Hírolvasó

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Late preterm infants have lower breastfeeding rates than term infants, yet few published interventions or guidelines exist to guide hospitals in managing them in the non-intensive nursery setting. Here we describe the development and implementation of an interdisciplinary, hospital-based, breastfeeding support program among late preterm infants not requiring intensive care. The Early Bloomer Program includes an order set applied at birth, immediate lactation consultation, availability of donor milk, parent education on late preterm infants, hand expression teaching and kit including spoon and video link, and daily interdisciplinary team huddles. The program was developed with staff input using Diffusion of Innovation Theory, and implemented first among early adopters before expanding to all postpartum nurses. Nursing staff received education on late preterm infant physiology and feeding, and trainings on the Early Bloomers program through various learning modalities during the year leading up to implementation. To further understand the strengths and weakness of the program, we surveyed nurses (n = 43). Nurses reported that they were more attentive to the needs of late preterm infants, more confident in their care, and more aware of possible complications and feeding needs. Areas noted in need of improvement included lack of overnight lactation consults and little involvement of labor and delivery staff in the program. The Early Bloomers program increased confidence in care and was well received by nurses. Well-designed clinical studies are needed to identify effective breastfeeding support practices for late preterm infants.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Improving breastfeeding practices is a worldwide priority. Pharmacists have the opportunity to actively promote breastfeeding and educate parents as well as the general public about its benefits.Research Aims:The aims of this study are to investigate Jordanian pharmacists’ present breastfeeding support practices and perceptions regarding their need for education and training in breastfeeding support.Methods:To examine sociodemographic characteristics of community pharmacists in Jordan and their current breastfeeding support practices and educational needs, a descriptive cross-sectional online (self-report) survey was conducted. Through social media, pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Jordan were recruited between August 2021 and February 2022. The level of breastfeeding support participants had been provided with was measured using eight items in a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 5 (Always) to 1 (Never). Each participant self-reported the frequency of advice/information given to breastfeeding women in each of these areas. Univariate and multivariable linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with the level of breastfeeding support.Results:Participants (N = 381) reported a high level of breastfeeding support, but expressed a need for training and education for further improvement. The breastfeeding support score of female participants was found to be 0.12 higher than that of males (Beta = 0.12, p = .02), 0.16 higher in married participants compared to non-married participants (Beta = 0.16, p = .03), and 0.10 higher in participants working in rural areas compared to those working in urban areas (Beta = 0.10, p = .04).Conclusion:While community pharmacists generally report a high level of breastfeeding support, our findings revealed demographic differences. Attention to specific areas of need might enhance what pharmacists could offer; however, additional research would be required to guide the specific educational content.

Human hindmilk contains higher concentrations of fat than foremilk and is more desirable for growth in preterm infants who can tolerate limited volumes of breastmilk. There is currently no clear demarcation be...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Early initiation of breastfeeding is central to the success of infant feeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore recommends breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and has set a target to incr...

The Philippines has enacted maternity protection policies, such as the 105-Day Expanded Maternity Leave Law and the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding....

Low birthweight (LBW) infants are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Exclusive breastfeeding up to six months is recommended to help them thrive through infection prevention, growth improvements, an...

There is a lack of large, nationwide, birth cohort studies in Japan that examine the relationships of initial feeding habits and breastfeeding period duration with offspring functional constipation at 3 years ...

The exclusive breastfeeding rate in China remains significantly low. Numerous studies have identified the impact of maternal characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding; however, the correlation between primary...

Breastfeeding is a critical health intervention in infants. Recent literature reported that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant mental health issues in pregnant and breastfeeding women due to social ...

