We’re here to help! Here are a few common breastfeeding myths – and the real facts you need to know.

Myth: If you have small breasts, you won’t produce enough milk to feed your baby.

Truth: Size doesn’t matter! Whether you’re buxom or flat chested, the size of your breasts has no impact on your body’s ability to produce milk.

First, let’s look at a few facts about the anatomy of the breast. Breast size is caused by the amount of fatty and fibrous tissue in addition to the amount of milk-producing glandular tissue. Second, breast milk production is hormonally stimulated and increases with the baby’s demand. It’s very clever – the baby is in control of the amount of milk produced, and the breast size makes no difference at all.

Very simply, increasing frequency and effectiveness of breastfeeding sessions with a baby increases the milk supply. There are many things that can affect the production of milk like stress, tiredness or depression, but the size of your breast size is not a contributing factor.

Milk storage capacity in the breast may differ, so some moms may have a larger or smaller capacity to store milk, which may lead to your baby nursing less or more frequently. But as long as the breasts are being drained effectively, your body will keep producing more breast milk.

Myth: It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt.

Truth: While many women have some initial discomfort related to getting the baby to latch on to the nipple properly, breastfeeding is not supposed to be painful.
Some moms do comment that the first few times they breastfeed, it feels “different,” but that shouldn’t be a surprise since you’ve likely never experienced a liquid coming through the milk ducts and out your nipples before. Challenges are often related to the infant, not the mother. Babies may not be able to latch properly for example, so mothers shouldn’t automatically assume that it is their breast or breast milk production that is the problem.

Myth: A mother must drink milk to make milk.

Truth: Sorry milk lovers. This just isn’t true. Milk production is tied to how well the breast is being drained of breast milk. You have to remember this is a supply and demand situation. Your breast will begin increasing or decreasing production to meet the consumption needs of your baby. While you don’t need cow’s milk to make human milk, you do need water, so remember to make sure you are drinking enough water while you are breastfeeding.

Myth: Breastfeeding mothers should always use both breasts at each feeding.

Truth: Your breasts “know” how much milk they need to make, depending on the baby’s demands. If you go too long without nursing from one breast, it might start to feel full – but you don’t have to worry about whether the baby is drinking from both breasts at every single feeding. In fact published research on the range of “normal” when it comes to breast preference shows that 30 % of babies always take just one breast, 13 % always take both breasts, and 57 % mix it up!

Myth: Frequent nursing causes a child to be obese later in life.

Truth: Obesity results from a variety of complex factors, some genetic, some environmental, social, or psychological. In most
situations, it is a result of the body receiving more calories than it needs, for extended periods of time. Because glucose (the fuel our body uses) is actually
damaging to our cells if it’s in our blood at too high a concentration, our body stores it as glycogen in fat/adipose tissue. When we eat too much and don’t use that energy, the glycogenaccumulates in the adipose tissue, the cells get bigger, and we get fatter. This can, though not always, lead to diabetes. Frequent nursing by babies is normal, with research showing babies will nurse 4-13 times per day.

The trick is to remember that babies are pre-programmed to eat when they are hungry or need energy, not always when we want them to feed. This is called “cue based feeding” and has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Myth: Nursing a baby after 12 months is of little value because the quality of breast milk begins to decline after six months.

Truth: Breast milk doesn’t decline in quality over time. It’s true that breast milk composition changes throughout the breastfeeding duration, but this is just another sign of how perfectly breast milk has developed to continue meeting your baby’s developing needs.

It’s important to remember that many of your baby’s systems will develop over years, not simply 6 or 12 months, which is why breast milk helps to continue to meet those developing requirements. The reason we add complementary foods to breast milk at 6 months isn’t because breast milk is no longer important, it’s simply because your baby nutritional/caloric needs are no longer met by breast milk alone.

Your breast milk will continue to provide your baby immune protection, as well as nutrition, the entire time you continue providing your baby with breast milk. This is important because it takes years before a child’s immune system matures fully. Some parts won’t be fully developed until he’s over 10 years old!

Myth: Don’t breastfeed if you’re sick.

Truth: Breastfeeding is safe and healthy for babies, even if the mother is feeling under the weather. In fact, part of the benefit of breastfeeding is that because your baby is likely exposed to the same cold or flu that you picked up, it’s easier for your mature immune system to develop the antibodies and leukocytes to fight the cold/flu than his. These antibodies and leukocytes are transferred through your breast milk when you breastfeed. Ingenious, isn’t it?

