Articles tagged with Breast Feeding
A survey of 724 women found that nearly 60% knew about the link between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction, but only 16% learned it from a medical professional. The study highlights the importance of healthcare providers educating mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding in reducing breast cancer risk.
A new analysis found that partially paid family leave policies in California and New Jersey increased breastfeeding rates, particularly among higher-income women. However, the benefits were modest and may not be sufficient to support low-income parents who need it most.
Research reveals that babies establish a healthy gut microbiome until around 2.5 years old, with breastfeeding playing a crucial role in early life. After weaning, the microbiome rapidly changes and becomes more stable, but the loss of beneficial bacteria can occur if breast milk is not available.
A systematic review of 15 studies found that breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of high blood pressure in women, even after extended follow-up. The study suggests that lactation provides major health benefits for both mothers and infants.
A study published in Cell Death Discovery found that a critical switch during breaks in nursing controls whether breast cells survive or die, potentially providing a strategy to block cancer. The researchers identified the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway as a key player in this process.
Kathryn Whitehead's project uses genetic engineering to isolate and modify human cells in breast milk for infant disease therapy. The goal is to develop non-invasive treatments for babies with diseases, such as spina bifida or enterocolitis.
Researchers found that infants with higher levels of Bifidobacterium had reduced antimicrobial resistance genes and lower frequency of resistant bacteria. This suggests that colonization by the microbe can help guard the infant intestine.
Research suggests that breastfeeding can change gene activity in infants, making them less reactive to stress. The study found that breastfed babies had decreased DNA methylation and cortisol reactivity.
A new study found that mothers who intended to exclusively breastfeed but used formula had similar health outcomes to those who breastfed exclusively. The findings suggest that a mother's characteristics and access to healthcare information may be more important than breastfeeding itself in determining infant health outcomes.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that breast milk is associated with improved brain connectivity in premature babies. The research, conducted by the University of Edinburgh, suggests that exclusive breastfeeding for at least three-quarters of hospital days can lead to better long-term outcomes for pre-term infants.
A Cornell University study found that women who breastfeed their first child for five months or longer are more likely to have three or more children. The researchers suggest that long-duration breastfeeding may capture preferences about family and child investment among highly educated women.
A study by University of California - San Diego found that 63% of breast milk samples from mothers using marijuana contained THC, the primary psychoactive component. The study suggests that while the amount of THC in breast milk is relatively low, more research is needed to understand its potential effects on nursing babies.
Researchers have pinpointed risk factors for noma, a rare disease causing facial gangrene, in northwest Nigeria. Children who were fed pap daily were at higher risk, while those breastfed colostrum and had varied diets were less likely to contract the disease.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that only 1.3% of cities in the US have local safeguards for nursing mothers returning to work outside the home. This lack of protection disproportionately affects women who are not covered by the federal law, highlighting a social-justice and public-health issue.
A new special issue of Bundesgesundheitsblatt explores the prevalence, benefits, and risks of breastfeeding in Germany. The study highlights the positive effects of breastfeeding for both mother and child, including reduced risk of respiratory infections and overweight/Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that exposure to household smoke shortens breastfeeding duration, and fathers who smoke are less likely to prefer breastfeeding. The study suggests quitting smoking before pregnancy is crucial for new mothers.
Boston Medical Center's Vital Village Network has selected ten local communities to form the Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing Learning Community to address barriers and develop innovative community partnerships aimed at improving the early childhood experience. The initiative will support these communities in building a robu...
Dr. Diane Spatz's 10-Step model provides a critical framework for lactation care, focusing on vulnerable infants separated from mothers. The system has been implemented globally and is grounded in research findings and clinical experience.
A new study by Michigan State University and Texas Christian University found that support from colleagues is instrumental to women continuing breastfeeding after returning to work. The research suggests that co-worker support and a supportive workplace environment can make a significant difference in breastfeeding success.
A randomized clinical trial found that early introduction of some solid foods, accompanied by continued breastfeeding, resulted in small but significant improvements in infant sleep. The study also showed that the timing of introducing solid foods may influence infant sleep patterns.
