Welcome to our newsletter.
PCPs, what you say about breastfeeding matters!
A recent US Preventive Services Task Force Report and Systematic Review published in JAMA highlights the importance of primary care behavioral counseling interventions to support breastfeeding. The USPSTF maintained its B recommendation for breastfeeding support interventions in primary care reinforcing that prenatal and pospartum breastfeeding support is important for improving breastfeeding duration and exclusivity.
However, further research is needed and as the JAMA editorial by Demirci et al notes "primary care clinicians and practices have little concrete guidance; it remains unclear what breastfeeding education topics are most critical, the most effective mediums and formats for delivery, and how often support should be provided."
This is exactly why we're offering this newsletter, as supplement to Primary Care Breastfeeding Support: The First Weeks Course! In the course, you'll receive training to provide needed breastfeeding support your patients in the first week postpartum. The course includes practical education for troubleshooting the most common issues.
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Research Updates
Breastfeeding & Children Health Outcomes
- An updated systematic review on breastfeeding and health outcomes in infants and children (PediatricsJuly 2025) found that less breastfeeding increased risk for "moderate-to-severe respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, otitis media, allergic rhinitis, asthma, malocclusion, inflammatory bowel disease, type 1 diabetes, rapid weight gain and growth, obesity, high systolic blood pressure, childhood leukemia, and infant mortality"
Flange Size Matters
- It's important to measure the nipple tip to determine flange size before pumping
- Pump kits generally come with 21mm, 24mm, and even up to 28mm flanges
- This study finds that smaller flange sizes are often more comfortable and result in more milk while pumping
- Most common smaller flange sizes were 15mm and 17mm
- from Journal for Human Lactation, 2025
Breastfeeding & Heart Health
- Infant heart health: Breastfeeding for at least 6 months optimizes gut microbiota and is associated with a lower systolic blood pressure at ages 3 & 6. (Journal of the American Heart Association, 2025)
- Lactating parent heart health: Researchers found "significantly decreased risk for maternal CVD, CHD, stroke, and fatal CVD for lifetime durations of breastfeeding for up to 12 months." Beyond 12 months of breastfeeding, the effect may plateau. (Journal of the American Heart Association, 2022)
Helpful Resources
- Drugs & Lactation Database LACTMED
- InfantRisk research center for medication safety during pregnancy and lactation
- 10 steps to Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare, Wisconsin Department of Health
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