Violence against women and health
The 25th of November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. How does violence impact women’s health?
Premature babies and breastfeeding
For an infant to be considered full-term, the length of pregnancy is between 37 and 42 weeks, calculated by the gestational age (GA). If the gestation ends before 37 weeks, this is considered a preterm birth. Premature deliveries are divided into subcategories based on their gestational age: Extremely preterm: born before 28 weeks Very preterm: born between 28.1 and 31.6 weeks Moderately preterm: born between 32 and 34.6 weeks Late preterm: born between 35 and 36.6 weeks Viability limits have…
What to do when there is no latch within the first hour?
How can health professionals facilitate breastfeeding initiation when the latch does not occur spontaneously in the first hour after birth?
Use of probiotics in mastitis: a review of evidence
What is the evidence for probiotics as a prevention/treatment for mastitis? A review on the latest evidence.
Difference between breastfeeding leaders, counsellors, IBCLS and experts
Here we shed light on the different qualifications in lactation. What is the difference between leaders, counsellors and IBCLCs?
Resources for lactation professionals
Resources are necessary to find up-to-date, scientifically based information on breastfeeding for lactation professionals and healthcare professionals interested in breastfeeding medicine. On many occasions, generalist information, even if it comes from scientific organisations, does not take into account the unique characteristics of this particular stage of life and gives inadequate messages. For this reason, we have compiled a collection of the most widely used resources on breastfeeding for professionals: The World Health Organisation (WHO) frequently publishes information on breastfeeding, as…
Weight stagnation when breastfeeding is already established
Sometimes we find that the reason for a consultation is weight stagnation in infants who had previously had adequate weight gain for their age. When faced with these cases, it is important to make a thorough assessment of the situation, not only of breastfeeding but also of other reasons for this possible slow down of weight gain. It is also important to monitor changes in the infant’s behaviour. The mother’s sensations and perceptions can also provide us with valuable information….
Antibiotics and Mastitis: New ABM Protocol
Regarding the relationship between antibiotics and mastitis, changes have been introduced in the new mastitis protocol of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), which we have already previously discussed here and here. In previous posts, we reviewed the differences between the old ABM mastitis protocol (ABM Clinical Protocol #4 Mastitis) (1) and the new protocol update published this year (ABM Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum) (2). In the first article, we compared the update on the definition of mastitis and…
New ABM recommendations on mastitis
In the previous blog article, we reviewed the differences in the definition of mastitis between the new ABM protocol on mastitis (protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum) and the old protocol (#4: Mastitis). In this article, we summarise the changes or updates from the new protocol on the recommendations for the management of mastitis and its different related disorders. It should be noted that the new protocol provides general and specific recommendations for all possible conditions within the mastitis spectrum. This…
The ABM protocol on mastitis
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) publishes protocols to make it easier for health care professionals who care for breastfeeding mothers to stay up-to-date and promote best practices in care for breastfeeding mothers and their children. In 2014 the Academy published a protocol on mastitis, the ABM Clinical Protocol #4: Mastitis (1), written by Dr Lisa Amir, who has also been one of the speakers in the 1st LactApp Medical Congress last May. This year, the ABM has published a…