Also in Science Snapshot: Researchers find lactation consultants need more education about HIV and breastfeeding
Welcome to Science Snapshot, a quick digest of the latest research happening across the CU Anschutz campus. Hear from researchers as they briefly explain one of their recent studies and how it could improve healthcare. In this installment, we highlight the influence mothers' screen-related behaviors have on toddlers' screen use and how lactation consultants need more education to confidently counsel new mothers with HIV.
Examining How Mom's Behavior Shapes Toddler Screen Time
Researcher: Darcy Thompson, MD
Department: Pediatrics-Nutrition
What did you study?
We examined how mothers' screen use (e.g., TV or smartphone use) and screen-related parenting practices, such as setting limits around toddler screen use or using screens to soothe toddlers, are linked to the amount of time toddlers in Mexican American families spend watching TV or using mobile devices. We also investigated whether toddlers' screen use is associated with early weight outcomes.
What were you looking for?
We specifically wanted to understand the independent contributions maternal screen habits and parenting practices have on toddlers' screen use and whether screen use at this age was associated with early weight outcomes.
What did you find?
Toddlers use screens more in households where mothers use screens more, independent of specific screen-related parenting practices. Additionally, mothers' use of screens as a tool, such as to soothe their child, was linked to higher toddler screen use, whereas setting limits on screen use was linked to lower toddler screen use. We did not find a connection between toddler screen use and early weight outcomes.
Why does it matter?
Screen use typically begins in the earliest years of life, and these early patterns can influence child well-being over time. Because Mexican American children represent a large share of the United States child population, understanding what shapes early screen use in this population has implications for families, clinicians and researchers alike. Our findings suggest that supporting healthy screen habits in young children may be most effective when attention is given to the full family environment, including how parents use screens themselves.
Study Highlights Need for Lactation Consultant HIV Education
Researcher: Lisa Abuogi, MD
Department: Pediatrics
What did you study?
We studied how well lactation consultants understand and support breastfeeding for women living with HIV. Specifically, we looked at their knowledge, attitudes and experiences and how they use telehealth to support patients.
What problem are you trying to solve?
As guidelines shift to support shared decision making around breastfeeding for women living with HIV, many providers, such as lactation consultants, may not feel prepared or confident in this area. We wanted to understand whether gaps in knowledge or stigma around HIV might be affecting the support women receive.
What did you find?
We found that lactation consultants across the United States and Canada currently have limited experience working with women living with HIV. Most lactation consultants knew a lot about HIV but less about HIV and breastfeeding. Stigma around HIV was fairly low. Telehealth for lactation support emerged as a promising tool, but experiences and confidence with it varied. Lactation consultants showed enthusiasm for opportunities to learn how to better support women living with HIV.
Why does it matter?
This matters because the support a woman receives can shape whether she feels safe, informed and empowered in how she wants to feed her baby. The key takeaway is that lactation consultants want to support women living with HIV but may need more training and guidance to do this confidently. Improving provider education and reducing stigma are essential to delivering equitable, patient-centered care for women living with HIV, especially as practices and guidelines continue to evolve.
