International Breastfeeding Journal最新文献

{"title":"Unravelling the effect of parity on immunoglobulins, cytokines and adipokines in human transitional milk and their association with infant infections during the first 6 months of life.","authors":"Karla Rio-Aige, Cecilia Martínez-Costa, Margarida Castell, María José Rodríguez-Lagunas, María Carmen Collado, Francisco J Pérez-Cano","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00770-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00770-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human milk dynamically adapts its composition of immunoglobulins (Igs), cytokines, and other proteins as lactation progresses, influencing the infant's immune development and protection. Understanding how maternal factors, such as parity, influence the composition of human milk can provide strategies aimed at enhancing infant immune protection and reducing early-life infections. This study aims to investigate whether the immune composition of human milk differs based on parity, and if so, how these changes are related to infections in early life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 75 healthy mother-infant pairs from the MAMI cohort (Clinical Trial Registry NCT03552939), with milk samples collected from the same mothers at days 7 and 15 postpartum, during transitional lactation stage. Igs, cytokines, and adipokines were quantified using multiplex immunoassays and ELISA. A comparison was conducted between primiparous and multiparous mothers regarding both the overall and individual composition of immune components in human milk at each time point, as well as their evolution throughout the transitional phase.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Infants from multiparous mothers recorded higher infection rates in early life than those of primiparous mothers. Some human milk immune components also differed by parity, with multiparous mothers exhibiting higher levels of IgA, total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgE, and IL-23 at the beginning of the transitional phase (day 7), as well as higher IL-18 and IL-21 levels toward its end (day 15), compared to primiparous mothers. Additionally, the evolutionary pattern in levels of Igs, cytokines, and adipokines throughout the transitional milk stage also differed. Moreover, in multiparous mothers, higher levels of IgG, particularly IgG1 and IgG2 (day 7), as well as IL-18 and IL-22 (day 15), were associated with reduced infant infections, highlighting their potential protective role.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Parity is a maternal factor that influences some immune components of human milk during the transitional stage and may be linked to the susceptibility of infants to infections during the first 6 months of life. Future studies aimed at analyzing the impact of the parity factor, among others, on the progression of immune components in human milk may contribute to a better understanding and improved strategies for newborn health.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"75"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12502391/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and practices of HIV-positive women in Africa: a systematic review.","authors":"Natalia Cuenca-Viñas, Raquel Sánchez-Marqués, Agustín Benito, María Romay-Barja","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00768-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00768-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breastfeeding is essential for ensuring the health and survival of children, particularly in regions where diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition are common causes of child mortality. In sub-Saharan Africa, over one million HIV-positive women become pregnant each year and face significant challenges in infant feeding due to limited access to treatment and safe water. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continuous breastfeeding up to 24 months in conjunction with antiretroviral treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HIV-positive mothers in Africa during the last 10 years, to provide evidence for public health strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review was conducted on studies that explored the KAP surrounding recommended infant feeding practices among HIV-exposed children in African countries. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines and searched major databases for articles published between 2013 and 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 586 articles identified, 22 met the inclusion criteria. 70% of the studies were conducted in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Kenya and 95% of the studies were carried out in healthcare facilities. Mothers demonstrated good knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding EBF for HIV-exposed children, but exhibited limited knowledge and negative attitudes towards continuous breastfeeding practice. Healthcare workers were reported as their primary source of information. Stigma associated with practicing EBF and returning to work were identified as major reasons for early cessation of breastfeeding.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the infant feeding practices currently recommended by WHO for HIV-positive mothers were found to be limited. There is little evidence regarding the situation in other countries, particularly among vulnerable women with limited access to the health system. Public health policies must be strengthened to ensure that health workers are adequately trained in the current guidelines in order to improve adherence to infant feeding practices among HIV-positive mothers.