Abstract: Smith, Julie; Javanparast, Sara; Craig, Lyn In 1999, two leading Australian academics challenged Australian universities to lead moves to better manage employees' maternity and breastfeeding needs, and 'bring babies and breasts into workplaces This paper addresses the question of how universities cope with the need for women to breastfeed, by exploring barriers facing women who combine breastfeeding and paid work at the Australian National University (ANU). Data were collected through online surveys in 2013 using mixed method, case study design, nested within a larger national study. Participants were 64 working mothers of children aged 0-2 years from the ANU community of employees and users of on-campus child care. Responses highlighted the ad hoc nature of support for breastfeeding at ANU. Lack of organisational support for breastfeeding resulted in adverse consequences for some ANU staff. These included high work-related stresses and premature cessation of breastfeeding among women who had intended to breastfeed their infants in line with health recommendations.
Abstract: Wattis, Lois; Kam, Renee; Douglas, Pamela I've dashed into a coffee shop and ordered my take-away flat white. While waiting I observe a group of three mothers sitting outdoors with prams carefully arranged not to obstruct the flow of customers, enjoying a coffee and chat with babes in arms.
Abstract: McGuire, Elizabeth Cleft palate and cleft lip and palate are relatively common birth anomalies which complicate infant feeding and may render at-the-breast feeding impossible. There is little experimental evidence to guide mothers who want to breastfeed babies with oral clefts, so expert opinion and adaptation to individual babies' needs comprise best practice. Mother/infant dyads will vary in their capacity to feed breastmilk and health professionals helping them must balance encouragement with a realistic understanding of what may be possible. This paper seeks to compare the parental experience of two Australian mothers with the published literature.
Abstract: Breastfeeding is widely accepted as an important public health issue for babies and their mothers. Yet, despite this, Australia continues to struggle with reaching global targets for breastfeeding indicators. In 2007, the Best Start Parliamentary Inquiry Report was released and set the stage for the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy [2010-2015), which was announced in November 2009, with the vision to increase Australia's breastfeeding rates of infants at 6 months of age and beyond. The aim of this research project was to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders in the field of infant feeding in Australia on the implementation of the strategy, barriers and enablers to its successful implementation and actions that were still needed. Using qualitative research methods of in-depth, semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, this study identifies main themes of these perceptions about the strategy implementation and some recommendations for future strategies and further research. The main themes identified were initial opinions of the strategy as a blueprint for action, the strategy as a driver for action, lessons learned and recommendations for the future. For success in improving implementation of national breastfeeding strategies, it is recommended that Australia establish an independent breastfeeding/infant feeding committee, increase the political prioritisation of issues surrounding infant feeding and strengthen the regulation of the marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
Abstract: Alianmoghaddam, Narges; Phibbs, Suzanne; Benn, Cheryl Aim: Little research has been done to investigate the influence of male family members' support for breastfeeding. This article considers the influence of male partners and other male family members on the initiation and duration of exclusive breastfeeding.
Methods: Thirty heterosexual New Zealand women who had identified in a short antenatal questionnaire that they intended to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months were recruited. The qualitative research included a face-to-face postpartum interview followed by monthly audio-recorded telephone interviews that stopped at 6 months. The participants' narratives were analysed using thematic analysis.
Key findings: Five key themes related to breastfeeding support from male family members were identified: a) male partners did not have enough knowledge about breastfeeding, b) male partners wanted to share infant feeding, c) participants received emotional and practical support from their male partners, d) male partners supported breastfeeding in public, e) some women received crucial breastfeeding support from male family members who were not the father of the baby.
Conclusion: Comments from participants suggest that some New Zealand men are actively involved in supporting breastfeeding in their nuclear and extended families. Several participants suggested that male support was as effective as support from female family members.
