Breastfeeding Clinical Question Blog/Lactfacts

Bottle Avoidance in the Establishment of Breastfeeding for Preterm Infants CQ #239 – December 20, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Avoiding bottles during the establishment of breastfeeding for preterm infants in the NICU is associated with greater breastfeeding success. Avoidance of bottles during establishment of breastfeeds in preterm infants JAMA Cochrane Database […]

The Effectiveness of Anti-COVID-19 Antibodies in Human Milk CQ #238 – December 6, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Antibodies present in human milk after natural infection or immunization directly neutralize live SARS-CoV-2 virus. Association of Human Milk Antibody Induction, Persistence, and Neutralizing Capacity With SARS-Co-V-2 Infection vs mRNA Vaccination JAMA Pediatrics published […]

What are the Benefits of Oral Colostrum Therapy for Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants? CQ #237 – November 22, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Extremely low birth weight infants on mechanical ventilation who receive oral immune therapy with colostrum experience reduced risk of feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis. The Effects of Early […]

Infant Feeding and Risk of a Positive SARS-CoV-2 Test CQ #236 – November 8, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Children who have ever-breastfed may have a lower risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Does Breastfeeding Protect Children From COVID-19? An Observational Study From Pediatric Services in Majorca, Spain International Breastfeeding Journal (2021) […]

Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birthweight Infant CQ #235 – October 25, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants gain substantial short and long term health benefits if they receive parents’ own milk. Promoting Human Milk and Breastfeeding for the Very Low Birth Weight Infant Pediatrics […]

Prevention of Mastitis with Probiotics CQ #234 – October 11, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Probiotic treatment with ligilactobacillus salivarius PS2 during pregnancy and lactation is associated with a decreased incidence of acute mastitis. Ligilactobacillus salivarius PS2 Supplementation during Pregnancy and Lactation Prevents Mastitis: A Randomised Controlled Trial Microorganisms 2021 Sept 11; […]

The Association Between Allostatic Load and Breastfeeding CQ #233 – September 27, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding is associated with a lower allostatic load in postpartum women. Breastfeeding is Inversely Associated with Allostatic Load in Postpartum Women: Cross-Sectional Data from Nationally Representative US Women Journal of Nutrition 2021; published online August […]

The Association Between Body Image and Breastfeeding CQ #232 – September 13, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Women who breastfeed have been found to have more positive body images and fewer maladaptive weight control behaviors as compared to those who didn’t breastfeed or weaned earlier. Breastfeeding, body image, and weight control behavior […]

Short-Term Side Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine During Lactation CQ #231 – August 30, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Short term side effects from the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during lactation have been found to be tolerable and acceptable. Short-term Reactions Among Pregnant and Lactating Individuals in the First Wave of the COVID-19 […]

Breastfeeding and Child IQ at Age 5 CQ #230 – August 16, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding is associated with less risk of low IQ at age 5 years. Association of Breastfeeding and Child IQ Score at Age 5 Years Obstetrics & Gynecology 137(4) April 2021 p. 561-570 What is the […]

Cabergoline Safety for Lactation Suppression CQ #229 – August 2, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Cabergoline is a safe option for lactation cessation or suppression with tolerable side effects. Safety of Cabergoline for Postpartum Lactation Inhibition or Suppression: A Systematic Review J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2020 Mar;42(3):308-315 Is cabergoline safe to use […]

Shared Decision-Making Regarding Lactation for People Living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) CQ #228 – July 19, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT People living with HIV in the USA who would like to breast/chestfeed should be counseled using a risk reduction strategy. Considerations and Recommendations for Pregnancy and Postpartum Care for […]

Hepatitis B in the Lactating Parent CQ #227 – July 5, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breast/chestfeeding is generally considered safe for infants of a lactating parent living with hepatitis B virus, when the infant receives active + passive immunization within 12 hours after birth. Pregnant individuals with high DNA titers of […]

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation in the USA 2019 CQ #226 – June 22, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Disparities in the initiation of breastfeeding are significant among different racial/ethnic groups, and these differ widely between US states. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Breastfeeding Initiation- United States 2019 Centers for […]

Laid-Back Positioning and Nipple Pain CQ #225 – June 7, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT The laid-back position during breastfeeding is associated with less nipple pain. The effectiveness of the laid-back position on lactation-related nipple problems and comfort: a meta-analysis Pregnancy and Childbirth (2021) 21:248 What is the laid-back position and why […]

The Upper Lip Frenulum and Breastfeeding Success CQ #224 – May 24, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT The presence of an upper lip frenulum is normal and has not been found to be associated with breastfeeding difficulties. Upper Lip Tie: Anatomy, Effect on Breastfeeding, and Correlation with Ankyloglossia Laryngoscope, 131: E1701-E706, 2021 […]

Breastfeeding and the Risk of Wheezing Among High-Risk Infants CQ #223 – May 10, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding for 3 months significantly reduces the risk of wheezing in high-risk infants in the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding and wheeze-related outcomes in high-risk infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis The […]

Risk of Pediatric Cancer and Breastfeeding CQ #222 – April 26, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding reduces the risk of childhood leukemia and neuroblastoma. Breastfeeding and the risk of childhood cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis BMC Medicine (2021) 19:90 Are breastfed children less likely to develop pediatric cancer? If […]

Hypoglycemia and the Breastfed Newborn CQ #221 – April 12, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Dextrose gel in addition to breastfeeding should be considered the first line oral treatment for infants with hypoglycemia. ABM Clinical Protocol #1: Guidelines for Glucose Monitoring and Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Term and Late Preterm Neonates, Revised […]

Antibodies in Human Milk After COVID-19 Vaccine CQ #220 – March 29, 2021 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus are present in human milk after the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is given during lactation. The degree to which these IgG antibodies protect infants is unclear. COVID-19 vaccine response in pregnant and […]