Hírolvasó

Donated breast milk is considered beneficial to vulnerable infants. Thus, Uganda launched its first human milk bank in November 2021 to provide breast milk to preterm, low birthweight and sick babies. However,...

Employed mothers have lower rates of breastfeeding, including health workers who are supposed to be advocates for breastfeeding. These working mothers need a supportive workplace environment to breastfeed, yet...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Evidence has shown that restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected breastfeeding support and outcomes in hospitals in many countries. The aims of the study were to describe exclusive br...

Reducing the disposal of donated human milk (HM) is important for efficient management of human milk banks (HMBs). The presence of bacteria growth is the main factor that contributes to the disposal of donated...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Breastfeeding has been the subject of scientific studies for many years. Identifying the current trends and hotspots in breastfeeding research can further advance understanding in the field.Research Aim:This study aimed to review the basic and conceptual structure of the literature on breastfeeding from a macro perspective.Methods:The dataset for this study included 8,509 articles published between 1980 and 2022 accessed through the Web of Science database. Bibliometric methods were used to assess the growth direction of the literature on breastfeeding, the publication performance by country, influential journals and articles, co-citation networks, and keywords.Results:Research on breastfeeding developed slowly until the 2000s, at which point the speed of growth increased. The United States was the country in which most of the breastfeeding research was produced as well as being at the center of international collaborative networks. An examination of author productivity established that there was no specialization in breastfeeding. The results of citation and keyword analyses demonstrated that the literature on breastfeeding is sensitive to current developments, and the psychological aspects of breastfeeding have been intensively discussed, especially in recent years. Moreover, our results demonstrate that breastfeeding support programs are a distinct area if interest. Despite the abundance of research available, more studies are needed for specialization in this field.Conclusion:This broad overview of the field of breastfeeding research can inform the direction and advancement of the literature.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Women with a cancer history report high distress during pregnancy and infant feeding. Despite the clear advantages of breastfeeding, little is known about factors influencing infant feeding behavior in women with cancer history.Research Aim:This three-time point longitudinal study aimed to explore the centrality of pregnancy and infant feeding experiences in 17 pregnant women with a cancer history (cases) compared to 17 pregnant women without cancer history (controls).Methods:During pregnancy, participants filled out the Centrality of Events Scale and an ad hoc questionnaire about specific emotions, concerns, and expectations about infant feeding (T1), and their childbirth and infant feeding experiences during hospitalization (T2), and at 3-months postpartum (T3).Results:Results at T1 demonstrated that participants with a history of cancer reported a higher perception of negative judgment and moral choice about breastfeeding than participants without a history of cancer. At T2 they reported a more positive childbirth experience than controls. From T2 to T3 participants with a history of cancer breastfed at a higher percentage than controls, and at T3 they reported higher levels of emotional and physical pleasure about the infant feeding experiences.Conclusions:Women with cancer history may experience a higher emotional and physical pleasure with infant feeding. Despite initial difficulties, a greater prevalence of breastfeeding was present for women with a history of cancer. Although this is a small sample, this research suggests that support and promotion of breastfeeding might be very effective after a serious medical diagnosis.

