 Two major international studies published October 8, 2026, in Science are providing new insight into the complexity of human milk and what this means for infant growth. The studies were conducted by the International Milk Composition (IMiC) Consortium led by MILC Director, Dr. Meghan Azad. The research involved more than 30 scientists from 13 organizations across six countries and four continents. One study found that maternal nutritional supplementation can modify important components of breast milk, while the other study identified milk signals that reflect biological processes in the lactating breast and may provide insights into infant growth. Read more about the research here, and find out how to access IMiC data here.
 Photo credit: UCL's Public Health Disrupted, MILC MILC Director Dr. Meghan Azad joins UCL Professor Nigel Field and host Rochelle Burgess on Public Health Disrupted to explore how the infant microbiome may shape health throughout the life course. Drawing on research from the Canadian CHILD Cohort Study and the UK Baby Biome Study, the conversation examines how birth, infant feeding and early-life exposures influence the developing microbiome, immune system and future health. Dr. Azad also discusses the science of human milk and the importance of creating supportive environments for families.
 Image credit: antibioticwise.ca, BC Centre for Disease Control Research from the CHILD Cohort Study is helping translate scientific discoveries into practical guidance for families and healthcare providers. A new resource from AntibioticWise.ca and the BC Centre for Disease Control highlights the latest evidence on antibiotics in infancy, the developing gut microbiome, and ways to support infant health. The resource features CHILD research showing that while antibiotics are lifesaving medicines, they can also disrupt the developing gut microbiome. MILC researchers and collaborators have found that breastfeeding helps protect the infant microbiome from these unintended effects, supporting healthier long-term outcomes, including a lower risk of asthma. This initiative is an excellent example of knowledge translation, turning research into evidence-based information that helps families and healthcare providers make informed decisions about infant health.
 Image credit: JA PreventNCD and MILC MILC Director Dr. Meghan Azad contributed an educational video to BreastFEEDucation, a newly launched free online course designed to strengthen breastfeeding counselling and education across Europe and beyond. Developed through an international collaboration, the course aims to equip healthcare professionals, students, and educators with evidence-based knowledge to better support breastfeeding families. Dr. Azad's expertise helped shape this educational resource, which is now freely available online and expected to reach learners around the world.
 Photo credit: MILC Club MILC Club members gathered in Winnipeg for their annual in-person meeting on June 8th, 2026. MILC Director, Dr. Meghan Azad opened the session by highlighting the members' key accomplishments over the past year. The meeting featured a workshop facilitated by Laura Jones and a compelling presentation by Kristie Pearson of Linking Hope. Discussions focused on strategies for institutional collaborations and expanding MILC Club initiatives to achieve meaningful community impact.
 Photo credit: University of Manitoba MILC Director, Dr. Meghan Azad, has received the James House Memorial Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring, presented by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Manitoba. The award honours the legacy of Dr. James “Jim” House, a respected researcher, educator, and mentor. The nomination was led by MILC postdoctoral fellows Sam Stead, Anne Manson, Kozeta Miliku, and Merilee Brockway, who described the many ways Dr. Azad has supported their professional development and fostered a positive and inclusive research environment. The award recognizes her contributions to postdoctoral training and mentorship.
 Photo credit: MILC website, human-milk.com MILC is pleased to announce that MILC Director, Dr. Meghan Azad, has been appointed Science Advisor for Human Milk. Human Milk is an organization built on 11 years of harnessing the influence of fashion, media, art and pop culture to deliver products, knowledge and community that connect, embolden and support mothers all over the world. Dr. Azad will help guide the sharing of both established research and emerging discoveries related to breastmilk and breastfeeding.
 Image credit: news.uwinnipeg.ca Congratulations to MILC Club member Dr. Sanoji Wijenayake who has been appointed as a Canada Research Chair (CRC). Dr. Wijenayake is a Tier 2 NSERC Canada Research Chair in Milk Nanovesicles and Applied Health. She was granted a total of $600,000 over five years to support her research on the role of biologically active milk compounds, called milk-derived extracellular vesicles (MEVs). The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program is a government initiative aimed at enhancing research excellence in Canada in the humanities, social sciences, health sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Dr. Wijenayake is featured in a uwinnipeg.ca article for her accomplishment.
 Image credit: www.emjreviews.com MILC Director Dr. Meghan Azad sat down with European Medical Journal's host Dr. Catherine Glass to discuss how early-life nutrition influences immune development from birth and beyond. From the biological complexity of human milk to microbiome-driven disease risk and real-world barriers to optimal feeding, this three-part series explores how infant nutrition can shift health trajectories at both individual and population levels.
MILC Director Interviewed by The Economist about the Science and Challenges of Breastfeeding5/19/2026
 Image credit: The Economist In an Economist podcast discussion examining the science and challenges of breastfeeding, MILC Director Dr. Meghan Azad highlights how much is still unknown about breast milk and infant feeding, despite its profound importance to human health. Drawing on years of microbiome and pediatric research, Dr. Azad explains how breast milk composition varies between mothers and how breastfeeding is linked to improved childhood health outcomes. The conversation also underscores the gap between public health recommendations and the lack of medical support many mothers receive when breastfeeding difficulties arise.
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