Abstract: Thorley, Virginia; Sioda, Tomasz This article will describe the content of the key criteria for the selection of wet nurses that persisted across time and the authors who transmitted this advice. Where relevant, it will include variations, such as additional recommendations or a different weighting being given to one or other criterion by a particular author. The focus is on the selection of a wet nurse for the employer's baby. The factors that led a woman to enter this employment and the consequences for her own baby will not be addressed here as they will be discussed elsewhere.
The article is an historical one, drawing on primary sources, where possible, and important secondary sources.
Guidelines for the selection of wet-nurses have existed from antiquity to the early 20th century. The key recommendations managed to survive across the centuries because they were considered useful by influential ancient and Early Modern and later authors who passed them on through copying and translations. It is tempting to assume that the prescriptive advice was followed by physicians and mothers. However, the discussion will raise doubts about whether the criteria were adhered to by physicians and parents, particularly when wet nurses were in scarce supply.
Abstract: Giglia, Roslyn In 2009 the first national and international guideline providing direction for breastfeeding women on drinking alcohol was included in the National Health and Medical Research Council Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. In the absence of an accompanying education campaign for the guidelines, the Australian Breastfeeding Association was able to fill this gap and work in partnership with a breastfeeding researcher to develop an education resource for Australian women that was also a national and international first. This commentary outlines the journey of the research that informed the development of the resource and the integral involvement of the Australian Breastfeeding Association throughout.
Abstract: McGoldrick, Russell; Solari, Donna; Hogan, Monica; Corrigan, Irene; Cutting, Allison; Shadbolt, Bruce; Todd, David A Background: Over the last decade, a number of studies have demonstrated that early division of tongue-tie (TT) is associated with significant feeding benefits to both mother and baby. Notwithstanding, it remains a controversial procedure. We examined the breastfeeding outcomes of a cohort of babies at 1-2 weeks (follow-up 1) and 3-5 months (follow-up 2), post-TT division.
Methods: We undertook a cohort study on all mother/baby dyads who had a TT divided at Canberra Hospital between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014. We contacted the mothers of both follow-up groups by telephone, focusing on breastfeeding and maternal pain.
Results: Follow-up 1 consisted of 116/182 (63.7%) of mothers in the study; contacted at 12.4+-7.8 days post-division. Of these, 107/116 (92.2%) were still breastfeeding, with 11/15 (73.3%) of the mothers who had ceased breastfeeding before division having re-established it at the time of follow-up (p < 0.00l). Additionally, 90/101 (89.1%) valid responses reported decreased nipple pain following TT division. Follow-up 2 consisted of 112/182 (61.5%) of all mothers in the study; contacted at 3.7+-1.8 months of age. Of these, 86/112 (76.8%) were still breastfeeding, with 11/15 (73.3%) of mothers who had ceased breastfeeding before division having re-established it at follow-up (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A divided TT was associated with benefits at both periods of follow-up. There was (i) an increase in overall breastfeeding rates and (ii) a decrease in maternal pain.
Abstract: Baumgartel, Kelley L; Sneeringer, Larissa; Cohen, Susa M Wet-nursing was an essential practice that allowed for infant survival after many mothers died in childbirth. The story of wet-nursing is complicated by both religious pressures and cultural expectations of women. It is likely that these historical practices have shaped our current social, political and legislative environments regarding breastfeeding. The aim of this article is to provide a historical perspective on the practice of wet-nursing, with a focus on: 1) social views of wet nurses, 2) breastmilk evaluation and 3) the ideal wet nurse. Historical perspectives from Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, 19th and 20th century America and current practices are examined. An appreciation for the evolution of breastmilk sharing provides clinicians and lactation advocates with the historical origins which provided the template for current practice as it relates to donor milk, breastfeeding culture and relevant legislation.
Abstract: McGuire, Elizabeth; Kam, Renee Zinc is a mineral which has many important functions in the body. Its role in human health has been appreciated only relatively recently and there is still research to be done to reveal the ways in which it functions. Zinc is important at the cellular level, in every organ and body system. It is said to play three major biological roles: catalytic, structural and regulatory.
Subscription journal
[403 journals]
