Michael Sarfo, Juliet Aggrey-Korsah, Leticia Akua Adzigbli, Gideon Awenabisa Atanuriba, Gilbert Eshun, Khadijat Adeleye, Richard Gyan Aboagye
{"title":"Prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors among women in Mauritania: evidence from a national survey.","authors":"Michael Sarfo, Juliet Aggrey-Korsah, Leticia Akua Adzigbli, Gideon Awenabisa Atanuriba, Gilbert Eshun, Khadijat Adeleye, Richard Gyan Aboagye","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00669-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-024-00669-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Timely initiation of breastfeeding is crucial for positive health outcomes for babies and mothers. Understanding the factors influencing timely initiation of breastfeeding is vital for reducing child morbidities and mortalities in Mauritania. This study, therefore, assessed the prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding and its associated factors among women in Mauritania, providing significant insights for improving maternal and child health in the country.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We performed a secondary analysis of the 2019-2021 Mauritania Demographic and Health Survey data. A weighted sample of 4,114 mother-child pairs was included in the study. We used percentage to present the prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding. A four-modelled multilevel binary logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with early initiation of breastfeeding. The regression results were presented using adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with their respective 95% confidence interval (CI). Stata software version 17.0 was used to perform all the analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding was 57.3% (95% CI 54.5, 60.00). Birth order was associated with early initiation of breastfeeding with the highest odds among those in the fourth birth order (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.08, 2.39). Mothers who practiced skin-to-skin contact were more likely to initiate breastfeeding early than those who did not (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.14, 1.87). There were regional disparities in the early initiation of breastfeeding. The odds of timely initiation of breastfeeding was lower among women who were delivered by caesarean section (aOR 0.22; 95%CI 0.14, 0.36), those who were working (aOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.45, 0.73), those who had four or more antenatal care visits (aOR 0.67; 95%CI 0.47, 0.94)], and those in the richest wealth quintile (aOR 0.61; 95% CI 0.38, 0.98) compared to those who had normal delivery, those who were not working, those who had zero antenatal care visits, and those in the poorest wealth quintile households, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study found a relatively low prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding among women in Mauritania. Factor such as birth order, region of residence, mother and newborn skin-to-skin contact after birth, antenatal care visits, caesarean delivery, employment status, and wealth index were associated with early initiation of breastfeeding. Improving optimal breastfeeding practices, such as early initiation of breastfeeding in Mauritania, should be given adequate attention. There is a need for interventions such as baby-friendly facilities, providing an enabling environment for mothers to breastfeed their newborns early. Addressing regional health access disparities is important to improve early initiation of breastfeeding and other maternal, newborn, and child health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11448303/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142367433","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":"Mothers' needs and wishes for breastfeeding support in workplaces in Thailand: a qualitative study.","authors":"Nisachol Cetthakrikul, Nipunporn Voramongkol, Siripatana Siritanaratkul, Yupayong Hangchaovanich","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00674-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00674-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Returning to work is a barrier to breastfeeding. Although the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) in Thailand encourages employers to initiate a breastfeeding corner - a designated area where mothers can express their breastmilk privately and comfortably - in their workplace to support lactating employees, little is known about what kind of support mothers would like to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. This research aimed to explore mothers' needs and wishes for breastfeeding support in the workplace.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study used focus group discussions to collect data from female employees who had a child aged 6 - 24 months in factories that had initiated a breastfeeding corner between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022. The focus group discussions were held between June and July 2023. We employed semi-structured questions relating to breastfeeding support in their workplaces (e.g., a breastfeeding corner, lactation break, providing information or knowledge), baby food marketing in workplaces, and recommendations to improve breastfeeding support for working mothers. We applied thematic analysis to analyse the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nineteen mothers from five factories located in Bangkok and surrounding provinces participated in the study. All participating factories had a breastfeeding corner in a first aid room, and no lactation breaks were given. Therefore, lactating employees spent time during their breaks pumping breastmilk. Furthermore, the lactating employees did not acquire any information or education about breastfeeding from the workplace during pregnancy or after delivery but rather obtained this from health system services and digital platforms. They also received support from family, health professionals, and colleagues when they returned to work after giving birth. Lactating employees would like employers to provide specific lactation breaks. They also wanted credible information or knowledge about breastfeeding to be provided during pregnancy and after giving birth, together with other social support.