Breastfeeding

Many women choose to breastfeed their babies due to the significant health benefits provided over infant formula for both baby and mother. Any amount of breastfeeding has positive effects and the longer a child is breastfed for, the longer the health benefits will last for both baby and mother.

What is Breastfeeding?

Breast milk contains a wide range of nutrients that enable it to be the ideal dietary source for all infants.

Breastfeeding Questions

When Should I Not Breastfeed My Baby?

Breastfeeding and Diet

Breastfeeding and Allergies

Breastfeeding: Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol

Breastfeeding and Medications

What are the Health Benefits of Breastfeeding?

Sleeping Close to Baby

Breastfeeding, Preparing for Arrival

How do I Manage Breastfeeding and Work?

Breastfeeding Pumps

See more featured articles »

Breast Anatomy

Breastfeeding and Hormones

Breastfeeding Tips

What is Breast Compression?

Correct Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding and Vitamin D

Breastfeeding Around Family

Breastfeeding and Jaundice

Breastfeeding and Reflux

Breastfeeding and Cleft Palate, Cleft Lip

Breastfeeding Twins or Multiples

Breastfeeding During Pregnancy

Breastfeeding after Breast Surgery

Breastfeeding Inducing Lactation

Storing Breast Milk

What is a Galactocele?

Overactive Let-Down (OALD) Reflex

Smoking and Breastfeeding

The Protective Role of Breastfeeding in Breast Cancer

Latest Breastfeeding News and Research

Mothering over meds: Docs say common treatment for opioid-exposed babies isn’t necessary

On learning last year she was pregnant with her second child, Cailyn Morreale was overcome with fear and trepidation.

22 Oct 2024

Happening in Springfield: New immigrants offer economic promise, health system challenges

When Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance claimed Haitian immigrants had caused infectious-disease rates to "skyrocket" in Springfield, Ohio, local health commissioner Chris Cook checked the records.

10 Oct 2024

Exploring the role of gut microbes in the aging process

Aging is a universal and complex process affecting all organisms, characterized by several genetic hallmarks such as telomere attrition, genomic instability, and epigenetic changes.

9 Oct 2024

Fear of childbirth may affect duration of breastfeeding

The duration of breastfeeding is shorter than average among mothers with a fear of childbirth - regardless of the mode of delivery, a new study from Finland shows.

7 Oct 2024

Breast milk antibodies linked to protection against rotavirus in infants

A study led by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that breast milk provides protection against rotavirus, a common gastrointestinal disease that causes diarrhea, vomiting and fever in infants.

1 Oct 2024

AAP publishes first clinical guideline for opioid use in pediatric care

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published its first clinical guideline for pediatricians on prescribing opioids, including explicit instructions on how and when to prescribe these medications for pain while reducing the long-term risk of addiction.

30 Sep 2024

New position statement highlights importance of breastfeeding in emergencies

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) has released a pioneering position statement that provides comprehensive, global recommendations on protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in emergency situations.

27 Sep 2024

Exclusive breastfeeding linked to lower asthma risk in infants

Infants who were exclusively fed breast milk during their hospitalization at birth were 22% less likely to develop asthma in early childhood, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando.

27 Sep 2024

12-week coffee compound study shows promising results for weight and fat reduction in at-risk individuals

Cafestol may aid in reducing body weight and visceral fat, but its impact on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance remains limited, according to the study.

27 Sep 2024

Pilot trial aims to reduce rapid weight gain and obesity risk among Latine infants

With $784,369 from the NIH, UNCG researchers will implement a pilot trial that aims to reduce rapid weight gain and obesity risk among Latine infants by supporting mothers in breastfeeding.

26 Sep 2024

Childhood obesity: How the first 2,000 days hold the key to lifelong health

Researchers reveal that early life factors, especially within the first 2,000 days, play a critical role in shaping future obesity risk. Addressing these factors with integrated interventions could combat the global childhood obesity crisis.

26 Sep 2024

Study reveals impact of human breast milk on infant microbiome and respiratory health

Human breast milk regulates a baby's mix of microbes, or microbiome, during the infant's first year of life. This in turn lowers the child's risk of developing asthma, a new study shows.

19 Sep 2024

Direct breastfeeding boosts microbial transfer to very-low-birth-weight infant guts

Researchers found that 30-40% of the very-low-birth-weight infant's gut microbiota came from the mother’s milk, and direct breastfeeding enhances microbial transmission despite antibiotic exposure.

18 Sep 2024

Post-treatment lifestyle choices influence long-term outcomes in breast cancer patients

Three studies led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers have encouraging implications for patients with breast cancer.

17 Sep 2024

Research confirms safety of breastfeeding for breast cancer survivors with BRCA mutations

According to two international studies presented at the ESMO Congress 2024, women who breastfeed after receiving treatment for breast cancer, including those with a germline BRCA mutation (an inherited change in BRCA genes that significantly increases the risk of developing certain cancers, especially breast cancer), do not face an increased risk of recurrence or developing new breast cancers.

9 Sep 2024

Study reveals key bacteria for developing personalized probiotics for newborns

Newborn babies have one of three pioneer bacteria in their gut shortly after birth, one of which could be used to develop new personalized infant therapeutic probiotics, researchers show.

6 Sep 2024

Ketamine clinics show inconsistent practices on pregnancy and contraception

More hospitals and clinics now offer patients ketamine therapy for severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions that haven't responded to other treatments.

3 Sep 2024

Is semaglutide use during breastfeeding safe?

Researchers found no detectable levels of semaglutide in breast milk, suggesting minimal risk to breastfed infants, but highlighted the need for monitoring maternal nutrition and milk production.

2 Sep 2024

NIDDK Catalyst Award funds research on mammary gland's role in metabolic diseases

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Catalyst Award program has awarded a $4 million, five-year grant to Prashant Rajbhandari, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease) at the Mount Sinai Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, to investigate a new frontier in understanding metabolic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

27 Aug 2024

Exclusive breastfeeding aids postpartum weight loss

A KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) study[1] on breastfeeding practices revealed that among the women who exclusively breastfed, those with high body mass index[2] (BMI) before pregnancy lost more weight than women with a healthy BMI pre-pregnancy.

27 Aug 2024