International research confirms WHO HIV breastfeeding recommendations
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported on a coordinated research project that confirmed World Health Organization breastfeeding recommendations for exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, including by HIV-positive mothers. The researchers used isotropic techniques to assess the safety of HIV-positive women breastfeeding their babies. Researchers from Burkina Faso, India, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand participated in the study with support from experts in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Breastfeeding for more than a year lowers hypertension risk
Breastfeeding appears protective against maternal hypertension, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis in Breastfeeding Medicine. Guangbo Qu, at Anhui Medical University in China, and colleagues, analyzed seven studies. The effect was increased as duration of breastfeeding increased. Those women who breastfed for more than 12 months had greater protection against hypertension than those who breastfed for less than 12 months.
ACOG releases ‘fourth-trimester’ guidance
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a committee opinion about optimizing postpartum care, recommending a visit three weeks after delivery. The guidance includes helping new mothers meet their breastfeeding goals. If women wait until the traditional follow-up visit, at 6 weeks, 20% have stopped breastfeeding. An earlier visit could help women with breastfeeding difficulties and improve breastfeeding outcomes. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has endorsed the new recommendations.
Cannabis components found to transfer to breastmilk
Inhaled delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of cannabis, is stored in adipose tissue and transfers to human breastmilk, according to a study in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Teresa Baker, MD, at Texas Tech University, and colleagues, conducted a pilot study involving 8 women who smoked cannabis occasionally or chronically. They found low concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the women's breastmilk and concluded that mothers should be cautious about using cannabis during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Co-author Thomas W. Hale, PhD, RPh, professor of Pediatrics at Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, presented the findings at the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine's 22nd Annual International Meeting.
Clinical trial to assess laid-back breastfeeding
Mariarosa Milinco serves as principal investigator and Luca Ronfani, MD, is study director of a clinical trial being conducted at The Burlo Garofolo Pediatric Institute in Italy to assess the effectiveness of laid-back breastfeeding compared to standard hospital practices on the frequency of breastfeeding problems, such as pain or fissures, at discharge. Laid-back breastfeeding is a new neurobehavioral approach to breastfeeding which focuses on aiding the mother to breastfeed in a relaxed, laid-back position, with her baby laying prone on her. This position promotes baby's movements through the activation of 20 primary neonatal reflexes stimulating breastfeeding. They plan to recruit 208 participants and finish the study in December 2018.
