Maternal Breastfeeding Research Articles

Understanding the influence of Manasika Bhavas on Stanya Kshaya: A Conceptual Study

Breast milk stands as the foremost source of nutrition in every individual's early life. According to Ayurveda, Stanya is considered an Upadhatu of Rasa and is pivotal for the nourishment and development of infants. Ayurveda defines decreased breast milk or lactation insufficiency as Stanya Kshaya, primarily attributed to emotions like anger, grief, and excessive affection, alongside dietary influences. Psychological factors such as emotional stress, anxiety, and maternal health also significantly impact milk production, necessitating both psychological and medical interventions. Any disruption in Agni affects Ahara Rasa, leading to disturbances in Rasa Dhatu, thereby affecting Stanya. Psychological aspects play a crucial role in the proper formation of Ahara Rasa. The significance of Manasika Bhavas lies in their advocacy of Soumanasya as a primary treatment for Ksheerajanana. This paper explores the correlation between psychological well-being and lactation outcomes, drawing on both contemporary psychological research and traditional Ayurvedic principles. Psychological stress, anxiety, depression, and maternal bonding are examined as key factors affecting hormonal balance and neuroendocrine pathways involved in lactation. Understanding these influences is crucial for holistic approaches to maternal health and breastfeeding support. The integration of psychological interventions alongside conventional medical treatments could enhance maternal lactation success rates and overall maternal-infant health outcomes. Thus, managing Stanya Kshaya requires thorough consideration of both psychological factors and dietary practices.

Population pharmacokinetic modelling of cetirizine concentrations in human breast milk-A contribution from the ConcePTION project.

Cetirizine is an antihistamine commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis and other allergic conditions. Cetirizine is often prescribed to breastfeeding mothers although there is limited information on infant exposure via breast milk. The aim of this study was to develop a popPK model based on data from a lactation study to predict cetirizine breast milk concentrations and estimate the relative infant dose (RID) in a breastfed infant. A popPK model was developed in NONMEM on data from a human lactation study including 35 women using cetirizine or levocetirizine while breastfeeding. Serial samples of breast milk were collected (n = 205) and the cetirizine concentrations quantified using a validated LC-MS/MS method. A one-compartment model of cetirizine in breast milk was developed and employed to calculate the relative infant dose (RID). Covariates related to the maternal characteristics and breastfeeding patterns were evaluated in the model; only milk sampling pumping duration was found to be a significant covariate, with an increasing pumping duration leading to an increased apparent milk volume of distribution (Vm). The mean RID was 1.99% with the highest RID being 3.36% at Cmax. PopPK modelling could be used to estimate infant exposure to cetirizine via breast milk. The low predicted exposure in infants supports that cetirizine is compatible with breastfeeding.

The prospective associations of fetal growth-related pregnancy complications with subsequent breastfeeding duration and markers of human milk production.

The development of the breast for lactation occurs throughout pregnancy. It is unknown whether pregnancy complications resulting in poor fetal growth can affect breastfeeding success. We examined whether fetal growth-related pregnancy complications were associated with earlier breastfeeding cessation and changes in the concentrations of human milk biomarkers of low milk production. We used data from the Growing Up in Singapore Toward healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study (n=954). Human milk concentrations of protein, lactose, citrate, sodium, potassium and zinc at 3 weeks postpartum were available for 180 mother-infant dyads. We examined the associations of fetal growth measures, including term infants born small-for-gestational-age (SGA) (<10th percentile), pregnancies complicated by fetal growth deceleration (FGD) (2nd - 3rd trimester fetal growth dropped between major centiles), elevated umbilical artery resistance (UAR) (> 90th percentile) or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) with (i) risk of ceasing breastfeeding (Cox regression) and (ii) concentrations of human milk components (weighted linear regression). Adjusting for maternal education, smoking exposure, breastfeeding intentions and pre-pregnancy BMI, individuals who delivered SGA infants, and those with HDP were more likely to breastfeed for a shorter duration when compared to those with uncomplicated pregnancies (adjusted hazard ratio [95% CI]: 1.45 [1.11, 1.89] and 1.61 [1.14, 2.29], respectively); associations were not significant for FGD and UAR. SGA was not associated with concentrations of human milk biomarkers, but compared to participants with uncomplicated pregnancies, milk produced by those with HDP contained lower zinc concentrations (adjusted beta coefficient [95% CI]: -0.56 mg/L [-1.08, -0.04]). Individuals with HDP and those with SGA infants tend to breastfeed for a shorter duration; however, only HDP appeared to be associated with biomarkers of compromised milk production. Further research and support are needed to help individuals with HDP and SGA achieve their breastfeeding goals. This study was registered as NCT01174875, and can be accessed at https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01174875.

