2nd Edition of Breast Milk and Infant Well-Being

Dear Colleagues,

The recommendation of breast milk as the best food for newborns and infants is related to its unique composition. Apart from basic nutrients, such as proteins, fats, and sugars, a mother’s milk is rich in bioactive molecules, which exhibit a wide range of biological functions. Dietary bioactive components delivered with mother’s milk benefit newborns and infants in various ways, and they are an important element of the innate immunity passed through breast milk. Bioactive milk molecules provide protection against pathogens, modulate the infant’s microbiome, and support the development and maturation of the immature immune, digestive, and nervous systems. Milk hormones—such as adiponectin, ghrelin, insulin, leptin, resistin, obestatin, apelin, and nesfatin, among others—may influence the energy balance because they can activate pathways depending on energy requirements and body stores, involved in regulating food intake. Additionally, it should be pointed out that breastfeeding provides mental and physical benefits for the mother. All these aspects play significant roles in ensuring the well-being of newborns and infants.

The rapidly rising incidence and burden of metabolic disorders worldwide is suggestive of widespread behavioural change. During infancy, there has been a shift in breastfeeding patterns due to the increased implementation of artificial milk for feeding newborns/infants, despite the overwhelming evidence-based data concerning the adverse developmental and health consequences of insufficient breastfeeding. According to the WHO, nearly two out of three infants are not exclusively breastfed for the recommended six months. The quality of the infant diet, namely breast milk, trains the immune system, has significant impacts on short- and long-term healthy development, and is an important element of metabolic programming. Moreover, among the several beneficial effects associated with breastfeeding is a decrease in the risk of development of overweight and obesity in the offspring. Nevertheless, the role of breast milk in the prevention of civilization-related diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension (metabolic syndrome), and allergies, in later life, has not been given enough attention.

Taking the above into account, there is a need to increase public awareness of the beneficial effects of breast milk on the proper physical and emotional development and well-being of infants. Therefore, the promotion of breastfeeding should be an overarching goal in public health domain.

The listed keywords suggest a few of the many related areas that are of interest for this Special Issue of IJERPH. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and creating a Special Issue that provides readers with the latest information concerning the impact of breast milk on infant well-being, with particular emphasis on bioactive components and metabolic programming.

Dr. Magdalena Orczyk-Pawiłowicz
Guest Editor

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