The only exception is if you’re taking a medication that is not safe for breastfeeding mothers (always check with your doctor and pharmacist and make sure they know that you’re breastfeeding). Flu viruses can be especially challenging on new-born’s, since their immune system is not yet mature. For this reason, it is best to make sure you have been vaccinated with the annual flu vaccine. Remember, when you get vaccinated, your body will build the antibodies and leukocytes that will get transferred through your breast milk to your baby to help protect him from that virus.

Don’t let breastfeeding myths hold you back. Do your research and be a better-informed mom. Arm yourself with all well-documented and credible breastfeeding facts so you know which advice to ignore.

The post 7 Ridiculous Breastfeeding Myths You Need to Know appeared first on Medela South Africa.

Though there are a lot of inventive breast milk storage solutions, hacks, and even tips for freezing breast milk that have been shared online by moms just like you, the most important detail to remember when getting creative is to always follow CDC guidelines for storing, freezing, and feeding your breast milk. Following these guidelines protects the nutrients in your breast milk and keeps it safe for your baby’s consumption. For healthy-term babies, this means that freshly pumped breast milk can be safely stored:

• At room temperature (60 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit) for up to 4 hours

• In the refrigerator (at 39 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler) for up to 3 days

• Or in your freezer (at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or colder) for up to 6 months

When preparing frozen breast milk, it should be thawed at room temperature for up to 2 hours or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. To avoid contamination and damaging all the great proteins, nutrients, and other ingredients in your breast milk, thawed milk should also never be refrozen. Be sure to measure your frozen breast milk precisely so none of that nourishing liquid gold is wasted! 

Tips for Freezing Breast Milk and Other Breast Milk Storage Solutions

Pumping and storing your breast milk can often require more space in your refrigerator and freezer than you may expect, particularly if you are a first-time parent – using bottles for both storing and feeding means having a ton of bottles on hand and a lot of room for cold storage available. That’s why we recommend using Breast Milk Storage Bags or Pump & Save breast milk bags for a more affordable and space-saving solution when storing your stash (when compared to storing using bottles). Additionally, having an organized system in place that tells you what milk was pumped when, and how soon it needs to be used, is essential for making the most of your pumping sessions while helping to make feedings more efficient. Here are just a few clever breast milk storage solutions that have proven successful for other pumping and breast milk feeding mamas:

• Use an Empty Soda Box or Diaper Box

  • Pump directly into your breast milk storage bags, or pour your pumped milk into breast milk storage bags. After carefully sealing your bags, use a marker to label each bag with the date (and time, if desired) and the volume of pumped breast milk.

  • If freezing: Place the filled breast milk storage bags flat in your freezer. Once frozen, stand your breast milk storage bags vertically in an empty 12-can soda box with the top removed. You can arrange based on date or amount of milk, so you can easily grab and go as needed for feeding (bonus tip: this also makes feeding easier for others too – like a partner, grandparent, nanny, or caregiver!)

  • If refrigerating: Stand your breast milk storage bags vertically in an empty 12-can soda box with the top removed and arrange as desired, whether based on date, volume of milk, or any other important category.

  • Instead of an empty 12-can soda box, you can also repurpose an empty diaper box (you’ll have plenty of those!) with the top removed or utilize plastic bins, boxes, or storage racks. Target, Staples, The Container Store, and similar places often carry compact storage containers that can fit nicely in a refrigerator or freezer.

• Claim a Dedicated Cold Storage Drawer

  • Having a specific drawer in your fridge or freezer for your breast milk makes it easy to grab and go as needed. You can divide the drawer into areas categorized by date or volume, or use a storage rack or empty box to neatly organize breast milk storage bags standing up or side by side.

• Categorize Using Large, Zippered Freezer Bags or Reuse Gift Bags

  • Pump directly into your breast milk storage bags, or pour your pumped milk into breast milk storage bags. After sealing your bags, don’t forget to label each one with the date and amount of pumped breast milk.

  • If freezing: Place your breast milk storage bags flat in the freezer. After your milk is frozen, stand your breast milk storage bags upright in large, gallon-sized freezer bags that zip. You can then label or organize each large freezer bag as desired, whether by date or total amount of breast milk. You may also want to jot down how many breast milk storage bags are inside and by what date all bags must be used, so you know exactly where to pull from first.

