THC remains present in breast milk up to six weeks after a woman abstains from marijuana consumption. Read More
Breastfeeding has a positive effect on postnatal depression and bonding between mothers and their babies. Breastfeeding also has positive implications for neuroprotection in babies of depressed mothers. Read More
Regulatory T cells expand in the first three weeks of life in breastfed babies, and are twice as abundant than in bottle-fed babies. Specifically, the bacterias Veillonella and Gemella are more abundant in the guts of breastfed babies. Veillonella and Gemella supportthe function of regulatory T cells. Read More
Study reports a link between the consumption of sugary drinks and diets high in sugars in breastfeeding mothers and cognitive developmental problems in their babies. Read More
Breastfeeding mothers with higher levels of oxytocin show more enhanced positive recognition of adult faces. The findings shed light on how oxytocin may support both continued nurturing behaviors and affects general social cognition of other adults. Read More
Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of developing diabetes, a new study reports. In mouse models, lactation improved glucose tolerance and increased beta-cell mass three weeks post-delivery. Prolactin produced as a result of lactation induced serotonin production of beta cells. Findings suggest serotonin mediates the long-term beneficial effects of lactation of female metabolic health by increasing beta-cell proliferation and reducing oxidative stress in beta-cells. Read More
The oligosaccharide 2'FL from a mother's breast milk enhances cognitive development in her child. The amount of 2'FL in breast milk at one month was related to significantly higher cognitive development scores at the age of two. Read More
15% of breastmilk samples from mothers who carry the malaria parasite, but who are not symptomatic of the disease, contain antigens. Researchers propose these mothers may be able to naturally vaccinate their children against malaria via breastfeeding. Read More
Researchers release new evidence-based recommendations regarding the benefits and risks for breastfeeding mother and infant co-sleeping. The study reports safe bedsharing is possible, and existing evidence does not support the conclusion that co-sleeping in breastfed infants increases the risk for SIDS in the absence of known hazards. Read More
Glycerol monolaurate (GML), a compound found in human breast milk, fights against the effects of harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive. GML also inhibits inflammation in epithelial cells, helping to prevent both bacterial and viral infections of the gut. GML is 200 times higher in human breast milk than cow milk. Researchers propose adding GML to infant formula and cow milk given to small children. Read More
Ranibizumab and aflibercept, two drugs used to treat retinal diseases, are excreted in the breast milk of nursing mothers who take the medications. The drugs contain an agent called anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF), which blocks the development of a protein which stimulates the development of blood vessels. The protein, VEGF, is present in breast milk and plays a role in the development of the digestive system in infants. Read More
Breast milk may help train the circadian clock in young babies. The hormonal composition of breast milk changes throughout the day, with cortisol levels being higher in the morning and melatonin levels being higher at night. Read More
