{"title":"Target-Guided Milk Expression to Improve Early Milk Volume in Mothers of Late Preterm Infants During Separation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Sakonsupa Matrakul, Piyaporn Prasitwattanasaree, Piyanut Xuto","doi":"10.1177/15568253261470306","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261470306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine whether a target-guided milk expression approach improves cumulative milk volume during the first postpartum week among mothers of late preterm infants experiencing maternal-infant separation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at a university hospital in Thailand. Thirty mothers of late preterm infants who were separated from their infants were randomized to receive the target-guided milk expression approach or usual care. The primary outcome was cumulative milk volume across postpartum Days 1-7; secondary outcomes included daily milk expression frequency. Exploratory outcomes assessed the timing of achieving 2 consecutive days meeting prespecified expression frequency and milk-volume targets.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mothers in the intervention group produced greater cumulative milk volume than controls (1,791.4 ± 637.7 versus 894.4 ± 351.1 mL; mean difference 896.9 mL, 95% confidence interval 506.9-1,287.0; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and expressed milk more frequently across Days 1-7 (7.14 [interquartile range (IQR): 7.00-8.14] versus 5.29 [IQR: 5.00-5.86] sessions/day; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Higher expression frequency in the intervention group was observed during hospitalization and after hospital discharge. Exploratory outcomes showed that more mothers in the intervention group achieved the predefined 2-day frequency and volume criteria.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A target-guided milk expression approach improved early expressed milk volume and supported more frequent milk expression during the first postpartum week, including after hospital discharge. A longer follow-up is needed to determine whether these early differences are sustained after maternal-infant reunion.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"646-653"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148444274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breastfeeding MedicinePub Date : 2026-11-01Epub Date: 2026-07-14DOI: 10.1177/15568253261468547
Huanhuan Ding, Longfei Zhang, Wenjun Zhu, Qiufang Li
{"title":"Factors Influencing Fresh Mother's Own Milk Feeding Frequency in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Huanhuan Ding, Longfei Zhang, Wenjun Zhu, Qiufang Li","doi":"10.1177/15568253261468547","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261468547","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to identify factors influencing the frequency of fresh mother's own milk feeding during the first 7 days of life in very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs), in order to inform evidence-based nursing interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective case-control study was conducted. A total of 917 VLBWIs admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary maternity hospital in Zhejiang Province, China, between January 2020 and December 2023, were enrolled using convenience sampling. Based on the number of adequate fresh mother's own milk feedings, infants were categorized into three ordinal groups: 0 times, 1-13 times, and ≥14 times. Univariate ordinal logistic regression was used to screen for statistically significant variables, which were subsequently included in a multivariate ordinal logistic regression model to adjust for confounders and identify independent factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Multivariate analysis identified multiple gestation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.87) and higher CRIB-II score (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81-0.99) as significant risk factors for reduced feeding frequency. In contrast, several protective factors were confirmed: two or more telephone follow-ups (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.27-2.23), parental participation in offline professional educational sessions (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.63-4.77), father as primary milk transporter (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.25-3.09), higher paternal education level (OR = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.30-10.58), and cesarean delivery (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.44-2.68).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The frequency of early fresh mother's own milk feeding in VLBWIs is influenced by a constellation of neonatal, interventional, and familial factors. To effectively promote feeding practices, clinical care should implement an integrated model that encompasses risk assessment (e.g., for multiples and infants with high illness severity), systematic nursing interventions (including structured follow-up and parent education), and enhanced family support, with a particular emphasis on paternal engagement.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"636-645"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148444293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breastfeeding MedicinePub Date : 2026-11-01Epub Date: 2026-07-23DOI: 10.1177/15568253261470292
John Barja-Ore, Rodrigo Vargas-Fernández, Daniel Comandé, Marilina Santero, Akram Hernández-Vásquez