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"74"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12482470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring barriers to human milk banking acceptability among nursing mothers in Iran using social cognitive perspectives.","authors":"Mahnoush Karami, Zeinab Zaremohzzabieh, Mansoureh Zarean, Ali-Reza Ahmadi","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00767-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00767-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite extensive global research on mothers' intentions regarding human milk banking (HMB), its acceptability remains underexplored in non-Western contexts, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. This study investigates barriers to HMB acceptability among nursing mothers in Iran through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), emphasizing how cultural, religious, and contextual factors intersect with maternal decision-making.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, between August and October 2024. Semi-structured interviews were held with twelve nursing mothers of premature infants unable to breastfeed. Data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-step approach, guided by SCT to capture the interplay between personal, behavioral, and environmental influences on mothers' decision-making regarding HMB. Rigorous strategies, including iterative coding and peer debriefing, were employed to ensure trustworthiness of the analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three overarching themes emerged. Personal factors included emotional states, risk perceptions, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and religious beliefs and ethics. Behavioral factors comprised trust-based decision-making and past behavioral patterns, which shaped willingness to engage with HMB. Environmental factors involved institutional accessibility, social support systems, authoritative influence, and cultural norms. Findings revealed that mothers experienced emotional conflict, mistrust in milk safety, and religious concerns about milk kinship and halal practices. Institutional and logistical barriers, coupled with lack of family and community support, further reduced HMB acceptability. Nevertheless, participants emphasized that religious endorsements, transparent regulations, health professional guidance, and improved service accessibility could enhance trust and participation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights how reciprocal interactions among personal beliefs, behavioral patterns, and environmental contexts shape the acceptability of HMB among Iranian mothers. To improve uptake, culturally sensitive interventions are essential particularly those involving religious authorities, healthcare professionals, and awareness campaigns to address misconceptions and build trust. Strengthening institutional accessibility and transparency can further promote HMB as a viable feeding option. Future research should also examine the roles of socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and generational differences to broaden the evidence base for culturally adapted HMB policies in Muslim-majority contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12482545/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validity of an ion selective electrode for measuring human milk sodium and potassium ion levels at point-of-care in lactating mothers with inflammatory breast conditions.","authors":"Emma Heron, Ching Tat Lai, Leanda McKenna, Adelle McArdle, Donna Geddes","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00764-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00764-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Elevated human milk sodium (Na+) levels and Na+ to potassium (K+) ratios are commonly used in research to define breast inflammation in lactating mothers. Portable Na+ and K+ ion selective electrode probes (ISEPs) allow for immediate point-of-care testing by clinicians, potentially accelerating diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast (ICLB). We determined validity of ISEPs compared to the reference method inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in mothers with ICLB, and acceptability of ISEP point-of-care testing of mothers tested with clinical ICLB symptoms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Human milk samples were collected from 43 mothers with ICLB, between December 2021 and September 2022. Mothers were recruited from private physiotherapy practices, a public women's hospital, and the local community, in Melbourne, Australia. Human milk Na+, K+ and Na+:K+ ratio levels were tested at point-of-care (ISEPs), and later, in the laboratory (ICP-OES). Adjusted limits of agreement with Bland-Altman plots compared the two measurement methods, with rank linear mixed effects models establishing their relationship. Mother's ISEP acceptability was assessed via two survey questions (0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) and open text response) and analysed via descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Adjusted limits of agreement (lower limit mean (95% CI) to upper limit mean (95% CI)) between the two measurement methods were: -6.12 (-7.75, -4.49) to 6.12 (4.49, 7.75) mM for Na+; 7.37 (5.82, 9.47) to 25.6 (23.5, 27.7) mM for K+; and -0.82 (-0.85, -0.79) to 0.80 (0.77, 0.82) mM for Na+:K+ ratio. For Na+:K+ ratio, 100% of values fell within the limits of agreement. For Na+ and Na+:K+ ratio, ISEPs and ICP-OES shared a substantial amount of variability (Na+: conditional R² = 0.87, p < 0.05; Na+:K+ ratio: conditional R² = 0.94, p < 0.05). Mother's acceptance of ISEP testing was high with a median (Q1, Q3) NRS score of 10 (10, 10). The most frequent theme was that the testing was 'quick and easy, and unproblematic' (n = 30).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Point-of-care human milk ISEP Na+:K+ ratio measurement in mothers with ICLB is valid and is rated as a highly acceptable clinical assessment tool by mothers with ICLB.