Hírolvasó

As the president of the board of directors of the International Lactation Consultant Association® (ILCA®), I deeply value listening carefully to you, our members. I also want to be transparent with you about our organization. In 2019, I will be sharing with you the things that have excited me, the ways ILCA is stepping forward, […]

Do you love bringing together lactation consultants and ensuring they have the skills they need to provide high quality, evidence based care? Consider playing a key role in the ILCA Annual Meeting and Conference by applying to become the Conference Program Task Force Chair (CPTF). This two-year position includes an honorarium and attendance at the […]

Despite the array of studies on infant feeding practices of HIV-infected women, gaps still exist in the understanding of the underlying reasons for their infant feeding choices. Potential for behavioural chang...

In Afar, a pastoralist and remote area of Ethiopia, one in five children suffers from acute malnutrition. Investigation of the prevalence and associated factors of exclusive breastfeeding may provide insight i...

Do you want to work alongside leaders from around the globe to shape the future of ILCA and your profession? Do you want to help set our path within the global breastfeeding community? Consider becoming a candidate for a position on the ILCA Board! The ILCA Board of Directors is seeking candidates for the Secretary […]

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:In Italy, there is no widespread standardized national monitoring system for breastfeeding practices.Research aims:To estimate breastfeeding indicators according to World Health Organization recommendations and associated socioeconomic factors, highlighting the potential and limitations of vaccination centers as sources of data.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in the vaccination centers of 13 Local Health Districts in Italy. Data on breastfeeding practices were collected via structured questionnaires between February and November, 2015, from 14,191 mothers recruited during vaccination appointments for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd doses against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis, and for the 1st dose against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Crude breastfeeding rates and direct age standardized rates were compared. Logistic regression models were used to explore socio-demographic characteristics associated with breastfeeding indicators.Results:Overall, 14,191 mothers were recruited, with a response rate higher than 94%. Exclusive breastfeeding rates among children aged 2–3 months and 4–5 months were 44.4% and 25.8%, respectively; breastfeeding rates among children aged 11–12 and 13–15 months were 34.2% and 24.9%; 10.4% never breastfed. Strong geographical and socioeconomic differences were found. Some differences also emerged between crude and standardized rates.ConclusionsWe conclude that a survey system in vaccination centers is practicable and its use could produce, with standardized methodology, representative regional and national breastfeeding estimates that could monitor progress towards present and future targets.

Let potential clients know that your Hospital-Based Facility or Community-Based Agency recognizes the role of the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant® (IBCLC®) in protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding by applying for the IBCLC Care Award. The IBCLC Care Awards are promoted to new families and the general public which means your facility can enjoy the […]

Early initiation of breastfeeding, also known as early initiation, is the provision of a mothers own breast milk to her infant within one hour of birth. In Ethiopia, there is a considerable variation in the ti...

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

In Nigeria, diarrhoea contributes significantly to childhood morbidity and mortality, with suboptimal breastfeeding practices playing a key role. The present study aimed to report on diarrhoea deaths and disab...

School-based breastfeeding education (SBBE) may help improve breastfeeding rates in the long term by instilling in young people a base of evidence-informed knowledge, skills, and attitudes that primes them to ...

Optimising breastfeeding rates is a public health priority. Studies have shown that all forms of extra breastfeeding support increase breastfeeding rates, including support provided by trained health professio...

In Brazil, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) proposes following the criteria, the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding”, International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Good birth a...

On topics ranging from breastfeeding in the workplace to co-sleeping perceptions to opioid maintenance treatment, our community tapped into the top-accessed resources of Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) nearly 23,000 times last year. As we wrap up 2018, we compiled this list of the year’s top ten most accessed JHL articles. Planning on using research to […]

At #ILCA18, the Journal of Human Lactation (JHL) awarded the Patricia Martens Annual Award for Excellence in Breastfeeding Research to Dr. Mary Renfrew. This award is given, in memory of Patricia Martens, to a senior researcher with a history of excellence in breastfeeding research which has had an international impact on advancing our knowledge and […]

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

During our 2018 Annual General Meeting, as a part of our #ILCA18 Conference in Portland, Oregon, United States, we gave our members the opportunity to ask questions of our Board of Directors. Since returning from the conference, we have been hard at work implementing suggestions you have made and exploring how the needs of our […]

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Researchers exploring breastfeeding attitudes and knowledge among women suggest the decision to breastfeed is influenced by the male partner, yet few studies address males. Because collegiate males will soon enter fatherhood, assessment of their attitudes and knowledge may inform interventions aimed at increasing intention to breastfeed.Research aim:This study aimed to describe collegiate males’ exposure to, attitude toward, and knowledge about breastfeeding.Methods:A cross-sectional online survey was used with males ≥ 18 years of age enrolled at a Texas public university. Attitude indices measured included social limitations, public displays of breastfeeding, and employer accommodations. Descriptive statistics, correlational and regression analyses were employed.Results:The participants’ (N = 949) average age was 25.48 years; > 80% reported not being fathers. Exposure to breastfeeding was high; > 80% witnessed breastfeeding and/or had someone close breastfeed. High attitude scores indicated social acceptability of breastfeeding. Knowledge appeared limited: only 16% identified the recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; > 50% overlooked the reduced risk for overweight/obesity, ear infections, diarrhea, or food allergies. Correlations between knowledge, exposure, total attitude, and index scores were positive (p < .01) except for the public displays index. Stepwise multiple regression determined that breastfeeding exposure, knowledge scores, and father’s educational level predicted total attitude score, (R2 = 0.13, F (3,851) = 44.02, p < .01).Conclusion:The positive attitudes outcome among this male population is promising for breastfeeding support and advocacy. Education efforts improving knowledge will likely increase behavioral intention, resulting in increased breastfeeding rates and duration.

Journal of Human Lactation, Ahead of Print.
Background:Infant tongue-tie can cause breastfeeding problems, which may be improved by frenotomy. However, controversy exists among the medical community.Research aim:To examine the influence of frenotomy on infants with posterior ankyloglossia, by quantifying the changes in breastfeeding and maternal nipple pain using standardized tools.Methods:Newborns (N = 30) below 12 weeks of age were recruited from the Herzl–Goldfarb Breastfeeding Clinic between April 2014 and April 2015. Diagnosis of posterior ankyloglossia was made clinically. Frenotomy was performed. Mothers received breastfeeding counseling before and after the procedure. Pain and breastfeeding were assessed before the procedure, immediately after the procedure, and after 2 days, 7 days and 14 days. Breastfeeding was assessed using the LATCH Tool and by subjective questioning. Maternal nipple pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating System.Results:No complications were reported with frenotomy. There was a significant improvement in LATCH score immediately post-frenotomy, with an increase in median scores from 7.5 to 8.5 (p < .0001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). There was a significant decrease in median pain score immediately post-frenotomy, from 3.0 on the left nipple and 3.25 on the right nipple, to 0 bilaterally (p < .0001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Subjective improvement in breastfeeding was reported by 90% of mothers immediately after frenotomy and 83% of mothers at Day 14.Conclusion:Frenotomy for posterior ankyloglossia may improve breastfeeding and nipple pain.