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31 Jul

Breastfeeding Linked to Big Reduction in Infant Mortality: New Study

Breastfed babies are 33% less likely to die during the first year after delivery, a new analysis finds.

Health News Results - 62

Breastfeeding After COVID Booster Passes Protective Antibodies to Baby

There's more evidence bolstering the health effects of both breastfeeding and the COVID booster shot: Vaccinated, breastfeeding moms appear to pass COVID-fighting antibodies to their infants.

That's important, since babies under the age of 6 months aren't eligible for the COVID vaccine.

“We think that breast milk may play an important role in protecting the infants during the fir...

MS Drugs Can Be Safely Taken While Breastfeeding

Certain drugs used to treat multiple sclerosis appear to be safe for babies if taken by breastfeeding moms, a new study finds.

Breastfed babies whose moms received monoclonal antibody treatments for MS did not develop any more developmental delays than babies not exposed to the drugs through breast milk. The findings will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s upcoming annu...

Breastfeeding 101: Tips for New Moms

There’s a host of studies supporting the numerous ways breastfeeding helps baby's development -- and the health of mothers, too. 

However, too many women are hesitant to start breastfeeding or stick with it if they do, according to Nadine Rosenblum, a perinatal lactation program coordinator at Johns Hopkins Hospit...

Breastfeeding in Infancy Tied to Healthier Weight Later for Kids

What a baby eats, or how the baby eats, may have an impact on future weight and health, research has shown.

A new study backs that up. It found that 9-year-olds who had been breast-fed for six months or more had a lower percentage of body fat than their peers who were ne...

A Baby Cries & Mom's Breast Milk Releases: New Study Could Explain Why

Many a new mom knows that when her newborn cries, her milk releases.

Now, animal research reveals a newly discovered brain circuit that may explain why that happens.

This new study showed that when a mouse pup starts crying, sound information travels to an area of its mother's brain called the posterior intralaminar nucleus of the thalamus (PIL).

This then sends signals to o...

Breast Milk Brings Babies a Healthier Microbiome

Breast milk supplies many benefits for babies and their moms, and a new study highlights another one: Mother's milk provides proteins that are important for a newborn's gut health.

“Here we show that the concentration of certain proteins in human breast milk predicts the abundance of specific gut microorganisms in infants, which are known to be important [and] necessary for health,...

Breastfeeding Tied to Big Reduction in Infant Deaths

Experts have long recommended breastfeeding for its many benefits for infants, but a new study puts a hard number on breast milk's lifesaving effects.

Breastfeeding is associated with a 33% reduction in infant deaths in the first year, according to the study of nearly 10 million U.S. babies.

The research looked at babies born in 48 states and Washington, D.C. between 2016 and 2018...

Key Ingredient in Breast Milk Could Do Wonders for Baby's Brain

A micronutrient in human breast milk may provide significant benefit to developing newborn brains, according to new research that sheds light on the link between nutrition and brain health.

Scientists looked at this sugar molecule in rodents and in human neurons. They said the micronutrient, called myo-inositol, may lead to improved infant formulas.

“The current research does indi...

Dads Can Play Big Role in Baby's Nutrition, Safe Sleep

Jeremy Davis made sure his wife, Chloe, got lots of support when she was breastfeeding each of their three sons.

“When she'd been up nursing all night, I'd take over with the baby in the mornings so she could get extra sleep,” the Wilton, Conn., man recalled. Davis also learned to give special breastfeeding massages to help with milk flow and took on middle-of-the-night diaper duty.

Longer Breastfeeding in Infancy, Better School Grades for Kids?

Could breastfeeding lay the groundwork for good grades in high school?

That's what the findings of a new British study suggest, although the differences were small between those who were breastfed and those who weren't when it came to standardized test scores and grades.

"Breastfeeding promotes the development of the brain, which may account for better school performance," said lead...

New Moms Breastfed Longer During Pandemic

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, when shelter-in-place orders were ongoing, new moms tended to breastfeed their babies about two weeks longer than usual, new research shows.

“Stay-at-home policies enabled parents to continue breastfeeding at home instead of returning to the workplace,” said study co-author Dr. Rita Hamad

How Healthy Is a Vegan Mom's Breast Milk?

Vegan moms can breastfeed their children and not worry that their breast milk is missing essential nutrients, a new study finds.

Researchers from Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands tested the milk of vegan mothers, finding it contains sufficient levels of vitamin B2 and carnitine.

“The maternal diet greatly influences the nutritional composition of human milk...

