Interventions that promote breastfeeding

Attitudes of UK women towards breastfeeding A large study (866 women) in the UK measured women’s infant feeding attitudes at three stages, twice during pregnancy (20 and 35 weeks) and at six weeks postpartum to see whether, on average, they differed over time. 

Re-admission, conversations with healthcare providers and their impact on predominant breastfeeding A prospective matched cohort study was carried out in Alberta, Canada to determine whether hospital re-admission within the first 2 months of life decreases the odds of predominant breastfeeding. 

Structured breastfeeding programmes in maternity services shown to improve breastfeeding rates A systematic review was carried out to evaluate breastfeeding outcomes of structured versus non-structured breastfeeding programmes in acute maternity care settings. 

Influence of childcare arrangements on breastfeeding outcomes Little is known about the association between childcare and breastfeeding in different socio-economic groups. 

Breastfeeding can reduce impact of social inequality New research findings indicate that breastfeeding may have a significant part to play in the Government's efforts to reduce inequality. 

Do health professionals understand mothers feeding choices? In this small study, a total of 20 UK health professionals completed a semi-structured interview exploring the reasons they believed mothers chose to use formula milk. 

Maternity Care Assistants and breastfeeding support A study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of MCAs involving fathers from economically deprived communities in antenatal breastfeeding discussions 

Teenager’s decisions about infant feeding were found to be based on what they perceived to be morally acceptable A study was carried out to examine the psychosocial factors influencing infant feeding intention among pregnant teenagers expecting their first baby and living in deprived urban areas in England. 

Preliminary results show that enhanced staff contact for breastfeeding mothers of infants born too small or too soon is cost effective A study was carried out to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of enhanced staff contact for mothers with infants in a neonatal unit with a birth weight of 500g-2.5kg within the UK National Health Service.