Breastfeeding practices amongst immigrants living in Finland: results from the FinChildren survey

BackgroundBreastfeeding is a corner of child health and survival as it provides crucial, non-replaceable nourishment necessary for infant's growth and development . Immigration has been shown to influence breastfeeding particularly among immigrants from low-and-middle-income countries. Our aim was to examine breastfeeding practices and sociodemographic characteristics of Somali/Arabic and Russian speaking in comparison with Finnish speaking mothers. MethodsWe analyzed data from 5348 mothers with infants who participated in FinChildren survey conducted in 2020. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to estimate the association between maternal origin and breastfeeding practices by comparing immigrant mothers and native-born mothers. ResultsSomali/Arabic-speaking mothers were younger, less educated and had higher BMI than Russian and native Finnish speaking mothers. Proportions of exclusive breastfeeding at 4-5 months of age were lowest among Somali/Arabic speaking mothers (21 %) compared to native-born (49 %) and to Russian-speaking mothers (52%) Again, Somali/Arabic-speaking mothers had the highest proportions of mixed feeding (66%) compared to native Finnish-speaking (38 %) and Russian-speaking mothers (32%) Being a Somali/Arabic-speaking mother decreased the odds of exclusive breastfeeding (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.10-0.45) and quadrupled (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.18-7.37) the odds of mixed feeding at 4-5 months of age. ConclusionEven though the number of immigrant mothers was low, this study suggests that maternal origin is a significant predictor of suboptimal breastfeeding independent of sociodemographic and antenatal characteristics. There is a need for culturally sensitive interventions to promote breastfeeding among these groups.

Associations between maternal origin, breastfeeding and health service use: a mediation analysis

Abstract Background The influence of maternal health utilization on breastfeeding practices is well established. However, research shows that immigrant women tend to face challenges in accessing maternal health services. Our aim was to examine any variation in maternal and child health service utilization between immigrant and native-born mothers as well as to examine potential mediation roles of service utilization on the association between maternal origin and breastfeeding practices. Methods We used a nationwide FinChildren (2020) survey on parents with infants focusing on Somali (n = 29), Arabic (n = 81) and Russian speaking (n = 181) parents and their infants. We compared them with native Finnish speakers (n = 7508). We used Process Macro to conduct mediation analysis. Results Almost 25%/ of Somali-/Arabic-speaking mothers reported not taking their infants to routine child health clinic visits. The proportion was 0.4% for native-born mothers and 1.6% for Russian-speaking mothers (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Around 18% of Somali-/Arabic-speaking mothers and only 0.6% of the native-born mothers reported not utilizing child health clinic services in the past year (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Somali-/Arabic speaking mothers were more likely to receive breastfeeding support from maternity clinics and native-born mothers from maternity hospital or peer support groups. Russian-speaking mothers were most satisfied with the received child healthcare services while Somali/Arabic-speaking mothers were least satisfied with these services (p &amp;lt; 0.001). Only participating in breastfeeding peer support groups had mediation effects on association between maternal origin and breastfeeding practices. Conclusions This study shows that immigrants mothers, particularly Somali/Arabic speaking mothers use less the maternal health services particularly routine health visits. It is essential to encourage them to use the services to be able to monitor the health of both mother and the child. Key messages • Somali-/Arabic-speaking mothers are in a vulnerable position when it comes to utilizing healthcare services. • This study call for more research exploring factors contributing to this.