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, the Department of Health, and the Thai Breastfeeding Centre Foundation could collaborate with other relevant organisations to support employers in establishing breastfeeding support in their workplace.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11438424/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142332332","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}
Chompoonut Topothai, Nisachol Cetthakrikul, Natasha Howard, Viroj Tangcharoensathien, Mary Foong-Fong Chong, Yvette van der Eijk
{"title":"Outcomes of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes as national laws: a systematic review.","authors":"Chompoonut Topothai, Nisachol Cetthakrikul, Natasha Howard, Viroj Tangcharoensathien, Mary Foong-Fong Chong, Yvette van der Eijk","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00676-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-024-00676-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, or 'the Code,' sets standards to regulate marketing of commercial milk formula (CMF) to protect breastfeeding. World Health Organization member states are advised to legislate the Code into national law, but understanding of its implementation outcomes is limited. This systematic review aimed to examine implementation outcomes in countries implementing the Code as national law.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically searched five academic databases in September 2022 for articles published in English from 1982 to 2022. We double-screened titles/abstracts and then full texts for eligible articles reporting implementation outcomes of the Code in 144 eligible countries. We used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool for quality assessment and synthesized data thematically. We applied the Proctor et al. framework to guide synthesis of implementation outcomes, organizing our findings according to its taxonomy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included 60 eligible articles of the 12,075 screened, spanning 28 countries. Fifty-seven articles focused on legal compliance, 5 on acceptability, and 1 on feasibility. Compliance was assessed across multiple sources, including mothers, health workers, media, points of sale, and product labels. Maternal exposure to CMF promotion remained widespread, with reports of mothers receiving free samples and coupons, and encountering media advertisements. Compliance of health workers varied across countries, with many reporting contact with CMF companies despite legal prohibitions. Public hospitals generally showed better adherence to the national law than private ones. While implementing the Code as national law effectively regulated the promotion of CMF for infants aged 0-12 months in public settings and in the media, it remains insufficient in addressing the promotion of unregulated products like growing-up milk, which are often marketed through emerging strategies such as cross-promotion and digital advertising. Point-of-sales compliance was inconsistent, with many countries reporting non-compliant price-related promotions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To enhance legal compliance, robust monitoring and reporting systems are necessary. Utilizing technology-assisted solutions for monitoring compliance can be an option for countries with limited human resources. Adequate training for health workers and communication strategies targeting shop managers about national law are also essential in enhancing their acceptability and compliance.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"68"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11438049/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142332333","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":"Induced lactation in a transgender woman: case report","authors":"Shin Ikebukuro, Miori Tanaka, Mei Kaneko, Midori Date, Sachiko Tanaka, Hitomi Wakabayashi, Masahiko Murase, Noriko Ninomiya, Taro Kamiya, Mariko Ogawa, Daisuke Shiojiri, Nahoko Shirato, Yuki Sekiguchi, Akihiko Sekizawa, Mikiya Nakatsuka, Hiroyuki Gatanaga, Katsumi Mizuno","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00675-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00675-4","url":null,"abstract":"Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits, but its practice and success can vary. While research on induced lactation in cisgender women has been documented, there is limited research on lactation induction in transgender women. A 50-year-old transgender woman undergoing hormone therapy and living with a pregnant partner sought to co-feed using induced lactation. After approval by the hospital ethics committee, a regimen of estradiol, progesterone, and domperidone was initiated, accompanied by nipple stimulation. Lactation was successfully induced and maintained, with milk composition analysis indicating high levels of protein and other key nutrients. This case, the seventh reported, highlights the complexity of lactation induction in transgender women, considering factors such as age, obesity, and insulin resistance. The nutrient profile of the milk suggests its suitability for infant feeding, despite some differences from typical human milk. Induced lactation is feasible in transgender women, expanding the understanding of non-puerperal lactation and its potential in diverse family structures. Further research is warranted to optimize lactation induction protocols in transgender women.","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142252097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dong-Man Ye, Xiaoru Bai, Shu Xu, Ning Qu, Nannan Zhao, Yang Zheng, Tao Yu, Huijian Wu
