Clinical Questions/LactFacts

Factors Influencing Non-Medically Indicated Formula Supplementation of Newborns CQ #161 – September 9, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT The rate of non-medically indicated formula supplementation early postpartum can be decreased by providing prenatal breastfeeding education to primiparous low income mothers, ensuring hospital support for breastfeeding 24 hours a day, and addressing mothers’ […]

Parity and Postpartum Problems CQ #160 – September 2, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Primiparous women are more likely to experience lactation difficulties than multiparous women. Relationship between parity and the problems that appear in the postpartum period Sci Rep 2019; 9: 11763 What is the relationship between the number of infants […]

Breastfeeding and the Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex CQ #159 – August 26, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT The dysphoric milk ejection reflex (D-MER) is a short-lived negative emotional reaction to milk ejection during lactation, that has been found to occur in approximately 9% of breastfeeding mothers. Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex: A Descriptive […]

Chylothorax and Breastfeeding CQ #158 – August 20, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT For infants with chylothorax, fortified skimmed breastmilk is a sound nutritional practice. A Review of the Practicality of Feeding Defatted Human Milk in the Treatment of Congenital Chylothorax Breastfeeding Medicine 14(9) 2019 What is chylothorax and what are the […]

Breastfeeding Among Women with Breast Cancer CQ #157 – August 12, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breast cancer survivors can breastfeed successfully. Breastfeeding women who are diagnosed with breast cancer usually are advised to wean if planning to receive chemotherapy. Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer: Managing Lactation in Survivors and Women with a […]

Low Carbohydrate Diet During Lactation CQ #156 – August 5, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT A ketogenic (low carbohydrate) diet during lactation increases the risk of life threatening ketoacidosis. Avoid a strict low carb diet while breastfeeding. Ketogenic Diet-Induced Severe Ketoacidosis in a Lactating Woman: A Case Report and Review of the […]

The Role of the Maternal and Infant Diet in Prevention of Childhood Allergic Disease CQ #155 – July 29, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Withholding allergenic foods during pregnancy and lactation does not appear to prevent childhood allergic diseases. Breastfeeding is associated with less wheezing, asthma, and eczema. Infants with severe eczema […]

Early Formula Introduction and Risk of Cow’s Milk Allergy CQ #154 – July 22, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Formula supplementation in the first 24 hours may increase the risk of cow’s milk allergy in breastfed infants. Formula supplementation remains a risk for cow’s milk allergy in breastfed infants Pediatr Allergy Immunol […]

Uterine Fibroids and Breastfeeding CQ #153 – July 15, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Uterine fibroids are more likely to regress postpartum if the mother breastfeeds. The association between childbirth, breastfeeding, and uterine fibroids: an observational study Nature What are uterine fibroids and how does breastfeeding affect them? Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous […]

Home Visitation and Breastfeeding Rates CQ #152 – July 8, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Home visitation postpartum by knowledgeable professionals has been show to increase breastfeeding rates. The effect of home-based intervention with professional support on promoting breastfeeding: a systematic review International Journal of Public Health What is the effect of […]

Dental Caries and Infant Feeding CQ #151 – July 1, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Teeth soaked in breastmilk do not lose calcium, whereas teeth soaked in infant formula do lose calcium. Comparative evaluation of the effects of human breast milk and plain and probiotic-containing infant formulas on enamel mineral content in […]

Early Postpartum Formula Supplementation and Breastfeeding Rates at 6-12 months CQ #150 – June 24, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Giving small amounts of formula supplementation routinely in the first few days postpartum to prevent excessive weight loss is associated with decreased breastfeeding postpartum. Effect of Early Limited Formula on Breastfeeding Duration […]

Pollution, Lung Function, and Breastfeeding CQ #149 – June 17, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Children who are not breastfed have significantly more lung function impairment from air pollution than children who are breastfed for at least 3 months. Association of Breastfeeding and Air Pollution Exposure With Lung Function in Chinese Children […]

Breastfeeding and Ovarian Cancer CQ #148 – June 10, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding is one of only 4 interventions that significantly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian cancer among women at risk due to genetic mutations. Ovarian cancer in the world: epidemiology and […]

Breastfeeding While Taking High Dose Vitamins CQ #147 – June 4, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT High doses of vitamin C, B-2, B-6, B-12, K, biotin and vitamin D are unlikely to be harmful during lactation. High Dose Vitamins Breastfeeding Medicine 14(5) 2019 What vitamins, in high doses, are safe during breastfeeding? […]

Breastfeeding and the Infant Thymus Gland CQ #146 – May 27, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastfeeding is associated with a larger thymus gland in infants, playing a role in T lymphocyte maturation. Does Breast Milk Nurture T Lymphocytes in Their Cradle? Frontiers in Pediatrics September 27, 2018 What does the thymus […]

Unexpected Use of Human Milk CQ #145 – May 21, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Breastmilk, with its abundance of anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and immune- modulating factors, is being researched and used for a variety of non-nutritive medical purposes, such as cancer treatment, ophthalmologic conditions, and skin conditions. Milk Therapy: Unexpected Uses for […]

Postpartum Weight Loss and Breastfeeding CQ #144 – May 13, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT New mothers are more likely to lose weight postpartum if they breastfeed fully for at least 3-6 months. Association of Full Breastfeeding Duration with Postpartum Weight Retention in a Cohort of Predominantly Breastfeeding Women Nutrients April 25, […]

Late Onset Sepsis Among Premature Infants and Breastfeeding CQ #143 – May 6, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Premature infants who are breastfed have a lower risk of late-onset sepsis. Risk Factors for Late-Onset Sepsis in Preterm Infants: A Multicenter Case-Control Study Neonatology 2019; 116:42-51 What is late-onset sepsis among premature infants, […]

The Flavoring of Amniotic Fluid and Breastmilk by Maternal Diet CQ #142 – April 29, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Certain foods in the maternal diet can flavor amniotic fluid and breastmilk, and influence acceptance of similarly flavored foods when re-exposed during infancy. Influence of Maternal Diet on Flavor Transfer to Amniotic […]