Alarming Study Unveils How “Forever Chemicals” Transfer From Mothers to Newborns
A recent study by Fudan University found high levels of PFAS in maternal and infant sera and breast milk, indicating significant placental transfer and underscoring…
Breast Milk News
Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns and infants, uniquely tailored by nature to meet a baby’s nutritional needs. It contains a perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, fats, and proteins crucial for an infant’s growth and development. Beyond nutrition, breast milk provides vital antibodies that help protect infants against various diseases and infections. The composition of breast milk can change during a feeding and over the period of lactation to adapt to the evolving needs of the growing child. For instance, colostrum, the thick, nutrient-rich milk produced immediately after birth, is particularly high in proteins and immune factors, making it essential for the newborn’s initial days. Breastfeeding is also associated with significant health benefits for mothers, including lower risks of certain types of cancer and improved postpartum recovery. Health organizations globally recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.
Plants May Soon Provide Essential Nutrients Found in Breast Milk
Genetically engineered plants could soon produce human milk sugars, making infant formula healthier and more affordable. Approximately 75% of babies drink infant formula during their…
Study Finds THC in Breastmilk: Here’s What Every Cannabis-Using Mother Should Know
When breastfeeding mothers in a recent study used cannabis, its psychoactive component THC appeared in their breast milk. The Washington State University-led research also found…
New Protective Benefits of Breast Milk Uncovered
Proteins in breast milk boost offspring immunity by influencing gut bacterial composition. A study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public…
Oxytocin Surge: Brain Circuit Discovered That Explains Why Infant Cries Prompt Milk Release
The cries of newborns can stimulate the release of oxytocin in mothers, aiding breast-milk production, as demonstrated in a rodent study by NYU Grossman School…
Dads Make the Difference: The Impact on Breastfeeding and Infant Sleep Safety
Including fathers in strategies to improve infant health could help narrow disparities. Findings highlight racial disparities in sudden unexpected infant death in the U.S. Only…
Born Into an Isolating World: Most Babies Born to Mothers With COVID-19 Separated After Birth
Most babies born to mothers with COVID-19 were separated after birth resulting in low breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact rates during the height of the pandemic,…
More Evidence Uncovered: Breast Milk of Those Vaccinated Against COVID-19 May Protect Infants
The findings are another piece of evidence suggesting that the breast milk of those vaccinated against COVID-19 may help protect babies from the illness. A new…
Scientists Identify Tiny Molecules That Could Reduce the Likelihood of Infants Developing Eczema, Asthma, and Food Allergies
It has long been believed that breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from allergic conditions, such as eczema and food allergies, compared to formula-fed…
Inorganic Food Additives Might Make Babies More Vulnerable to Potentially Life-Threatening Allergies
Inorganic nanoparticles were found to potentially cross the placental barrier and enter breastmilk, increasing the risk of food allergies in infants. Nanotechnologies have greatly impacted…
Preterm Children Who Drink More Breast Milk Have a Higher IQ and Greater Academic Achievement
Maternal milk consumption is linked to improved school-age outcomes for preterm babies. Children born prematurely have a higher chance of inferior academic ability in math,…
How Breastfeeding Strengthens Your Child’s Immune System
Breastfeeding provides an immune boost to infants A recent study by Katherine Wander, an associate professor of anthropology at Binghamton University, suggests that breastfeeding strengthens…
Breastfeeding for Longer Associated With Improved Cognitive Scores
Breastfeeding duration is linked with improved cognitive scores at ages 5 through 14, even after controlling for socioeconomic position and maternal cognitive ability, according to…
Living Cells Discovered in Human Breast Milk Could Aid Breast Cancer Research
The study was led by researchers from the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI) and the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge. Breast…
Breastfeeding Reduces Mothers’ Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
Breastfeeding is linked to significant health benefits for mothers, notably in reducing cardiovascular disease risks. Health data from over a million women supports this association,…
Research Shows Vaccinated Women Pass COVID-19 Antibodies to Breastfeeding Babies
Research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst reveals that vaccinated breastfeeding women pass COVID-19 antibodies to their infants, offering them potential immunity. The study, which…
Breastfeeding – Even for Just a Few Days – Linked to Lower Blood Pressure in Early Childhood
Babies who were breastfed, even for a few days, had lower blood pressure at 3 years of age than children who had never been breastfed….
Breast Milk Does Not Transfer COVID, but Does Produce COVID-Fighting Antibodies
A recent study shows evidence that breastfeeding mothers do not transfer COVID through milk. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester Medical…