Background: One of the early problems that children born with cleft lip and palate encounter is difficulty in feeding. This affects the child’s nutritional needs and the timing of the surgical intervention. Information on the appropriate feeding methods for children with cleft lip and palate will enable mothers to feed their babies properly and facilitate the implementation of appropriate interventions. Objectives: The study described the feeding problems experienced by children with cleft lip and palate (CLP), and cleft palate (CP) ages 0-24 months, the feeding methods most preferred by Filipino mothers, the methods they found most useful, and the mothers’ reactions to the feeding issues their children face. Methods. The research is a pilot study which used a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive mixed method design. Thirty-two (32) mothers of children with cleft lip and palate, and cleft palate answered an 11-item online survey and participated in focused interviews from January to June 2022. Inferential statistics was used specifically frequency distribution to describe the data, and Fishers’ Exact Test and Pearson’s Chi-Square Test were used to analyze the data quantitatively to determine the significant association between the variables identified. Results: Results showed that the feeding problems encountered by the children included nasal regurgitation, sucking, aspiration of liquids, latching on nipples, and swallowing. Mothers preferred to use regular feeding bottles (24.3%), specialized feeding bottles for children with cleft (21.6%), breast feeding and dropper (17.6%), syringe (9.5%), cup (6.8%), and spoon feeding (2.7%) methods. They also mentioned that they found the following feeding methods to be the most useful, regular feeding bottles (32.7%), specialized feeding bottles for cleft (23.1%), breast feeding (11.5%), spoon and dropper feeding (7.7%), and syringe feeding (1.9%). Conclusion The feeding problems experienced by Filipino children with CLP and CP mirror those that have been reported in other studies. The study revealed that mothers still prefer to use the traditional regular feeding bottles in feeding their babies and found this to be the most useful. Maternal reactions of the participants to the cleft condition and its feeding issues are similar to reported studies in other countries. The internet has been the primary source of information on cleft and feeding of the participants in the study.
Feeding Methods ; Cleft Lip ; Palate

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical importance of the immunological benefits of breastfeeding has been emphasized for decades, their direct relationship with acute pyelonephritis (APN) is still not clear. Our goal was to determine whether breastfeeding truly provides protection against APNs, while investigating the effects of other factors such as sex, age, mode of delivery, and birth weight on APN.METHODS: A total of 62 infants under 6 months of age who had both microbiologically and radiologically-confirmed APN were enrolled in the case group. Healthy infants (n = 178) who visited the hospital for scheduled vaccinations were enrolled in the control group. The following participant characteristics were compared between the case and control groups: age, sex, birth order among siblings, feeding methods, weight percentile by month, birth weight percentile by gestational age, gestational age at birth, and mode of delivery.RESULTS: Babies exclusively fed with manufactured infant formulae before 6 months of age had significantly higher risk for APN than breastfed or mixed-fed infants (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.687–7.031; P = 0.001). Firstborn babies had lower risk for APN than 2nd- or 3rd-born babies (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.210–0.919). Other factors that increased the risk for APN were low birth weight percentiles (OR, 8.33; 95% CI, 2.300–30.166) and birth via caesarean section (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.097–4.887). There were more preterm births in the case group (10.9% vs. 1.7%; P = 0.002), but this did not increase the risk for APN (OR, 4.47; P = 0.063).CONCLUSION: Feeding exclusively with formula before 6 months of age was related to higher risk for APN, which demonstrates that breastfeeding has a protective effect against APN. The other risk factors for APN were birth order (≥ 2nd-born), low birth weight, and birth via caesarean section.
Birth Order ; Birth Weight ; Breast Feeding ; Cesarean Section ; Feeding Methods ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant Formula ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Pyelonephritis ; Reproductive History ; Risk Factors ; Siblings ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: As the importance of breastfeeding has been reinforced, human milk is often stored for practical reasons. Therefore, we evaluated optimal storage and processing methods for human milk from a nutritional standpoint. METHODS: Human milk samples were collected between June 2017 and February 2018. Also, data about maternal information were collected. Human milk was analyzed for macronutrients and caloric content. The samples were subdivided into groups for nutrient analysis. The control group (fresh milk) was not stored or processed. The other groups (9 groups) consisted of samples analyzed based on different storage temperatures (room temperature, refrigerated, frozen), defrosting methods (bottle warmer, room temperature thawing, microwave oven), and storage period (1 week, 1 month, 2 months) and compared with the control group. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the nutrient content of human milk among the collected samples. A significant change in the content of macronutrients in milk samples was observed under storage condition at different temperatures for 1 week with subsequent thawing with bottle warmer compared to fresh milk. Under storage at −20°C for 1 week with subsequent thawing with different defrosting methods, a significant change in the content of macronutrients in milk samples was observed compared to fresh milk. After storage at −20°C for different periods and thawing with a bottle warmer, a significant change in macronutrient content in milk samples was observed compared to fresh milk regardless of the storage period. CONCLUSION: Unlike previous guidelines, changes in macronutrient content in milk samples were observed regardless of the method of storing and thawing. Apparently, it is proposed that mothers should feed fresh human milk to their babies without storing.
Breast Feeding ; Humans ; Infant Formula ; Methods ; Microwaves ; Milk ; Milk, Human ; Mothers

