Breastfeeding Medicine最新文献

{"title":"A Pilot Study: Developing a Lactating Dairy Goat Model to Study <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Mastitis in Women.","authors":"Jennifer Halleran, Madelyn Schwartz, William Marchal, Panchan Sitthicharoenchai, Derek Foster, Alison Stuebe","doi":"10.1177/15568253261461822","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261461822","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Lactational mastitis is common in lactating women, with <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> as the most commonly isolated agent associated with infectious lactational mastitis. Currently, there are no evidence-based guidelines for antimicrobial treatment due to barriers in obtaining pharmacokinetic data from lactating women. To overcome this barrier, a suitable large animal model is needed. Goats are an ideal translational model for human mastitis due to their anatomical and physiological similarity to humans. The objective of this pilot study was to assess if goats would develop clinical mastitis following intramammary inoculation with a clinical human isolate of <i>S. aureus</i> with the goal of establishing an alternative <i>in vivo</i> model for future research. The hypothesis was that the infected mammary gland half would show similar clinical signs to women with mastitis and demonstrate a similar local immune response when compared to the control mammary gland half.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One half of the mammary gland of two healthy lactating does was inoculated with a clinical human isolate of <i>S. aureus</i>. The other half of the mammary gland was sham inoculated with sterile buffered saline. Physical examinations, mammary gland assessments, and sterile milk samples were collected every 12 hours post inoculation. At 96 hours post inoculation, the goats were euthanized, and the mammary glands were examined for pathological changes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Goats did not develop systemic signs of disease following inoculation. Focal infected mammary gland changes included warmth, swelling, redness, discoloration, and reduced milk production; the other mammary gland half remained normal throughout the study period. <i>S. aureus</i> was enumerated from only the infected mammary gland half. The microscopic findings of the infected half showed neutrophilic inflammation and cell necrosis consistent with acute mastitis.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This pilot study demonstrated lactating does can develop clinical signs like those observed in women. Goats have the potential to be a promising animal model to study infectious lactational mastitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"602-609"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148269751","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 Meaning and Significance of Breastfeeding for Biological Mothers of Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate.","authors":"Ana Laura Araújo Ferreira, Caio Vieira de Barros Arato, Vitor Rafael Gomes, Gisele da Silva Dalben, Lucas Serra Valladão, Rodrigo Almeida Bastos, Norma Sueli Gonçalves Reche, Luciane Miranda Guerra","doi":"10.1177/15568253261459869","DOIUrl":"10.1177/15568253261459869","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Given the functional, emotional, and symbolic challenges imposed by cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), mothers often experience early breastfeeding cessation with impacts on maternal identity and the mother-infant bond. This study aimed to explore the meanings, feelings, and experiences of mothers of children with CL/P regarding breastfeeding in the face of these adversities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study applied the Clinical-Qualitative Method as proposed by Turato. Six in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with biological mothers of children with CL/P, recruited from a specialized craniofacial reference center in Brazil. Data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach, grounded in psychodynamic concepts from the Medical Psychology theoretical framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Based on the analysis of the collected material, three analytical categories were identified and constructed: (1) \"<i>Existential conflict regarding the inability to fulfill the ideal maternal role</i>\"; (2) \"<i>Duality between the need and the fear of caregiving</i>\"; and (3) \"<i>The anguish experienced between tangible and intangible support during breastfeeding.</i>\"Conclusions:Although the inability to EBF in children with CL/P generates emotional distress, motherhood is reimagined through adaptive forms of care and bonding, highlighting gaps in institutional support and the need for more humanized, emotionally sensitive health practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"595-601"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148238786","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":"To Interrupt or Not to Interrupt? A Case-Based Survey on Physician Management of Breastfeeding After Radiological Imaging and Medication in the Emergency Department.","authors":"Şeyma Karatekin, Özge Yanık, Metin Ocak","doi":"10.1177/15568253261492475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261492475","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Maternal illness requiring medication or diagnostic imaging may challenge breastfeeding continuation, particularly in emergency departments (ED), where rapid clinical decisions are required. This study aimed to evaluate emergency physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices regarding breastfeeding continuation after medication use and imaging.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians. A structured, scenario-based online questionnaire consisting of 20 items was distributed to physicians working in ED. The survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of encounters with breastfeeding mothers, and clinical approaches.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 160 invited physicians, 71 completed the survey (response rate: 44.4%). The mean age was 32.9 ± 6.4 years, and 62% were male. Physicians frequently encountered breastfeeding mothers in clinical practice, with 49.3% reporting daily, 28.2% weekly, and 22.5% monthly encounters. In scenario-based questions, the proportion of participants reporting that breastfeeding could be continued without interruption was 47.9% for ibuprofen, 29.6% for methylprednisolone, 70.4% for ondansetron, 56.3% for omeprazole, 54.9% for adenosine, and 26.8% for metoprolol. For radiological procedures, continuation rates were 91.5% for plain X-ray, 38% for contrast-enhanced CT, and 49.3% for MRI. Nearly half of the participants (47.9%) reported insufficient knowledge regarding breastfeeding management. Knowledge scores differed significantly by professional title (<i>p</i> = 0.001), with general practitioners scoring lower than residents and specialists.