Library

You’ll find a carefully curated collection of external resources designed to help you stay informed and supported throughout your breastfeeding journey.

Whether you're looking for guidance on positioning, managing common challenges, understanding maternal well‑being, or exploring workplace rights and support, our library connects you to reliable organisations, expert recommendations, and up‑to‑date research.

A woman holding an infant who is breastfeeding.

Featured Breastfeeding Resources

1) Breast milk: what it contains & why it matters (composition + bioactives)

  • Thai JD, Gregory KE. (2020). Bioactive Factors in Human Breast Milk Attenuate Intestinal Inflammation during Early Life. Nutrients — Peer reviewed review on how “active” milk components may help shape infant gut/immune development. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32102231/

  • Ballard O, Morrow AL. (2013). Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors. Pediatr Clin North Am — Peer reviewed review describing what’s in milk, how it changes, and why that matters. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23178060/

  • Butte et al. (2002). A review, prepared as part of the background documentation for a WHO expert consultation, evaluating the nutrient adequacy of exclusive breastfeeding for term infants during the first 6 months of life.

    https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/42519

  • Medela. Breast milk composition: What’s in your breast milk? (Web article) — Company educational webpage summarizing components of breast milk for parents. 

    https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding/mums-journey/breast-milk-composition

2) Breast milk fats (DHA/AA) and variation by diet/region

  • Fu Y, Liu X, Zhou B, Jiang AC, Chai L. (2016). Worldwide levels of DHA and arachidonic acid in human breast milk by region. Public Health Nutr — Peer reviewed review showing geographic variation in key milk fats often linked to diet. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27056340/

3) Maternal diet ↔ breast milk composition (systematic reviews + diet comparisons)

  • Bravi F, Wiens F, Decarli A, Dal Pont A, Agostoni C, Ferraroni M. (2016). Impact of maternal nutrition on breast milk composition: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr — Peer reviewed systematic review of how maternal diet relates to measurable milk nutrients (especially fats). 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27534637/

  • Dagnelie PC, van Staveren WA, Roos AH, Tuinstra LG, Burema J. (1992). Nutrients and contaminants in human milk from mothers on macrobiotic and omnivorous diets. Eur J Clin Nutr — Peer reviewed observational comparison of milk nutrients/contaminants in distinct diet groups. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1600934/

4) Pregnancy & lactation nutrition: guidance, recommendations, long term outcomes

4A) Big picture reviews and consensus recommendations

  • Marshall NE, Abrams B, Barbour LA, et al. (2021). The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences. Am J Obstet Gynecol — Peer reviewed review connecting maternal diet quality/weight with maternal and child outcomes. 

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9182711/

  • Koletzko B, Godfrey KM, Poston L, et al. (2019). Early Nutrition Project recommendations. Ann Nutr Metab — Peer reviewed consensus recommendations on nutrition from pre pregnancy through early childhood.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30673669/

  • Jouanne M, Oddoux S, Noël A, Voisin Chiret AS. (2021). Nutrient Requirements during Pregnancy and Lactation. Nutrients — Peer reviewed review of nutrient needs and supplementation considerations. 

    https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/2/692

  • Allen LH. (2005). Multiple micronutrients in pregnancy and lactation: an overview. Am J Clin Nutr — Peer reviewed overview emphasizing multiple simultaneous micronutrient gaps and implications. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15883453/

4B) International / national guidelines

4C) Studies on diet patterns and fetal/placental growth

  • Godfrey K, Robinson S, Barker DJP, Osmond C, Cox V. (1996). Maternal nutrition in early and late pregnancy in relation to placental and fetal growth. BMJ — Peer reviewed observational study linking maternal diet patterns with placental/birth weight. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8601112/

  • Knudsen VK, Orozova Bekkevold IM, Mikkelsen TB, Wolff S, Olsen SF. (2008). Major dietary patterns in pregnancy and fetal growth. Eur J Clin Nutr — Peer reviewed cohort study linking overall dietary patterns with fetal growth outcomes. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17392696/

4D) Energy and fat intake recommendations

  • Butte NF, King JC. (2005). Energy requirements during pregnancy and lactation. Public Health Nutr — Peer reviewed review estimating energy needs across pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16277817/

  • Koletzko B, Cetin I, Brenna JT. (2007). Dietary fat intakes for pregnant and lactating women. Br J Nutr — Peer‑reviewed consensus recommendations on fat intake (including DHA). 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17688705/

