Clinical Questions/LactFacts

SARS-Cov-2 and Human Milk Banking CQ #191 – April 6, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Banked donor human milk is pasteurized at a temperature and duration demonstrated to kill the coronavirus SARS-Cov-2 virus. Stability of SARS-CoV-2 in different environmental conditions Lancet Microbe 2020; published online April 2 Is pasteurized banked donor human […]

Telehealth for Breastfeeding Families During COVID-19 Pandemic CQ #190 – March 30, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT US Health and Human Services has relaxed their rules for using HIPAA-compliant communication tools for telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency […]

Antiviral Factors in Breastmilk That Protect from Severe Respiratory Illness CQ #189 – March 23, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT There are several bioactive factors in breastmilk beyond antibodies that protect the infant from severe respiratory infection and inflammation. Human Milk’s Hidden Gift: Implications of the Milk Microbiome for Preterm Infant’s Health […]

Providing Care for Breastfeeding Dyads During COVID-19 Outbreak CQ #188 – March 16, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding saves lives. During times of limiting contact between patients, breastfeeding dyads should be considered priority patients/clients. Shifting Healthcare Delivery Modes during a COVID-19 Outbreak in the United States Center for Disease Control Interim […]

The Risks of Early Introduction of Solids for Breastfed and Formula Fed Infants CQ #187 – March 9, 2020 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Infants may be at risk for increased illness if they are given complementary foods (solids) under 6 months of age. Health Impacts of Early Complementary Food Introduction Between Formula-fed […]

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 […]