Instructions for Authors
Comprehensive guidelines for preparing your breastfeeding research manuscript.
Publication Excellence in Lactation Science
The Journal of Breastfeeding Biology maintains the highest standards of scientific publishing. Following these guidelines ensures rapid processing and positions your research for maximum impact within the global lactation community.
Questions? Contact our editorial team at [email protected]
Original Articles
- Full-length research studies
- Maximum 5,000 words body text
- Structured abstract 300 words
- Up to 50 references
- 6 figures/tables combined
- Supplementary data welcome
Review Articles
- Comprehensive topic surveys
- Maximum 6,000 words body text
- Unstructured abstract 250 words
- Up to 100 references
- Summary figures encouraged
- Future directions required
Case Reports
- Exceptional lactation cases
- Maximum 2,000 words body text
- Unstructured abstract 150 words
- Up to 15 references
- Clinical images encouraged
- Learning points required
Language and Format
Submit in clear English using Microsoft Word format. Double-space text with consecutive page numbers. Use Times New Roman 12pt or Arial 11pt font consistently.
Title Page
Include full title, running title max 50 characters, all author names with affiliations, corresponding author details with email, ORCID identifiers, and word count.
Abstract
Structured abstract max 300 words with Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions for original research. Include study population and key lactation findings.
Keywords
Provide 5-7 keywords including breastfeeding, lactation, human milk, relevant populations, and MeSH terms for optimal database indexing.
Original Research: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, References
Clinical Studies: Follow STROBE guidelines for observational studies. Include CONSORT checklist for interventional trials.
Case Reports: Abstract, Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, Learning Points, References
- Describe study population with detailed inclusion/exclusion criteria and consent procedures
- Provide institutional review board/ethics committee approval details with reference numbers
- Specify breastfeeding definitions and assessment methods (exclusive, predominant, any)
- Detail milk collection protocols including timing postpartum and storage conditions
- Describe analytical methods for milk composition analysis with validation data
- Include sample size calculations and statistical analysis plan
Descriptive Statistics
Report means with standard deviations for normally distributed data; medians with interquartile ranges for skewed distributions.
Comparative Analyses
Use appropriate tests for data type. Report exact P-values rather than thresholds. Include 95% confidence intervals for key comparisons.
Longitudinal Data
Account for repeated measures appropriately. Mixed models preferred for breastfeeding duration and milk composition trajectories.
Sample Justification
Provide power calculations for primary outcomes. Explain sample size rationale, especially for milk collection studies with limited samples.
Participant Protection
- IRB/Ethics Committee approval mandatory
- Declaration of Helsinki compliance
- Written informed consent documented
- Special protections for vulnerable populations
- Infant participant considerations
Biospecimen Ethics
- Donor consent for milk samples
- Storage and future use permissions
- Biosafety protocols for handling
- De-identification procedures
- Tissue repository governance
Conflicts
- Formula company relationships
- Breast pump manufacturer ties
- Supplement company interests
- Funding source disclosure
- Professional affiliations
- Resolution: Minimum 300 dpi for images. Use TIFF or high-quality PNG format.
- Breastfeeding Images: Obtain explicit consent for any identifiable photographs. Ensure dignity and cultural sensitivity.
- Milk Analysis: Report units consistently. Include standard curves and quality control data.
- Flow Diagrams: Use CONSORT-style diagrams for participant flow in intervention studies.
- Tables: Submit as editable text with clear headers and statistical annotations.
JBB encourages sharing of milk composition datasets and breastfeeding outcome data. Deposit omics data in GEO or MetaboLights. Include a Data Availability Statement describing access procedures while protecting participant privacy.
Use Vancouver citation style. Number references consecutively in order of first citation. Include DOIs for all published works. Verify accuracy of all citations, especially clinical guidelines and WHO recommendations.
Begin Your Submission
Choose your preferred pathway and share your lactation research with the world.
We look forward to receiving your manuscript. Your research contributes to improving breastfeeding support and infant health outcomes worldwide. Contact our editorial team with any questions about submission requirements or manuscript preparation guidelines.
For studies involving human milk banking or donor milk programs, provide detailed information about donor screening, pasteurization protocols, and quality assurance procedures. Include relevant regulatory approvals and compliance documentation. For studies measuring milk production using test weighing or pump output, detail calibration procedures and measurement timing protocols. Describe any standardization of feeding schedules or pumping frequency during data collection periods to ensure methodological rigor and reproducibility across lactation research studies.
For intervention studies, describe randomization procedures and blinding methods where applicable. Include protocol registration details. Clearly report study limitations and generalizability considerations for diverse populations and clinical settings.
We welcome your research contribution to the breastfeeding biology literature.
Submit your research and advance breastfeeding knowledge.
