Articles tagged with Breast Feeding
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a fatty molecule in breast milk that triggers a process in which stem cells produce new white matter, reversing neurological damage. This finding holds promise for developing therapies to treat preterm babies with cerebral palsy.
Research found no association between oxycodone prescriptions and persistent opioid use after delivery, but those who delivered vaginally were at greater risk. Higher dosages and prescription durations also linked to increased risk of persistent opioid use.
A recent study by Tufts University researchers found that myo-inositol in human breast milk increases synaptic connections between neurons, indicating stronger brain connectivity. This finding could lead to improved infant formulas and better brain health outcomes for adults with certain psychiatric conditions.
A large-scale US study finds that breastfeeding reduces post-perinatal infant mortality by 33%. The findings suggest promoting and supporting breastfeeding could help address the high rate of infant mortality in the US. Regional variations exist, with higher initiation rates associated with lower mortality rates.
A new study reveals that breast milk contains a unique set of antibodies passed from mom to baby, which can vary significantly between mothers. This variability may explain why some infants develop life-threatening diseases like NEC, while others do not.
In ancient California's San Francisco Bay Area, women played a crucial role in the economy, with mothers prioritizing their female offspring through extended breastfeeding. This practice may have led to female-biased wealth disparities, as older women were buried with greater wealth than men.
New studies show cow colostrum can reduce infant formula use and strengthen mother's milk in premature babies, providing essential nutrients like amino acids. Researchers hope to optimize cow colostrum product for critical first few weeks after birth.
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that supportive communities and education about breastfeeding health benefits can boost breastfeeding rates, particularly in rural areas where it is less common. The study also showed that reduced stigma surrounding breastfeeding occurred with increased community exposure.
A multi-nation cohort analysis found that mothers with higher BMIs have shorter breastfeeding durations due to inflammation and cesarean section deliveries. The study identified dietary and systemic inflammation as modifiable factors associated with longer lactation duration in people with high BMI.
A review highlights the importance of supporting breastfeeding in India, where one-quarter of the world's children are born. The authors express concern that excessive concern about infant allergies may be undermining mother-infant bonding, breastfeeding, and child nutrition.
The study found that fathers who supported their partners' breastfeeding goals had higher rates of successful breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Fathers were also more likely to implement safe sleep practices when they received guidance on infant sleep safety. However, racial disparities in safe sleep practices persist, with Bl...
Researchers found that vaginal microbiota seeding improved C-section babies' early development by colonizing their guts with maternal bacteria. This approach may reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and intellectual disabilities.
A study published in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that children breastfed for longer had improved educational outcomes at age 16, with modest gains in academic achievement. The research analyzed data from the Millennium Cohort Study and found a strong association between breastfeeding duration and better exam results.
A study led by UC San Francisco found that breastfeeding duration increased by an average of 18% among U.S. women during the pandemic, with white and high-income women experiencing the largest gains. The study suggests that a national paid family leave policy could improve breastfeeding rates and reduce health inequities.
Black mothers are less likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding due to various psychological and social factors. Accessible education and community support are key factors that positively affect long-term breastfeeding goals. Researchers urge healthcare providers to develop population-specific interventions guided by the voices of...
A systematic review from Swansea University highlights the need for better data on breastfeeding and medicines used during pregnancy, labour, and after birth. The study recommends including education outcomes in population databases to inform research on the benefits and harms of medicines during breastfeeding.
A recent study published in BMJ found that many infant formulas make unsubstantiated health claims, with only a small percentage supported by scientific research. The study examined 757 products from 15 countries and found that 90% of the investigations had high risk of biased research.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have discovered that beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study provides new insights into the molecular underpinnings of these processes, which could lead to improved infant health around the world.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released new guidelines to help parents manage night-time breastfeeding in young infants. The guidelines emphasize the importance of mothers sleeping close to their babies and taking measures to minimize nighttime feedings, promoting a more responsive and baby-led approach to breastfeeding.
Researchers found that mothers can transfer microbes to their babies via alternative routes, including skin and respiratory tracts. Cesarean-born babies make up for receiving less of their mother's gut microbiome by drinking in breastmilk.