Mother-to-child Transmission using the National HBV Perinatal Prevention Data in Korea, 2002-2021

Abstract Aims To define risk factors associated with mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and to create supporting evidence for the National Hepatitis B Perinatal Prevention Program (HBPPP) in Korea. Methods We analyzed HBPPP mother-infant pair data enrolled from 2002 to 2021. The major outcome was the HBsAg status of the infant resulting from post-vaccination serological testing. Additionally, we used prescription records of antivirals against the hepatitis B virus (telbivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) from 2010 to 2021 by data linkage with the National Health Insurance claims data. To select significant risk factors by maternal HBeAg status based on the data from 34 to 42 weeks of pregnancy, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. Results Data from 232,242 mother-infant pairs were analyzed. Among 154,331 (66.5%) infants with post-vaccination serological testing results, 3,620 (2.3%) were HBsAg-positive. The incidence of MTCT has shown a decreasing trend, from 4.1% in 2002 to 1.0% in 2021. However, the rate was high at 5.5% (1822/32986) for infants of HBeAg-positive mothers. Maternal antiviral prescription during the pregnancy period, old age, HBeAg negative, delivery type (C-section), and breastfeeding were significant factors in decreasing the risk of MTCT. Among the HBeAg-positive, there was a significant difference in the antiviral prescription 0.7% (11/1692) compared to the non-prescription 4.9% (789/16264) [aOR, 7.71; 95% CI, 4.24-14.02]. The result was similar for the HBeAg-negative group, 0.7% (302/44888). Conclusions To eradicate the hepatitis B virus on a national level, MTCT must be further reduced. To achieve this, it is necessary to introduce strong additional preventive measures, including quantitative HBV DNA testing for mothers with chronic hepatitis B and administering antiviral prophylaxis at the third trimester of pregnancy with HBV-DNA ≥200,000 IU/mL into the HBPPP. Key messages • The incidence of mother-to-child transmission has shown a decreasing trend, from 4.1% in 2002 to 1.0% in 2021. • Maternal antiviral prescription, old age, HBeAg negative, delivery type (C-section), and breastfeeding were significantly decrease the risk of mother-to-child transmission.

Breast milk sharing practices in emergency settings

Abstract Background In emergencies, breast milk sharing becomes essential to sustain infant nutrition when access to maternal breastfeeding is disrupted. This study examines donor motivations and assesses the impact of such initiatives on infant health outcomes during wartime. Methods This qualitative study investigated a community of breast milk donors on a Facebook platform for the month following the start of the war on October 7, 2023. We investigated two main groups participating in breast milk sharing through reflective thematic analysis of social media messages. Results A count of posts one month before and after October 7 revealed a doubling in post frequency post-7/10, emphasizing the surge in war-related posts. Two main themes emerged concerning the war: 1. Infant needs: Posts addressed various infant needs, including general necessities and those specific to war-related situations. Requests for milk sharing emerged from the second day of the war, particularly for infants whose mothers were missing or injured. Government information from the National Human Milk Bank was shared within these Facebook groups, encouraging donations for these infants. 2. Donor Motivation: Posts reflected both non-war-related and war-related motivations, with a notable emphasis on the latter. Authors, including both women and men, actively promoted the donation of human milk to conflict-affected areas. Suggestions included pumping milk specifically for war-affected infants or offering frozen human milk. Some posts also offered to collect and deliver human milk to needy infants within the affected regions. Conclusions Post frequency doubled in both Facebook groups compared to the previous month, mainly focusing on war-related topics, indicating an increased drive to share human milk with those affected by the conflict. Key messages • Breast milk sharing, crucial in emergencies, analyzed via social media, sheds light on donor motivations and impacts on infant health during conflicts. • This qualitative study investigated a community of breast milk donors on a Facebook platform for the month following the start of the war on October 7, 2023.

Impact of postpartum physical activity on cardiometabolic health, breastfeeding, injury and infant growth and development: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between postpartum physical activity and maternal postnatal cardiometabolic health, breastfeeding, injury, and infant growth and development.DesignSystematic review with random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression.Data sourcesEight online databases were...

