Breastfeeding Medicine

Background: Statins are historically contraindicated during breastfeeding due to theoretical concerns of disruptions in infant development from drug exposure and nutritional changes in milk. Breastfeeding mothers requiring statins often discontinue statins or postpone treatment until breastfeeding cessation, contributing to delays in treatment up to 14 years. This study aims to determine the transfer of atorvastatin and its active metabolites into human milk and evaluate the infant's risk of drug exposure. Materials and Methods: Milk samples and health information were released from the InfantRisk Human Milk Biorepository for three women taking 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg of atorvastatin daily at steady state conditions...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Aims: This study aimed to analyze and compare the quantity of energy and fat using the infrared analysis and creamatocrit method in pasteurized human milk (HM) samples. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 1,858 pasteurized human samples from 317 mothers at a single center. Infrared transmission spectrophotometry (Miris, Human Milk Analyser [HMA], Uppsala, Sweden) and the creamatocrit method were used to evaluate the quantity of energy and fat in pasteurized HM samples. Results: The average age of donor mothers was 29...

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine effects of the 2022 infant formula shortage as experienced by neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the United States, a previously unreported perspective. Methods: A mixed-method approach was utilized. Data were collected using an online survey of NICU medical directors. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Student's t test. Thematic analysis was utilized to make sense of patterns within the qualitative data. Results: Responses from 139 medical directors were received...

Background: Extremely preterm infants often receive donor milk. Hindmilk, which is released more than 3 minutes after letdown, could be advantageous due to its elevated levels of fat and calorie density. Donor milk expression habits may influence milk composition but have not yet been investigated. This study aims to assess the practices of milk donors and the feasibility of hindmilk expression. Methods: Active milk donors in Québec were questioned using an online survey about their milk expression habits and whether hindmilk donation would be acceptable to them...

Background: An exclusive human milk (EHM) diet has numerous benefits. Formula supplementation may be recommended for former preterm infants at the time of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge to meet perceived metabolic demands and caloric goals. Recommendations addressing postdischarge nutrition for very preterm infants (VPTIs) are controversial, as the benefits of human milk supplementation regarding long-term growth, neurodevelopment, and chronic conditions are mixed. Objective: To compare growth and neurodevelopment of former VPTI fed an EHM diet to a supplemented/formula diet at NICU discharge...

Background: It is well accepted that lactation consultant (LC) services can enhance the breastfeeding success in mother-infant dyads. However, despite such advantages, not all neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) offer LC services. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the available evidence on the effect of LC service on breastfeeding outcomes for mothers whose infants are in the NICU. Methods: The PRISMA Extension for Systematic Reviews were used to conduct this systematic review. The following databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane library were searched...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Background: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was launched in 1991 by the World Health Organization and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund to promote and support breastfeeding within hospitals. Prior studies have assessed the associations between BFHI and breastfeeding, but there is limited evidence examining the policies and practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) that, in turn, may influence breastfeeding. Objective: The goal of this analysis was to assess whether BFHI status was associated with breastfeeding policies and practices in NICUs in a sample of U...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Background: Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding compared with women without diabetes. Objectives: To assess associations between GDM and breastfeeding intentions and attitudes, formula supplementation, reasons for formula supplementation, and knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk reduction associated with breastfeeding among U.S. mothers. Design/Methods: Participants completed an online survey assessing infant feeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices; demographics; and pregnancy-related medical history...

Introduction: Lithium remains a gold standard treatment for bipolar disorder including during peripartum. Historically, guidelines advised against breastfeeding while taking lithium though recent data suggest it is acceptable for a healthy infant. Lack of awareness of acceptability contributes to decreased patient and clinician comfort and low breastfeeding rates. We report current breastfeeding rates, monitoring practices, and infant outcomes with lithium exposure in breastmilk at our institution. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single academic medical center using records from 2013 to 2023...

Objective: Rates of mother's own milk (MOM) provision in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) vary widely, despite acceptance as the gold standard for nutrition in preterm infants. Direct breastfeeding (DBF) supports long-term provision of MOM, but factors that support DBF in preterm infants are unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict DBF at oral feeding initiation and at NICU discharge. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of preterm infants born at ≤ 32 weeks who were receiving MOM at 32 weeks corrected gestational age (cohort 1) and at discharge to home (cohort 2)...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Introduction: Breastfeeding is a fundamental biological function in mammals, allowing the progeny to develop in a physiological way. A physical and emotional dialog between mothers and offspring during breastfeeding has been described as part of the attachment relationship, and a synchronicity between maternal and neonatal brains can be hypothesized. This study aimed to assess if neonatal and maternal cortical areas activated during breastfeeding are functionally synchronized since the second day of life. Materials and Methods: Twenty mothers and their term newborns were enrolled...

Background/Objective: Although the benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented and widely recognized, reports indicate that optimal breastfeeding rates are low in Arabic-speaking countries. This is a significant concern given the health benefits associated with breastfeeding for both infants and mothers. Previous research has shown that education interventions can increase breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Arabic-speaking populations. The social media platform YouTube holds significant potential for distributing customized health education for diverse audiences; specifically, this platform has the potential to empower mothers and normalize long-term breastfeeding...

Background: Despite the known benefits of lactation, lactating graduate medical education (GME) trainees encounter difficulties when returning to work. Wearable lactation pumps are known to be beneficial in lactating physicians, but the benefit for GME trainees in clinical care and education has not been explored. Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the benefits of wearable lactation pumps on education and clinical care for GME trainees. Methods: In 2022-2023, all lactating GME trainees at a large academic center were invited to participate in a wearable pump pilot...