{"title":"Association between breastfeeding, mammographic density, and breast cancer risk: a review","authors":"Dong-Man Ye, Xiaoru Bai, Shu Xu, Ning Qu, Nannan Zhao, Yang Zheng, Tao Yu, Huijian Wu","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00672-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00672-7","url":null,"abstract":"Mammographic density has been associated with breast cancer risk, and is modulated by established breast cancer risk factors, such as reproductive and hormonal history, as well as lifestyle. Recent epidemiological and biological findings underscore the recognized benefits of breastfeeding in reducing breast cancer risk, especially for aggressive subtypes. Current research exploring the association among mammographic density, breastfeeding, and breast cancer is sparse. Changes occur in the breasts during pregnancy in preparation for lactation, characterized by the proliferation of mammary gland tissues and the development of mammary alveoli. During lactation, the alveoli fill with milk, and subsequent weaning triggers the involution and remodeling of these tissues. Breastfeeding influences the breast microenvironment, potentially altering mammographic density. When breastfeeding is not initiated after birth, or is abruptly discontinued shortly after, the breast tissue undergoes forced and abrupt involution. Conversely, when breastfeeding is sustained over an extended period and concludes gradually, the breast tissue undergoes slow remodeling process known as gradual involution. Breast tissue undergoing abrupt involution displays denser stroma, altered collagen composition, heightened inflammation and proliferation, along with increased expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor. Furthermore, elevated levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) surpass those of its inhibitors during abrupt involution, enhancing insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling and collagen deposition. Prolactin and small molecules in breast milk may also modulate DNA methylation levels. Drawing insights from contemporary epidemiological and molecular biology studies, our review sheds light on how breastfeeding impacts mammographic density and explores its role in influencing breast cancer. This review highlights a clear protective link between breastfeeding and reduced breast cancer risk via changes in mammographic density. Future research should investigate the effects of breastfeeding on mammographic density and breast cancer risk among various ethnic groups and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these associations. Such comprehensive research will enhance our understanding and facilitate the development of targeted breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies.","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"65 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142252098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mathilde Kersting, Erika Sievers, Nele Hockamp, Hermann Kalhoff, Thomas Lücke
{"title":"Getting breastfeeding started under pandemic visiting restrictions: lessons learned in Germany","authors":"Mathilde Kersting, Erika Sievers, Nele Hockamp, Hermann Kalhoff, Thomas Lücke","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00664-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00664-7","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic contact restrictions considerably changed maternal visiting contacts during the time in which breastfeeding is initiated. We wanted to know how maternity ward staff and mothers rated the conditions of starting breastfeeding under contact restrictions. In the Breastfeeding in North Rhine-Westphalia (SINA) study, Germany, 2021/22, chief physicians as well as ward staff from 41 (out of 131) maternity hospitals (82 members of the healthcare sector in total) were surveyed by telephone concerning structural and practical conditions for breastfeeding support before and during the pandemic; 192 (out of 426 eligible) mothers answered an online-questionnaire about their breastfeeding experiences at 2 weeks and 2 months after birth. In almost all of the hospitals, visits were restricted due to the pandemic, with the exception of the primary support person. After more than one year of pandemic experience, the ward staff were convinced that the restrictions were mostly positive for the mothers (97.6%) and for the ward staff themselves (78.0%). A total of 80.5% of the ward staff would maintain the restrictions beyond the pandemic. The mothers themselves mostly rated the restrictions in the hospital as being just right; moreover, many mothers voluntarily maintained the restrictions at home, at least in part. The unprecedented visiting restrictions in hospitals during the pandemic were like an “experiment” born out of necessity. Restricting visiting arrangements may be an underestimated beneficial component for the development of the mother-infant dyad in perinatal breastfeeding care, particularly in healthcare systems where almost all births occur in the maternity hospital. German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) (DRKS00027975).","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142252099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Claudia Datnow-Martinez, Brittany Ransom, Soumya J. Niranjan, Chanice Howard, Maung Aung, Pauline E. Jolly
