk ejection. Affected individuals may experience transient feelings of helplessness, melancholy, and general unhappiness.Research Aim:To evaluate the scope of published literature on Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex.Method:Whittemore and Knafl’s methodology guided this integrative review. Five databases were searched for primary research, summaries, and editorials on Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex in lactating individuals. Literature searched also included websites, pamphlets, and conference proceedings via Google and Google Scholar. A total of 11 articles, from five different countries, met inclusion criteria for review.Results:Studies on Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex and negative emotional sensations during lactation were synthesized under five conceptual umbrellas: (1) Experiences, Sensations, and Symptom Management; (2) Biological Underpinnings; (3) Influence on Maternal Role and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy; (4) Support, Understanding, and Awareness; and (5) Reduction and Cessation of Breastfeeding.Conclusion:Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex is a neurobiological condition characterized by low mood and negative feelings during milk ejection throughout lactation. Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex is linked to maternal psychological distress and breastfeeding discontinuation. Priority areas for future research include biological origins and interventions aimed at prevention, symptom control, and greater awareness of the condition on a more international scope.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