  • If refrigerating: Stand your breast milk storage bags upright in large freezer bags that zip and group, label, or organize as desired.

  • Instead of using gallon-sized, zippered freezer bags, some moms use fun and colorful gift bags by cutting out a small section of the side panel at the bottom of the bag for easy grabbing from the fridge or freezer when needed. Breast milk that should be used sooner can be placed on its side at the bottom of the gift bag to ensure it’s grabbed first, while freshly pumped milk can go at the top of the stack and eventually make its way down.

Use the Breast Milk Storage Solutions that Work and Keep Your Milk Safe for Your Baby

These creative breast milk storage solutions can enhance your overall pumping and feeding experience by maximizing available space while keeping your liquid gold organized and ready to use. However, the most important storing, freezing, and feeding system is the one that works best for you and keeps your little one happy, healthy, and full. Whether you have just begun pumping and storing breast milk or you’re practically a pro, you’ll continue to get the hang of it and may even discover your own tricks and hacks for efficient storing and freezing! Share your tips with other Medela moms in our Facebook or Instagram communities, or replenish your breast milk feeding accessories and supplies here. No matter how long or short your breastfeeding journey may be, know that you are doing a wonderful job and every little bit goes a long way.

See our easy infographic below for a quick refresher or download a copy in English or Spanish to print and keep on hand whenever needed:

The post Creative Breast Milk Storage Solutions That Work appeared first on Medela South Africa.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists state that pregnant women do not appear to be more susceptible to the consequences of infection with COVID-19 than the general population. Pregnant women experience changes in their bodies that may increase their risk of some infections. It is known that with viruses from the same family as COVID-19, and other viral respiratory infections, such as influenza, women have had a higher risk of developing severe illness. This is why the CDC says it is always important for pregnant women to protect themselves from illnesses.

Can COVID-19 affect the fetus during pregnancy? 

At this time there is still not enough evidence to know if a pregnant woman who has COVID-19 can pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy or at the birth. The WHO are working to increase knowledge and understanding of COVID-19 transmission.

A small number of problems with pregnancy or birth (e.g. preterm birth) have been reported in babies born to mothers who tested positive for COVID-19 during their pregnancy. However, the research findings show that pregnant or recently pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit or need respiratory support when compared with non-pregnant women of reproductive age.  

Pregnant with COVID-19 will baby be immune? 

Currently, there is some limited research which suggests that protective antibodies can be transferred across the placenta during pregnancy if the mother has had COVID-19.

What happens when a woman with COVID-19 gives birth? 

According to AAP new guidance on July 22, 2020 regarding separation of mums and babies, it is possible for mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to room-in with their newborns when precautions are taken to protect the infants from maternal infectious respiratory secretions.

As stated by the CDC, if there is need for prolonged separation, because the mother needs medical care for herself, providing the baby with expressed breast milk is recommended. If possible, a dedicated breast pump should be provided. If it is not possible to dedicate a breast pump to a COVID-19 positive mother, the mother can use a multi user breast pump. Special care must be taken to clean and disinfect the breast pump prior to it being used by another mother.

Disclaimer:

The information and materials provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date information. Medela reserves the right to supplement this website at any time or to change or delete any information or materials on this website.

This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; Medela does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

The information and materials on this web site is provided “as is”; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information and materials on this website, we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness, completeness, adequacy or currency of the information and materials contained in or linked to this website.

All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of this website are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this website is entirely at your own risk. Medela accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use of this website or reliance on the content of this website.

The post FAQ on COVID-19 and the effect on pregnancy and fetus appeared first on Medela South Africa.

UNICEF, the WHO and the CDC report that from the limited studies on breastfeeding women with COVID-19 the active virus has not been detected in breast milk. Currently, the main concern is not whether the virus can be transmitted through breast milk, but rather that a mother infected with COVID-19 passes on the virus through respiratory droplets.

There are important steps to avoid spreading the virus to a baby including washing hands before holding the baby, and wearing a face mask when a mother is in close contact with her baby, including when breastfeeding.

Research has shown that mothers who have had COVID-19 pass on antibodies to their infant via their breast milk, further supporting the recommendation to continue breastfeeding

Can babies get COVID-19? 

