Breastfeeding Research from the 14^th Medela International Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium

Breastfeeding Research from the 14^th Medela International Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium

World Breastfeeding Experts Present:
-  Research on the critical window after the birth that influences milk production
-  Research that biomarkers found in the placenta and amniotic fluid may also be in colostrum
-  A call to action to focus on the symbiotic effects of immune markers in breast milk

McHenry, Ill., April 9, 2019 — Medela today announced leading research findings from the  14^th International Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium, held in London, U.K. Medela convened 400 delegates from more than 40 countries to discuss the latest research in breast milk science. Key research highlights focused on critical practices for establishing lactation and the unique components of breast milk, including new findings on how breast milk components work with one another to defend against infection and allergies.

“We know that research on breastfeeding and lactation science supports women and infant health and that is why we are committed to convening some of the brightest minds in the field,” said Melissa Gonzales, executive vice president of Americas for Medela. “Each new advancement helps us learn more about the important components of human milk and how to support moms in reaching breast milk feeding goals.”

Nine of the world’s most influential breastfeeding and lactation researchers presented discoveries and updates in human milk science, highlighting the value of breast milk for infants and the national and global implications the findings have for mothers and families.

The unique components of breast milk
Researchers at the Symposium shared findings about the components of human milk, which may play significant roles in the development of pre-term babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as well as the development of the infant microbiome.

Kevin Nicholas, B.Sc.Hons, Ph.D., Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia, presented on the Tammar Wallaby, a marsupial with a gestation period of only 26 days, whose young are born very immature and fully develop in the pouch for up to 9 months while nourished with milk. Prof. Nicholas' work is now researching the theory that biological markers equivalent to those found in Tammar Wallaby milk could also be present in the human placenta, amniotic fluid and colostrum. Understanding this science could lead to the isolation of factors relevant to acute and chronic development of the human preterm infant.

Maria Carmen Collado, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, National Research Council, Valencia, Spain, shared research demonstrating the presence of yeasts and other fungi in breast milk in healthy mothers. Dr. Collado noted these findings support the hypothesis that breast milk is an important source of microorganisms to a growing baby. She also said the data support the potential role of breast milk on the initial seeding of fungal species to the infant gut.

Mom and baby’s synergistic effects on breast milk
Daniel Munblit, Ph.D., M.Sc., Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics & Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pediatrics, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia, issued a call to action for allergy researchers to shift their focus from individual immune markers or groups and instead consider the symbiotic effects of multiple immune markers.

“In reality, breast milk is full of different components which have synergistic and/or antagonistic effects to each other. It is these intricate interactions, which we are getting closer to uncovering, that play a part in breast milk’s ability to protect an infant against allergies,” said Munblit.

Changing the practice paradigm
Diane L. Spatz, Ph.D., R.N.-B.C., F.A.A.N., Professor of Perinatal Nursing and Helen M. Shearer Term Professor of Nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Pennsylvania, U.S., presented research on how health care providers, particularly in the U.S., need to change prenatal education and post-birth practices to better help mothers reach their personal breast milk feeding goals.

Dr. Spatz focused on better educating expectant mothers and families on the developmental stages of breast milk during gestation and the critical window after birth for establishing lactation that allows mothers to produce milk at full volume. Dr. Spatz also addressed the need for those working in hospitals to have a greater sense of urgency in helping new mothers understand the practices that will help their bodies switch on effective milk production noting that common hospital practices – such as lack of rooming-in, lack of skin-to-skin contact and concerns about infant weight loss – can negatively impact a mother’s ability to come to milk volume.

To learn more about the lactation science and research that Medela supports, please visit the clinical information hub. To access more information about the Symposium and details on the speakers and research shared, visit the Symposium or view the livestream.

About Medela LLC
Medela's US-based manufacturing and development facility is headquartered in McHenry, Illinois. Every year, more than one million mothers in the U.S. rely on Medela's technology. As the #1 breast pump brand*, Medela provides the best in research-based breast milk feeding products and clinical education to support moms' breast milk feeding journey. The company is fully dedicated to supporting mothers so that they can provide breast milk to their baby for as long as they choose. For more information, visit www.MedelaBreastfeedingUS.com.

About Medela
Founded in 1961, Medela is led by Michael Larsson and concentrates on two business units: "Human Milk," providing research-based breast milk feeding solutions, and "Healthcare," engineering and manufacturing medical vacuum technology solutions. Medela is headquartered in Switzerland and has 18 subsidiaries, distributing its products to more than 100 countries throughout the world. For more information, visit www.Medela.com. 

 

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