Midwifery management of breastfeeding: using the evidence

Strong evidence supports breastfeeding as the appropriate health choice for both mothers and infants. However, the mechanics of breastfeeding are frequently less well understood. This review of both the research and clinical evidence regarding appropriate breastfeeding management is designed to aid the midwife and other health care professionals in providing care and teaching, which will optimize maternal and infant health.

Donor milk: what's in it and what's not

Breastfeeding and human milk are widely recognized as optimal for human infants. However, if donor milk is used when mother's own milk is not available, some questions arise concerning the effects of storage, handling, and heat processing on the unique components of human milk. Holder pasteurization (62.5 degrees C for 30 minutes) of banked human milk is the method of choice to eliminate potential viral contaminants such as human immunodeficiency virus, human T-lymphoma virus, and cytomegalovirus, as well as tuberculosis and other bacterial contaminants, while maintaining the greatest possible complement of its unique bioactive factors. This article reviews some of the critical components of human milk and what is currently known about the effects of Holder pasteurization on their biological activity.

Excelência em bancos de leite humano: uma visão do futuro--the First International Congress on Human Milk Banking

The first International Congress of Human Milk Banks--Excellence in Human Milk Banking: A Vision of the Future, held in Brazil in June 2000 and sponsored by the Brazilian Association of Milk Banks, had representation from milk banks in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Venezuela, France, the United Kingdom, and North America as well as Brazil. A recurring theme in the discussion of donor milk banking was the role of each country's milk banks in the promotion and support of breastfeeding. The Brazilian National Reference Milk Bank and the growth of donor milk banking in Brazil over the past 15 years were described, including federal regulation that all milk bank directors be trained and certified. Milk banking systems in France, the United Kingdom, Venezuela and the Caribbean, and North America were also discussed. Similarities and differences in the donor screening process and the regulation of milk banks in the countries is presented.

Knowledge and attitudes of pediatric office nursing staff about breastfeeding

This descriptive study documents nurses' breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. The nursing staffs of 27 private pediatric practices in North Carolina were surveyed. The 42-item questionnaire included questions about who was responsible for breastfeeding support, what staff nurses knew and believed about breastfeeding, and where their breastfeeding education was obtained. The response rate was 59% (134 out of 227). Only 5% responded that a breastfeeding patient experiencing problems would be referred to a physician, whereas 81% selected a lactation consultant, and 38% selected a member of the nursing staff. Knowledge scores ranged from 19 to 33 (out of 33). Attitude scores ranged from 10 to 30 (out of 30). Only 46% of respondents reported having received breastfeeding education in their training programs; 85% had received on-the-job training. The nurses surveyed were involved in breastfeeding support, yet many had incorrect information and negative attitudes toward breastfeeding.

A year of remarkable growth for donor milk banking in North America

In 1999, approximately 322,700 ounces of milk were processed and distributed by the 7 member banks of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. One new bank opened, and 2 medical centers in the United States are considering opening donor banks. The majority of the recipients were preterm and sick infants, but milk was also ordered for older babies and for children with a variety of medical needs, including metabolic disorders, severe food allergies or feeding intolerance, short gut syndrome secondary to necrotizing enterocolitis, growth failure on formula, and intractable rotavirus, and during chemotherapy for cancer. Donor milk was also ordered for adopted infants who did not have medical problems and for some adult cancer patients. Member banks serum screened 770 potential donors. One donor was excluded for a positive Hepatitis C test, and 3 were excluded for positive HTLV results. Further confirmatory tests were negative for these 4 potential donors.

Recommendations for handling of mother's own milk

Often, mothers must express their milk so it can be fed to their babies in their absence or at a later time. Research has shown that human milk is remarkably resilient as long as good food-handling techniques are used. There are some measures that can be taken to optimize both the nutritional value and the immunologic protection if the milk is to be fed to a preterm or sick infant rather than to a healthy baby who is primarily breastfeeding. Keeping milk-handling and storage instructions simple and clear can encourage a mother to provide milk for her baby when she cannot breastfeed.

Premature introduction of progestin-only contraceptive methods during lactation

Experts on contraceptive technology concur that progestin-only methods can be used safely during lactation. However, very few studies exist of the effects on lactation of the introduction of progestin-only methods prior to the sixth postpartum week. Since progesterone withdrawal is the likely stimulus that initiates lactogenesis, it appears necessary for natural progesterone levels to decline to baseline before a progestin-only contraceptive is initiated. Therefore, the use of such contraceptive methods should be delayed for at least 3 days after the birth. Non-hormonal methods remain the first choice category of contraceptive methods for breastfeeding women, since there is no possibility that they will interfere with lactation. Progestin-only methods comprise a viable and often desirable next choice category, although the timing of their commencement must be determined with care in order to support lactation.