According to the CDC it is very rare for newborn babies to get COVID-19. In some rare cases newborn babies have tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after birth. However, it is not known if they got the virus before, during, or after the birth.

Newborns who have COVID-19 tend to have mild symptoms or none at all and recover well. There has only been a few reports of newborns with severe COVID-19 illness.

Disclaimer:

The information and materials provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date information. Medela reserves the right to supplement this website at any time or to change or delete any information or materials on this website.

This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; Medela does not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.

The information and materials on this web site is provided “as is”; no representations are made that the content is error-free. Whilst we have tried to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information and materials on this website, we do not warrant or guarantee the accurateness, completeness, adequacy or currency of the information and materials contained in or linked to this website.

All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of this website are hereby expressly disclaimed. Your use of content contained in or linked to this website is entirely at your own risk. Medela accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use of this website or reliance on the content of this website.

The post FAQ on COVID-19 transmission: babies & breast milk appeared first on Medela South Africa.

Market research conducted in Europe and the USA has shown that, despite a commitment to breastfeeding among both mothers and healthcare professionals (HCPs), COVID-19 has had a severe impact on maternity services and breastfeeding support services delivered.

The effects of COVID-19 include:

• Earlier discharge from maternity wards and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
• Increased separation of mothers and babies
• Restrictions on partners or other visitors
• Decreased in-hospital or community support for breastfeeding
• Increased use of breast-milk substitutes 

Preserving breastfeeding in the age of COVID-19: A call to action 

More than half of HCPs in the maternity wards and NICUs have reported significant challenges in clinical practice. With healthcare systems under considerable pressure and supporting staff reduced; midwives and breastfeeding specialists are being most affected.

As a result, new mothers lack essential support in the first critical days to help their infants to breastfeed or if the infant cannot breastfeed to initiate and build an adequate milk supply.

COVID-19 has clearly also caused significant stress in breastfeeding mothers due to a diverse range of factors. Despite the initial intentions of mothers to breastfeed, a significant negative impact on breastfeeding duration and rates has occurred as new reduced access to maternity services are becoming the norm.

Click here to download the White Paper from the FMR research

Human Milk, COVID-19 and breastfeeding – A scientific literature review on COVID-19 and breastfeeding to date

As the pandemic unfolded, many questions were asked with respect to transmission routes and modes of infection, with particular interest devoted to the mother-infant dyad and the status of breastfeeding and breast milk. Whilst the benefits of breast milk and breastfeeding to the mother and the infant are well documented, there was uncertainty in the early stages of the pandemic with respect to hospital practices and recommendations around COVID-19 and breastfeeding. What was clear, however, was the need for evidence-based recommendations addressing the issue of transmission whilst accounting for the value of breastfeeding. Such recommendations would enable new mothers and their babies to continue benefitting from the advantages of breastfeeding and the use of human milk in this COVID-19 era

Click here to download a comprehensive and updated literature review of the scientific evidence to date by Leon Mitoulas, Nania Schärer- Hernández  and Severine Liabat (Front. Pediatr. 20 November 2020

Click here to download a summary of the literature review

Roundtable

Medela hosted a series of virtual roundtable discussions with leading researchers to understand the impact of COVID-19 on breastfeeding at a global and local level and to share their thoughts on current changes in clinical maternity practices and breastfeeding support.

Global roundtable

Nine experts in breastfeeding, lactation, immunology and virology, including Lars Bode, Riccardo Davanzo, Donna Geddes, Janis Müller, Hans van Goudoever, Rebecca Powell, Virginie Rigourd, Diane Spatz and Ann Yates shared their expert observations, research and recommendations for supporting breastfeeding mothers and clinicians during the pandemic. Key findings included that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is rare in breast milk and that a vast majority of mums have a strong antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in their breast milk when infected or upon recovery. Concerned about the changes in clinical practice, all experts have emphasised the importance of providing mothers with evidence-based information and guidance and breastfeeding support as there is a critical window of opportunity to establish milk supply effectively.

Their viewpoint is published in a paper in the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics ‘Promoting and Protecting Human Milk & Breastfeeding in a COVID-19 World’.

