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Open research questions in Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

297 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,949 Breastfeeding Practices and Influences papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The study had a limited sample size of 225 participants, - Participants were recruited via online social media advertising and may not be representative of the broader population, - The study relied on self-report measures which may be subject to bias, - The study did not control for all potential confounding variables

    Perceived pressure to breastfeed negatively impacts postpartum mental health outcomes over time · 2024 · DOI

  • The scientific literature consists of very few studies on breastfeeding grief; and a critical gap remains about the primary concern of mothers experiencing breastfeeding grief and how these mothers cope with this concern.

    Reconciling motherhood ideology: a classic grounded theory of breastfeeding grief · 2026 · DOI

  • Enduring feeding pain takes a physical and emotional toll, yet little is known about lived experiences of this pain.

    ‘But your latch looks fine!’ Understanding women’s experiences with breastfeeding pain · 2026 · DOI

  • Conclusion Neonatal nurses exhibited positive attitudes but moderate knowledge and practice levels regarding breastfeeding, with targeted gaps in evidence-based care and parental education.

    Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward breastfeeding in neonatal care: a survey · 2026 · DOI

  • When maternal lactation is insufficient due to multifactorial causes or breastfeeding is contraindicated by maternal illness, donated human milk (DHM) is recommended as the preferred alternative feeding strategy.

    The correlation between maternal knowledge of breastfeeding, self-efficacy of breastfeeding and knowledge and attitudes towards donated human milk: a cross-sectional study · 2026 · DOI

  • Childbirth experience-a subjective psychological response to labor and delivery-may play a key mediating role, yet limited research has examined this pathway in the early postpartum period.

    Effects of perinatal depression on early breastfeeding: the role of childbirth experience · 2026 · DOI

  • Although depression has been linked to lower breastfeeding initiation and duration, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood.

    Effects of perinatal depression on early breastfeeding: the role of childbirth experience · 2026 · DOI

  • However, little is known about the impact of such advice provided as part of routine child health services on feeding practices and other child health behaviours.

    Associations Between Parental Engagement With Health Professionals and Child Health Behaviours · 2025 · DOI

  • However, the chatbots’ content quality, readability, and alignment with clinical guidelines remain uncertain.

    Benchmarking AI Chatbots for Maternal Lactation Support: A Cross-Platform Evaluation of Quality, Readability, and Clinical Accuracy · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite its global adoption, SSC implementation in China remains inconsistent, with limited evidence on its impact in Chinese populations.

    The impact of mother-infant rooming-in and continuous skin-to-skin contact on newborns · 2025 · DOI

  • Introduction: Limited evidence exists on whether administering oral dextrose gel immediately after birth reduces the risk of hypoglycemia in the early hours of life.

    Improving blood glucose in late preterm and small for gestational age infants: the use of dextrose 40% gel · 2025 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: Perinatal depressive symptoms are associated with exclusive breastfeeding; however, the longitudinal mediating process of this relationship remains unclear.

    The role of breastfeeding self-efficacy in the relationship between perinatal depressive symptoms and exclusive breastfeeding: a longitudinal mediation analysis · 2025 · DOI

  • Prenatal education (PE) has been suggested as a strategy to promote EBF, but there is evidence that its impact on EBF duration remains inconclusive.

    The effect of prenatal education on exclusive breastfeeding among women in Quito: prospective cohort study · 2025 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) is a critical predictor of lactation success, yet its role among mothers of preterm infants remains understudied, especially during the early postpartum period.

    Breastfeeding self-efficacy, milk output, and influencing factors in mothers of preterm infants: a prospective cohort study in the NICU · 2025 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: The relationship of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with continued breastfeeding (BF) in Japanese women remains unclear.

    Association of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain with continued breastfeeding until 6 months postpartum in Japanese women: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study · 2025 · DOI

  • Cortisol and melatonin in breast milk play a crucial role in these processes, yet it remains unclear whether their concentrations and timing in milk reflect maternal salivary levels.

    Circadian Influences in Breast Milk: Maternal Stress Responses and Cortisol Fluctuations Within the Maternal-Infant Dyad 4745 · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying these changes and potential interventions to mitigate adverse effects.

    From Mind to Milk: The Influence of Psychological Factors on the Composition of Human Breast Milk · 2025 · DOI

  • Telelactation services that connect parents to lactation consultants via video are increasingly available and may reduce inequities in breastfeeding support; however, there is limited evidence on effectiveness.

    Telelactation Services and Breastfeeding by Race and Ethnicity · 2025 · DOI

  • However, data on the effectiveness of infant formula containing both PLs and LCPUFAs on the neurodevelopment of infants is still scarce.

    A combination of phospholipids and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids supports neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial · 2024 · DOI

  • We seek to highlight the innovative angle of our study by emphasizing the 'One Health' concept, which has not been thoroughly explored in the context of lactation and environmental pollutants.

    Pollutants in Breast Milk: A Scoping Review of the Most Recent Data in 2024 · 2024 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: The effect of caesarean section (CS) on breastfeeding initiation has been extensively studied, but its influence on exclusive breastfeeding practices remains inconclusive.

    Does caesarean section have an impact on exclusive breastfeeding? Evidence from four Southeast Asian countries · 2024 · DOI

  • Factors influencing the transition from exclusive to partial breastfeeding were insufficient milk supply and maternal herself caring for the infant (P < 0.

    Perinatal maternal factors influencing postpartum feeding practices at six weeks · 2024 · DOI

  • Little is known about mothers' perspectives on lactation support in German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

    Lactation support in neonatal intensive care units in Germany from the mothers’ perspective – a mixed-method study of the current status and needs · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the type of pressure to provide milk perceived by mothers of VLBW infants has rarely been examined.

    Pressure to provide milk among mothers of very low birth weight infants: an explorative study · 2024 · DOI

  • It is also situated in a primary care setting within a fragile state of which there is limited evidence.

    Assessing the validity of maternal report on breastfeeding counselling in Kosovo’s primary health facilities · 2024 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

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297 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,949 Breastfeeding Practices and Influences papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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