A Hong Kong-based study found that nursing mothers who live with two or more smokers are more likely to stop breastfeeding sooner. The study, published in Breastfeeding Medicine, discovered a 30% higher risk of ending breastfeeding before a year among these mothers.
A study published in Acta Paediatrica found that non-dairy drinks can lead to malnutrition, height and weight impairment, anaemia, and other health problems in infants. The alternative beverages, commonly based on almonds, chestnuts, rice, and soya, were consumed by 34 children who suffered medical complications between 2005 and 2015.
A recent study found that supplementing breastfed infants with Bifidobacterium infantis bacteria significantly improves gut microbiome health and prevents immune-related diseases like asthma and allergy. The beneficial effects of the supplement lasted for up to a year in primarily breastfed babies.
Research suggests breastfeeding has long-term benefits for mothers and babies, including reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Breast milk composition varies depending on a mother's weight, with obese women producing higher levels of fat and inflammatory markers.
A case study and literature review concludes that breastfeeding should continue normally in mothers and babies with red diaper syndrome caused by Serratia marcescens. Treatment of the bacteria is not recommended for healthy infants, and clinical judgement should guide physicians' decisions.
A new study found that longer maternity leave duration increases breastfeeding success throughout the first year of life in military populations. Active duty mothers under a 12-week policy had a significant increase in breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, while no difference was seen with a six-week policy.
Immune cells called innate lymphoid cells have been found in human breast milk, which may help protect newborns from infection and aid in the development of their own protective immune system. The presence of these cells in breast milk is more evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding.
A study of 3024 women found that serotonin reuptake inhibitors in late pregnancy were not linked to low milk supply, but those with underlying psychiatric illnesses were at greatest risk. The findings highlight the importance of providing mental health support during breastfeeding.
Researchers at University of Toronto found that women with food insecurity are less able to sustain breastfeeding than those who are food-secure. By the age of two months, half of the food-insecure women had stopped breastfeeding exclusively, compared to most food-secure women who continued for four months or longer.
A Canadian study found that mothers living in households with food insecurity are less likely to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, highlights the negative impact of food insecurity on breastfeeding duration.
High-birthweight infants who were exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life had a significantly lower risk of becoming overweight or obese by age 6. This protective effect was observed in a large retrospective cohort study of over 38,000 Korean children.
A new study suggests that overeating during breastfeeding may lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, advanced puberty, and reduced fertility in children. The research found that mice whose mothers were fed a high-fat diet during breastfeeding experienced obesity, early puberty, and reproductive problems in their offspring.
Infants fed soy-based formula had differences in reproductive-system cells and tissues, including subtle estrogen-like responses, compared to those on cow-milk formula or breastfed. Further investigation is needed to understand the long-term effects of exposure to estrogen-like compounds.
A new study from the University of Georgia highlights the need for humanitarian aid groups to be trained in safe infant and young child feeding protocols following natural disasters. Exclusive breast-feeding is recognized as the safest form of infant feeding, but alternative formula feeding can be dangerous due to contamination risks.
Women who breastfed for six months or more during pregnancy had higher levels of HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and healthier carotid artery thickness compared to those who never breastfed. This suggests breastfeeding may reduce the risk of heart disease in women with normal blood pressure during pregnancy.
A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that longer periods of breastfeeding and more children breastfed are associated with a lower risk of hypertension in postmenopausal women. Breastfeeding is also linked to reduced risks of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases.
A study of over 1,200 women found that longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. The study, which followed participants for 30 years, used laboratory testing to screen for diabetes and found greater reductions in risk for mothers who breastfed for longer periods.
A 30-year study by Kaiser Permanente found that breastfeeding duration is associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Women who breastfed for six months or more had a 47 percent reduction in their risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who did not breastfeed at all.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has published guidelines for safe informal milk sharing, emphasizing medical screening and safe handling practices. Informal breast milk sharing is recommended only for healthy term infants, with mothers taking steps to reduce infection risk through home pasteurization.
A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that over half of US infants are introduced to complementary foods before six months, while 16.3% are introduced before four months. This deviation from current recommendations may lead to nutrient deficiencies, allergies, and poorer diets later in ...