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12482321/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of colostrum oropharyngeal immunotherapy on postnatal growth in preterm infants based on early gut microbiota-host interaction patterns: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Na Wang, Yan Hu, Weibing Qiu, Min He, Qifeng Zang, Bo Wang, Bin Tang, Hongjuan Zhang, Pingping Ni, Suyue Zhu, Jia Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00769-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00769-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR), prevalent and severe in very preterm infants (< 32 weeks' gestation), means discharge growth values (weight, head circumference, or length) are ≤ 10th percentile on the Fenton 2013 chart. Many of these infants fast or have delayed oral feeding soon after birth. Oropharyngeal colostrum administration, using a syringe or sterile swab, is an alternative to early enteral colostrum feeding. As the effectiveness of oropharyngeal colostrum administration in reducing the incidence of EUGR in preterm infants remains unclear, a randomized trial design is crucial for addressing this question. This proposed study protocol investigates the impact of oropharyngeal colostrum administration on the time to regain birth weight and postnatal growth in very preterm infants, based on the interaction between early gut microbiota and the host.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We plan to perform this multicenter randomized controlled trial by recruiting 260 very preterm infants from September 2025 to August 2028. The study will be conducted at five neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Jiangsu Province, China. The study population will be randomly assigned to either the oropharyngeal colostrum administration group or the placebo (normal saline) group. The intervention will commence within 48-72 h of birth and and will be administered continuously for a duration of 5 days, with stool samples collected from the preterm infants before and after the intervention. The primary outcome measure is the incidence of EUGR at discharge, while the secondary outcome measures include differences in the time to regain birth weight and gut microbiota between groups. This study will use a multivariate logistic regression to evaluate the association between oropharyngeal colostrum administration and EUGR, multiple tests (T-test, Wilcoxon, repeated measures analysis of variance) for gut microbial diversity differences, and a generalized linear model for the association between the intervention and gut microbiota composition.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of oropharyngeal colostrum administration in preterm infants through rigorous clinical trials and intestinal flora analyses and to provide new insights into intervention strategies for EUGR in preterm infants.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT07082881. Registered 16 July 2025.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12482504/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationships of breast milk intake during one breastfeeding session with sucking time and other determinants: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Lei Gu, Le Dong, Hongyu Chen","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00746-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00746-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study explored the correlation between breast milk intake and sucking time during a single breastfeeding session, and analyzed additional factors influencing infant milk intake.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to July 2024, enrolling 162 mother-infant dyads with infants aged 1 to 12 months. During breastfeeding observations, sucking time was recorded, and milk intake was measured using the test-weighing method. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data on maternal and infant health status and feeding practices. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics (medians and interquartile ranges for non-normally distributed data), non-parametric tests for group comparisons, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear stepwise regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Breast milk intake was significantly positively correlated with sucking time (r = 0.57, P < 0.05). The median [IQR] volume of milk intake from the right breast was significantly higher than that from the left breast (60.0 [35.0-85.0] g vs. 48.0 [28.0-70.0] g, P < 0.05). Infants of full-time housewives or mothers on maternity leave exhibited a higher median average milk intake rate than those of working mothers (7.8 [4.5-10.5] g/min vs. 6.5 [3.8-9.0] g/min, P = 0.06). Average milk intake rate was significantly higher in infants aged 5-12 months compared to 1-4 months (median [IQR]: 7.9 [5.0-11.0] g/min vs. 6.5 [3.9-8.8] g/min, P < 0.05). Other factors, including infant sex, overall infant age (when not stratified), birth weight, 24-hour breastfeeding frequency, maternal BMI, parity, maternal age, and maternal occupation (for milk intake volume) showed no significant associations with milk intake volume or intake rate in univariate analyses (all P > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sucking time, current infant body weight, and the breast side used for feeding are key factors influencing breast milk intake during a single breastfeeding session. Further research is warranted to investigate the effects of other factors such as feeding patterns and breastfeeding intervals on milk intake.