We investigated associations between breastfeeding duration and number of children breastfed and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and glycemic control among parous women. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data for 9,960 parous women from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2010 to 2013). Having ever breastfed was inversely associated with prevalent T2DM (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42 to 0.87). All ranges of total and average breastfeeding duration showed inverse associations with T2DM. Even short periods of breastfeeding were inversely associated with T2DM (adjusted OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.99 for a total breastfeeding duration ≤12 months; adjusted OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.99 for an average breastfeeding duration per child ≤6 months). A longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with better glycemic control in parous women with T2DM (P trend=0.004 for total breastfeeding duration; P trend <0.001 for average breastfeeding duration per child). Breastfeeding may be associated with a lower risk of T2DM and good glycemic control in parous women with T2DM. Breastfeeding may be a feasible method to prevent T2DM and improve glycemic control.
Blood Glucose ; Breast Feeding ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Lactation ; Methods ; Odds Ratio

INTRODUCTION: Lactogenesis II (LaII) failure can be prevented in at-risk mothers with simple proactive interventions. In a randomised trial, we investigated the efficacy of early and regular breast milk expression in establishing LaII, using an electric double-breast pump. METHODS: Mothers with uncomplicated singleton deliveries were randomised to intervention (n = 31) or control (n = 29) groups. The former commenced breast milk expression with an electric pump within one hour of delivery and maintained regular expression with direct breastfeeding. Control mothers directly breastfed without regular pump expression. Expressed milk volumes were analysed for citrate, lactose, sodium and protein. RESULTS: Median time of LaII was Day 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 1 day) with intervention and on Day 4 (IQR 1 day) among controls (p = 0.03). Biochemical steady-state concentrations were achieved around early Day 4 (sodium, total protein) and Days 4-5 (citrate, lactose). Sodium, protein and lactose levels were similar in both groups over seven days, at 5.80 mM, 0.68 mM and -13.38 mM, respectively. Mean daily milk volume with intervention was 73.9 mL on Day 3 and 225.2 mL on Day 7, greater than controls (25.4 mL on Day 3 and 69.2 mL on Day 7; p < 0.2). Mean infant weights were similar on Day 8 at 3,477 g with intervention and 3,479 g among controls. CONCLUSION LaII is established by postnatal Day 3 with early initiation of regular breast milk expression, a useful intervention for mothers at risk of early-onset breastfeeding failure.
Adult ; Breast Feeding ; methods ; Breast Milk Expression ; methods ; Citrates ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Lactation ; physiology ; Milk, Human ; chemistry ; physiology ; Mothers ; Proteins ; analysis ; Sodium ; analysis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: Although breakfast is important to nutrition balance, prevention of overeating, and weight control, people in their 20s (males: 55.1%, females: 49.9%) were reported to have the highest rate of skipping breakfast in 2016 Korea Health Statistics. This study aims to examine dietary habits and nutrient intake depending on breakfast frequency among young women in Seoul. METHODS: The subjects were 655 young women in Seoul from August to October 2016, and the survey was performed by using a questionnaire that included general characteristics, dietary habits, and eating behavior. Body composition was determined by bioelectric impedance analysis. Nutritional status was examined by the 24-hour recall method. RESULTS: The participants were classified by breakfast intake frequency; ‘≥ 5 times/week (n=160)’, ‘1–4 times/week (n=327)’, and ‘breakfast skipping (n=168)’. The ‘breakfast skipping’ group had lower frequency and regularity of meals. In addition, the ‘breakfast skipping’ group had a higher frequency of eating-out and late-night meals. There was no difference in total calories between the ‘breakfast skipping’ group and other groups, but the ‘breakfast skipping’ group had significantly low carbohydrate and fiber intakes. The participants showed lower intakes of calories, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, folic acid, calcium, potassium, and zinc in comparison with recommended intakes. Especially, the ‘breakfast skipping’ group had significantly lower fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium levels compared to the ‘≥ 5 times/week’ group. For Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), the ‘breakfast skipping’ group recorded a ratio of 0.60, which was lower than those of other groups. Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) including fiber, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus were significantly lower in the breakfast skipper group, compared to the breakfast eater group. CONCLUSIONS: The ‘breakfast skipping’ group showed low regularity of meals and a high frequency of eating-out and late-night meals. The breakfast regular eater group showed high intake of micronutrients and quality of meals was high in general. Skipping breakfast could lower nutrient intake and quality of meals, which requires attention.
Ascorbic Acid ; Body Composition ; Breakfast ; Calcium ; Electric Impedance ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Korea ; Meals ; Methods ; Micronutrients ; Niacin ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Seoul ; Vitamin A ; Zinc