When New Moms Are in Pain, Prescribing an Opioid Is Safe for Newborn: Study

Sometimes new moms receive opioid prescriptions for pain, particularly after a cesarean delivery. They needn't worry, researchers say.

Their newborns are at no greater risk of harm than those whose moms don't get those prescriptions, according to a large new study in Canada.

The findings, published March 15 in the BMJ, should reassure parents and their doctors, the researc...

Infant Death Linked to Contaminated Breast Pump: CDC

Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria from a contaminated breast pump caused an infection that killed an infant last year, U.S. federal health officials said Thursday.

The new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns parents of newborns about the need to sterilize equipment, whether it's used for bottle feeding or as part of breastfeeding.

“There ar...

Vaccinated Moms' Breast Milk Could Protect Baby From COVID

Infants too young to be vaccinated for COVID-19 get some protection from their mothers' breast milk, researchers say.

The new study follows up on findings published in 2021 that showed the breast milk of vaccinated people contained antibodies against the COVID-19 virus.

For the study...

Obesity Might Lower Milk Production in Breastfeeding Moms

While 8 of 10 mothers breastfeed their newborns for a short time, the number plummets despite recommendations from experts, in part because milk production falls off.

Researchers investigating why that happens found that in women who are obese, inflammation may be the culprit.

Prior research has shown that when a person is obese, chronic inflammation starts in the fat and spreads to...

Breastfeeding Can Protect Hearts of Mom, Baby Long Term

Breastfeeding can deliver long-term heart benefits to both mother and child, a new statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) says.

The immune systems of newborns and infants can be strengthened by breast milk, which has long been a...

Breastfeeding May Be Key to Letting Preemie Babies Thrive

Preterm infants who are breastfed do better in school and are less likely to develop attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), says a new study.

Preemies have a higher risk of doing poorly in math, reading and other academic skills, previous studies have shown. They're also at greater risk for ADHD.

But starting them off with lots of breast milk appears to blunt this risk an...

No Evidence Breastfeeding Can Transmit Coronavirus

Breastfeeding moms can rest easier: New research finds no evidence their milk transmits the virus that causes COVID-19 to their babies.

"Breast milk is an invaluable source of nutrition to infants," said lead author Dr. Paul Krogstad of the University of California, Los Angeles.

"In our study, we found no evidence that breast milk from mothers infected with COVID-19 contained infec...

Breastfeeding May Protect a Mom's Heart Years Later

Chloe Jo Davis is a vocal advocate for breastfeeding.

The Wilton, Conn.-based writer breastfed her three sons for years to make sure they reaped all of the benefits associated with the practice.

"Breastfeeding helps build up kids' immune system and keeps colds, virus, ear infection and stomach bugs at bay, and this is more important today than ever before with the spread of COVID-19...

Why Are More Women Using Pot, Other Cannabis Products During Pregnancy?

A growing number of pregnant women are using marijuana or other cannabis products, and a new study suggests that relief of symptoms such as morning sickness may be a primary reason.

In recent years, studies have documented a rise in cannabis use during pregnanc...

Adding Juice to Baby's Diet Could Set Stage for Obesity

Giving your baby fruit juice too early in life could lead to greater intake of sugary drinks later in childhood and much higher odds for obesity and tooth decay, a new study of more than 4,000 American mothers has found.

According to a team led by Edwina Yeung, of the U.S. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, introducing fruit juice to infants before they were a year ...

Breastfeeding by Moms Who've Had COVID May Help Protect Newborn

Moms who had COVID-19 when they gave birth may help stimulate their infant's burgeoning immunity against the virus by breastfeeding, a small study hints.

It's well known that breast milk contains certain maternal antibodies that can help protect infants from infections as their own immune systems develop.

Studies indicate that's true of SARS-CoV-2, as well: Breast milk from moms who...

Could Breastfeeding Help Women Keep Their Smarts as They Age?

Might breastfeeding affect a new mother's future brain health?

That's the intriguing question posed by a new study that flips the narrative from the often-touted benefits for baby to what impact breastfeeding might hold for Mom years later.

Researchers from UCLA Health found that women over age 50 who had breastfed their babies performed better on tests of brain function than those ...

Good Sleep May Help Babies Avoid Obesity as They Grow

You've probably heard that getting better sleep can be good for your waistline. The same appears to be true for your baby.

Newborns who get more sleep and wake up less during the night are less likely to become overweight in infancy, according to a just-published study.

"While an association between insufficient sleep and weight gain is well-established in adults and older children,...

