Breastfeeding-related Collections

To mark World Breastfeeding Week 2026 (1–7 August), we are showcasing several exciting article Collections that explore breastfeeding from clinical, biological, public health, policy, and societal perspectives. Together, these Collections highlight research on Baby-Friendly initiatives, lactation biology, breastfeeding support and confidence, donor human milk, breastfeeding promotion and protection, and the implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. They feature both established research and active calls for papers, offering opportunities for researchers to contribute new evidence that can help strengthen breastfeeding policy, practice, and care worldwide.

Image: © Sarah Mason/DigitalVision/Gettyimages

Collections with Open Calls for Papers

Mammary Gland Biology in Breastfeeding Mothers: From Normal Function to Dysfunction

Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia

Guest Editors: Wendy Ingman (Associate Professor, University of Adelaide, Australia) and Anna Sadovnikova (Sutter Roseville Medical Center, United States; Division of Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, University of Rochester, United States)

Status: Open for submissions until 20 November 2026

While many breastfeeding initiatives focus on support systems and care delivery, this Collection addresses the underlying biology of lactation. It aims to advance understanding of mammary gland function during breastfeeding and to address knowledge gaps in both normal lactation and lactation-related dysfunction

This Collection encourages submissions of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address the following topics for human or animal models:

• Mammary gland development and function during lactation
• Molecular mechanisms of milk synthesis and secretion
• Genetic and physiological factors affecting milk supply
• The biology of nipple function and dysfunction
• Milk composition and its regulation
• Breast diseases that affect breastfeeding success

Some of the published articles already cover topics such as human milk RNA preservation, stress-related changes in milk-derived microRNA expression, gene expression in mammary epithelial organoids, and methods to optimise human milk sample quality for research.

Visit the collection: Mammary Gland Biology in Breastfeeding Mothers: From Normal Function to Dysfunction

Infant feeding

Scientific Reports and Scientific Reviews

Guest Editors: Agnieszka Bzikowska-Jura (Medical University of Warsaw, Poland), Keiko Nanishi (The University of Tokyo, Japan) and Elisa Rodrigues (Anna Nery School of Nursing, Brazil)

Status: Open for submissions until 27 April 2027

This Collection welcomes original research that aims to advance our understanding of infant feeding practices and their determinants across diverse populations and settings, with the goal of optimising early-life nutrition and supporting global health. Early nutrition plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s growth, immune function, and long-term health outcomes, and is influenced by biological, behavioural, socio-economic, and environmental factors.

Submissions are encouraged on anything related to infant feeding including:

• Breastfeeding and lactation
• Formula feeding
• Complementary feeding
• Microbiome research
• Clinical interventions
• Nutritional science

Visit the collection: Infant feeding

Implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes: Legislation, monitoring, enforcement, advocacy

International Breastfeeding Journal

Guest Editors: Constance Ching (Alive & Thrive, Global Nutrition FHI 360, Vietnam; Mantis Mentor, Vietnam) and Mónica Mazariegos (Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama, Guatemala City, Guatemala)

Status: Open for submissions until 30 April 2027

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective interventions for improving maternal and child health, yet breastfeeding rates remain below recommended levels worldwide. A major barrier is the inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes, which can undermine breastfeeding initiation and duration. This Collection seeks to advance understanding of how the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes is implemented and enforced in practice, bringing together evidence on what has worked, what challenges remain, and how regulatory and monitoring frameworks can be strengthened to better protect breastfeeding worldwide.

This Collection welcomes original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, and country case studies, including  but not limited to the following areas:

• Code-related legislation, monitoring, and enforcement
• Compliance, sanctions, and accountability for violations
• Protecting health systems from commercial influence
• The role of communities, civil society, and media in advocacy
• Regulation of breast-milk substitute marketing, including digital media
• Lessons learned from implementing and enforcing the Code in different settings, articularly in low- and middle-income countries

Visit the collection: Implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes: Legislation, monitoring, enforcement, advocacy

Image: © FatCamera / Getty Images

Recent Collections Highlighting Breastfeeding Research

Enhancing Breastfeeding Confidence and Support in Maternal Care

Egyptian Pediatric Association Gazette

Guest Editors: Nashwa Nabil Kamal (Minia University, Egypt) and Alinane Linda Nyondo-Mipando (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Malawi)

This Collection focused on strengthening maternal confidence and improving the support available to women throughout their breastfeeding journey. It sought interdisciplinary research examining behavioural, clinical, cultural, and policy dimensions of breastfeeding support, with particular interest in healthcare interventions, maternal mental health, and social determinants of breastfeeding outcomes.