Behavioral Predisposing Factors in Mothers of Toddlers Affecting the Risk of Stunting Among Toddlers in Dairi Regency

Stunting a significant public health issue worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to adequate nutrition and healthcare is limited. This condition affects not only physical growth but also cognitive development and well-being. The study aimed to explore the impact of maternal behavioral factors, including nutrition, breastfeeding practices, and health-seeking behaviors, on the risk of stunting among toddlers. Method It is a cross sectional study with retrospective case control approach. A total of 120 mothers who had toddlers aged 6-24 months involved recruited from Puskesmas Pegagan Julu, Dairi District. Variables collected were knowledge, attitude and action of mothers, weight, height, age of children and exclusive breastfeeding consumption. Analyzed was performed through bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results a total 28.60% of toddlers were stunted, with significant links found between maternal nutritional knowledge (OR = 0.45, p &lt; 0.05), exclusive breastfeeding for six months (OR = 0.60, p &lt; 0.05), and regular health-seeking behavior (OR = 0.32, p &lt; 0.01), and reduced stunting risk. Conversely, inadequate sanitation facilities were associated with increased stunting prevalence (OR = 2.76, p &lt; 0.01).

Father Support, Postpartum Depression, and Breastfeeding Weaning Time: A Structural Equation Model

Background: Fathers play a crucial role in family well-being beyond financial support, positively influencing the health of both mothers and infants through involvement in childcare, prenatal care, and emotional support during pregnancy and childbirth. However, research on the long-term effects of father involvement in during prenatal and its postpartum outcome, particularly in Indonesia, is limited.Purpose: This study aimed to measure the direct and indirect effects of father support throughout pregnancy on postpartum depression and breastfeeding weaning time, by considering potential mediating pathways and controlling for relevant sociodemographic variables.Methods: Prospective observational techniques were employed from January to July 2021, involving 648 consecutively selected mothers attending antenatal care in seven health clinics in Makassar. Data collection included meticulous adherence to protocols covering sociodemographic factors, father support, and breastfeeding weaning time. Father support was assessed with the Father Support During Pregnancy questionnaire, administered three times with a 72-hour interval. Postpartum depression was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, while breastfeeding weaning time was quantified in weeks. Analysis included Spearman's correlation and SEM using SPSS and SPSS Amos.Result: The study identified negative correlations between maternal breastfeeding weaning time and postpartum depression (r=-0.183, p&lt;0.01), and positive correlations with father support (r=0.148, p&lt;0.01), parity (r=-0.269, p&lt;0.01), and marital age (r=0.187, p&lt;0.01). In the standardized model showed a marginal rise in the overall influence of father support, parity, and marital age on breastfeeding weaning time (0.256, 0.016, and 0.123, respectively). Father support emerged as the primary contributor to postpartum depression, inversely impacting breastfeeding duration. Higher father support correlated with lower maternal depression scores, and longer.Conclusion: This study highlights the role of father support in reducing the impact of postpartum depression on breastfeeding duration. Nurses can contribute by participating in interdisciplinary research and advocating for comprehensive assessment approaches.

Maternal Work and Infant Feeding Practices in the First 6 Months.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal work and infant feeding practices and explore the moderating impact of parental stress. Prospective data on categorical hours worked and infant feeding practices were collected at 3 and 6 months postpartum in a prospective prenatal cohort of 95 women. Chi-square tests were used to compare change in proportion of exclusive breastfeeding from birth to 6 months and maternal work status. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding significantly decreased from birth to 6 months, while the percent of mothers working outside of the home significantly increased from 3 to 6 months. At 6 months, mothers who worked full time pumped significantly more than their non-working counterparts. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to test the prediction of exclusive breastfeeding by maternal work, including sociodemographic covariates, and the moderating impact of parental stress. Results indicated that maternal education, paternal education, and maternal work significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months. Full time work (OR = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.62) was associated with a decreased odds of exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, higher maternal (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.97) and paternal (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.66) education was associated with an increased odds of exclusive breastfeeding. Maternal stress did not predict exclusive breastfeeding, nor did it have a moderating effect on the relationship between maternal work and breastfeeding. Future studies should investigate maternal work in more diverse birthing populations to better understand how families can incorporate breastfeeding as a primary infant feeding practice.

Breastfeeding in US working mothers: A systematic review.