A study from the University of Sheffield found that breastfeeding rates increased by six percentage points in areas where a shopping voucher scheme was offered. The scheme provided £120 worth of vouchers for every breastfeeding milestone reached, and saw a 46% uptake among eligible mothers.
A new study suggests that breast milk can help sustain beneficial probiotic colonies in infants' guts, leading to improved gut health. The research, published in mSphere, used a three-week course of probiotics and found that the beneficial microbes persisted for at least 30 days after treatment.
A landmark clinical trial demonstrated that providing dietary B. infantis EVC001 resulted in rapid and substantial remodeling of the infant gut microbiome, reducing potentially harmful bacteria and improving gut health. The study also showed that breastfed infants colonized by B. infantis had significantly lower levels of endotoxin.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital suggests that eating allergenic foods during pregnancy can protect children from food allergies when breastfed. The research found that antibodies in breast milk transferred to offspring helped induce food tolerance, and the findings support recent guidelines rejecting advice to avoid highly ...
Research published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that a mother's diet can protect nursing newborns against food allergies. The study, supported by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), suggests that mothers should feel free to eat a healthy and diverse diet throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
A breastfeeding program was associated with reduced atopic eczema risk in adolescents, but no protective effect on lung function or asthma. The study involved over 13,500 children born to mothers participating in a breastfeeding promotion trial.
A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that breastfeeding may increase the risk of developing hay fever and eczema, while not having a clear effect on asthma. Lifestyle factors such as socioeconomic status and body mass index also played a role in the study.
A new study found that breastfed babies have a 54% lower risk of eczema at age 16. The study examined over 13,000 Belarussian teenagers and found that exclusive breastfeeding for four to six months significantly reduced the risk of eczema.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that breastfeeding six weeks after delivery is not affected by the use of fentanyl in epidural pain relief. The study included 345 women who received different epidural solutions and found no adverse consequences on breastfeeding success.
A recent international study found that breastfeeding for at least two months significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by almost half. This finding suggests that any amount of breastfeeding provides some level of protection against SIDS, regardless of whether it's exclusive or partial.
A longitudinal study published by the American Psychological Association found that women who breastfed their children longer exhibited greater maternal sensitivity well past infancy and toddler years. The effect sizes were small, suggesting the bond may be strengthened through multiple interactions, not just breastfeeding.
A study by University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing found delayed lactogenesis II and excessive gestational weight gain associated with breastfeeding difficulties in obese women. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to support these women in achieving their personal breastfeeding goals.
A new article introduces the concept of food justice to address infant feeding disparities and environmental injustices in breast milk access. The authors propose activism strategies to advance food justice, emphasizing the importance of breast milk as a basis for infants' immune response.
Research reveals that breast milk components vary with mother's circadian rhythm, potentially impacting infant health. The study suggests that this variation can produce circadian stimuli improving the well-being of breastfed infants.
Researchers found nine microRNAs in premature breast milk that target metabolic processes, regulating gastrointestinal function and energy use in premature babies. These findings suggest that breast milk may be optimized for premature infants' nutritional needs.
A study of 960 children found that breastfeeding lowers the risk of asthma exacerbations later in life. Breastfeeding may influence the immune system and gut microbiome, which can indirectly affect asthma development.
Women who breastfed for longer periods had significantly lower risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis, with exclusive breastfeeding offering even greater protection. Longer durations of breastfeeding were associated with an 8-14% drop in risk, and women who breastfed exclusively across multiple pregnancies saw a nearly 30% lower risk.
A new study by University of Utah Health and University of New Mexico School of Medicine found that hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) do not negatively impact lactation or breastfeeding. Women who received IUDs immediately after birth were able to breastfeed just as well as those who waited several weeks.
A US study of the dapivirine ring among lactating women found that the drug is absorbed in very low concentrations into breastmilk. The results support further studies on the safety of the ring during breastfeeding and pregnancy, which are planned to be conducted in Africa.
African-American Muslim women's breastfeeding rates are low, with less than 62% initiating and 14% exclusively breastfeeding for six months. Engaging Islamic teachings through community education may increase breastfeeding exclusivity and duration.