OBJECTIVES: Although breakfast is important to nutrition balance, prevention of overeating, and weight control, people in their 20s (males: 55.1%, females: 49.9%) were reported to have the highest rate of skipping breakfast in 2016 Korea Health Statistics. This study aims to examine dietary habits and nutrient intake depending on breakfast frequency among young women in Seoul. METHODS: The subjects were 655 young women in Seoul from August to October 2016, and the survey was performed by using a questionnaire that included general characteristics, dietary habits, and eating behavior. Body composition was determined by bioelectric impedance analysis. Nutritional status was examined by the 24-hour recall method. RESULTS: The participants were classified by breakfast intake frequency; ‘≥ 5 times/week (n=160)’, ‘1–4 times/week (n=327)’, and ‘breakfast skipping (n=168)’. The ‘breakfast skipping’ group had lower frequency and regularity of meals. In addition, the ‘breakfast skipping’ group had a higher frequency of eating-out and late-night meals. There was no difference in total calories between the ‘breakfast skipping’ group and other groups, but the ‘breakfast skipping’ group had significantly low carbohydrate and fiber intakes. The participants showed lower intakes of calories, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, folic acid, calcium, potassium, and zinc in comparison with recommended intakes. Especially, the ‘breakfast skipping’ group had significantly lower fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium levels compared to the ‘≥ 5 times/week’ group. For Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), the ‘breakfast skipping’ group recorded a ratio of 0.60, which was lower than those of other groups. Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) including fiber, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus were significantly lower in the breakfast skipper group, compared to the breakfast eater group. CONCLUSIONS: The ‘breakfast skipping’ group showed low regularity of meals and a high frequency of eating-out and late-night meals. The breakfast regular eater group showed high intake of micronutrients and quality of meals was high in general. Skipping breakfast could lower nutrient intake and quality of meals, which requires attention.
Ascorbic Acid ; Body Composition ; Breakfast ; Calcium ; Electric Impedance ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Korea ; Meals ; Methods ; Micronutrients ; Niacin ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Seoul ; Vitamin A ; Zinc

INTRODUCTIONWe studied the effects of ethnicity on early infant growth patterns in exclusively breast-fed (EBF) infants from a Singaporean multiethnic population. This was a prospective cohort study conducted in National University Hospital, Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSHealthy, EBF infants born at-term completing 37 weeks and above, and whose birthweight was appropriate for gestational age (>10 centile, <90 centile) were recruited. Infants were required to be EBF at least until the minimum age of weaning. All infants who were preterm and premature, formula-fed, required Intensive/High Dependency care, or born with major congenital anomalies were excluded. A multivariable linear regression analysis was conducted at 5 predetermined time-points (birth; 4-8 weeks; 3-4, 5-8, 12 months) to study the effects of antenatal/parental factors on infant growth.

RESULTSA total of 213 infants were recruited. Maternal age, height and body mass index positively influenced birthweights while maternal hypertension and paternal smoking negatively influenced birthweights. Mean duration of breastfeeding was 8.9 months. Chinese ethnicity did not influence birth anthropometry, but was the single consistent factor that significantly increased weight and length Z-scores from 4-8 weeks until 8 months of life. Chinese ethnicity did not influence head growth throughout the first year of life.

CONCLUSIONEBF Chinese infants have increased weights and lengths compared to non-Chinese infants until 8 months' age, despite similar birth anthropometry. This period of discrepant growth coincides with the average duration of breastfeeding. We hypothesise that ethnic variations in breast milk macronutrient composition influence early somatic growth in infants.

Anthropometry ; methods ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; Birth Weight ; Body Mass Index ; Breast Feeding ; ethnology ; Child Development ; physiology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Singapore ; epidemiology

PURPOSE: To investigate factors that may affect the method of feeding among preterm infants at 4 weeks after discharge. METHODS: This study included 222 mother-infant dyads born before a gestational age of 37 weeks. The feeding method and general medical characteristics of the participants were assessed at 4 weeks after discharge using a structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine which factors were associated with breastfeeding at home. RESULTS: Of the 222 infants who qualified for the study, 71 (32.9%) continued to receive breastmilk at 4 weeks post-discharge. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that breastfeeding at 4 weeks post-discharge was associated with higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, vaginal delivery (experience), direct breastfeeding in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), gestational age between 30 and 34 weeks, and breastmilk consumption in the NICU. The following factors were associated with mixed feeding at 4 weeks post-discharge: being employed, having higher breastfeeding self-efficacy, and direct breastfeeding in the NICU. CONCLUSION: NICU nurses should provide opportunities for direct breastfeeding during hospitalization and support breastfeeding to enhance breastfeeding self-efficacy. These factors may help to ensure the continuation of breastfeeding after discharge. Moreover, factors that affect breastfeeding should be considered when providing interventions.
Breast Feeding ; Feeding Methods ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Logistic Models ; Methods* ; Patient Discharge ; Premature Birth

Many people experience psychological distress because of large nipples. In this article, the authors would like to introduce our simple nipple reduction method that addresses the drawbacks of previous methods. This technique for nipple reduction using an S-shaped excision is simple, safe, and predictable. It is also a suitable method for nipple reduction in men and in women who have completed breastfeeding.
Breast Feeding ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mammaplasty ; Methods ; Nipples* ; Surgical Flaps