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12465471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145180316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First primary care visit of the newborn and its implications for breastfeeding.","authors":"Paloma Comino-Vázquez, Marta Carballal-Mariño, Josep Vicent Balaguer-Martínez, César García-Vera, Juana María Ledesma-Albarrán","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00758-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00758-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The first primary care visit of the newborn aims to assess neonatal feeding, promote breastfeeding, and identify potential health issues. This study examines the relationship between the timing of the first visit and the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at one month of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective, observational, analytical study was conducted in Spain through a paediatric research network. Data were collected from newborns at both the first visit and the one-month check-up. Selected variables were compared with those from a 2014 study by the same network to estimate EBF rates at the first visit. The primary outcome was EBF prevalence at one month, measured using 2024 data. EBF was defined as receiving only breast milk in the past 24 h. To analyse factors associated with EBF over time, generalised estimating equation models with binomial distribution and logit link function were used in univariate and multivariate analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1952 cases were collected in 2024, with the first visit at 9.3 ± 6.1 days after discharge, compared to 2047 cases in 2014 at 10.7 ± 6.3 days. EBF prevalence at the first visit was 63.1% in 2014 and 62.6% in 2024. In 2024, EBF prevalence at one month was 55.0% (95% CI 52.7, 57.3). Previous maternal breastfeeding experience was the strongest predictor of EBF at one month (AOR 14.61, 95% CI 5.04, 42.33). Having the first visit within 7 days of life was associated with higher EBF maintenance at one month in univariate analysis (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.17, 1.53), but not in multivariate analysis (AOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.47, 1.74).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The first primary care visit of the newborn occurs late in Spain. Rates of EBF have declined over the past decade, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that address modifiable determinants. The strongest predictor for EBF at one month is having previous breastfeeding experience. Early postnatal follow-up of newborns in primary care appears to have a beneficial effect on EBF maintenance at one month, although other determinants may mediate or influence its impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12398975/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing breastfeeding research in Afghanistan: opportunities for policy and practice.","authors":"Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai, Omid Dadras","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00763-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00763-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Context-specific breastfeeding research has significantly improved infant health outcomes in many low-resource settings. Afghanistan, which has one of the world's highest under-five mortality rates, similarly stands to gain from evidence-based infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions. Optimal breastfeeding practices - early initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and continued breastfeeding - are proven to reduce child mortality and improve child health. Yet Afghanistan lacks robust data on breastfeeding behaviors and determinants; decades of conflict and limited research capacity have left critical evidence gaps, hindering the development of effective, tailored IYCF policies and programs.</p><p><strong>Breastfeeding research gaps and priorities in afghanistan: </strong>To address these gaps, this commentary presents a theory of change framework that links identified research needs to feasible studies, trackable indicators, and policy impact. The theory of change outlines key assumptions and risk mitigation strategies to guide a sequenced, policy-relevant research program. Based on the identified gaps, six priority research areas are highlighted: (1) assessing mothers' IYCF knowledge and communication channels to inform education campaigns; (2) exploring cultural and religious influences on feeding practices (e.g., rationales for prelacteal feeding); (3) evaluating and adapting proven breastfeeding support interventions (peer support groups, mobile health) for the Afghan context; (4) investigating emerging challenges to optimal breastfeeding (formula marketing, bottle-feeding trends, workplace barriers); (5) strengthening health system and community support for breastfeeding (enhancing healthcare provider training, counseling services, and enforcement of maternity protection policies); and (6) piloting the feasibility of donor human milk banking in select provinces. Collectively, these studies should aim to generate actionable evidence and measurable outcomes to drive improvements in breastfeeding policy and practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Achieving this research agenda will require investment in local research capacity and strong political commitment. Key recommendations include establishing a multi-stakeholder Breastfeeding Research Working Group under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), securing dedicated funding for breastfeeding research in national health programs, and fostering cross-sector partnerships to ensure that new evidence is translated into policy and practice. By aligning research efforts with national priorities, Afghanistan can harness breastfeeding's lifesaving benefits to improve child survival and well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"68"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12382191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of a ginger-spiced millet-soya drink and breastfeeding education on prolactin levels and breast milk volumes in postpartum mothers in northern Ghana: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Rafatu Tahiru, Mary Amoako, Charles Apprey","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00762-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-025-00762-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exclusive breastfeeding is essential for optimal infant nutrition and health, yet many mothers experience concerns about insufficient milk supply. This study investigated the effects of a ginger-spiced millet-soya drink (Zim-So drink), selected for its rich content of phytoestrogens and cultural use as a galactagogue and breastfeeding education on breast milk volumes and prolactin levels to enhance breastfeeding experiences among postpartum mothers in Tamale, Northern Ghana.