The Cochrane Systematic Review of Methods of Milk Expression for Lactating Women (2015) is being updated. Do you know of any research trials that we may be missing? We are particularly looking for information on any trials that have not been published in major journals, for example, Masters or PhD studies, product trials, hospital trials to establish protocols or trials in progress. All randomised or quasi-random controlled trials that compared one method or technique of milk expression or pumping with another or other(s). Cross-over trials are eligible. We include studies if they provided instructions (oral, written or other media) on hand expression or mechanical pumping specifically for the study, or provided hand expression or mechanical pumping equipment, or if the study required expression or pumping using a specific protocol or adjunct behaviour; for example, frequency of expression, length of time to express, breast massage, relaxation, imagery, conditioning process, expressing breasts sequentially or simultaneously, or support programme specific to milk expression.Thanks
Are you linked in with the Feminism and Breastfeeding Network based out of UNC Chapel Hill & UNC Greensboro? They have a closed facebook group and that would be a good place to pose this question.
Hi Genevieve,
I haven't looked at these articles recently, but these two come to mind. They are from a group of researchers in Melbourne.
Forster DA, Johns HM, McLachlan HI, et al. Feeding infants directly at the breast during the postpartum hospital stay is associated with increased breastfeeding at 6 months postpartum: a prospective cohort study BMJ Open 2015;5: e007512.
Johns HM, Forster DA, Amir LH. Prpevalence and outcomes of breast milk expressing in women with health term ifants: a systematic review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2013;13: 212.
The whole industry of milk expression is built on the assumption that human milk has some magic ingredients, that it is better than any alternative. I cannot find any evidence that has directly checked this. The obvious and well-attested health advantage of breastfeeding over artificial feeding is explicable by faulty methods of feeding in the non-breastfed, specifically supine feeding. It has little if anything to do with the content of the food.
Hi Virginia. The Cochrane review only includes random control trials - comparing one method or technique to another. Helena Johns interesting work is observational study and not a trial.
Hi Sarah. I would have frequent contact with Miriam and she never mentioned any trails being done. I can't find Feminism and Breastfeeding Network on a facebook search, do you have a contact?
Thanks to both for your replies
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