In this episode of Behind the Latch, Margaret Salty dives into the latest research articles from her Google Scholar alerts, exploring how recent findings can enhance the practice of IBCLCs. Margaret breaks down complex research into actionable strategies for lactation consultants, focusing on how these insights can improve breastfeeding outcomes. Whether you're a seasoned IBCLC or just starting your journey, these episodes will keep you at the forefront of evidence-based lactation care.

Key Points Covered:Investigating the Effect of Yoga-Based Educational Interventions on Breast Milk Volume and Composition

Margaret reviews this randomized controlled trial by Karimi et al. (2024), which demonstrates how yoga-based interventions significantly increase breast milk volume in mothers of premature infants in NICUs. She explores how integrating relaxation techniques can improve milk production and maternal well-being.

Reference:

Karimi, F., Aziznejadroshan, P., Akbarian Rad, Z., Nikbakht, H.-A., & Qujeq, D. (2024). Investigating the effect of yoga-based educational interventions on the volume and composition of breast milk in premature infants’ mothers admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13, 455. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1446_23

The Effect of Lactation Education on the Success of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Postpartum Mothers

This study by Yulianti (2024) highlights the critical role of structured lactation education in improving exclusive breastfeeding rates at 1 and 3 months postpartum. Margaret discusses the practical steps IBCLCs can take to implement these findings in their practice.

Reference:

Yulianti, N. H. (2024). The effect of lactation education on the success of exclusive breastfeeding in postpartum mothers. International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 3(1), 36–46. https://journals.iarn.or.id/index.php/ners/index

Effect of Maternal Prebiotic Supplementation on Human Milk Immunological Composition

Margaret examines this study from the SYMBA trial by Divakara et al. (2024), which finds that prebiotic supplementation selectively enhances immunological factors like TGF-β1 and sCD14 in breast milk. She shares insights on how maternal diet impacts breastfeeding outcomes.

Reference:

Divakara, N., Dempsey, Z., Saraswati, C., Garssen, J., Silva, D., Keelan, J. A., Christophersen, C. T., Cooper, M. N., Prescott, S. L., Palmer, D. J., Verhasselt, V., & Macchiaverni, P. (2024). Effect of maternal prebiotic supplementation on human milk immunological composition: Insights from the SYMBA study. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 35(9), e14226. https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.14226

Maternal Egg Consumption and the Risk of Infant Egg Allergy

This multicenter cohort study by Kishino et al. (2025) explores how maternal egg consumption during lactation does not significantly affect infant egg allergy development but emphasizes early eczema management as a critical factor. Margaret shares strategies for addressing allergy concerns in breastfeeding families.

Reference:

Kishino, S., Yonezawa, K., Haruna, M., Usui, Y., Sasaki, S., Fujita, M., Matsuzaki, M., Sato, Y., Suetsugu, Y., Ohori, R., Tanaka, M., & Aoyama, S. (2025). Relationship between maternal egg consumption during lactation and the risk of developing egg allergies in 12-month-old infants: A multicenter cohort study. Japan Journal of Nursing Science, 22(1), e12631. https://doi.org/10.1111/jjns.12631

Practical Applications for IBCLCs:

• Incorporate Relaxation Techniques: Advocate for yoga-based practices to enhance milk production in mothers of preterm infants.
• Deliver Comprehensive Education: Use structured lactation education sessions to empower families and improve exclusive breastfeeding rates.
• Optimize Maternal Diet: Share evidence on the benefits of prebiotic-rich diets during lactation.
• Address Allergy Concerns: Educate families about the limited role of maternal diet in allergy prevention and the importance of eczema management.

Conclusion:

Staying updated with the latest research is essential for providing the best care as an IBCLC. By integrating evidence-based strategies, you can enhance breastfeeding support and outcomes. Tune in each week as we explore more insights from the world of lactation science.

Connect with Me:

Have questions or suggestions for future episodes? Reach out at margaretsalty.com or connect with me on social media:

• Instagram: @margaretsalty
• Facebook: Margaret Salty

Credits:

• Hosted by: Margaret Salty
• Music by: The Magnifiers, "My Time Traveling Machine"

Hashtags and Keywords:

#IBCLC #LactationConsultant #BreastfeedingResearch #LactationMentor #EvidenceBasedPractice