Breastfeeding is the single, most cost-effective intervention to reduce worldwide child mortality. Women empowerment interventions have positive impacts on child and maternal nutritional, and health status. Wo...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Studies reporting factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding are mostly quantitative. No study has performed a systematic qualitative summary to document the recurring constraints and facilitators to excl...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
BackgroundPreterm infants are more susceptible to inflammatory complications than term infants. Human milk contains numerous bioactive components protecting the newborn infant. Antisecretory factor, a protein regulating secretory and inflammatory processes by complex binding with complement factors, is present in human milk.Research AimsTo describe antisecretory factor (1) in mother’s own milk in term and preterm infants; and (2) in donor milk before and after Holder pasteurization.MethodsThe study was prospective, longitudinal, explorative, and descriptive. Antisecretory factor-compleasome was determined using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in longitudinal human milk samples over 12 weeks from mothers (N = 87) of term (n = 41) and of preterm (n = 46) infants and 20 anonymized donor human milk samples before and after Holder pasteurization.ResultsAntisecretory factor-compleasome was overall higher in colostrum versus mature milk (p < .001) and no difference was found in term or preterm colostrum (p = .82). In mature milk, compleasome was higher and more variable in the preterm group (p = .01). After Holder pasteurization, compleasome levels increased (p < .001).ConclusionAntisecretory factor followed the pattern of other immunological factors with high levels in colostrum. After preterm birth, levels of antisecretory factor were higher and more variable in mature milk. Holder pasteurization did not degrade antisecretory factor, indicating preserved anti-inflammatory properties in donor human milk.
Maternal smoking is suspected to have negative impacts on breastfeeding, such as decreasing the quantity of breast milk, and reducing vitamin and fat concentrations in the milk in the late lactation period. Ci...
Around the globe, parents’ options and choices about feeding their infants and young children are influenced by an ever-changing patchwork of laws and policies. Has your work as a lactation professional brought you up close and personal with such a law or policy? And would you like to share what you’ve learned? If so, you […]
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Gabrielle Palmer has written, taught, and campaigned about infant nutrition issues, particularly the unethical marketing of baby foods, since the 1970s. Her seminal book, The Politics of Breastfeeding: When Breasts are Bad for Business, has guided many breastfeeding advocates for over 40 years through three editions and multiple printings. As a breastfeeding counsellor during the 1970s, she helped establish the United Kingdom’s advocacy pressure group Baby Milk Action. She worked as a volunteer in Mozambique during the 1980s. During the 1990s she co-directed the International Breastfeeding Practice and Policy course at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, until she went to live for 2 years in China. Over the years, she has worked for various health and development agencies, including serving as HIV and Infant Feeding Officer for the United Nations Children’s Fund, New York, and also taught at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). She is a mother and a grandmother. (This is a verbatim interview that has been edited for readability: MA = Maryse Arendt; GP = Gabrielle Palmer).
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding can play a critical role in reducing child morbidity and mortality. Limited research has been done thus far on the practice and perceptions of breastfeeding ...
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Research tells us that the overwhelming majority of mothers want to breastfeed, but they don’t always reach their breastfeeding goals. Less than half of newborns begin breastfeeding in the first hour of life, and only 44% of infants are exclusively breastfed at six months.1 One of the most significant challenges to improving breastfeeding rates worldwide […]
This report evaluated the breastfeeding status in a Tasmanian cohort and its effects on infant and maternal anthropometry and body composition.
Friday, 21 May 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) by the 34th World Health Assembly. Show your support for the implementation and monitoring of these critical efforts to limit the aggressive and predatory marketing of breastmilk substitutes, including commercial milk formula. Change […]
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Breast milk is the best source of essential nutrients and bioactive components for infants under 6 months. However, little is known about what affects breastfeeding intentions and practices of Chinese mothers....
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
BackgroundInappropriate marketing of human milk substitutes negatively influences efforts to protect breastfeeding. Although healthcare professionals can positively influence infant feeding decisions, government regulations permit manufacturers to communicate messages to them through advertising.Research Aims(1) To identify the extent of human milk substitute advertising in publications aimed at United Kingdom healthcare professionals and (2) to describe compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and United Kingdom Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional observational study. We reviewed publications targeting healthcare professionals working with families in the United Kingdom (N = 19). Quantity and type of human milk substitute advertisements, as a proportion of all advertising, in each publication were recorded. All unique advertisements were double assessed for compliance.ResultsHuman milk substitute advertising was found in nine (47%) of the 19 publications (four affiliated with professional associations), making up 10.3% (n = 196) of these publications’ total advertising. Of human milk substitute advertisements found, 65.4% (n = 110) were for products used to manage cows’ milk protein allergy. Of the 32 unique human milk substitute advertisements found, none complied with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes or United Kingdom Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations.ConclusionsMany healthcare professionals’ publications had non-compliant human milk substitute advertisements. There is an urgent need to ensure full compliance with international and local regulation in future advertisements and to consider whether advertisements are justified at all.
Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