German roundtable 

Another roundtable was conducted in Germany with Silke Mader, Aleyd von Gartzen, Ursula Felderhoff-Müser, Monika Berns, Vera Hesels, Prof. Dr. med. Michael Abou-Dakn, Thomas Kühn, Johannes Middelanis. They discussed the impact of COVID-19 on breastfeeding in Germany and concluded that breastfeeding should be promoted particularly in times of COVID-19, that the separation of mother and child should be avoided and that parents must be informed early on about breastfeeding and about suitable hygiene measures.

Medela 2020/21 webinar series on breastfeeding and lactation in the COVID-19 era

In order to provide the latest information and research results on breastfeeding, breast milk, safety and health of pregnant women, nursing mothers and their babies in the COVID-19 era, we have created a bespoke webinar series.

The post Research on COVID-19, breastfeeding and breast milk appeared first on Medela South Africa.

“The findings from our research are incredibly relevant as we actively work to stop the spread of this unprecedented virus,” said Dr. Rebecca Powell, study coauthor. 

The recent study was conducted using milk samples transported to Dr. Powell’s team at Mount Sinai with support from Medela and Milk Stork, who partnered to provide human breast milk shipping services for the study. The team at Mount Sinai compared milk samples prior to and during the pandemic to assess them for various classes of antibodies and antibody function. Findings revealed that 95% of pandemic samples from COVID-19-recovered donors had SARS-CoV-2-specific sIgA activity, and 75% of samples were also positive for specific IgG. All milk samples from COVID-19-recovered donors with significant levels of sIgA also exhibited robust SARS-CoV-2 neutralization capacity. Importantly, in all milk samples, the specific sIgA persisted as long as 7-10 months after infection.

Medela and Milk Stork provided logistical and financial support for this research. 

About Medela:
Through advancing research, observing natural behavior and listening to our customers, Medela turns science into care while nurturing health for generations. Medela supports millions of moms, babies, patients and healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries all over the world.  As the healthcare choice for more than 6 million hospitals and homes across the globe, Medela, the #1 breast pump brand*+, provides the leading research-based breast milk feeding and baby products, healthcare solutions for hospitals, and clinical education. Medela is dedicated to building better health outcomes, simplifying and improving life, and developing breakthroughs that help moms, babies and patients live their life to the fullest. 
 
About Milk Stork:
Milk Stork was launched in August 2015 as the first-ever breast milk shipping company for moms who needed a simple solution for getting their breast milk to their babies back home. Working mom made, and made for working moms, Milk Stork supports more than 749 corporate partners who provide the service to their employees as an employee benefit, including Hilton, SAP, Pinterest, Nissan, and Home Depot. In February 2019, Milk Stork was awarded Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies Award in the Travel category for its unparalleled commitment to supporting working, traveling moms. In May 2020, Milk Stork launched its MotherShop, a curated collection of innovative and unique parenting essentials that were created by moms with moms in mind. For more information on Milk Stork, visit www.milkstork.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

*Voted most trusted breast pump brand by United States and Canadian shoppers based on the 2020 BrandSpark^® American and Canadian Trust Studies
+IQVIA ProVoice Survey; September 2019 – August 2020.
 

Recommended for you

For more the information on COVID-19, breastmilk, vaccines and antibodies please visit research on vaccine and antibodies.

The post New research shows human milk contains long-lasting, potent antibodies against COVID-19 appeared first on Medela South Africa.

On the science front, Medela is directly supporting urgent and pioneering research to investigate the behaviour of the virus with respect to human milk, in particular to confirm early findings that the virus is not present in milk, and to determine if and when maternal antibodies to the virus can be found in breast milk. According to UNICEF, breastfeeding is the safest, most reliable method of infant feeding, especially in an emergency. In addition to being the best source of nutrition for newborns and infants, breast milk also provides dynamic immunologic protection. It contains live cells that change in amount according to the maternal and infant health circumstances and over the lactation journey. In relation to COVID-19 is the immunologic protection provided by breastmilk via the antibodies the mom’s body produces to fight infections, which can then be passed to her baby through breast milk.

As a research-driven company, it is our responsibility to support research projects in this area. “This research is critical at the moment and as such we didn’t hesitate to support these research projects, being conducted at the University of California in San Diego and the University of Idaho, with a donation of milk collection kits and equipment”, says Dr Leon Mitoulas, Head of Medical Research at Medela, who has been coordinating with the researchers in the US.

