11-22-2026
Cheyenne, WY
In 2020, only 25.6% of dyads in the US were exclusively breastfeeding at six months. Previous research has shown that breastfeeding continuation improves when patients receive both prenatal and postpartum support. Additionally, breastfeeding self-efficacy can be directly impacted by interactions with primary healthcare providers. To facilitate improved lactation support and positive interactions with providers related to infant feeding in the primary care setting, a 49-question survey was utilized to conduct a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Using multiple regression analysis, the researchers tested a model to determine if certain factors could predict patients receiving lactation education in the primary care setting. The full model was statistically significant and accounts for 81.8% of the variance (R2 = 0.818, F (7, 21) = 9.015, p < 0.001, CI = 0.728 to 0.910). Variables that contributed significantly to the model included provider age, provider years of experience in maternal-child health, population density of the practice, and average provider preparedness and comfort with lactation support and medical management. As the only modifiable predictor significantly contributing to the model, future research is necessary to develop educational interventions to improve provider preparedness and comfort with lactation support and medical management. Such interventions may significantly improve the frequency of lactation education in primary care settings.
Background: The field of lactation currently uses breastfeeding rates to measure effectiveness. While monitoring breastfeeding outcomes can provide insight into the successes of lactation consulting as a profession, the improvement of breastfeeding outcomes is a multifactorial issue. In order to facilitate the growth of lactation education processes, understanding experiences during training and perceptions of readiness of current International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) for clinical practice is necessary.
Research Aim: The aim of this survey was to provide a baseline assessment of the current landscape of the lactation profession through data related to certification, job market, practice confidence after passing the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) certifying examination, and perceptions of specializations.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the experiences of practicing IBCLCs. Non-probability convenience sampling was implemented from December 2021 through January 2022. A total of 281 unique responses were recorded with complete data on variables of interest.
Results: The majority of respondents were white females under age 50 located in the United States. The majority of respondents were certified through a Pathway 1. The largest barrier to certification was reported to be a lack of clinical/mentorship opportunities. Respondents were significantly more confident in providing entry-level support to dyads when mentored by four or more preceptors.
Conclusion: Diversification of the field of lactation is necessary to provide appropriate support to lactating families in the United States. Additionally, addressing the barrier of accessing clinical/mentorship opportunities is essential for continued growth of the field of lactation.
We are thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated fifth edition of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America’s Best Practice for Expressing, Storing, and Handling Human Milk in Hospitals, Homes, and Childcare Settings.
This updated edition is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in the care and handling of human milk, offering comprehensive guidelines and protocols that ensure the highest standards of practice. Inside, you’ll find:
Offering the keen insight and expertise of a new author team and new contributors, the fourth edition of Kotch’s Maternal and Child Health: Problems, Programs, and Policy in Public Health continues to offer a comprehensive, trusted introduction to the field of maternal and child health (MCH), while addressing the traditional MCH topics in a modern context that includes race/ethnicity, an expanded family focus, and a broadened approach that will appeal to health professionals both in and outside of public health practice.
Organized according to fundamental principles of MCH, the book covers traditional MCH topics such as family planning and maternal and infant health as well as skills that are applicable across Public Heath disciplines such as planning, research, monitoring, and advocacy.
A 28-year-old woman was able to maintain lactation for her 21-month-old child through the process of an En Bloc Total Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal. This case study is important as it exemplifies collaborative care to achieve maintenance of lactation through a surgical procedure. The lactation management began 3 weeks prior to the procedure with the participant expressing enough milk prior to the surgery to allow for human milk feeding from a bottle during the 7-day recovery period as desired. The surgical team and IBCLC selected an appropriate bra for recovery to allow for both appropriate surgical site healing and ease of access for pumping. Exclusive pumping was utilized until surgical drains were removed, after which the participant was able to reintroduce breastfeeding.
For-profit donor human milk organizations have DNA-based proprietary methodology for testing incoming milk for adulteration with other species’ milk. However, there is currently no standardized methodology for extracting DNA from human milk. Microbiome research has shown that DNA purity and quantity can vary depending on the extraction methodology and storage conditions. This study assessed the purity and quantity of DNA extracted from four commercially available DNA extraction kits-including one kit that was developed for human milk. The Plasma/Serum Circulating DNA Purification Mini Kit (Norgen Biotek, ON, Canada) provided significantly more DNA, and consistent purity as measured by 260/280 and 260/230 ratios. DNA quantity and purity were similar between fresh and frozen human milk samples. These results suggest that DNA purity and quantity is highest and most consistent when extracted from human milk using the Plasma/Serum Circulating DNA Purification Mini Kit amongst the kits tested in this study. Future studies are recommended for optimization of DNA extraction from human milk using larger sample sizes and multiple donor parents.
During pumping, storage, and pasteurization human milk is exposed to light, which could affect the concentrations of light-sensitive vitamins. Currently, milk banks do not regulate light exposure. The aim of this paper was to determine the influence of light exposure during pumping, storage, and pasteurization on (1) macronutrients, (2) select water-soluble vitamins, and (3) select fat-soluble vitamins. This study showed that if milk is exposed to excessive amounts of light, Vitamins B1 and B2 concentrations may degrade below the current Adequate Intake recommendations for infants 0-6 months of age, increasing the risk of insufficient vitamin supply to the exclusively human milk-fed infant. Thus, pumped or processed human milk should be protected from light to preserve milk vitamin concentrations.
We aim to assess the nutritional composition of shelf-stable (SS) human milk and compare the nutritional profile to Holder pasteurized (HP) and raw human milk from the same pool. Percent fat, percent solids, and lactose were similar between raw, HP, and SS samples. This study found that macronutrient content is relatively unaffected by processing; Holder pasteurization and retort processing maintain similar fat, lactose, and total protein levels. Lysine and thiamine were significantly decreased by retort processing, but not by Holder pasteurization. Thiamine losses are clinically significant, and fortification may be necessary if SS donor milk is a long-term feeding choice.
We aimed to assess the ability of retort processing to eliminate bacteria and to quantify the difference in lysozyme and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) activity between Holder pasteurized (HP) and SS human milk. One raw sample and 3 HP samples contained B. cereus at the time of culture. There were no detectable bacteria in SS samples at the time of culture. Raw samples had significantly greater lysozyme and sIgA activity than HP and SS samples (P < 0.0001). HP samples retained significantly more lysozyme and sIgA activity (54% and 87%, respectively) than SS samples (0% and 11%, respectively). Human milk processed using Holder pasteurization should continue to be screened for the presence of B. cereus. Clinicians should be aware of the differences in the retention of lysozyme and sIgA activity in HP and SS products when making feeding decisions for medically fragile or immunocompromised infants to ensure that patients are receiving the maximum immune protection.
Comment and response for a publication that came out in 2016.