{"title":"Factors affecting infant feeding choices with a focus on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in Western Jamaica: a qualitative study","authors":"Claudia Datnow-Martinez, Brittany Ransom, Soumya J. Niranjan, Chanice Howard, Maung Aung, Pauline E. Jolly","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00671-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00671-8","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the many benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to infants and mothers, only 33% of Jamaican infants are exclusively breastfed up to the recommend six months. This study was conducted to identify factors affecting mothers’ feeding choices focusing on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding of infants six weeks to less than six months old. A qualitative study consisting of four focus group discussion sessions was conducted among 22 mothers attending postnatal clinics in western Jamaica from May to August 2016. The transcripts were coded by three independent coders and content analysis conducted to generate themes. Four themes were identified namely, perceived advantages of breastfeeding centered mainly on the benefits of breastfeeding for the infant and mother, perceived barriers of breastfeeding highlighting physical pain and fatigue, supplementing culturally acceptable complementary foods and herbal remedies, and cultural norms including perception of how breastfeeding affects a woman’s body, societal sources of breastfeeding information, satiation of infants, and family and other support. Mothers overwhelmingly agreed that breastfeeding was inexpensive, allowed them to bond with their infants and was good for the overall health and intellectual development of the infants. They identified painful nipples, engorged breasts, lack of sleep, physical exhaustion and pressure to return to work as barriers to breastfeeding. Mothers named a number of complementary foods, such as pumpkin, carrots, potato, banana, and chocho (Chayote), that were culturally accepted for feeding infants in Jamaica and discussed herbs that were considered to aid in infants’ nutrition and overall health. Other cultural factors that were noted to influence exclusive breastfeeding were mothers feeling that breastfeeding would help their bodies, especially their bellies, go back to their pre-maternity figure, sources of breastfeeding information in the society including the internet, belief that breast milk alone does not satisfy babies, and family and other support. Mothers in this study identified unique challenges to exclusive breastfeeding that if addressed, would help to increase exclusive breastfeeding so that the World Health Organization’s exclusive breastfeeding recommendations can be achieved.","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"189 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142196464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Infant formula donations and code violations during earthquake relief efforts in Türkiye in 2023: an observational study.","authors":"Jiayi Guan, Alessandro Iellamo, Jodine Chase, Mija Ververs","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00670-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-024-00670-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>On 6 February 2023, an Mw 7.8 earthquake struck southern and central Türkiye and north-western Syria, affecting the lives of 4.6 and 2.5 million children, respectively. In such crises, infants who are dependent on commercial milk formula (CMF) face increased vulnerability to diseases and malnutrition as safe preparation of CMF becomes difficult and sometimes impossible. The Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (OG-IFE) provides guidance on protecting and supporting recommended infant and young child feeding and minimizing the risks that come with CMF feeding. In addition, the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code) ensures adequate nutrition for infants by protecting and promoting breastfeeding and ensuring the proper usage of CMF. This study aims to document violations of the Code and the OG-IFE during the earthquake relief efforts to help strengthen infant and young child feeding emergency responses and inform future disaster relief policies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data was collected from 6 February to 10 March 2023 through Internet sources. Social media, news websites, and the Emergency Nutrition Network forum were used for data collection. Turkish content was translated into English for analysis, with a focus on donation-related information and Code violations related to baby food and infant feeding.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 40 reports on CMF, complementary food, and feeding equipment donations were collected. Three main types of violations of the OG-IFE and the Code were identified, with the majority of them being incidences of individuals, humanitarian organizations, and government agencies seeking or accepting donations. Infant formula companies continued to violate the Code by donating large quantities of CMF and feeding equipment to the Turkish Red Crescent, government agencies, and disaster relief infant and young child feeding (IYCF) coordination authorities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These incidents reflected a systematic violation of the Code and non-compliance with the OG-IFE. Globally accepted IYCF standards and recommendations were not consistently followed due to fragmented early responses. There is a critical need to step up efforts to ensure appropriate and safe IYCF practice protecting and supporting breastfed and non-breastfed infants in emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"62"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11376086/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142141765","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}