Breastfeeding Longer May Lower Postpartum Depression Risk

Besides the long-established benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mom, a new study reports one more: Nursing could help chase the blues away.

It is linked to a lower risk for postpartum depression -- the so-called "baby blues" -- and nursing for a longer time may further ease depression symptoms, according to the findings.

"Women suffering from postpartum depression, which occurs ...

Breastfeeding May Strengthen a Baby's Heart

Breast milk can give preemies' hearts a big boost, a groundbreaking study suggests.

"This study … adds to the already known benefits of breast milk for infants born prematurely," said study leader Dr. Afif El-Khuffash, a clinical professor of pediatrics at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin.

He said the findings off...

For Better Breastfeeding, 'Lactation Consultants' Can Help

Breastfeeding provides a baby with many positive benefits, but it doesn't always happen easily.

When a new mom feels overwhelmed by the challenge, a lactation consultant can help, according to two breastfeeding experts from Penn State Health.

"We're here to make sure new moms can get to where they want to be with their infant -- breastfeeding with ease and confidence," said Nancy Mc...

COVID Vaccine in Pregnancy Means Healthier Births, Babies: Studies

Since COVID-19 and three vaccines to help prevent it arrived in the United States, questions have swirled about their impact on pregnant women, new moms and infants.

How would the virus affect them and their health risks? Should women get the vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered an emphatic answer to those questions on ...

Breastfed Babies Have Healthier Blood Pressure as Kids

Here's another reason for new moms to give breastfeeding a try: Toddlers who were breastfed for even a few days have lower blood pressure than those who always got a bottle, research finds.

And lower blood pressure at an early age may lead to a healthier heart and blood vessels in adulthood, researchers said.

The new study is believed to be the first to investigate breastfeeding in...

COVID Vaccine Doesn't Infiltrate Breast Milk

Women who are breastfeeding and wonder if COVID-19 vaccination is safe for their baby may be reassured by the results of a new study.

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, report that "vaccine-associated mRNA" -- the active components of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines -- "was not detected in 13 milk samples collected 4 to 48 hours after vaccination from 7 breastfeed...

Newborns Won't Get COVID Through Infected Mom's Breast Milk: Study

A new study offers more reassurance that mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 can safely breastfeed their babies.

The study of 55 infants born to moms with COVID-19 found that none contracted the virus -- even though most started getting breast milk in the hospital.

Researchers said the findings support existing advice from public health authorities. Last year, the World Health Organiza...

THC From Pot Lingers in Breast Milk for Weeks: Study

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, remains in breast milk for up to six weeks and may be harmful to infants, a new study warns.

The researchers said the finding supports recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and others that women shouldn't use marijuana while pregnant or breastfeeding.

"Just as we now caution mothers to avoid toba...

Breastfeeding Moms Get Mixed Messages When Baby Has an Allergy

Breastfeeding mothers whose babies have food allergies often get conflicting advice from doctors on whether they should change their eating habits, according to a new study.

"We found that guidance from health care practitioners for breastfeeding mothers in this situation was inconsistent," said study lead author Dr. Hannah Wangberg, an allergist-immunologist in San Diego.

"Of the 1...

Fewer Food Allergies in Kids If Mom Drinks Milk While Breastfeeding: Study

Mothers who drink cow's milk while breastfeeding may reduce their child's risk of developing food allergies, a new Swedish study suggests.

"This is a compelling first step in defining a potential relationship between maternal diet and allergy risk," said Dr. Peter Lio, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology and pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in C...

Breastfed Babies May Grow Into Better-Adjusted Teens: Study

Moms already know that breast milk is ideal for a baby's physical development. Now, research shows that being breastfed in infancy might even boost a child's mental health, years later.

"Having identified that there are potential behavioral benefits, our study strengthens the case for public health strategies that promote breastfeeding, where possible," study lead author Lydia Speyer, of ...

Neanderthal or Human, Babies Weaned at Same Age

Neanderthals weaned their babies at about the same age as modern humans do, a new study finds.

Neanderthals are humans' closest cousins on the evolutionary tree, but there are many questions about their pace of growth and early-life energy requirements.

To learn more, researchers analyzed three milk teeth from three Neanderthal children who lived between 70,000 and 45,000 years ago ...

Nurses Can Make the Difference for New Moms' Breastfeeding

One key to breastfeeding success? Having enough hospital nurses to ensure that new moms get top-notch care.

Hospitals with higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding had nurses who provided more consistent care, according to a new report.