Both research programmes have asked for product support to collect milk samples necessary for the studies to address the lack of knowledge about breast milk, breastfeeding and COVID-19. Prof. Tina Chambers at the Mommy’s Milk Human Milk Research Biorepository in collaboration with Prof. Lars Bode at the FLRF Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence, both at the University of California, San Diego, will focus on whether or not the virus is present in breast milk, and will examine breast milk for potential antiviral properties with respect to COVID-19. “We’re collecting and analyzing a larger number of samples than have been reported in the scientific literature to date. Hopefully, the results of our study can be used to provide reassurance to women that breastfeeding with COVID-19 infection doesn’t pose a risk”, said Chambers, a perinatal epidemiologist and professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego. “We are so thankful for Medela’s generosity in supporting our efforts to answer these urgent questions.”

In further research, led by Prof. Michelle McGuire at the University of Idaho, human milk from COVID-19 positive, breastfeeding mothers will be investigated to determine if the virus is present in human milk in order to identify any antibodies to the virus and to reinforce WHO and CDC breastfeeding recommendations.

Within days, the researchers had Medela’s firm commitment to provide the necessary equipment – breast pumps, milk storage bags, and sterilisation bags. Medela’s rapid and informed response reflects our longstanding ties to the research community and our mission to ensure the well-being of mother and child.

Note: UNICEF, the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the CDC and WHO state that considering the benefits of breastfeeding and the insignificant role of breast milk in the transmission of other respiratory viruses, the mother can continue breastfeeding, while applying all necessary precautions, e.g. to avoid droplet infection while breastfeeding.

Recommended for you

For latest information on COVID-19 and it’s impact on breast milk please visit research on COVID-19.

The post COVID-19: Support of research projects on breast milk and antibodies appeared first on Medela South Africa.

Thursday, 16 July 2020

This presentation will outline the basic immunologic components of human milk, specifically those related to defending breastfed infants and children against infection. We will then dive deeper into what is known about the milk antibody response to various infections, including the origin of these antibodies, their function, and how they differ from those found in blood, as well as discuss what has yet to be fully understood in this research field. Next, our early findings regarding the antibody response in milk to SARS-CoV-2 following recovery from COVID-19  will be presented, including the range of responses in our cohort, the types of antibodies present in milk, and the levels of each antibody type. Finally we will discuss the possible functions and protective mechanisms of this antibody response in the context of protecting breastfed infants and children, and the potential for extracting these antibodies from donor milk as a COVID-19 therapeutic.

Objectives:

• To learn about the basic immunological components of human milk
• To understand the antibody response to infection in human milk and how this differs from the systemic response
• To learn about the emerging data regarding the antibody response against COVID-19 in human milk

Presenter

Assistant Professor Rebecca Powell, PhD

Dr Rebecca Powell is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. She studies the immune properties of human milk. Dr Powell received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto and her Ph. D. in Microbiology at the Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine. Her graduate work focused on HIV genetic diversity, detection and frequency of dual HIV infections, and the impact of these infections on viral recombination and the humoral immune response. She developed a low-cost method to rapidly detect dual HIV-1 infection. Dr Powell’s early post-doctoral research at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Design and Development Lab (DDL), as well as her early research at the Icahn School of Medicine, focused on HIV-1 vaccines. She studied the contribution of  antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis by breast milk leukocytes to the relatively low rate of HIV transmission to infants breastfed by HIV-infected mothers. At present, her lab is hoping to pin down whether breast milk has antibodies specific to COVID-19, whether they might protect babies from COVID-19, and ultimately, whether they can be spun into a therapy against the illness for adults.

Event Details

Date:

• 9 July 2020

Duration:

• 1 hour

Time: 

• 07:00 – 08:00, PDT, San Francisco
• 09:00 – 10:00, CT, Chicago IL
• 10:00 – 11:00, EDT, New York
• 15:00 – 16:00, BST, London
• 16:00 – 17:00, CEST, Berlin
• 17:00 – 18:00, MSK, Moscow
• 18:00 – 19:00, GST, Dubai
• 19:30 – 20:30, IST, Mumbai

This webinar is fee of charge

The post Evidence of a strong and specific antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in human milk appeared first on Medela South Africa.