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Emergency physicians, despite frequently encountering breastfeeding mothers, may show variability in their knowledge, attitudes, and clinical approaches to the management of breastfeeding patients. On the other hand, a higher level of knowledge among residents and specialists suggests that specialist training can be effective in ensuring correct clinical practice. Increasing access to guidelines and integrating evidence-based breastfeeding education into specialist training curricula, including medical school curricula, can improve clinical decision-making processes and prevent unnecessary interventions in breastfeeding.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261492475"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149079813","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":"Effect of Hot Pads Applied to the Breast During Episiotomy Repair on the Amount of Milk, Breastfeeding Motivation, and Perception of Insufficient Milk: A Randomized Controlled Study.","authors":"Asiye Tutca, Yasemin Erkal Aksoy","doi":"10.1177/15568253261490298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261490298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Supportive interventions during episiotomy repair in the immediate postpartum period are essential to help women sustain breastfeeding motivation.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study determined the effects of hot pad (HP) application to the breast during episiotomy repair on milk volume, breastfeeding motivation, and perceived insufficient milk (PIM).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The type of study is a randomized controlled intervention study. The study population consisted of primiparous women who had spontaneous vaginal deliveries with mediolateral episiotomy at term between October 2023 and June 2024 at the Maternity Unit of Selçuk University Medical Faculty Hospital (<i>n</i> = 218). Data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, the Primipara Breastfeeding Motivation Scale, the Perceived Insufficient Milk Questionnaire (PIMQ), and a standardized manual breast milk expression procedure. Following birth, skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding were initiated, with each newborn breastfeeding from one breast, while the contralateral breast was not used for breastfeeding. In the intervention group (IG), a HP was applied to the nonbreastfed breast during episiotomy repair. At the second hour postpartum, milk was expressed for 20 minutes from the nonbreastfed breast using a manual breast pump in both groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean episiotomy repair time was 21.32 ± 6.71 minutes in the IG and 26.06 ± 7.40 minutes in the control group (CG). Mean expressed milk volume was 4.09 ± 2.12 mL in the IG and 2.82 ± 1.73 mL in the CG. The IG had significantly higher value ascribed to breastfeeding (VAB), self-effectiveness (SE), and midwife support (MS) scores (all <i>p</i> < 0.001), whereas expectation of success (ES) was higher in the CG (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Mean PIMQ score was higher in the IG than in the CG (32.55 ± 12.12 versus 28.61 ± 10.98), indicating lower PIM.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>HP application during episiotomy repair was associated with higher expressed milk volume, greater VAB, SE, and MS, and lower PIM. ES was lower in the IG than in the CG.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261490298"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149073491","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":"Health Claims, Labeling Practices, and Consumer Information Characteristics of Herbal Lactation Teas Marketed to Breastfeeding Women in Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Digital Marketplace Analysis.","authors":"Mücahit Muslu, İsmet Korkmaz","doi":"10.1177/15568253261492468","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261492468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Herbal teas targeting breastfeeding women are marketed through digital retail platforms using lactation-related claims, botanical formulations, and maternal or nature-oriented imagery. However, evidence describing their online marketplace presentation in Türkiye remains limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This descriptive cross-sectional digital marketplace analysis examined herbal lactation teas available in Türkiye. Searches conducted across 43 digital retail platforms between January 12 and 23, 2026, identified 1,072 eligible listings. After removing 1,021 duplicate listings, 51 unique products were included. Publicly accessible product descriptions, declared ingredient lists, labeling and marketing statements, health-related claims, and package images were coded using predefined operational definitions and analyzed descriptively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Tea bags/filter teas represented 45.1% of products, and 88.2% were produced in Türkiye. Products contained a median of 7 botanical ingredients (range = 2-14). The most frequently declared botanicals were fennel (94.1%), anise (82.4%), and nettle (64.7%). Milk production-enhancing or lactation-supportive claims appeared on 98.0% of products, whereas digestive-, gas-, or colic-related claims appeared on 27.5%. Mixed-herbal or herbal-blend statements were identified on 37.3% of products, and statements indicating the absence of preservatives, colorants, or additives on 21.6%. Sugar or beet sugar was declared on 9.8% of products. Mother-infant and plant-, flower-, or nature-themed imagery appeared on 60.8% and 52.9% of products, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Herbal lactation teas in Türkiye were predominantly presented through lactation-supportive claims, multi-ingredient botanical formulations, and breastfeeding- or nature-oriented imagery. These findings characterize digital marketplace presentation and declared product information but do not establish actual composition, claim substantiation, clinical efficacy, safety, consumer response, or regulatory compliance.