In the United States, an estimated few thousand pregnant women are living with HIV, with 3,525 reported cases in 2019. Traditionally, it has been recommended that mothers with HIV avoid breastfeeding, even when on antiretroviral therapy.
Traditionally the Olympics has not been overly accommodating to new moms. Children are not allowed in the Olympic Village which posed a challenge for athletes who are breastfeeding.
A study by George Mason University investigated the effects of pre-natal and post-natal vitamin B12 supplementation on human milk B12 levels. Deficiency in vitamin B12 during the first six months of an infant's life can lead to developmental delays and brain damage.
While breastfeeding can create a strong bond between mother and child, the breast milk itself contains all the necessary nutrients, antibodies, and hormones needed to promote healthy growth and development in infants. There have always been question about whether a child who receives a combination of breastmilk and formula is still getting the same benefits. […]