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Breast milk is crucial in the development of late-onset breast milk jaundice (BMJ), possibly due to the composition of breast milk and the lactating mother's diet. To explore the possible nutritional pathogenesis of late-onset BMJ, we investigated the lactation diet and collected breast milk by following the 42-day postpartum mother–infants pairs in Beijing and a total of 94 pairs were enrolled. The macronutrient content of breast milk was measured, and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) content in breast milk was determined by ELISA. Data on in-hospital and out-of-hospital breastfeeding, infant growth, jaundice-related vaccination, and puerperium diet were collected. The BMJ group received the second dose of hepatitis B vaccine later than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The EGF concentration in breast milk was lower in the BMJ group than in the control group (p = 0.03). When EGF increased by 1 ng/mL, the transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) value decreased by 0.33 ng/mL and 0.27 ng/mL before and after the adjustment, respectively. A 1 g increase in oil intake led to a 0.38 ng/mL increase in EGF concentration before the adjustment. With a 1 g increase in oil intake, the TcB value decreased by 0.27 ng/mL before the adjustment, and with a 1 g increase in soybean and soybean product intake, the TcB value decreased by 0.34 ng/mL after the adjustment. Collectively, EGF in breast milk may inhibit the occurrence of late-onset BMJ, and the dietary intake of oil in lactating mothers may affect the level of EGF in breast milk, thus affecting the occurrence of late-onset BMJ. Finally, dietary oil intake may be a protective factor for the occurrence of late-onset BMJ by increasing EGF levels in breast milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Malaysia, breastfeeding practices were reported highest among the Malays and lowest among the Chinese. Various factors, including diet may enhance successful breastfeeding. This current study aims to explore the perceptions towards diet that can increase the production of breastmilk among working mothers in Selangor, Malaysia. Methods: A qualitative study, using an in-depth semi structured interview was conducted among 10 Malay and 10 Chinese working mothers. These mothers had successfully breastfed their children for a minimum of one year. Interviews were conducted either face to face or via a telephone call. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: All participants believed that a higher intake of food and water may increase their breast milk production. However, the type of food perceived to have this function differed based on the individual. Malay and Chinese mothers had a different perception on the intake of fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs. Most mothers did not believe in supplements and milk boosting products. Conclusion: Trying different kinds of food may help to increase breastmilk production. Dietary advice to improve breastfeeding practice may be tailored to acknowledge cultural differences among mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to explore the associations of postpartum dietary quality and behavioral practices with maternal health in Guangzhou China.Methods and Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study among puerperal women in urban and suburban areas in Guangzhou, China (n=2013). Data for postpartum dietary and behavioral practices and health conditions were collected by a standardized questionnaire. Dietary balance index (DBI) was calculated to assess an individual's dietary quality. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors related to women's health.Results: 75.5% of women reported at least one postpartum disease, and the most common problems were prolonged duration of lochia (70.0%) and backache (43.0%), followed by constipation (23.6%), insufficient milk secretion (19.2%), breast swelling (18.5%) and hemorrhoids (13.8%). Average postpartum weight retention was 3.5 kg. Logistic regression analysis revealed that 12-18 h/d of bed rest time, breastfeeding, doing postpartum exercise, basking, getting out of bed within 2 days after delivery, higher intake of fish and shrimp, fruits, vegetable, milk were protective factors for at least one out of these health problems or weight retention (p<0.05). Bed rest time for more than 18 h/d or less than 12 h/d, ginger vinegar intake, doing housework, cesarean section, and excessive and inadequate intake of cereals had an adverse association (p<0.05).Conclusions: Some features of a traditional Chinese postpartum diet and behaviour are related to maternal morbidity during the puerperium. Further studies are needed to assess whether postpartum diet and behavioral intervention improve maternal health during the postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micronutrients are dietary components important for health and physiological function, and inadequate intake of these nutrients can contribute to poor health outcomes. The risk of inadequate micronutrient intake has been shown to be greater among low-income Hispanics and postpartum and lactating women. Therefore, we aimed to determine the risk of nutrient inadequacies based on preliminary evidence among postpartum, Hispanic women. Risk of micronutrient inadequacy for Hispanic women (29–45 years of age) from the Southern California Mother's Milk Study (n = 188) was assessed using 24 h dietary recalls at 1 and 6 months postpartum and the estimated average requirement (EAR) fixed cut-point approach. Women were considered at risk of inadequate intake for a nutrient if more than 50% of women were consuming below the EAR. The Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) value was also used to assess sodium intake. These women were at risk of inadequate intake for folate and vitamins A, D, and E, with 87.0%, 93.4%, 43.8%, and 95% of women consuming less than the EAR for these nutrients, respectively. Lastly, 71.7% of women consumed excess sodium. Results from this preliminary analysis indicate that Hispanic women are at risk of inadequate intake of important micronutrients for maternal and child health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]