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261492468"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149069211","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":"Breastfeeding and Supplementary Oral Feeding Methods in Very Preterm Infants: A Prospective Within-Infant Comparison.","authors":"Ayşe Gökçe Kutsal, Nilgün Altuntaş","doi":"10.1177/15568253261492467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261492467","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Very preterm infants often require supplementary oral feeding while direct breastfeeding skills mature. We compared short-term feeding performance and suck-swallow-breath coordination (SSBC) across three oral feeding methods.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this prospective within-infant study, 30 clinically stable infants born at <32 weeks' gestation were evaluated at ≥34 weeks' corrected gestational age. Each infant underwent three routinely scheduled feeds approximately 3 hours apart: direct breastfeeding, syringe-assisted finger feeding, and feeding with one specific slow-flow NaturalWave^® bottle. Feeding order was systematically counterbalanced. SSBC was assessed during standardized 2-minute NeoSAFE recordings. Milk transfer, achievement of prescribed feeding volume, duration, spillage, and physiological observations were recorded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Exploratory analyses detected no statistically significant differences in NeoSAFE-derived SSBC parameters. Apnea events were infrequent; no statistically significant pairwise differences were detected for apnea or desaturation. The full prescribed volume was achieved in 2/30 breastfeeding sessions and 28/30 sessions with each supplementary method. Breastfeeding had lower measured milk transfer and the least spillage. The bottle and syringe-assisted finger feeding each achieved the full prescribed volume in 28/30 sessions; the bottle showed numerically faster intake than syringe-assisted finger feeding without a statistically significant difference. Heart rate differences were observed between methods, but their clinical significance was uncertain.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The methods differed in short-term volume-delivery characteristics. Absence of statistically significant SSBC differences does not establish equivalence. Bottle findings are product-specific and do not address breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, or duration. Randomized trials are needed to evaluate long-term breastfeeding outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261492467"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149069194","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 Association Between Cumulative Stressful Life Events and Breastfeeding Outcomes in the United Kingdom: The Modifying Roles of Pregnancy Intention and Social Support.","authors":"Chinedu U Obioha","doi":"10.1177/15568253261490304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261490304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breastfeeding rates in the United Kingdom are low, and cumulative stressful life events (SLEs) experienced over time influence health behaviors including breastfeeding. Yet extant breastfeeding studies have neither considered cumulative SLEs, time-to-breastfeeding events, nor social support and pregnancy intention as moderators. We address these limitations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed a cross-section of 14,953 new mothers from the UK Millennium Cohort's first wave (10,001 initiated breastfeeding). We fit logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models to assess associations between cumulative SLEs and breastfeeding initiation, and between cumulative SLEs and time to any/exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) cessation. We also assessed pregnancy intention, emotional and financial support as moderators of the main association(s).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cumulative SLEs were not significantly associated with breastfeeding initiation but directly associated with any/exclusive breastfeeding cessation. Effects of ≥5 SLEs on EBF cessation were higher (HR_a = 1.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.07-1.75) among mothers with unintended pregnancies versus planned pregnancies (HR_a = 1.24; 0.98-1.58). Mothers with 3-4 SLEs faced a 64% risk of stopping EBF (HR_a = 1.64; 0.99-2.87) among those without emotional support compared to a 10% risk among those with emotional support (HR_a = 1.10; 1.00-1.21). SLEs affected initiation and any breastfeeding equally, regardless of pregnancy intention, emotional and financial support.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SLEs are detrimental to breastfeeding. Planned pregnancies and emotional support buffer adverse SLE effects on EBF but not initiation and any breastfeeding. To identify highly stressed mothers with low support who would benefit from EBF support, cumulative SLEs and pregnancy intention screenings should be integrated into routine prenatal/obstetric care from 1 week postpartum.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261490304"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149058448","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 Meaning of Breastfeeding Experiences for Visually Impaired Mothers in Türkiye: A Qualitative Analysis.","authors":"Döndü Sevimli Güler, Merve İçöz, Esra Özer, Zekiye Turan","doi":"10.1177/15568253261490302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261490302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breastfeeding is a key component of maternal and child health, yet mothers with disabilities may encounter accessibility barriers, stigma, and inconsistent support within maternity and infant-feeding services. Evidence focusing specifically on mothers with visual impairment remains limited, particularly in non-Western contexts.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to explore how mothers with visual impairment in Türkiye made sense of their breastfeeding experiences, including the barriers they encountered, the support they received, and the tactile and relational strategies they developed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study was conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Criterion and snowball sampling were used to recruit 16 mothers with self-reported visual impairment who had breastfed at least one child. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Turkish, either face-to-face or through secure online platforms according to participants' accessibility preferences, between July and November 2025. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using IPA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants were aged 32-58 years; 10 had congenital visual impairment, and six had acquired visual impairment. Four themes were developed: variable access to adapted breastfeeding support, breastfeeding through spatial uncertainty and safety-related anxiety, tactile and positional breastfeeding strategies, and differing forms of family involvement in breastfeeding and early infant care.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Participants' accounts showed marked variation in the accessibility of breastfeeding support. Some mothers received no adapted guidance, whereas others described hands-on professional instruction using touch to demonstrate positioning and attachment. Mothers also described safety-related uncertainty, tactile and positional strategies, and differing forms of family involvement. The findings support detailed verbal and tactile teaching, accessible information formats, and individualized breastfeeding support for mothers with visual impairment. Family involvement should support, rather than replace, the mother's own participation.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261490302"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149058529","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":"Exclusive Breastfeeding in Ethiopia: An Umbrella Review of Prevalence and Modifiable Health System Determinants.","authors":"Teketel Ermias Geltore, Merkin Bekele, Eden Sileshi, Tariku Laelago Ersado, Abiy Tadesse Angelo, Abebe Alemu Anshebo, Tesfahun Simon Hadaro, Lakew Lafebo Foto","doi":"10.1177/15568253261490308","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261490308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first 6 months of life plays a vital role in protecting infant health and supporting maternal well-being. In Ethiopia, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) have examined EBF, but they report varying prevalence estimates and influencing factors. These inconsistencies make it difficult for clinicians and policymakers to clearly understand the overall picture.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This umbrella review was conducted to bring together existing evidence, provide a clearer estimate of national EBF prevalence, and identify modifiable health system factors that could improve practice.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We systematically searched PubMed, Science Direct, Hinari, Google Scholar, and institutional repositories for SRMAs published between 2018 and 2024. The methodological quality of included reviews was evaluated using AMSTAR 2. To assess duplication of primary studies across reviews, we calculated the corrected covered area (CCA). Random effects models were used to generate pooled estimates of prevalence and associated determinants. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using GRADE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five systematic reviews, including 123,083 mothers, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled national prevalence of EBF was 56.04% (95% confidence interval: 48.05-64.02), although substantial variability was observed across studies (<i>I² ></i> 99.88%). A high level of overlap among primary studies (CCA = 31.9%) indicated notable redundancy. Key modifiable factors associated with higher EBF rates included antenatal care attendance, institutional delivery, maternal education, and receipt of breastfeeding counseling.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>EBF in Ethiopia remains uneven and below optimal levels. Strengthening structured breastfeeding support within routine antenatal and facility-based maternity services offers an important opportunity to improve national EBF outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261490308"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149011909","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":"\"It's Hard but Worth It\": Facilitators and Barriers to Providing Mother's Own Milk in the NI CU.","authors":"Igbagbosanmi Olatunji, Audrey J Buckland, Sonia L Bonifacio, Melissa Scala","doi":"10.1177/15568253261490300","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/15568253261490300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mother's own milk (MOM) remains the optimal nutrition for preterm infants, yet disparities persist in its provision. Building on institutional findings identifying human milk feeding disparities among preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), we identified facilitators and barriers to MOM provision during NICU hospitalization.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>As part of a quality improvement initiative at a California Level IV NICU, an open-ended survey was administered (August-October 2025) in English or Spanish to mothers of preterm infants born at ≤32 weeks' gestational age. Questions included attitudes toward MOM, feeding practices, facilitators, and barriers to MOM provision. Emergent themes were identified through thematic analysis. This project received a Not Human Subjects Research determination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty surveys were completed (80% English, 20% Spanish). Mean maternal age was 33 years, 73% had private insurance, and 43% were Hispanic or Latina. Facilitators of MOM provision included the following: positive attitudes toward its nutritional and immunologic benefits (<i>n</i> = 24); lactation consultant and team-based support fostering confidence and emotional reassurance (<i>n</i> = 19); and access to pumps and supplies in the NICU (<i>n</i> = 16). Key barriers included the following: maternal stress spanning emotional, physical, and logistical burdens from recovery and visitation (<i>n</i> = 17); pumping challenges encompassing pain, fatigue, and equipment-related frustrations (<i>n</i> = 17); and low milk supply leading to discouragement and cessation (<i>n</i> = 13).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite strong motivation, emotional, physical, and structural barriers limited sustained MOM provision. These findings identify actionable opportunities to strengthen NICU lactation support through earlier and more accessible services, reduced logistical barriers, and individualized psychosocial support.</p>","PeriodicalId":9142,"journal":{"name":"Breastfeeding Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15568253261490300"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148987930","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}