Breastfeeding up to two years and beyond supports the health and neurobiological development of a child. Nevertheless, mothers experience criticism from health professionals towards breastfeeding beyond 12 mon...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Introduction:Human lactation should be taken into account as an important issue for the international agenda. Despite advances in lactation information and knowledge, insufficient milk production is still a concern for mothers and health practitioners, including International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and others. Primary hypogalactia, or insufficient milk production is uncommon, but should be considered when there is poor weight gain and decreased urine output in infants despite good latch-on and suckling, or anatomic differences in the physical exam of the lactating breast.Main Issue:This case series presents three cases illustrating insufficient milk production resulting in infants who experienced significant dehydration and poor weight gain.Management:Primary hypoplasia was diagnosed by means of a thorough interview and physical examination that entailed a consultation with a physician who was also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.Conclusion:Awareness of an infant’s feeding needs and proper evaluation of a child’s health status is paramount if health care providers are to identify the important factors contributing to breastfeeding problems. In some instances, breastfeeding goals cannot be achieved, and then the provider’s role becomes support in coming to terms with persistent insufficient milk production, and coordinating appropriate supplementation to meet each baby’s nutritional needs.

Very few studies have assessed the association between COVID-19 infection and the rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) upon discharge following the first waves of the pandemic and after initiation of vaccina...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Wet nursing and human milk banks are vital sources of human milk for infants unable to breastfeed.Research Aim:This study aims to determine the knowledge and opinions of neonatal intensive care unit nurses regarding wet-nursing and human milk banks in Türkiye.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 219 neonatal intensive care unit nurses using an online survey comprising 20 questions. The data were collected between August and September 2021.Results:Among the participants, 64.4% (n = 141) expressed that they would be a wet-nurse and 59.8% (n = 131) would search for a wet-nurse if necessary. Some, 47.0% (n = 103) of participants did not know if there were any human milk banks in Türkiye, 53.9% (n = 118) would like to be a donor if human milk banks were established, and 71.7% (n = 157) stated that the establishment of human milk banks should be supported. Religious concerns were the basis for reluctance to donate milk to human milk banks for 60% (n = 51) of the participants. Knowledge was greater and opinions about wet-nursing and human milk banks were more positive for participants with higher education, more time in the neonatal intensive care unit, or work at a tertiary care center.Conclusion:The approaches of neonatal intensive care unit nurses towards personally being wet-nurses and milk sharing were generally positive, although more information about human milk banks is needed. Religious beliefs are an important consideration when providing information about milk sharing.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

by Lisa Mandell, MBA, IBCLC, Global Advocacy Adviser, ILCA On 13 August, I was honored to moderate the opening plenary session at the ILCA 2023 Annual Conference, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. It was truly delightful to work with a varied group of expert panelists, which included: Nadrah Arifin, Physician and Lactation Consultant […]

Breastfeeding mothers’ decisions to donate their milk is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes, and subjective norms such as their family’s opinions on milk donation. In Iran, women have favorable knowledge...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:With improvement in a population’s welfare, its food consumption patterns may change, including those of nursing mothers. This, in turn, could influence their human milk composition.Research Aim:To investigate the secular trend in macronutrient composition of mature human milk from mothers of healthy, full-term infants in urban populations in Indonesia from 1974 and 2019.Method:We compared the macronutrient composition of mature human milk of healthy full-term infants from 1974 and 2019. The data from 2019 used the Human Milk Analyzer MIRIS to quantify the milk’s carbohydrate, fat, and protein content, while the historical data used methods available at that time, that is, methods described by Benedict, Gerber and Kjeldahl, respectively.Results:There were no significant differences in carbohydrate, protein and fat content across categories of maternal nutritional status in the respective periods. However, the fat content of human milk from 2019 was significantly higher than that of 1974 (4.7 g/dl, SD = 1.7 g/dl vs. 3.3 g/dl, SD = 1.1 g/dl; p < 0.001), while its carbohydrate content was significantly lower (6.2 g/dl, SD = 2.1 g/dl vs. 7.1 g/dl, SD = 0.2 g/dl; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the protein content between the two periods (1.4 g/dl, SD = 0.5 g/dl vs. 1.6 g/dl, SD = 0.3 g/dl; p = 0.491).Conclusion:The mature human milk from 2019 has a higher fat and total energy content but lower carbohydrate content than those observed 4 decades ago. The protein content remained the same.