{"title":"Efficacy and Safety of Topical Application of Breast Milk Compared with Lanolin for Reducing Nipple Cracks and Pain in Breastfeeding Mothers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.","authors":"John Barja-Ore, Rodrigo Vargas-Fernández, Daniel Comandé, Marilina Santero, Akram Hernández-Vásquez","doi":"10.1177/15568253261470292","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261470292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nipple cracks and pain are common issues that affect the exclusivity and continuity of breastfeeding. There is a lack of consensus regarding whether breast milk or lanolin is more effective for managing these problems. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical application of breast milk compared with lanolin in reducing nipple cracks and pain in breastfeeding mothers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing breast milk and lanolin for the treatment of nipple cracks and pain were included. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four RCTs with 711 participants were included. There were no significant differences between the application of breast milk and lanolin in reducing nipple cracks (mean difference [MD]: -0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.12 to 0.25) or pain (MD: 0.13; 95% CI: -3.20 to 3.46). The certainty of the evidence was rated as very low due to risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is very low-certainty evidence about whether topical breast milk differs from lanolin in reducing nipple cracks or nipple pain among breastfeeding mothers. Further well-designed RCTs with standardized protocols and outcome definitions are needed to establish the comparative effectiveness and safety of these interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"619-628"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148560927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effect of a Breastfeeding Roadmap on Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy and Effective Breastfeeding in Primiparous Mothers.","authors":"Ebru Bariş, Hediye Karakoç, Halime Esra Meram, Jule Eriç Horasanli","doi":"10.1177/15568253261470541","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261470541","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite its well-documented benefits, establishing and maintaining effective breastfeeding in the early postpartum period can be challenging, particularly for primiparous mothers, underscoring the need for evidence-based interventions.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study was conducted to examine the impact of the breastfeeding roadmap on breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding effectiveness in primiparous women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The randomized controlled study included 74 primiparous mothers. The intervention group received breastfeeding education through a breastfeeding roadmap in addition to routine breastfeeding education. The control group received only routine breastfeeding education. Pretest data were collected within the first hour after birth, and posttest data were collected before the mothers were discharged. Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), and the LATCH Breastfeeding Assessment Tool, which was used to assess breastfeeding effectiveness. The study protocol was registered in ClinicalTrials (NCT06918574).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When the mixed design ANOVA results were examined, the group × time interaction was found to be statistically significant in favor of the intervention group for breastfeeding self-efficacy (F = 61.561, <i>p</i> < 0.001, ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.461) and breastfeeding effectiveness (F = 39.572, <i>p</i> < 0.001, ηp<sup>2</sup> = 0.355).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The breastfeeding education given to the mothers in the intervention group through the breastfeeding roadmap contributed positively to the increase in postpartum breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding effectiveness. Based on our results, it may be recommended that health professionals use the breastfeeding roadmap to support mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding effectiveness during the postpartum period.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"677-686"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148560856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breastfeeding MedicinePub Date : 2026-11-01Epub Date: 2026-07-29DOI: 10.1177/15568253261473746
Taras I Usichenko, Judith Aselmeyer, Martin A Feig, Ulrike Steck, Mike Cummings, Anja Lange
{"title":"Acupuncture May Reduce the Need for Formula Feeding in Mothers After Cesarean Delivery: Secondary Analysis of the Data from a Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Taras I Usichenko, Judith Aselmeyer, Martin A Feig, Ulrike Steck, Mike Cummings, Anja Lange","doi":"10.1177/15568253261473746","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261473746","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Acupuncture may improve breastfeeding in women after cesarean delivery (CD). In a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT), acupuncture was used for pain control in patients undergoing elective CD. This secondary analysis aimed to assess the potential influence of acupuncture on the need for additional formula feeding in this cohort of patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Body weight of newborns, frequency of meconium release during the first 3 days of life, the day of first normal defecation, the starting day of additional formula milk feeding and duration of additional milk nutrition were extracted from the neonatal database of the University Medicine of Greifswald for 180 women from a recent RCT and analyzed <i>post hoc</i> according to group allocation from