A new study published in Breastfeeding Medicine found that pediatricians' interactions with infant formula companies can influence their advice on exclusive breastfeeding. The study also revealed that these interactions were more common in private practices and higher-income areas with higher exclusive breastfeeding rates.
A global study found that almost half of newborns were separated from their mother, leading to low breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact rates. Despite rare transmission and mild cases, the pandemic's impact on family-centred care was significant.
Researchers found dapivirine levels in breast milk to be very low, posing no safety concerns. The study supports the inclusion of breastfeeding populations in global guidelines for the use of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV prevention.
An international survey found that most health and nutrition claims on infant formula products are backed by little to no high-quality scientific evidence. The study identified 757 products with an average of two claims each, including benefits for brain development, immunity, and growth.
A study published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that breastfeeding can reduce arsenic exposure in infants compared to formula feeding. Researchers measured arsenic levels in mothers, babies, and breast milk, revealing a clear association between maternal and neonatal arsenic exposure.
The Lancet experts urge an international treaty to curb irresponsible formula milk marketing, exploiting parents' worries about infant health. The series highlights how profits benefit high-income countries while causing social, economic, and environmental harms in low- and middle-income nations.
A Brazilian study found that early sugar consumption and interruption of breastfeeding are key factors contributing to dental caries in infants. Extended breastfeeding was shown to protect babies' teeth as long as they didn't receive sugary food, with the risk declining with falling sugar consumption.
Researchers found a protein called Rac1 that triggers milk production in breast cells when lactation stops and the breast returns to its pre-pregnancy state. This process involves cell death and autophagy, but can be reversed upon suckling, providing a fail-safe mechanism for mammalian survival.
A new study from Uppsala University found that early introduction of solid foods to infants leads to an earlier end to breastfeeding and a shorter duration of breastfeeding. The research involved 1,251 infants and their mothers, with nearly half receiving tastings as early as four months.
A study at the University of Turku found that residential green environments increase oligosaccharide diversity and alter individual sugar molecule compositions in breastmilk. This suggests a potential mediating role for breastfeeding in mitigating disease risks in infancy.
A new study published in the Journal of Perinatology found that breast milk from vaccinated parents contains antibodies that provide protection to infants. The study analyzed stool samples from 25 infants and found SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which offer protection against the virus.
Researchers found a significant association between maternal primary language and breastfeeding continuation among very-low-birthweight infants in Massachusetts. Non-English speaking mothers had lower rates of milk provision, while English-speaking Black mothers had higher rates of breastfeeding continuation.
A new study found that chronic inflammation in lactating mothers with obesity may contribute to low milk production. The researchers analyzed fatty acid and inflammatory marker profiles in blood and breast milk, finding a strong correlation between the two in non-obese mothers but not in those with chronic inflammation.
A new study found that small molecules in breast milk, specifically miR-375, can reduce the likelihood of infants developing allergic conditions like atopic dermatitis and food allergies. Infants who consumed more miR-375 had lower rates of these conditions, suggesting a potential protective effect of breast milk against allergies.
A recent study found that carnitine intake from breast milk promotes better growth and larger brain size at term equivalent age in very preterm infants. Carnitine levels were also associated with cerebellar size, suggesting a potential role in nervous system development.
Research suggests digital marketing of formula milk and commercial baby foods is linked to unhealthy parental feeding practices. Parents exposed to extensive digital marketing were less likely to exclusively breastfeed within the first 6 months and more likely to give their children processed foods and sugary drinks.
A Rutgers study found that infants who died unexpectedly in the first week of life had different risk factors compared to those who died later. The study analyzed data from 2000 to 2015 and found that mothers of infants dying in the first week showed less evidence of common risk factors such as smoking during pregnancy.
Research at LAC+USC Medical Center found a 11% decrease in exclusive breastfeeding and a 4% decrease in any breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic rates. Hospital staffing changes and access to breastfeeding training may have contributed to these declines.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found a significant link between poor metabolic health and low breast milk production. Women with conditions like insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and obesity were more likely to experience persistent low milk supply despite best breastfeeding practices.
A new EAT protocol increases the prevalence of direct breastfeeding in NICU babies without increasing hospital length of stay. The study found that a nurse-led, step-by-step approach and educational materials for parents can encourage more mothers to directly breastfeed their preterm infants.
