25 Years of Research in Human Lactation: From Discovery to Translation

Researchers have recently called for human lactation research to be conceptualized as a biological framework where maternal and infant factors impacting human milk, in terms of composition, volume and energy content are studied along with relationships to infant growth, development and health. This...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nutrients 2021-08, Vol.13 (9), p.3071
Main Authors: Geddes, Donna Tracy, Gridneva, Zoya, Perrella, Sharon Lisa, Mitoulas, Leon Robert, Kent, Jacqueline Coral, Stinson, Lisa Faye, Lai, Ching Tat, Sakalidis, Vanessa, Twigger, Alecia-Jane, Hartmann, Peter Edwin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body composition
breast
Breast feeding
Breast milk
breastfeeding
Breastfeeding & lactation
Breasts
Composition
Gastric emptying
human milk
infant feeding
Infants
Lactation
Milk
milk composition
Morphology
Mothers
Mouth
Review
Sinuses
Translation
Ultrasonic imaging
Womens health
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Summary:Researchers have recently called for human lactation research to be conceptualized as a biological framework where maternal and infant factors impacting human milk, in terms of composition, volume and energy content are studied along with relationships to infant growth, development and health. This approach allows for the development of evidence-based interventions that are more likely to support breastfeeding and lactation in pursuit of global breastfeeding goals. Here we summarize the seminal findings of our research programme using a biological systems approach traversing breast anatomy, milk secretion, physiology of milk removal with respect to breastfeeding and expression, milk composition and infant intake, and infant gastric emptying, culminating in the exploration of relationships with infant growth, development of body composition, and health. This approach has allowed the translation of the findings with respect to education, and clinical practice. It also sets a foundation for improved study design for future investigations in human lactation.
ISSN:2072-6643
2072-6643
DOI:10.3390/nu13093071