Previous studies demonstrate that exclusive breastfeeding has positive long-term health effects on the mother and infant, but research has shown that nearly 50% of mothers do not breastfeed for the recommended amount of time. This article systematizes previous quantitative research on the impact of work on breastfeeding practices to identify the factors that correlate to the cessation of breastfeeding in working mothers. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statements, we performed a systematic review that screened PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Complete databases for articles relating to maternal employment and breastfeeding. Of the 13,106 articles assessed for eligibility, 21 studies met all requirements and were included in this systematic review. The 21 articles were divided into study type and methods, participant demographics, study outcomes, and additional factors that included stressors and stress levels, factors that increased or decreased rates of breastfeeding, and feeding methods. Articles outside of the United States were excluded due to differences in maternity leave policies of other countries impacting the data. Cessation of breastfeeding and breastfeeding outcomes were seen to have a strong association with maternal employment, specifically with the policies and employer support in the workplace. Other factors such as race, level of education, and stress were also shown to relate to breastfeeding outcomes and are important to consider in future public health interventions and workplace policies.

Breastfeeding may reduce the effects of maternal smoking on lung cancer mortality in adult offspring: a prospective cohort study.

Although previous research has indicated a correlation between smoking and the mortality rate in patients with lung cancer, the impact of early life factors on this relationship remains unclear and requires further investigation. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that breastfeeding reduces the risk of lung cancer-related death. The authors conducted a prospective cohort study involving 501859 participants recruited from the United Kingdom Biobank to explore the potential association between breastfeeding and the risk of lung cancer mortality using a Cox proportional hazards model. Subsequently, the polygenic risk score for lung cancer was calculated to detect interactions between genes and the environment. Over a median follow-up duration of 11.8 years, encompassing a total of 501859 participants, breastfeeding was found to reduce the risk of lung cancer-related death and the impact of maternal smoking on lung cancer mortality in adult offspring. This association remained consistent after stratification. Furthermore, the influence of maternal smoking and breastfeeding on the risk of lung cancer mortality was significant at a high genetic risk level. Breastfeeding can reduce the risk of lung cancer-related death and the impact of maternal smoking on lung cancer mortality in adult offspring. This correlation has the potential to reduce the probability of lung-cancer-related deaths in subsequent generations.

Of Birds and Breastfeeding: Augustine and Feminist Concerns about Kenosis

AbstractThe doctrine of kenosis has kept a low profile in studies of the early church. Yet the biblical idea that Christ “emptied himself” was taken up not only by proponents of kenoticism in the nineteenth century, but also—inevitably—by early Christian thinkers as they interpreted Philippians 2:5‐11, a crucial passage about the identity and spirit of Jesus Christ. Augustine, for example, references kenosis repeatedly across his writings. The notion of kenosis has also been a tenacious thread in the tapestry of feminist theological reflections over the last twenty years. This article weaves these strands together, arguing that three emphases of Augustine's account help to address concerns that feminist theologians have raised: his explication of kenosis as utterly unique and only analogically imitable; his description of kenosis as always additive; and his characterization of kenosis as an irresolvable paradox. This essay develops Augustine's emphases in conversation with recent feminist scholarship—drawing, along the way, on his surprising appeal to the behavior of mother birds and maternal breastfeeding—to suggest some new vantage points for appreciating how the Christian doctrine of kenosis can promote flourishing, for the subject as well as the object of self‐giving love.

Prenatal and infant exposure to antibiotics and subsequent risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in children: A nationwide birth cohort study in South Korea

We aimed to assess the association between antibiotic exposure in fetal and postnatal life (within six months after birth) and the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders in childhood. A nationwide, population-based birth cohort study(infants, n = 3,163,206; paired mothers, n = 2,322,735) was conducted in South Korea, with a mean follow-up duration of 6.8 years, using estimates of hazard ratio [HR] and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).Following propensity score matching including the baseline variables, antibiotic exposure in both fetal (HR,1.07 [95 % CI, 1.05–1.08]) and postnatal life (1.05 [1.03–1.07]) was associated with an increased risk of overall childhood neuropsychiatric disorders. A synergistic effect was observed with prenatal and postnatal exposures (1.12 [1.09–1.15]). The risk increases with the increasing number and duration of prescriptions. Significant associations were found for both common (1.06 [1.05–1.08]) and severe outcomes (1.17 [1.09–1.26]), especially for intellectual disability (1.12 [1.07–1.17]), ADHD (1.10 [1.07–1.13]), anxiety (1.06 [1.02–1.11]), mood (1.06 [1.00–1.12]), and autism (1.03 [1.01–1.07]). When comparing siblings with different exposure statuses to consider familial factors, prenatal and postnatal exposure risk increased to 10 % (95 % CI, 6–12) and 12 % (7–17), respectively. Similar results were observed in the unmatched and health screening cohort, which considers maternal obesity, smoking, and breastfeeding. Based on these findings, clinicians may consider potential long-term risks when assessing the risk-benefit of early-life antibiotic prescription.

