The 4-Year Question: Optics,Ethical Clarity,and the Future of Lactation Research in Times of Upheaval

Abstract

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Board of Directors. (2025, August 29). ABM statement: Medela advertising in breastfeeding medicine and our commitment to the WHO code.

Geddes

D. T.

Gridneva

Perrella

S. L.

Mitoulas

L. R.

Kent

J. C.

Stinson

L. F.

Lai

C. T.

Sakalidis

Twigger

A. J.

Hartmann

P. E.

(2021). 25 years of research in human lactation: From discovery to translation. Nutrients, 13(9), Article 3071. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093071

International Baby Food Action Network Posters for Sharing. (2023, April). Medela: Disguising conflicts of interest in foundations, science & charity. Baby Milk Action. https://www.babymilkaction.org/archives/37896

International Baby Food Action Network. (2025, August). Statement on Medela, pump companies and foundations. Baby Milk Action. https://www.babymilkaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/V22-IBFAN-on-Medela-and-Pump-companies.pdf

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. (n.d.). Journal owners and editorial freedom. Recommendations. https://www.icmje.org/recommendations/browse/roles-and-responsibilities/journal-owners-and-editorial-freedom.html

Medela Hospital and Healthcare Professionals. (2025, July). Our commitment to breastfeeding. https://www.medela.com/en-us/lactation-professionals/commitment-to-breastfeeding

Mizuno

Ueda

(2006). Changes in sucking performance from nonnutritive sucking to nutritive sucking during breast- and bottle-feeding. Pediatric Research, 59(5), 728–731. https://doi.org/10.1203/01.pdr.0000214993.82214.1c

SafelyFed Canada. (2023). Medela’s latest ‘marketing guidelines’ still fall short of their obligations. https://safelyfed.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/SFC-MedelaStmt-FINAL-082423.pdf

World Association of Medical Editors. (2009, July 25). The relationship between journal editors-in-chief and owners (formerly titled Editorial Independence). Retrieved September 15, 2025, from https://wame.org/editorial-independence

10.

World Health Organization. (1981). International code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241541601