Summaries of Significant New Research
The Latest Research section includes summaries written by the Breastfeeding Information and Research team of recent significant research. The summaries will help you get a clear snapshot of the study’s results and conclusions.
Authors:
Alison Stacey MBBS FRACGP IBCLC, Liz McGuire BSc IBCLC, Bernadette Gifford BAppSci(ClinSci) BOsteoSci
Human Breast Milk: Bioactive Components, from Stem Cells to Health Outcomes.
This review provides a brief overview of current knowledge of growth factors (GF) and stem cells (SC) in breastmilk. While recent discoveries are exciting and suggest great potential for using breastmilk research to increase our understanding of infant development and even to provide potential therapies, at this stage much is speculative.
Bedsharing and Breastfeeding: The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol #6, Revision 2019.
Bedsharing has been shown to be associated with breastfeeding duration and exclusivity but it is controversial because it is also seen as a risk factor for Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding, decreases the risk of SIDS, so a recommendation against bedsharing may have the unintended consequence of reducing breastfeeding, which would be counterproductive.
Lactation after infant death an analysis of Australian healthcare agencies online health information.
The physiological process of lactation is triggered by pregnancy and birth and is hormonally driven. It occurs even in the absence of a living infant. Each year, over 4000 Australian women experience late miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal or older infant death. Previous research has shown that many women feel unsupported by their healthcare team in regards to lactation after infant death.
