Search

Volunteer breastfeeding support groups are deemed effective in promoting breastfeeding initiation and duration, but women's views are not well reported. The aim of this study was to explore women's experiences of Breastfeeding Support Groups in Ireland from their perspective. Semi-structured interviews with 15 breastfeeding mothers were conducted with participants recruited as part of a larger mixed-methods study. Interviews were conducted online. Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed, and analysed using Thematic Analysis. Cultural Historical Activity Theory was used as the theoretical framework. Six key themes were identified: 'complexity of breastfeeding support', 'community and connection', 'impact of culture on breastfeeding needs', 'the journey', 'passing on', and 'what mothers want'. Mothers primarily attend in order to meet other mothers, and not necessarily with a problem, getting practical suggestions to meet their individual and changing needs. The social aspect of support groups fosters a sense of community and inclusion, long-standing friendships, a social outlet, and ongoing support. Mothers attend breastfeeding support groups in order to meet other mothers and continue to attend for this reason to get mothering and breastfeeding support, as well as passing on their knowledge and experiences to other mothers, while meeting their social needs. More resources, acknowledgement and funding are needed to provide breastfeeding support groups in local communities. Breastfeeding support groups and health professionals need to emphasise the social aspects of the interactions at these group rather than attending for a breastfeeding problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective The physiological challenges of high altitude have led to population-specific patterns of adaptation. These include alterations to child growth and reproduction, including lactation. However, while breastfeeding has been investigated, nothing is known about milk composition in high altitude adapted populations. Materials and Methods Here, we investigate milk macronutrient composition, volume, and energy in a sample of 82 Tibetans living at high and low altitude in rural villages (Nubri Valley, Nepal) and at low altitude in Kathmandu, Nepal. Milk samples were collected in the morning using hand expression, frozen, and assayed for fat, protein, and total sugars. Reproductive histories and health recalls were also collected. Results Milk fat averaged 5.2 ±2.0 g/100 mL, milk sugar 7.37 ± 0.49 g/100 mL, and milk protein 1.26 ± 0.35 g/100 mL for a mean energy density of 81.4 ± 17.4 kcal/100 mL. There were no associations between altitude of residence and milk composition; however, overall milk fat was high compared to reference populations. Within the three groups, milk fat was positively associated with infant age ( B = 0.103; p < 0.001) and maternal triceps skinfold thickness ( B = 0.095; p < 0.01) while milk sugar was significantly and inversely associated with maternal parity and triceps skinfold thickness. Discussion Milk fat, and consequently milk energy, may be increased in high-altitude adapted Tibetans when compared to populations living at low altitude. The association between milk fat and maternal adiposity suggests that milk composition may be sensitive to maternal adiposity in this sample, likely reflecting increased metabolic costs of producing a high-fat milk. Am J Phys Anthropol 159:233-243, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Maternal reproductive investment includes both the energetic costs of gestation and lactation. For most humans, the metabolic costs of lactation will exceed those of gestation. Mothers must balance reproductive investment in any single offspring against future reproductive potential. Among mammals broadly, mothers may differentially invest in offspring based on sex and maternal condition provided such differences investment influence future offspring reproductive success. For humans, there has been considerable debate if there are physiological differences in maternal investment by offspring sex. Two recent studies have suggested that milk composition differs by infant sex, with male infants receiving milk containing higher fat and energy; prior human studies have not reported sex-based differences in milk composition. This study investigates offspring sex-based differences in milk macronutrients, milk energy, and nursing frequency (per 24 h) in a sample of 103 Filipino mothers nursing infants less than 18 months of age. We found no differences in milk composition by infant sex. There were no significant differences in milk composition of mothers nursing first-born versus later-born sons or daughters or between high- and low-income mothers nursing daughters or sons. Nursing frequency also showed no significant differences by offspring sex, sex by birth order, or sex by maternal economic status. In the Cebu sample, there is no support for sex-based differences in reproductive investment during lactation as indexed by milk composition or nursing frequency. Further investigation in other populations is necessary to evaluate the potential for sex-based differences in milk composition among humans. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:209-216, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is increasing evidence that breastfeeding has long-term effects on offspring biology and health, which has heightened interest in understanding the extent of variation in breast milk composition and its underlying determinants. Here, we report variation in milk macronutrient composition in a well-characterized cohort of young Filipino mothers and test underlying maternal predictors of this variation. Methods: Morning breast milk samples, anthropometrics, dietary recalls, and other interview data were collected in 102 Filipino young breastfeeding mothers (age range 24.6-25.4 years) living in Cebu City, Philippines. Milk samples were analyzed for protein, fat, sugar, and milk energy density. Regression models were used to test associations between milk macronutrient composition and maternal diet, body composition, breastfeeding duration, and feeding frequency. Results: Consistent with past studies, milk fat and energy increased with duration of breastfeeding; there were no associations between maternal diet or percent body fat and milk composition with the exception of a modest, inverse association between maternal adiposity and milk sugar content. Conclusions: The relative lack of associations between maternal diet or body composition and milk composition at Cebu is consistent with past studies and suggests that milk composition may be buffered against fluctuations in maternal dietary intake or nutritional status. We speculate that the tendency for milk composition to vary between populations faced with different nutritional ecologies, but to show minimal responsiveness to intake during lactation, may enhance the reliability of milk composition as a stable intergenerational cue of typical local environmental quality. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]