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Supporting breastfeeding, supports the health of both baby and parent.  In this newsletter we highlight these benefits for both with an article on the early benefits of colostrum for infants and an article on long term bone health for breastfeeding partents.

Additionally, I  particularly enjoyed a recent article on latching behaviors for newborns.  This study breaks down, on a  concrete level, some of the behaviors infants demonstrate with effective breastfeeding.  When seeing families, the specific examples reinforce some latching talking points especially when trying to navigate latching difficulties.  Talking points such as check to see if your baby is comfortable and fully supported with their body supported belly to your belly ("tummy to mummy" in article) or when getting ready to latch start with a hug (i.e. arms around the breast).  

We hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it a helpful resouce as you balance many competing priorities.  You can find this newsletter, the  archive of past newsletters AND a place for ongoing Q&A about team-based lactation care  by joining our community for free.

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Research Updates

Colostrum & Food Allergies

• According to this recent study, newborns receiving only colostrum in the first 3 days of life were less likely to have peanut allergy between 12-18 months.
• Allergy risk increased if parents waited until after 7 months to introduce potential allergens.
• "No peanut allergy cases occurred in infants receiving 9 or more colostrum feeds within the first 24 hours, regardless of formula feeding."

Breastfeeding & Bone Density

• It is often assumed that breastfeeding depletes calcium stores, which negatively affects bone health.
• A recent study shows that Maternal Brain Hormone, secreted during lactation, may not only protect against bone loss but actually increase bone mass. (Nature, 2024)

Latching-on Behaviors & Effective Breastfeeding

• This July 2025 study from the journal Acta Paediatrica assessed effective breastfeeding of 300 newborns and 166 6-week-old infants using the Lactation Assessment & Comprehensive Intervention Tool (LAT). 
• Pre-feeding behaviors of assessing infant state and reading infant cues contributed to effective breastfeeding.
• Positioning that improved breastfeeding success were starting belly-to-belly (or tummy-to-mummy), arms around breast, breast not held or shaped, & infant head free of restrictions.
• Latching-on behaviors that supported breastfeeding effectiveness were infant head tilt and leading with the chin first toward the breast.
• These behaviors & positions are demonstrated in the latching video below.

Helpful Resources

• Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio VIDEO: The Basics of Latching On
• U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Parent Resources: Breastfeeding & Human Milk
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Toolkit