Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the physiological feeding of an infant with milk produced by the mammary glands, the species-typical mode of early nutrition and the recommended exclusive source of nourishment through the first months of life. Lactation is driven by the coordinated action of prolactin, which sustains milk synthesis…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 12 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 93× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2644-0105

Overview

Breastfeeding is the physiological feeding of an infant with milk produced by the mammary glands, the species-typical mode of early nutrition and the recommended exclusive source of nourishment through the first months of life. Lactation is driven by the coordinated action of prolactin, which sustains milk synthesis, and oxytocin, which triggers the milk-ejection reflex; supply adapts to infant demand through frequency of suckling and effective milk removal. Human milk is a dynamic biofluid supplying macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive constituents including secretory immunoglobulins, oligosaccharides, hormones, and immune cells that support passive immunity and gut and immune maturation. Research in this field examines milk composition and its determinants, the macronutrient integrity of expressed and stored milk, and the influence of maternal diet, supplementation, and environmental exposures during pregnancy and lactation. A substantial behavioural and public-health literature addresses the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding, maternal beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and practices, the role of religion and culture, and the transition to complementary feeding, frequently among populations in low-income and resource-limited settings. The journal publishes peer-reviewed studies spanning the biology of lactation, milk science, and the maternal, social, and structural factors shaping infant feeding outcomes.

Research published in this journal

12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 12 articles above have been cited 93 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Nov 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Breastfeeding, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Journal of Breastfeeding Biology (ISSN 2644-0105).

Journal editorial board
Ann Anderson Berry · United States Gail Christopher · United States

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.