the original RCT: acupuncture (<i>N</i> = 60), placebo acupuncture (<i>N</i> = 60) and standard care alone (<i>N</i> = 60) using the unpaired Student <i>t</i>-test, Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test and Fischer's exact test where appropriate with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data of 189 newborns (9 twin pairs) were analyzed. The mean weight of all newborns decreased on the 2nd and 3rd days following CD in comparison with baseline by 6.2% (<i>p</i> < 0.02), and started to increase on the 4th day. The median duration of additional formula milk consumption in newborns of mothers who received acupuncture was shorter than that of mothers in the placebo group: 3 (2-4) days versus 4.5 (4-7) days (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and of mothers in the standard care group, with 5 (3-7) days (<i>p</i> = 0.006).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Acupuncture may reduce the need for formula feeding in mothers after CD. This should be verified in a prospective randomized investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"695-699"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148618430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breastfeeding MedicinePub Date : 2026-11-01Epub Date: 2026-07-21DOI: 10.1177/15568253261470188
Ayşe Daştan Yilmaz, Kıymet Yeşilçiçek Çalik
{"title":"Relactation Success: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Health Promotion Model-Based Education and Follow-Up.","authors":"Ayşe Daştan Yilmaz, Kıymet Yeşilçiçek Çalik","doi":"10.1177/15568253261470188","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261470188","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Early breastfeeding cessation due to physiological and psychosocial factors limits long-term maternal and infant health benefits. Relactation, the reinitiation of breastfeeding, is a promising strategy to restore lactation and improve well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of education and follow-up based on Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) on relactation success among mothers who had discontinued breastfeeding or experienced low milk supply.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomized controlled trial was conducted between July and December 2023 in a hospital and five family health centers in eastern Türkiye. Seventy-three mothers (38 intervention, 35 control) with infants aged 15 days to 4 months who had ceased breastfeeding or used formula for 2-8 weeks were included. The intervention group received 8 weeks of relactation education and follow-up based on the HPM, whereas the control group received routine postnatal care. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF), the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale (BMS), the LATCH tool, and a tool for assessing the level of maternal milk intake (IMDAT).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the final follow-up, 65.8% of mothers in the intervention group achieved complete relactation, compared to 8.6% in the control group. The intervention group also had significantly higher BSES-SF, LATCH, and IMDAT scores. However, no significant differences were found in the BMS intrinsic motivation and identified regulation subscales.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HPM-based education and follow-up significantly enhanced relactation success, self-efficacy, and breastfeeding skills.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"654-669"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148535201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breastfeeding MedicinePub Date : 2026-11-01Epub Date: 2026-07-01DOI: 10.1177/15568253261466537
Mina Jasovic Ognjanovic
{"title":"Improving Access to Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps for Women with Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.","authors":"Mina Jasovic Ognjanovic","doi":"10.1177/15568253261466537","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261466537","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To improve access to hospital-grade breast pumps for women with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by reducing delays in pump acquisition.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A quality improvement project using Lean Six Sigma DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) methodology to identify process gaps and streamline workflows.</p><p><strong>Setting/local problem: </strong>Level IV NICU at a large academic medical center in the western United States. Women with private or employer-sponsored insurance experienced acquisition delays and out-of-pocket costs compared with women covered by public assistance programs (e.g., Medi-Cal, women, infants, and children [WIC]).</p><p><strong>Patients: </strong>Baseline cohort included 39 NICU families (April 2023): 12 with private insurance and 27 with public assistance coverage. During the 12-month follow-up period, 200 admissions were recorded. In addition, 47 staff members participated in the study.</p><p><strong>Intervention/measurements: </strong>Baseline measures included pump ordering timelines, insurance coverage type, and out-of-pocket costs. Interventions included role clarification, durable medical equipment (DME) vendor mapping, standardized communication protocols, staff education, and patient-facing handouts. An onsite WIC pump supply was established. Outcomes were monitored for 12 months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At baseline, 92% (11/12) of privately insured women paid out of pocket for hospital-grade pumps, with delays of up to 21 days; women with public assistance coverage obtained pumps within 1-2 business days. After implementation, out-of-pocket rates declined to less than 5%, and median acquisition time decreased to 3.5 days (range: 1-7 days) for privately insured families. Improvements were sustained at 12 months.