Thursday, 8 October 2020

Abstract and objectives:

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many put their hopes in the rapid development of effective immunisations. For now, patient isolation, physical distancing and good hygiene are the sole measures for prevention. Processed breast milk with antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 may serve as additional protection.This presentation will discuss the research recently published.

A variety of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is present in breast milk from mothers who have recovered from COVID-19, with no such antibodies present in breast milk obtained from the controls. Breast milk of mothers who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 contains significant amounts of IgA against SARS-CoV-2 and these antibodies are present in breast milk even 3 months following the onset of clinical symptoms.

These antibodies are capable of neutralising a clinical isolate of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Although after pasteurisation of the milk anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected with two methods of pasteurisation, the virus-neutralising capacity of those antibodies was only retained with the High Pressure Pasteurisation (HPP) approach, and not with Holder Pasteurisation (HoP). The reduction in overall IgA concentration was greater in HoP than HPP milk, with High pressure pasteurisation hardly affecting antibody levels and efficacy.

Learning objectives:

• Human milk contains antibodies against various pathogens, resulting in a lower incidence of infectious diseases in breastfed infants when compared to formula fed infants
• Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are present in human milk obtained from mothers who recovered from COVID 19
• Antibodies are present even 3 months following the onset of clinical symptoms

Presenter

Prof. Dr. J. (Hans) B. van Goudoever, MD, PhD

Hans van Goudoever is professor of paediatrics at the University of Amsterdam and the Free University. He performed research for his PhD on Nitrogen metabolism in preterm infants. In subsequent years, he worked in the lab of the late Peter Reeds, Clinical Nutrition Research Center, Texas Children’s, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA, as a post doc. Intestinal amino acid metabolism in a piglet model revealed novel insights in nutritional management of preterm infants. Returning to Rotterdam in 2000, he was trained as neonatologist and became professor and chair of neonatology in 2004.

In 2010, he moved to Amsterdam to take the chair of the two paediatric departments in the capital, and merged those into one Emma Children’s Hospital. He served in many international councils, including European Society Pediatric Research, International Pediatric Research Foundation, European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology & Nutrition and was chair of the Committee of Nutrition. He was appointed by his royal majesty as member of the national Health Council in 2014. He founded the Dutch National Donor Milk Bank in 2011 and serves as the director. Hans van Goudoever published approximately 350 peer reviewed articles, predominantly on neonatal nutrition and metabolism.

Event Details

Date:

• 8 October 2020

Duration:

• 1 hour

Time: 

• 07:00 – 08:00, PDT, San Francisco
• 09:00 – 10:00, CT, Chicago IL
• 10:00 – 11:00, EDT, New York
• 15:00 – 16:00, BST, London
• 16:00 – 17:00, CEST, Berlin
• 17:00 – 18:00, MSK, Moscow
• 18:00 – 19:00, GST, Dubai
• 19:30 – 20:30, IST, Mumbai

This webinar is fee of charge

The post Breast Milk – a Source of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies appeared first on Medela South Africa.

Thursday, 11 March 2021

Objectives:

• To learn about the basic immunological components of human milk
• To understand the antibody response in human milk and how this differs from the systemic response
• To learn about the potency, durability and function of the antibody response against COVID-19 in human milk.

Presenter: Assistant Professor Rebecca Powell, PhD CLC

Dr Rebecca Powell is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. She studies the immune properties of human milk. Dr Powell received her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto and her Ph. D. in Microbiology at the Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine. Her graduate work focused on HIV genetic diversity, detection and frequency of dual HIV infections, and the impact of these infections on viral recombination and the humoral immune response. She developed a low-cost method to rapidly detect dual HIV-1 infection. Dr Powell’s early post-doctoral research at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) Design and Development Lab (DDL), as well as her early research at the Icahn School of Medicine, focused on HIV-1 vaccines. She studied the contribution of  antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis by breast milk leukocytes to the relatively low rate of HIV transmission to infants breastfed by HIV-infected mothers.

Dr. Powell currently has several active projects aimed to fill knowledge gaps about human milk immunology, exploring: the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination; the antibody response to influenza vaccine; and the design of maternal vaccines to eliminate mother-to-child-transmission of HIV via breastfeeding. Dr Powell lives in Brooklyn, NY with her partner and her three children.

Event Details

Date: 11 March 2021

Duration: 1 hour

This webinar was free of charge.

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