Shalee Harris, Frank H Bloomfield, Mariana Muelbert
{"title":"Formal and informal human milk donation in New Zealand: a mixed-method national survey.","authors":"Shalee Harris, Frank H Bloomfield, Mariana Muelbert","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00667-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-024-00667-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mother's milk provides optimal nutrition for infants. Donor human milk (DHM) is recommended for low birthweight infants when mother's milk is unavailable. Little is known about human milk (HM) donation practices in New Zealand (NZ), where few HM banks are available. This study aimed to investigate parents' and health professionals' (HP) experiences with formal and informal HM donation in NZ.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two electronic surveys were disseminated in 2022 to parents and HPs involved with HM donation in NZ. The surveys covered respondents' views and experiences with HM donation. HPs were also asked about HM donation practices in their workplace. Chi-squared and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact tests were used for quantitative analysis and qualitative data were thematically analysed using inductive approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 232 HP and 496 parents completed the surveys. Most parents either donated (52%) or sought DHM (26%) for their infant and most donations were informal, arranged between individuals (52%) or through hospital staff (22%). HP reported DHM was used in 86% of facilities, with only 20% of donations facilitated by HM banks. Almost half (48%) of HP stated they would like to use DHM in their workplace but access was limited. The most common screening processes undertaken by parents and HP before informal HM donation were lifestyle including smoking status, medication, drug and alcohol intake (44% and 36%, respectively) and serological screening such as CMV, HIV, Hepatitis C or B (30% and 39%, respectively). Pasteurisation of DHM obtained informally was not common. Most donors were satisfied with their HM donation experiences (informal and/or formal, 91%) and most respondents supported use of DHM in hospitals and community. Participants reported HM donation could be improved (e.g., better access) and identified potential benefits (e.g., species-specific nutrition) and risks (e.g., pathogens) for the infant. Potential benefits for the donor were also identified (e.g., altruism), but respondents acknowledged potential negative impacts (e.g., cost).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Informal HM donation in NZ is common. Most parents and HP support the use of DHM; however, improvements to current practices are needed to ensure safer and more equitable access to DHM.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"61"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11370131/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142121168","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":"Experiences of breast milk donors in Sweden: balancing the motivation to do something good with overcoming the challenges it entails.","authors":"Ylva Thernström Blomqvist, Emma Olsson","doi":"10.1186/s13006-024-00668-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13006-024-00668-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Infants requiring neonatal care often face initial breastfeeding challenges, leading them to receive expressed breast milk from their mother or donor milk. While emphasizing the mother's own milk as the gold standard for infant nutrition, the utilization of donor milk stands as the preferred alternative over infant formula due to its numerous benefits. To facilitate the provision of donor milk to preterm and ill infants in neonatal units, the active participation of women willing to contribute their breast milk is crucial. This study aims to enhance the understanding of women's experiences in the donation process, thereby contributing to efforts aiming at alleviating the shortage of donated breast milk by improve the care and support for breast milk donors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This descriptive qualitative study took an inductive approach based on individual semi-structured interviews conducted during 2021 with 15 breast milk donors in Sweden. The data were analysed with thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two themes were identified in the analysis: motivation to donate and challenges to overcome. Many of the women struggled to overcome the apparent challenges of not only starting the process of donating breast milk but also maintaining it. Despite the strain, they were motivated to donate their breast milk and seeking information by themselves to do something important for someone else. Only a few of the women talked about the financial benefits of donating breast milk; donating seemed to be mostly based on altruistic reasons.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, time consumption, and the hard work of sterilizing pump utensils, women continued to donate their milk driven by altruism. To enhance donor support and increase milk donation, several improvements are suggested: providing comprehensive information and resources, simplifying the donation process, offering flexible scheduling, and recognizing donors' contributions.</p>","PeriodicalId":54266,"journal":{"name":"International Breastfeeding Journal","volume":"19 1","pages":"60"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11365258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142114771","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}