In India, more than half of the newborns experience delayed breastfeeding, and non-exclusive breastfeeding is practiced in 63% of babies below the age of six months. The goal of this study is to investigate th...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Recent calls-to-action have recommended the use of gender-inclusive language in the field of human lactation research and clinical care. However, little empirical evidence about parental acceptance and understanding of this new terminology exists.Research Aim:To assess understanding and acceptance of an inclusive language revision of the Breastfeeding Attrition Prediction Tool (BAPT).Methods:This was a prospective qualitative study consisting of two phases, a survey followed by cognitive interview. Pregnant people (N = 16) were recruited from the Vermont Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, which uses the BAPT as a standard of care. The study team revised the BAPT (e.g., changed terms like “breast milk” to “human milk”). Study participants completed the Revised BAPT and then participated in a cognitive interview by phone to assess their understanding and acceptance of revised, inclusive language.Results:Most inclusive language was well understood and accepted by participants. Proposed revisions to the survey to replace terms like “breastfeeding” with other terms like “chestfeeding” or “bodyfeeding” were more difficult for participants to understand and were not well accepted.Conclusions:While it is clear that language in human lactation research and clinical practice should be revised to be more gender inclusive, specific inclusive terms elicit different levels of understanding and acceptance. Inclusive language options should be tested with target populations and more research is needed in this area.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Research gaps exist with regard to paternal attitudes towards breastfeeding and the association between fathers’ attitudes and the type of breastfeeding.Research Aims: (1)To analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale in fathers, and (2) to examine the association between fathers’ attitudes and type of breastfeeding.Method:We used a cross-sectional study design to analyze the scale’s psychometric properties and performance.Results:A total of 639 fathers participated in the study. The mean age was 35.83 years (SD = 4.65) and 67.3% (n = 430) were married or in a civil partnership. We observed an adequate fit in the confirmatory factor analysis: TLI = 0.96, CFI = 0.97 and RMSEA = 0.05. The overall internal consistency was 0.76. Between 1–6 months, 48% (n = 307) of participants’ babies were exclusively breastfed, 35.2% (n = 225) were partially breastfed, and 16.7% (n = 107) were exclusively formula fed. Statistically significant differences were shown in attitudes towards breastfeeding, depending on the type of breastfeeding, between 1 and 6 months (F = 54.67; p < .001). Fathers who reported that their baby had been exclusively breastfed scored higher on attitudes towards breastfeeding. Statistically significant differences were also found between partial breastfeeding and formula feeding.Conclusions:The Spanish version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring paternal attitudes towards breastfeeding.

Global estimates of calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breastmilk are lacking. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the calcium, zinc, and vitamin D content in breast milk.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Breastfeeding continuation rates are low in Ireland. The Breastfeeding Observation and Assessment Tool (BOAT) was developed to assist public health nurses in assessing breastfeeding challenges; however, little is known of its actual usage, the level of training experienced or desired by public health nurses, or their level of confidence in the support they provide to breastfeeding mothers.Research Aim:To identify the current practices and support needs of public health nurses who provide breastfeeding support in Ireland.Method:An online questionnaire was devised to collect respondents’ confidence with breastfeeding issues, caseload, and practices. It was distributed to public health nurses with a current child health caseload in one Community Healthcare Organization. Mann Whitney U tests were used to ascertain the relationship between public health nurses’ confidence level and those with qualifications in midwifery or as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).Results:The survey was completed by 66 public health nurses. Only 14 respondents (21.2%) indicated that they always used the BOAT. The most common reason for not doing so was a lack of education on its use (n = 17, 25.8%). Postholders also certified as IBCLCs were considered by participants to be the most appropriate professionals to resolve certain breastfeeding issues. Confidence levels to manage breastfeeding issues were highest among public health nurses with IBCLC credentialing (U = 12.5, p = .001) while no difference was seen when comparing those with a midwifery degree to those without (U = 184.0, p = .92). Face-to-face workshops and blended-learning approaches were ranked as the preferred formats for breastfeeding education (Median rank = 2).Conclusions:Breastfeeding education incorporating a face-to-face component is needed to support public health nurses who work with breastfeeding mothers, as is prioritization of recruitment in the community of public health nurses with IBCLC credentials.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
One of the factors contributing to the disparities still present by race in the United States may be inequitable access to lactation education. In order to ensure that all parents receive the education they deserve to make informed infant feeding decisions, two checklists were created for patient and healthcare professional use, respectively. This paper describes the process of creating and validating the healthcare professional and patient checklists. The authors completed a review of the most recent literature surrounding barriers to lactation initiation and retention in the Black community to create the initial version of the checklists. Expert consultation was then utilized to assess their content validity. Local healthcare providers unanimously agreed that pregnant and postpartum parents need more education and support than currently provided. The consulted experts described the two checklists as useful and comprehensive and offered feedback for their revision and optimization. Implementing these checklists offer the possibility of increasing provider accountability in delivering adequate lactation education and enhancing client lactation knowledge and self-efficacy. Further research is needed to assess the effect of implementation of the checklists in a healthcare setting.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.