That care included helping moms have skin-to-skin contact with their babies and breastfeed within an hour of giving birth. Nurses also provi...

Newborns of Moms With COVID-19 Face Little Infection Risk: Study

In some reassuring news on the coronavirus front, a new study finds that pregnant women with COVID-19 rarely infect their newborn.

That finding suggests that it may not be necessary to separate infected mothers from their infants and that moms can continue to breastfeed, the researchers added.

"Our findings should reassure expectant mothers with COVID-19 that basic infectio...

Some Breast Surgery Won't Harm Ability to Breastfeed

Having surgery for benign breast conditions won't harm a woman's future ability to breastfeed, new research suggests.

The study included 85 women, aged 18 to 45. Fifteen had a prior history of benign breast conditions, including cysts, benign tumors and enlarged breasts. Sixteen had had breast surgery, including breast augmentation, reduction mammoplasty and biopsy.

Whether ...

A Bit of Mom's Poop Might Boost Health of C-Section Babies: Study

Delivering by cesarean section deprives babies from receiving mom's beneficial bacteria during the journey through the birth canal. Now researchers are studying an innovative way to counter that: Feeding newborns breast milk fortified with their mother's poop.

There is, indeed, a yuck factor, the scientists acknowledge. But they also stress that the tactic, still under study, is done ...

COVID-19 Not Likely to Be Transmitted by Breast Milk: Study

Breastfeeding mothers are unlikely to transmit the new coronavirus to their babies via their milk, researchers say.

No cases of an infant contracting COVID-19 from breast milk have been documented, but questions about the potential risk remain.

Researchers examined 64 samples of breast milk collected from 18 women across the United States who were infected with the new coron...

Breastfeeding OK After Mom Has Anesthesia, Experts Say

It's perfectly safe to breastfeed after a mom receives anesthesia, new British medical guidelines say.

And she can start as soon as she's alert and able to do so, according to just-published guidelines from the U.K. Association of Anaesthetists.

"The guidelines say there is no need to discard any breast milk due to fear of contamination, since evidence shows that anesthetic...

With Safety Steps, Moms Unlikely to Pass COVID-19 to Newborns: Study

Mothers are unlikely to pass COVID-19 to their newborns if they follow recommended precautions, a small study suggests.

"We hope our study will provide some reassurance to new mothers that the risk of them passing COVID-19 to their babies is very low. However, larger studies are needed to better understand the risks of transmission from mother to child," said co-leader Dr. Christine S...

Exercise Might Make Breast Milk's Goodness Even Better

Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, but a new study suggests it also increases the amount of a beneficial compound called 3SL in the breast milk of both humans and mice.

Based on that, researchers think that its benefits to babies could last for decades, potentially making them less likely to experience such chronic illnesses as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease as they ...

Breastfeeding May Help Guard Against Diabetes

Breastfeeding is good for more than babies: New research suggests it may protect new mothers from developing diabetes for years after they give birth.

The study included 85 women who breastfed and 99 who did not. They were assessed two months after giving birth and each year after that for at least three years.

Compared to those who didn't breastfeed, mothers who breastfed h...

Breast Milk May Help Shield Infants From Dangerous Viruses

New mothers have long been told that breast milk is best for their baby, and now there's more evidence that breastfeeding helps protect babies against potentially harmful viruses.

With the coronavirus pandemic on everyone's mind, the new research is especially timely. However, the report did not look specifically at the virus that causes COVID-19.

For the study, the investi...

Employers Need to Do More to Help Breastfeeding Moms: Survey

Protections may be in place for employees who breastfeed, but the onus is on working moms to seek out the resources they need, according to a University of Georgia survey.

"We know that there are benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and the infant, and we know that returning to work is a significant challenge for breastfeeding continuation," said lead author Rachel McCardel, ...

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding May Guard Against Early Menopause

Both pregnancy and breastfeeding may protect women against early menopause, new research suggests.

The risk was lowest among those who breast-fed exclusively, meaning the baby received breast milk only -- no liquids or solid foods. Early menopause is the end of menstruation before age 45, the study authors said.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 108...

Breastfeeding May Bring Added Bonus for Women With MS

Women with multiple sclerosis often find that their symptoms ease during pregnancy. And evidence is growing that breastfeeding might have a similar benefit.

A new review of 16 studies found that overall, women with MS who breastfed were 37% less likely to have a relapse within a year of giving birth, versus those who bottle-fed.

The findings do not prove breastfeeding is...

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