Drug-related problems among breastfeeding patients treated for depressive spectrum disorders.

Depressive spectrum disorders are common and can hinder breastfeeding success. While medications typically pose minimal risk, the concerns persist. This is the first study that investigates the prevalence and characteristics of drug-related problems among breastfeeding mothers with depressive spectrum disorders. We analyzed those problems to understand their nature, severity, and contributing factors. Additionally, we evaluated the outcomes of pharmacist-led interventions in reducing them. Understanding drug-related problems is crucial for informing evidence-based practices to optimize both maternal mental health and breastfeeding success. This prospective observational study was conducted at a specialized pharmacy office in Poznan, Poland, which focuses on lactation support and medication consultations. 47 breastfeeding patients were enrolled. Pharmaceutical consultations were conducted according to Joint Commission of Pharmacy Practitioners Pharmacists' Patient Care Process standards. Novel MILC Questionnaire was used for efficient and optimal pharmaceutical interview. Drug-related problems were assessed basing on PCNE Classification System version 9.1. For adverse events in lactation, MedDRA v27 nomenclature was used; for causality, Naranjo Scale and LCAT were utilized. CTCAE was used for grading. Among the 47 patients, pharmacist identified 49 medication-related problems, with inadequate treatment effect due to underdosing or not taking the medication at all being the most common (57.1%). Pharmacist interventions focused on medication safety information and counseling. Overall, 78.7% of patients accepted these interventions, resulting in problem resolution for 71.4%. Twelve mothers (25.5%) reported adverse events in their infants, but after causality evaluation, only four (8.5%) might have been linked to maternal medication. None required medical intervention beyond one hospitalization for a serious adverse event possibly connected to maternal medication. The study identified high rates of drug-related problems among breastfeeding mothers with depression, primarily due to non-adherence. Pharmacist interventions significantly improved DRP outcomes. Adverse events were reported, but most were mild and did not require intervention. Our findings suggest that lactating mothers with depressive spectrum disorders may benefit from pharmacist-led support to optimize treatment adherence and address medication safety concern.

Neonatal Gut Mycobiome: Immunity, Diversity of Fungal Strains, and Individual and Non-Individual Factors.

The human gastrointestinal ecosystem, or microbiome (comprising the total bacterial genome in an environment), plays a crucial role in influencing host physiology, immune function, metabolism, and the gut-brain axis. While bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea are all present in the gastrointestinal ecosystem, research on the human microbiome has predominantly focused on the bacterial component. The colonization of the human intestine by microbes during the first two years of life significantly impacts subsequent composition and diversity, influencing immune system development and long-term health. Early-life exposure to pathogens is crucial for establishing immunological memory and acquired immunity. Factors such as maternal health habits, delivery mode, and breastfeeding duration contribute to gut dysbiosis. Despite fungi's critical role in health, particularly for vulnerable newborns, research on the gut mycobiome in infants and children remains limited. Understanding early-life factors shaping the gut mycobiome and its interactions with other microbial communities is a significant research challenge. This review explores potential factors influencing the gut mycobiome, microbial kingdom interactions, and their connections to health outcomes from childhood to adulthood. We identify gaps in current knowledge and propose future research directions in this complex field.