Research in rats found that an enriched environment leads to better maternal behavior and higher-quality breastmilk. Mothers in enriching environments had more efficient parenting, resulting in larger offspring with increased body weights and improved social behavior.
A new study explores how active parent participation can improve neonatal health and reduce parental stress. The study found that cultural attitudes, collaboration between medical staff and parents, and availability of equipment are key factors in enabling parent-infant closeness.
Research found that breastfed premature infants have improved gut barrier function and nutrient absorption due to the presence of Bifidobacterium breve. This strain strengthens the intestinal wall, protecting against disease. The discovery could lead to promising clinical interventions to increase survival rates of vulnerable preemies.
A new study found that a fast food diet before pregnancy can negatively impact breast milk quality and baby's health, increasing the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Even short-term consumption of high sugar and fat diets affects women's health and fertility.
A study of preterm infants found that those who received more maternal milk in early life had better academic achievement, higher IQs, and reduced ADHD symptoms. Higher intake of maternal milk was also associated with improved reading and math scores.
Researchers found that breastfeeding provides an immune boost to infants, reducing the risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia. However, milk also mounts responses to beneficial gut bacteria, which can be disruptive and increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections.
A recent study of over 5,000 women found that having a baby after breast cancer diagnosis does not negatively impact survival rates. Women who had hormone-receptor positive breast cancer and became mothers showed similar or increased survival compared to those without children.
A water birth significantly reduces the use of epidurals, injected opioids, episiotomy, pain, and heavy bleeding after birth, while increasing mothers' satisfaction levels and the odds of an intact perineum. A water immersion also increases the likelihood of an intact perineum and reduces episodes of umbilical cord breakage.
Researchers found enteric viruses like noroviruses replicate in the salivary glands of mice and can be transmitted through their saliva, potentially explaining high infection rates worldwide. This discovery could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies for diseases caused by these viruses.
A Brazilian patient with a rare genetic disease was treated with breast milk donated by a vaccinated woman, boosting her IgA levels and eliminating the virus. The treatment was successful after a week, with the patient testing negative twice at ten-day intervals.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated its safe-sleep guidelines, recommending babies sleep on their backs on flat, level surfaces to reduce SIDS risk. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of breastfeeding, pacifier use, and avoiding drugs and alcohol exposure.
Researchers investigated how COVID-19 affected breastfeeding practices, finding some mothers experienced improved bonding with their babies during stay-at-home orders. Food insecurity was linked to higher diabetes distress among adults with pre-diabetes or diabetes. The studies also found that technology access was crucial for older ad...
A new preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers shows that naturally-produced IgG antibodies in breast milk can protect infants from infection-induced diarrheal illness. These antibodies enhance infant immunity against bacterial pathogens causing gastrointestinal diseases.
A study by Diane Spatz of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found that donating milk served as an important part of the grieving process for some parents who had lost a baby before or at birth. This practice helped them form a connection with their child, reduce grief, and create a positive outcome for another family.
Parents who used videoconferencing technology to view their hospitalized premature infant reported improved pumping experiences and increased bonding. The study found that videoconferencing strengthened the connection between families and their newborns, reducing stress and anxiety.
A recent study published in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that longer durations of exclusive breastfeeding are associated with lower odds of current asthma. The study analyzed over 2,000 mother-child pairs and discovered a 'dose-response' effect depending on how long the mother breastfed.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive test scores in children up to age 14. After adjusting for socioeconomic position and maternal cognitive ability, the researchers discovered that longer breastfeeding durations were linked to higher cognitive scores.
A new study in Nepal reveals that the desire for a son can lead to shorter breastfeeding durations for girls, resulting in a greater risk of infant mortality. The research found that girls with only older sisters had the shortest breastfeeding duration.
The new recommendations from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine outline a comprehensive approach to managing mastitis, including conservative care, psychosocial support, and medical interventions. The protocol aims to improve outcomes for nursing mothers and their infants.
A new perspective published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recommends strategies to prevent future shortages and regain public trust. Strategies include a thorough, public process to instill confidence in safe production, assessment of supply system factors, and evaluation of business practices.