4E) Vegan/vegetarian diets in pregnancy

  • Piccoli GB, Clari R, Vigotti FN, et al. (2015). Vegan vegetarian diets in pregnancy: danger or panacea? BJOG — Peer reviewed narrative review on safety considerations and nutrients requiring planning. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25600902/

  • Karcz et al. 2021. Systematic review on influence of vegetarian or vegan diets on the composition of breast milk.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32319307/

5) Breastfeeding training & counselling (health worker focused)

6) Postpartum weight change & breastfeeding hormones

  • Dewey KG, Heinig MJ, Nommsen LA. (1993). Maternal weight‑loss patterns during prolonged lactation. Am J Clin Nutr — Peer‑reviewed longitudinal study on postpartum weight/fat change and breastfeeding duration. 

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8338042/

  • Jarlenski MP, Bennett WL, Bleich SN, Barry CL, Stuart EA. (2014). Effects of breastfeeding on postpartum weight loss among U.S. women. Prev Med — Peer‑reviewed analysis suggesting small weight loss occurs with exclusive breastfeeding.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25284261/

  • Johnston JM, Amico JA. (1986). Oxytocin and prolactin release in response to infant suckling in long‑term lactation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab — Peer‑reviewed physiology study measuring hormone responses during breastfeeding. 

    https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/62/4/653/2674346

7) Medications & breastfeeding safety (clinical guidance + databases)

8) Sociocultural beliefs, myths & misinformation

8A) Peer reviewed sociocultural/qualitative research (use for behavior/culture)

  • Nsiah Asamoah C, Doku DT, Agblorti S. (2020). Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in rural Ghana (misconceptions and cultural practices). PLOS ONE — Peer reviewed qualitative study about beliefs/traditions affecting feeding decisions. 

    https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0239278

  • Amoussou Lokossou YUA, Tambe AB, Azandjèmè C, Mbhenyane X. (2021). Socio‑cultural beliefs influence feeding practices in Grand Popo, Benin. J Health Popul Nutr — Peer‑reviewed qualitative study on cultural beliefs/taboos shaping feeding practices. 

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41043-021-00258-7

  • Ibrar F, Khursheed N, Qamar S, et al. (2021). Taboos and myths regarding breastfeeding practices in pregnant population. PAFMJ — Peer‑reviewed survey describing prevalence of breastfeeding myths in a local population. 

    https://www.pafmj.org/index.php/PAFMJ/article/view/4765

8B) COVID era myth busting review (often challenged if used as core evidence)

  • Swain D, Parida SP, Das H. (2021). Busting myths about breastfeeding during COVID‑19: a brisk review. IJRCOG — Narrative review aimed at correcting misinformation during COVID‑19 rather than providing primary new data. 

    https://www.ijrcog.org/index.php/ijrcog/article/view/9529

8C) Public facing myth and feeding resources (education/media)

9) Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), early contact & skin to skin care

10) Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) & neonatal outcomes

11) Infant & toddler nutrition (public health guidance)

12) Breastfeeding education & training media

13) Sociocultural, communication & health system factors in breastfeeding

14) Global policy, monitoring & breastfeeding environment

  • Global Breastfeeding Collective. Global Breastfeeding Scorecard. 
    WHO/UNICEF‑led monitoring tool reporting country‑level progress on policies, funding, and practices supporting breastfeeding. 

    https://www.globalbreastfeedingcollective.org/global-breastfeeding-scorecard

  • ANU & Alive & Thrive. Mothers’ Milk Tool. A strategic advocacy tool that quantifies the volume of human milk produced and its monetary value at national and global levels, showing how much economic value is lost when breastfeeding is not supported. Co-developed by the Australian National University (ANU) and the Alive & Thrive initiative, this easy-to-use resource helps policymakers, advocates, and researchers include breastfeeding in food and economic statistics, strengthening the case for greater investment in breastfeeding support and protection. 

    https://nceph.anu.edu.au/research/projects/valuing-breastfeeding-through-mothers-milk-tool

  • WHO. Protecting breastfeeding through maternity protection. WHO policy brief linking paid leave, workplace protections, and breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. 

    https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-NMH-NHD-19.25

15) Breastfeeding challenges & practical problem solving (parent facing)

16) Breastfeeding techniques & clinical interventions

17) Preterm infants, NICU care & positioning

18) Workplace, maternity protection & breastfeeding continuation