Breastfeeding News and Research

Latest Breastfeeding News and Research

Exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months provides all the energy and nutrients a child needs

Exclusively breastfeeding infants for the first six months of their lives provides all the energy and nutrients a child needs while reducing the risks of infant diarrheal and respiratory infections, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

5 Aug 2004

As the saying goes “breast milk is best”

As the saying goes “breast milk is best,” and more than 85 percent of new moms who give birth at the University of Michigan Health System agree and continue to breastfeed their new bundle of joy, on average, for the first six months.

3 Aug 2004

African-American women are having fewer children and breastfeeding less

Keck School of Medicine researchers report that African-American women are having fewer children and breastfeeding less, which might translate to escalating rates of breast cancer in the African-American community.

3 Aug 2004

Australia’s first breastfeeding friendly university

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) accredited UQ as a breastfeeding friendly organisation after reviewing its breastfeeding facilities and policies.

2 Aug 2004

Women with epilepsy should not let their condition stop them from planning a family

Generally speaking, women with epilepsy should not let their condition stop them from planning a family, according to doctors and epilepsy researchers.

27 Jul 2004

Study to begin to develop patient guidelines for the use of antidepressant medications in pregnancy and following birth

The University of Arizona department of psychiatry is conducting a first-of-its kind study to begin to develop patient guidelines for the use of antidepressant medications in pregnancy and following birth.

21 Jul 2004

Nevirapine effective in reducing the risk of transmission of HIV at birth

A drug called nevirapine has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of transmission of HIV at birth, but combination therapy of nevirapine and zidovudine does not improve outcomes, according to a study published in the current HIV/AIDS Journal of the American Medical Association.

11 Jul 2004

Cheap AIDS drugs may help prevent HIV in babies in Thailand

Aids is one of the principal causes of infant mortality in many developing countries. Viral transmission takes place during pregnancy (in utero), at the moment of childbirth or even during breastfeeding.

10 Jul 2004

Antidepressants should not be avoided in treatment of pregnant women with severe depression

Antidepressants to treat from moderate to severe depression in pregnant women not only are relatively safe but necessary in many cases for the well-being of the mother and the baby

7 Jul 2004

British people should get out in the sun and not cover up for health reasons

British health is being put at risk by government policy that discourages sunbathing and promotes use of sunblock products. The cost of disease caused by insufficient exposure to sunlight and consequent deficiency of vitamin D is estimated to be billions of pounds per year in Britain.

5 Jul 2004

Employers are key to overcoming U.S. breastfeeding dilemma

The United States government has launched a year-long national awareness campaign consisting of public service announcements (PSAs) for print media, radio and television, all to help the American public better understand the significant health benefits that breastfeeding provides to mothers and babies.

1 Jul 2004

In Africa only a quarter of infants under six months of age are fed exclusively on breast milk

Children in developing countries are being put at unnecessary risk of disease and death as they are fed on alternatives to breast milk.

1 Jul 2004

New risk factors associated with inflammatory bowel disease

Health researchers at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Otago University, have found evidence of new risk factors associated with a debilitating illness called Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

24 Jun 2004

Eating fish during pregnancy produces children with better language and communication skills

A new study of children in Bristol has shown that women who ate fish regularly during pregnancy had children with better language and communication skills by the age of 18 months.

24 Jun 2004

Mothers infected with HIV who breast feed risk infecting infants

After four weeks of age, infants who breast feed from mothers infected with HIV continue to be at risk for infection with HIV for as long as they breastfeed

17 Jun 2004

Link between adult leg length and coronary heart disease in women

Researchers at Bristol University have found a link between adult leg length – an indicator of diet and living conditions during childhood – and coronary heart disease in women.

15 Jun 2004

FDA warns against use of domperidone to increase milk production

In response to reports that women may be using an unapproved drug, domperidone, to increase milk production (lactation), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning breastfeeding women not to use this product because of safety concerns. Today, FDA also issued six letters to pharmacies that compound products containing domperidone and firms that supply domperidone for use in compounding.

9 Jun 2004

Changing practices may raise African American women's breast cancer risk

A new study finds African American women derive similar breast cancer risk reductions associated with multiple births and breastfeeding as white women, but that recent trends may lead to a rising risk.

7 Jun 2004

Survey suggests mothers unaware of health benefits of soy for formula fed babies

According to a recent survey conducted in conjunction with National Soyfoods Month, only one in 10 moms of formula-fed babies are aware that soy can help manage persistent common feeding problems. Generally, the 300 surveyed moms had a positive view of soy, but many felt they had very little information when it came to soy infant formula.

5 Jun 2004

Bacteria found in the mouth can block the HIV virus

Certain strains of bacteria that occur naturally in the human mouth can snare the HIV virus and even cells it has infected, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. They report their findings today at the 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

25 May 2004