Background:Breastfeeding rates in Ireland are among the lowest in the world. Social support networks influence initiation and duration.Research Aim:To describe pregnant and postpartum women’s encounters and experiences with health care professionals, family, or friends around breastfeeding in Ireland.Method:Using a qualitative framework design, data were collected as part of a wider study. Online diary entries were collected between October 2021 and May 2022. Participants reflected on their breastfeeding encounters, focusing on timing, context, and feelings evoked about breastfeeding support. These a priori categories were the starting point for analysis.Results:Participants (N = 27) produced a total of 91 diary entries entered while participants were from 13 weeks pregnant to 30 weeks postpartum. Most interactions recorded were with family members, friends, and lactation support providers. Three themes were identified: (1) Family Circle of Influence, (2) It Takes a Village, and (3) Maternity Service Providers. “Family Circle of Influence” included reflections on the influence of those closest to participants on their breastfeeding journey. Partners and female relatives were generally supportive and provided emotional support, despite having concerns about the decision to breastfeed. “It Takes a Village” covered troubleshooting feeding issues with friends and support groups. Experiences within this wider community group were influential, positively and negatively. “Maternity Service Providers” captured information sources, skills provision, and conflicting advice, which sometimes undermined maternal confidence.Conclusion:Participants’ breastfeeding journeys included encounters with family, social networks, and wider health services. Cumulative diary entries provided reflections on the emotional impact of supportive or undermining interactions on breastfeeding decisions.

BackgroundSupplementary feeding, colostrum or, in some countries, commercial milk formula, is given to newborns of women with Type 1 diabetes to prevent neonatal hypoglycemia. Few studies have explored the content of colostrum from women with Type 1 diabetes.Research AimsThis study aimed to investigate the macronutrients in colostrum collected during pregnancy and in the early postpartum period to compare colostrum contents in women with and without Type 1 diabetes.MethodsIn this cohort study, we collected colostrum among 20 women, 10 with and 10 without Type 1 diabetes, at 10 different time points in gestational weeks 36–40 and postpartum Days 1–5. We measured carbohydrates, protein, fat, and kilocalories in colostrum using a human milk analyzer; and we analyzed data using linear mixed models. In a follow-up analysis, we compared the content of colostrum from Day 1 with the nutritional values provided on the commercial milk formula, using a one-sample t test.ResultsThere were no mean differences in carbohydrates (6.6 g/100 ml; 95% CI [6.3, 6.9] vs. 6.7 g/100 ml; 95% CI [6.4, 7.0] p = 0.29); kilocalories (71.1 kcal/100 ml; 95% CI [62.9, 79.3] vs. 85.3 kcal/100 ml; 95% CI [77.2, 93.3] p = 0.21], and fat (2.7 g/100 ml; 95% CI [1.8, 3.6] vs. 2.3 g/100 ml; 95% CI [1.4, 3.2] p = 0.55) in colostrum when comparing women with and without Type 1 diabetes. However, antenatal protein differed at all timepoints tested (p = 0.01). Colostrum macronutrients on Day 1 differed from that of commercial milk formula and all other colostrum time points, except Gestational Week 38.ConclusionsOur study provides insights into antenatal and postnatal colostrum macronutrients among women with and without Type 1 diabetes. Further studies are needed to understand the effects of supplementary feeding using antenatal or postnatal colostrum or commercial milk formula on neonatal hypoglycemia.

Restricted accessAbstractFirst published online November 23, 2023Differences in Analyzed Energy Content Compared to Labeled Information in Banked Human MilkJimi Francis, MS, PhD, IBCLC, RDN, LD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6709-4564 [email protected], Alex Nicholas, BS, MS, […], Farjana Zaman, BS, MS, and Maisha Naowar, MBBS+1-1View all authors and affiliationsOnlineFirsthttps://doi.org/10.1177/08903344231212466

Restricted accessAbstractFirst published online November 23, 2023Expectant Fathers in Malaysia—Knowledge and Attitudes Towards BreastfeedingEzura Madiana Md Monoto, MBBS, IBCLC, Doctor of Family Medicine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5100-3162 [email protected], Nurul Syuhada Samsuri, MD, Doctor of Family Medicine https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9484-1179, and Afaaf Esa, MD, FRACGPView all authors and affiliationsOnlineFirsthttps://doi.org/10.1177/08903344231212459

Restricted accessAbstractFirst published online November 23, 2023Effect of "Teté Dance" on the Duration of the Lactation Session in Irritable Infants in PerúJackeline Ashiyama, NP, MPH, DSc, IBCLC, Mario Yrigoyen, MD, FCCP, IBCLC, […], Karen Coronado, NP, MSc, IBCLC, and Javier Ravichagua, MD https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2040-3817 [email protected]+1-1View all authors and affiliationsOnlineFirsthttps://doi.org/10.1177/08903344231214246