Clinical Questions/LactFacts

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 […]

The Risk of Nipple Shield Use for Premature Infants CQ #166 – October 14, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Nipple shield use for premature infants is associated with less exclusive breastfeeding. Nipple Shield Use in Preterm Infants: Prevalence, Motives for Use and Association with Exclusive Breastfeeding- Results from a National Cohort Study […]

Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Risk of Miscarriage CQ #165 – October 7, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Exclusive breastfeeding during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage. Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and the Risk of Miscarriage Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2019, 51(3) What is the risk of miscarriage when breastfeeding during […]

Poison Exposures Through Breastfeeding CQ #164 – September 30, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Benzodiazepines and opiates, especially together, are the most common exposures during breastfeeding to cause serious infant toxicity. Exposures Through Breast Milk: An Analysis of Exposure and Information Calls to U.S. Poison Centers, 2001-2017 Breastfeeding Medicine 14(7) 2019, 508-512 […]

Breastfeeding the Infant with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate CQ #163 – September 23, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Infants with a cleft lip are often successful breastfeeding. Infants with a cleft palate are expected to have difficulty generating sufficient negative pressure for effective milk transfer. ABM Clinical Protocol #17: Guidelines for […]

Infant Antibiotic Use, Hospitalizations for Infections, and Breastfeeding CQ #162 – September 16, 2019 by Anne Eglash MD, IBCLC, FABM #LACTFACT Children who are breastfed have lower rates of antibiotic use and lower rates of prolonged hospitalizations for infections. Breastfeeding Status and Duration and Infections, Hospitalizations for Infections, and Antibiotic Use in the First Two […]

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 […]