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A randomized-controlled intervention study was conducted, with 75 participants randomly assigned to three groups: Zim-So drink (n = 25), breastfeeding education (n = 25), or control (n = 25). The sample size was determined using G-Power to detect a moderate-to-large effect (Cohen's d = 0.8) with 80% power and α = 0.05. Blinding was not feasible due to the type of intervention, but standardized procedures minimized observer bias. Breast milk volume was measured using a manual breast pump and standardized logging; serum prolactin levels were assessed using ELISA at baseline, Day 7, and Day 14. Statistical analysis was conducted using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post hoc test to determine significant differences among samples.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study found no significant baseline differences among groups, confirming their comparability. By Day 7 and Day 14, both the Zim-So drink and breastfeeding education groups showed significant improvements in breast milk volume and prolactin levels compared to the control. The Zim-So drink group demonstrated the largest effect size, with mean breast milk volume increasing by 24.9 mL (95% CI, 22.1-27.7) and prolactin levels by 25.0 ng/mL (95% CI, 22.0-28.0) at Day 14 compared to the control (p < 0.001), indicating a stronger and sustained impact on lactation outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the importance of dietary and educational interventions in enhancing lactation. The Zim-So drink, formulated with culturally familiar and bioactive-rich ingredients, emerges as an effective, acceptable, and affordable galactagogue for breastfeeding mothers. These findings indicate that integrating traditional dietary supplementation with structured breastfeeding education within maternal healthcare systems offers a practical and cost-effective approach to enhancing breastfeeding outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379456/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of traditionality and modernity on public breastfeeding behaviors: a theory of planned behavior approach.","authors":"Lin Cheng, Wen-Chi Wu, Yihjin Jin Hu, Chih Chien Cheng","doi":"10.1186/s13006-025-00761-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-025-00761-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast milk is widely recognized as the optimal source of infant nutrition, with the World Health Organization recommending exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. However, breastfeeding rates remain suboptimal worldwide and in Taiwan. The six-month exclusive breastfeeding rate in Taiwan, defined as the percentage of infants aged six months who received only breast milk and no other foods or liquids in the previous 24 h, declined from 46.2% in 2018 to 37.9% in 2020. One barrier to continued breastfeeding is the discomfort or hesitation some mothers feel when breastfeeding in public. While qualitative research has indicated that conservative values may inhibit public breastfeeding, few quantitative studies have examined the simultaneous influence of traditionality and modernity. This study investigates how traditionality and modernity affect public breastfeeding behavior in Taiwan, using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a framework.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from 4 to 15 March 2024, recruiting 358 Taiwanese mothers with prior breastfeeding experience via social media. Validated instruments measured traditionality, modernity, TPB constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention), and frequency of public breastfeeding. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and structural equation modeling.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Traditionality was negatively associated with attitudes (β = -0.30), perceived control (β = -0.11), intention (β = -0.14), and public breastfeeding behavior (β = -0.14). Modernity indirectly promoted public breastfeeding through positive links with attitudes (β = 0.12), subjective norms (β = 0.23), and perceived control (β = 0.26). Intention strongly predicted behavior (β = 0.60). The model explained 42% of the variance (CFI = 0.99, SRMR = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study confirms that traditionality may hinder public breastfeeding, while modernity enhances it by shaping attitudes, norms, and control beliefs. These findings have important implications for public health policy and practice. Since traditionality and modernity influence behavior through distinct psychological pathways, interventions should be culturally tailored. For mothers with high traditionality, mobilizing family and community support may reinforce positive norms. For those with strong modern values, strategies should focus on autonomy, self-efficacy, and informed decision-making to support breastfeeding in public spaces.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"20 1","pages":"66"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12369124/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}