Topical treatment with fresh human milk versus emollient on atopic eczema spots in young children: a small, randomized, split body, controlled, blinded pilot study.

Background: Public health nurses report on effects of fresh human milk as treatment for conjunctivitis, rhinitis and atopic eczema (AE), the latter being highly prevalent in early childhood. Emollients and topical corticosteroids are first line treatment of AE. As many caregivers have steroid phobia, alternative treatment options for mild AE are of interest.

[Do women with Caesarean section have to choose between pain relief and breastfeeding?].

Background: The Caesarean section is a unique surgical procedure in that physicians postoperatively not only have to cater to the mothers' need for analgesics, but must also take into account the impact of this medication on the infant. Too cautious prescription of strong analgesics postoperatively may have untoward consequences, such as immobilisation and delayed onset of breastfeeding.

Material And Method: A questionnaire on procedures for standard postoperative analgesics after Caesarean section was sent to the 46 Norwegian hospitals with anaesthesiology departments organized in conjunction with delivery units.

[Human milk, immune responses and health effects].

Background: Besides providing optimal nutrition to infants, human milk contains a multitude of immunological components. These components are important for protection against infections and also support the development and maturation of the infant's own immune system. This review focuses on the function of some classical immunocomponents of human milk.

Supplementation of n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation reduces maternal plasma lipid levels and provides DHA to the infants.

Objective: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) is considered an essential fatty acid for the fetus and newborn infant, but the optimal level of supply is not known. We studied the effect of supplementing pregnant and lactating women with marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as compared to n-6 PUFAs related to maternal and infant lipid levels.

Study Design: Five hundred and ninety pregnant women in weeks 17-19 of pregnancy were recruited.

[Treatment of mastitis in general practice].

Background: This article presents an update on causes and management of mastitis in general practice.

Material And Methods: Published articles on the causes and management of mastitis were identified by Medline and Embase searches, and reviewed. In addition, clinical experience from The National Breast-Feeding Centre in Norway is included.

[Rooming-in in the maternity ward--are mothers satisfied?].

Background: 24-hour rooming-in in Norwegian maternity wards has been introduced as one of the "10 steps to successful breastfeeding", the basis for WHO/UNICEF Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. This step, optimal in order to get lactation off to a flying start, has lead to some worry about maternal fatigue.

Materials And Methods: Self-administrated questionnaires to health care personnel as well as to mothers in all Norwegian maternity wards were used to evaluate the impact of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative.