Contemporary Feeding Practices in Infancy and Early Childhood in Developing Countries
Frank Falkner in Infant and Child Nutrition Worldwide:, 2021
In all the 7 countries surveyed, the traditional practice was for lactation to be prolonged, usually for at least 1 to 2 years and often longer. The first changes occurred in the Caribbean where early sevrage was enforced during slavery and a period of around 9 months’ breast-feeding was later recommended by health workers (Kerr, 1952). Initiation remains almost universal but duration has declined in the past 2 decades with the result that less than 20% of mothers still breast-fed at 6 months in Barbados in 1981 (Ramsey, 1983). Other Caribbean studies, however, indicate a rate of breast-feeding among urban mothers of about 50% at this age and a possible resurgence in breast-feeding has been noted following promotional campaigns in Jamaica (King et al., 1987a).
Basic medicine: physiology
Roy Palmer, Diana Wetherill in Medicine for Lawyers, 2020
The gonads comprise the ovaries in the female and the testes in the male. Each gonad has a dual function: to produce germ cells, i.e. ova and spermatozoa, and to secrete sex hormones. Pituitary hormones (gonadotropins) cause enlargement of the ovary and testis during childhood, and the resultant release of gonadal hormones brings about the changes of puberty, including the growth spurt and the secondary sexual characteristics of females and males. Oestrogens and progesterone secreted by the ovary cause girls to start their monthly cycle of ovulation and menstruation, while testicular androgens stimulate the production of fertile sperm and seminal fluid. If sexual intercourse takes place during the period following ovulation, when an ovum is shed from the ovary and passes down the female genital tract, then conception may take place as the sperm penetrates the ovum. The developing embryo implants into the wall of the uterus, leading to the formation of the placenta, and placental hormones then sustain the pregnancy. At birth, which occurs around 270 days later, pituitary oxytocin governs the onset of uterine contractions. The breasts have enlarged during pregnancy under the combined actions of oestrogen, progesterone and the pituitary hormone prolactin. After birth lactation is controlled by prolactin combined with oxytocin secreted as a reflex response to suckling by the infant.
The Reproductive System and Its Disorders
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss in Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
The period immediately after birth and continuing through the first 28 days of life is described as the neonatal period when referring to the infant or neonate and the postpartum period when referring to the pregnancy. Lactation, the production of milk by the mammary glands and release of milk from the breasts, begins one to three days after childbirth. Until that time, the suckling child receives colostrum, a fluid high in protein, minerals, and immunoglobulins that is secreted by the mammary gland for a few days surrounding birth.
KCTD1 and Scalp-Ear-Nipple (‘Finlay–Marks’) syndrome may be associated with myopia and Thin basement membrane nephropathy through an effect on the collagen IV α3 and α4 chains
Published in Ophthalmic Genetics, 2023
Dongmao Wang, Paul Trevillian, Stephen May, Peter Diakumis, Yanyan Wang, Deb Colville, Melanie Bahlo, Una Greferath, Erica Fletcher, Barbara Young, Heather G. Mack, Judy Savige
Scalp-Ear-Nipple (SEN, Finlay-Marks, OMIM 181,270) syndrome is a rare ectodermal dysplasia, with about 30 families reported worldwide, that is characterised by a scalp defect, abnormal ears and rudimentary breasts and nipples (3). Clinical features in Scalp-Ear-Nipple syndrome are highly penetrant and usually evident from birth. The posterior scalp defect heals in infancy with a scar. The external ears are small and dysplastic, and the superior helix is often everted. Hearing may be impaired. The breasts do not develop, and lactation is not possible. There may be partial webbing of some digits, dystrophic nails, sparse secondary hair, and reduced sweating. The upper central incisors are widely spaced. Ocular abnormalities have been described only occasionally and include myopia, coloboma, and cataracts (1,4). Renal abnormalities reported include cysts (5), pelviureteric reflux or duplication (2), and unilateral or bilateral hypoplasia or unilateral agenesis (1,6). Proteinuria and hypertension are common, and end-stage kidney failure occurs. However, many clinical reports are of children where the renal phenotype is not yet apparent.
Breast milk expression as a challenge for mothers of premature infants
Published in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2022
Emotional distress of mothers causes insufficient milk production because it suppresses the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for the milk release reflex. This can be an additional source of stress to mothers (Sisk et al. 2006). Mothers of infants in NICU may have difficulty in expressing milk, which causes insufficient milk production (Rossman et al. 2017). The initiation of milk expression for women who cannot breastfeed immediately after birth or who are not with their infants is a valuable care practice that increases the lactation success of preterm mothers (Thomson et al. 2013). Education, motivation and support for expressing breast milk are very important for its production (Fugate et al. 2015). Mothers who have a preterm delivery are recommended to begin expressing milk within the first six hours after birth (Parker et al. 2020).
The cardiovascular benefits of breastfeeding to mothers
Published in Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, 2022
Lena Tschiderer, Peter Willeit, Sanne A. E. Peters
The benefits of breastfeeding for infants are widely known. However, the positive impacts of lactation on breastfeeding mothers are communicated to a lesser extent. A recent national survey in the United States revealed that only 38.5% of women are aware that breastfeeding is related to a decreased risk for breast cancer [18]. Improving communication strategies of beneficial aspects of breastfeeding not only for the child but also for the mother may increase rates of breastfeeding initiation and improve duration of breastfeeding. However, the reason why many mothers decide not to breastfeed or discontinue breastfeeding is not always intertwined with not willing to breastfeed [19]. In fact, many other determinants are linked to lactation behavior. For instance, opinions of close persons influence breastfeeding behavior such as experiences of relatives or attitudes of the mother’s partner [19]. Moreover, some women encounter negative experiences while breastfeeding in public places [19]. Another important factor is a woman’s work situation. No or short maternity leave and multifaceted pressure often lead to non-initiation or early discontinuation of breastfeeding [19].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Milk
- Mammary Gland
- Mother
- Breastfeeding
- Witch'S Milk
- Nipple
- Species
- Male Lactation
- Prolactin
- Oxytocin