Psychometric properties of the maternal breastfeeding evaluation scale: a confirmatory factor analysis

BackgroundIt has been suggested that maternal satisfaction should be included as an additional and appropriate outcome indicator in relation to the breastfeeding process. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of various existing versions of the Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale in a Spanish sample.MethodsThis was a longitudinal observational study, evaluated at three different time points: in the hospital after delivery, and then at five and 12 months after delivery in a Spanish sample. A total of 690 mother participated in this study.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis results indicated an improved fit of the data to the original model (CFI = 0.984; TLI = 0.982; RMSEA = 0.079). All dimensions of the Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale are positively associated with breastfeeding rates and negatively associated with perceived difficulty in continuing to breastfeed after returning to work at five months postpartum. Moreover, the scale can predict breastfeeding behavior at 12 months postpartum.ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that the structure of the original version of the Maternal Breastfeeding Evaluation Scale mean it is a is valid and reliable tool for assessing maternal perceptions of the breastfeeding experience in Spain. This research enhances our understanding of maternal satisfaction with the breastfeeding experience and its potential implications for supporting breastfeeding practices. It is an opportunity for the academic, healthcare, and policy sectors to develop more effective interventions to improve breastfeeding rates and ensure a positive experience for mothers.

Factors associated with breastfeeding in children less than one year of age in the city of Cartagena, Colombia

Introduction: The practice of breastfeeding represents multiple benefits to children; however, several studies show that there has been a gradual loss of breastfeeding habits in industrialized and developing countries, mainly because the great diversity of types of milk. Additionalliy, there was the presence of biological and socio-cultural factors, which influence and modify this practice and generate a negative impact on the health of the infant population. In Colombia, in 2005, it was reported that the median duration of exclusive breastfeeding was 2.2 months and the median duration was 14.9 months total; likewise, the department of Bolivar reported a median slightly over a month.Objective: To determine the relationship between social and biological factors in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in children under one year of age in Cartagena, Colombia. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study, the population consisted of the mothers of 23,109 children less than one year of age, the sample was 562 mothers. The probability sampling was stratified by clusters of three locations in the city where every neighborhood was a cluster. After selecting the neighborhood, a simple random sampling was conducted by city blocks. Mothers of children under one year of age were sought in their homes in the city blocks selected. The information was collected through the survey «Breastfeeding and complementary feeding» used by PROFAMILIA, demographic characteristics were demographic characteristics were also investigated.Results: The median for breastfeeding was 2 months, social factors associated were: not using a feeding bottle (CI: 2.37-5.38), nuclear family membership (CI: 1.29-2.72), not being a mother head of household (CI: 0.27-0.62), and the biological factor showing association was temporary suspension of breastfeeding (CI: 0.23-0.70).Conclusion: The duration of the exclusive breastfeeding practice among women turned out to be very short and the practice until the sixth month of life for their children was low. It was found that children born through caesarean section had a higher prevalence of maternal of maternal breastfeeding than those born vaginally.

Detection of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and Its Association with Changes in Human Milk Bacterial Microbiota.

Background: Presently, there is increasing public consciousness regarding the contamination and detection of microplastics (MPs) within the human body, and studies on the detection and characterization of MPs in human breast milk are limited. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of MPs found in human breast milk and examine the relationship between maternal hygiene practices, complications that may arise during breastfeeding, and the composition of the bacterial microbiota. Methods: Postpartum breast milk was analyzed for MPs using Raman micro-spectroscopy. The relationship between MP detection, maternal hygiene, breastfeeding complications, and bacterial microbiota was examined. In order to identify correlations and differences between groups that had detected and non-detected MPs, statistical analyses were performed, which involved demographic comparisons and correlation network analysis. Results: The mean age of the 59 postpartum women was 28.13 years. We found MPs in 38.98% of breast milk samples (23 of 59), exhibiting diverse morphological and chemical characteristics. Most MP polymers were polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. Maternal hygiene and breastfeeding complications differed between the MPs-detected and non-detected groups. Maternal behaviors may influence the presence of microplastics in breast milk, which were associated with these differences. Bacterial microbiota analysis revealed significant taxonomic differences between the MPs-detected and non-detected groups. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus dominated the MPs-detected group, while Enterobacter, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter dominated the non-detected group. The MPs-detected group had a more even bacterial distribution, especially Bacteroides. Conclusions: This study found MPs in 38.98% of breast milk samples using Raman micro-spectrometry, with PP, PE, and PVC being the most common. Significant differences in maternal hygiene and breastfeeding complications were found between the groups with and without MPs. Breast milk microbiota may be linked to MP detection. Further study should be conducted to identify the possible maternal-child health.