We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Informal Sharing of Breast Milk Gains Popularity

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Nov 2019
Print article
Women unable to produce enough breast milk are increasingly practicing unsafe informal milk-sharing, according to a new study.

Researchers at Northwell Health (Lake Success, NY, USA) conducted an anonymous Facebook survey among 650 mothers. They also conducted a statistical analysis of the characteristics of publicly available blog posts about receiving donor breast milk. The results revealed that more than 50% of the women had no safety concerns about the informally donated breast milk, and almost 80% did not medically screen the donors, because they trusted them. More than half of the survey respondents cited concerns about the cost of obtain breast milk from a formal milk banks, followed by concerns about milk quality and ability to obtain a prescription for breast milk.

Following the study, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP; Itasca, IL, USA) reiterated that it recommends exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age, and to continue breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced. Women who are unable to produce enough milk can supplement infant diets with formula or donor breast milk from formal milk banks. The AAP discouraged the use of informally shared breast milk, due to the potential risk of spreading disease or exposure to medications, alcohol, illegal drugs or other contaminants. The study was presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) national conference, held during October 2019 in New Orleans (LA, USA).

“Not only are our patients unaware of the potential risks that they are undertaking when participating in these informal milk-sharing practices, they are also often not informing their physicians,” said study co-author Ruth Milanaik, DO, of the Northwell Health Cohen Children's Medical Center. “In addition to educating patients, physicians must underscore the importance of discussing these habits with medical professionals so that we have the necessary information to make accurate diagnoses should a medical need arise.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of life. Even after the introduction of foods at six months of age, continued breastfeeding is recommended until at least one to two years of age. In reality, only 38% of infants are only breastfed during their first six months of life on a global level; in the United States, only 13% breastfeed until the age of six months. For the mother, short-term benefits include better uterus shrinkage, reduced post-partum depression, and weight loss. Long-term benefits include decreased risk for breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Related Links:
Northwell Health
American Academy of Pediatrics

Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Silver Member
Wireless Mobile ECG Recorder
NR-1207-3/NR-1207-E
New
Needlefree Closed System Transfer Device
ChemoClave

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed an advanced shear-thinning hydrogel for aneurysm repair (Photo courtesy of TIBI)

New Hydrogel Features Enhanced Capabilities for Treating Aneurysms and Halting Progression

Aneurysms can develop in blood vessels in different body areas, often as a result of atherosclerosis, infections, inflammatory diseases, and other risk factors. These conditions lead to chronic inflammation,... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The living replacement knee will be tested in clinical trials within five years (Photo courtesy of ARPA-H)

Living Knee Replacement to Revolutionize Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis, characterized by the progressive deterioration of cartilage, or the protective tissue covering the bone ends, resulting in pain, stiffness, and impaired... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The PATHFAST hs-cTnI-II high-sensitivity troponin assay has been developed for the PATHFAST Biomarker Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Polymedco)

POC Myocardial Infarction Test Delivers Results in 17 Minutes

Chest pain is the second leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits by adults in the United States, generating over 7 million visits annually. In the event of a suspected heart attack, physicians... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.