Explore interesting articles on:

• Predictors of maternal breastfeeding confidence
• Hospital and community-based breastfeeding interventions
• Digital tools supporting breastfeeding education
• The role of partners and family in sustaining breastfeeding
• Cross-cultural variations in breastfeeding practices

Visit the collection:  Enhancing Breastfeeding Confidence and Support in Maternal Care

Donor Human Milk in the 21st Century: Policy, Practice, Innovation, Equity, and Impact

International Breastfeeding Journal
Guest Editors: Tanya Cassidy (National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland), Kelly Pereira Coca (Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil), Laura Klein (Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Australia), and Tuan Thanh Nguyen (Alive & Thrive, Global Nutrition FHI 360, Vietnam)

Donor human milk is a critical resource for infants whose mothers’ own milk is not available due to various reasons. This collection brought together research on best practices, clinical and public health impact, ethical considerations, and innovative approaches in human milk banking and donation. The aim was to support and advance the development of donor human milk initiatives worldwide.

Don’t miss the articles covering:

• Donor milk experiences and attitudes of donors, mothers, and healthcare professionals
• Human milk banking practices, quality and safety
• Preterm infant nutrition and outcomes
• Equity and access to donor milk
• Economic sustainability

Visit the collection:  Donor Human Milk in the 21st Century: Policy, Practice, Innovation, Equity, and Impact

Advancing Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection, and Support for Better Health, Economics, and Planet

International Breastfeeding Journal

Guest Editors: Rukhsana Haider (Health and Nutrition (TAHN) Foundation, Bangladesh), Sonia Hernandez-Cordero (Universidad Iberoamericana Ciudad de México, Mexico), Kris Yuet Wan Lok (The University of Hong Kong, China), Tuan Thanh Nguyen (Alive & Thrive, Global Nutrition FHI 360, Vietnam) and Siddika Songül Yalçın (Hacettepe University, Türkiye).

This Collection explores the factors that influence breastfeeding practices and the strategies needed to improve breastfeeding outcomes worldwide. The articles span a wide range of cultural, clinical, educational, and policy settings, examining breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, duration, and cessation, as well as the interventions and support systems that help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals.

Articles in this collection covering topics such as:

• Breastfeeding confidence, health literacy, and maternal decision-making
• Breastfeeding and Baby-Friendly interventions, support and education
• Family, community, and healthcare influences
• Cultural and social perspectives on breastfeeding
• Care for preterm infants and donor milk services
• Factors affecting breastfeeding outcomes and experiences across different populations and settings

Visit the collection: Advancing Breastfeeding Promotion, Protection, and Support for Better Health, Economics, and Planet

Becoming Baby-friendly: What works?

International Breastfeeding Journal

Guest Editors: Marjorie Atchan (University of Canberra, Australia) and Irena Zakarija-Grković (University of Split, Croatia)

This Collection examines the strategies, processes, and decision-making that enable countries and organisations to achieve and sustain Baby-Friendly accreditation. The Collection welcomes primary research, systematic reviews, policy papers, case studies, and commentaries that provide practical insights and evidence to inform policy and programme development.

Submissions are still being reviewed but so far, articles published in the Collection cover:

• Research on mothers' perceptions of breastfeeding support in Lithuania - is Baby-Friendly Hospital status associated with better breastfeeding support?
• Breastfeeding promotion in baby-friendly provinces in Türkiye
• The environmental benefits associated with Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives.

 Visit the collection: Becoming Baby-friendly: What works?

Cover image: © FG Trade Latin / Getty Images