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Lean Six Sigma-guided process redesign improved the efficiency and equity of hospital-grade breast pump access in the NICU, reducing delays and financial burden for privately insured families. Persistent payer exclusions highlight insurance-related barriers as a social determinant of lactation support.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"629-635"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148367007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Psychosocial Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention in the Third Trimester: A Cross-Sectional Study from Türkiye.","authors":"Mine Başıbüyük, Övgü Büke, Demet Deniz Bilgin, Bekir Aktura, Nalan Karabayır","doi":"10.1177/15568253261468535","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261468535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Prenatal intention to exclusively breastfeed is a proximal determinant of later infant-feeding behavior and may be shaped by breastfeeding self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and perceived social support.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Baseline prenatal data were analyzed from 516 third-trimester pregnant women enrolled in an ongoing prospective cohort at a tertiary university hospital in Istanbul, Türkiye. Exclusive breastfeeding intention was measured with the Infant Feeding Intentions (IFI) scale. Breastfeeding self-efficacy and depressive symptoms were assessed with the Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (PBSES-SF) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), respectively. Social support was evaluated as aggregate spouse/partner or close-family support and further characterized by emotional, informational, and practical/domestic support indicators.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean IFI, PBSES-SF, and EPDS scores were 13.12 ± 2.34, 32.23 ± 3.62, and 5.88 ± 2.05, respectively. Aggregate social support was reported by 495 participants (95.9%). Emotional, informational, and practical/domestic support were reported by 488 (94.6%), 446 (86.4%), and 465 (90.1%) participants, respectively, and were associated with higher IFI scores in bivariate analyses. In multivariable regression, PBSES-SF, EPDS, planned pregnancy, prior breastfeeding experience, and employment were independently associated with IFI; aggregate social support was not. The PBSES-SF × EPDS interaction was statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Exclusive breastfeeding intention was associated with breastfeeding self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, selected experiential factors, and functional support indicators. Integrated antenatal counseling should address breastfeeding confidence, maternal mental health, and the quality of support available during late pregnancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"670-676"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148535203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Breastfeeding MedicinePub Date : 2026-11-01Epub Date: 2026-08-20DOI: 10.1177/15568253261481438
Seda Serhatlıoğlu, Yeşim Yeşil
{"title":"Accuracy and Safety of Language Model-Generated Breastfeeding Counseling Responses: An Expert-Based Comparative Evaluation of ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4, and BreastfeedGPT.","authors":"Seda Serhatlıoğlu, Yeşim Yeşil","doi":"10.1177/15568253261481438","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261481438","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aims to compare the responses generated by ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4, and BreastfeedGPT, a customized domain-specific GPT, to frequently asked questions related to breastfeeding counseling.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>Ten breastfeeding-related questions were selected based on international guidelines and expert validation. Each model generated responses to the same questions, which were anonymized and evaluated by eight health professionals with expertise in breastfeeding counseling using structured Likert scales. Evaluation dimensions included (1) scientific accuracy and scope, (2) tone, language, and motivation, and (3) reliability via mDISCERN scoring. Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction were used to determine statistical significance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BreastfeedGPT model outperformed ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 across all domains. It received the highest mean scores in scientific accuracy (3.72 ± 0.23) and motivational tone (3.78 ± 0.42), with statistically significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Although the mDISCERN scores also favored the custom model, pairwise differences were not statistically significant after correction. GPT-4 performed better than GPT-3.5, but worse than BreastfeedGPT.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BreastfeedGPT may offer advantages over general-purpose AI tools in providing breastfeeding-related information. However, because human expert responses were not evaluated in parallel, its role as a complementary resource should be interpreted cautiously and confirmed in future direct comparisons. Such tools should support, rather than replace, professional breastfeeding care.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"687-694"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148788177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}