Clinical Questions/LactFacts

Breastfeeding and the Coronavirus COVID-19 CQ #186 – March 2, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT The Centers for Disease Control recommends continuing to either breastfeed or give infants breastmilk when the mother is ill or infected with COVID-19. Interim Considerations for Infection Prevention and Control of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Inpatient […]

Partner/Father Support During Breastfeeding CQ #185 – February 24, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Supportive behavior from partners and fathers increases breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity and duration. Programs that aim to support breastfeeding women should also teach partners and fathers how to support breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding in the Community—How Can Partners/Fathers Help? A […]

Gastroschisis and Breastmilk CQ #184 – February 17, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT A 100% mother’s own milk diet for infants born with gastroschisis significantly decreases the hospital length of stay. Mother’s own milk dose is associated with decreased time from initiation of feedings to discharge and length of stay in infants […]

The Effect of Diabetes on Mothers’ Milk CQ #183 – February 10, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Maternal diabetes, both insulin-dependent or gestational diabetes mellitus, have been shown to alter the composition of breastmilk in some ways, although the clinical significance is not clear. Influence of Diabetes During Pregnancy on Human Milk […]

Breastfeeding and Age at Menopause CQ #182 – February 3, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT A history of breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of early menopause. Association of Parity and Breastfeeding With Risk of Early Natural Menopause JAMA Network Open 220;3(1) January 22, 2020 What is the relationship between breastfeeding […]

Lead Levels in the USA Among Childbearing and Breastfeeding Women CQ #181 – January 27, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Pregnant women and women of childbearing age should be screened for lead exposure. Blood Lead Levels in U.S. Women of Childbearing Age, 1976-2016 Environmental Health Perspectives 128(1) Jan 2020 What are risk […]

Breastfeeding and Mitochondrial DNA in Adolescents CQ #180 – January 20, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT A longer duration of breastfeeding is associated with greater mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in adolescents. Higher mtDNA is associated with greater energy metabolism and less chronic disease over time. Breastfeeding predicts blood mitochondrial DNA content in adolescents […]

Bedsharing and Breastfeeding CQ #179 – January 13, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT In the absence of known hazards (e.g. prematurity, soft bedding and others), bedsharing between a breastfeeding mother and infant does not cause sudden infant death syndrome. Bedsharing and Breastfeeding: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #6, Revision 2019 Breastfeeding […]

Breastfeeding and Bone Health CQ #178 – January 6, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Lactation is associated with temporary bone loss, which recovers after weaning. How does women’s bone health recover after lactation? A systematic review and meta-analysis Osteoporosis International 14 November 2019 What is the effect of lactation on a woman’s […]

Omega 3 Fatty Acids in Breastmilk and Infant Temperament CQ #177 – December 30, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Higher omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breastmilk may be associated with less infant irritability, fear, and other negative emotions. Human Milk Omega-3 Fatty Acid Composition Is Associated with Infant Temperament Nutrients 2019, 11, […]

The Stigma of Not Breastfeeding CQ #176 – December 23, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Women in the USA who formula feed have personal and social stigma regarding infant feeding. Made to Feel Like Less of a Woman: The Experience of Stigma for Mothers Who Do Not Breastfeed Breastfeeding Med 2019 Dec […]

Breast Cancer Screening During Lactation CQ #175 – December 16, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT There is a strong recommendation to have lactating women at average risk of breast cancer undergo routine breast cancer screening starting at age 40 without needing to wean first. Breast Cancer Screening During Lactation Obstet & Gynecol […]

Breastfeeding and Kawasaki Disease CQ #174 – December 9, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Exclusive breastfeeding may be protective of Kawasaki disease. Association between breastfeeding and Kawasaki disease- a case- control study European J Ped November 11, 2019 What is Kawasaki disease, and how might breastfeeding protect from this illness? Kawasaki disease […]

Beyond the ‘Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law’ CQ #173 – December 2, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT 27 states in the USA have legislation that provide additional workplace protections for breastfeeding mothers, beyond the 2010 Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law. Prevalence of ‘Mother/Infant Friendly Worksite Designations’ and state laws regulating […]

Melatonin in Breastmilk CQ #172 – November 25, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Melatonin in breastmilk affects infant immunity and circadian rhythm, and has been shown to be stable in defrosted expressed breastmilk. Melatonin Stability in Human Milk Breastfeeding Med 2019 Nov; 14(9) 680-682 What is melatonin doing in breastmilk? Melatonin is […]

The Importance of Lactose in Breastmilk CQ #171 – November 18, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Lactose in breastmilk plays a role in promoting healthy gut bacteria, insulin regulation, and the growth of gut antimicrobial factors. The Importance of Lactose in the Human Diet: Outcomes of a Mexican Consensus Meeting Nutrients 2019, […]

Breastfeeding and the Timing of Puberty Onset CQ #170 – November 11, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Female children who breastfed less than 6 months have been shown to experience earlier onset of puberty. Breastfeeding and timing of pubertal onset in girls: a multiethnic population-based prospective cohort study BMC Pediatrics Aug 9, […]

Pasteurized Donor Human Milk in Healthy Newborns CQ #169 – November 4, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT The use of pasteurized donor human milk is increasing for healthy breastfeeding newborns who have medical indications for supplementation. Donor Milk Policies for Level 1 Newborn Care: A Descriptive Analysis Breastfeeding Medicine 14(8) 2019 How […]

Breastfeeding Trends by Race/Ethnicity Among US Children Born from 2009-2015 CQ #168 – October 29, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding rates generally increased from 2009 to 2015 among all racial/ethnic groups in the USA. However, disparity in breastfeeding rates grew between black and white infants. Breastfeeding Trends by Race/Ethnicity Among US […]

Expected Weight Changes After Birth for Term Breastfed Newborns CQ #167 – October 23, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT According to the best recent evidence, newborn weight loss by day 2 averages 6-7% of birthweight and 7-8% by day 3. Systematic Review of Expected Weight Changes After Birth for Full-Term, Breastfed Newborns […]