Cross-breastfeeding and milk donation in Brazil

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Human Lactation

Background:

• Cross-breastfeeding and human milk donation are distinct infant feeding practices.
• Human milk banks are crucial for neonatal nutrition and survival.
• Cross-breastfeeding poses potential health risks, including disease transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of cross-breastfeeding and human milk donation/reception in Brazil.
• To explore the relationship between cross-breastfeeding and human milk banking practices.
• To inform public health strategies regarding infant feeding in Brazil.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Brazilian National Survey on Child Nutrition (ENANI-2019).
• Included 5,831 mothers of children under 2 years old who had breastfed.
• Employed complex sample design for prevalence estimation and 95% confidence intervals.

Main Results:

• 21.1% of mothers practiced cross-breastfeeding; 15.6% breastfed another child, 11.2% allowed another child to be breastfed.
• 4.8% of mothers donated human milk to a milk bank.
• 3.6% of children received donated human milk.

Conclusions:

• Significant prevalence of both cross-breastfeeding and human milk donation exists in Brazil.
• Contrasting health implications of cross-breastfeeding (HIV risk) and milk donation (life-saving) require careful consideration.
• A comprehensive public health dialogue on these practices is essential in Brazil and globally.