Abstract: Hull, Naomi; Smith, Julie; Peterson, Mary; Hocking, Jennifer Behind the over the past few decades researchers have gathered a wealth of information that informs about the importance of breastfeeding to the overall health and human rights of women and children (UNHROHC, 2016). The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified breastfeeding as 'an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers' (WHO, 2018).
Abstract: Bridges, Nicole; Howell, Gwyneth; Schmied, Virginia Employing an online ethnographic research approach, the purpose of this study was to describe the nature of breastfeeding peer support that members seek and receive via closed Facebook groups facilitated by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA). The quantitative data collection for this netnography was undertaken by the researchers following the activities of 15 individual ABA-sanctioned closed Facebook groups. All wall posts and comments for these groups were captured as images over a 4-week period between July 21 and August 17, 2013.
The dataset included 778 wall posts that were coded as 165 (21%) queries and 613 (79%) shares. Of the queries (165), 36% posted with informational queries and 64% posted with informational and emotional queries. In terms of shares (613), 40% posted with informational shares and 60% posted with informational and emotional shares. Of the 778 wall posts, 54% (418) were short (0-25 words); 26% (202) were medium (26-100 words) and 20% (158) were long (100+ words).
The findings presented explore the characteristics and contents of the queries and comment responses, illustrating how Facebook can be used to provide social support in addition to learning and coping strategies in this online community.
Abstract: McGuire, Elizabeth The women who volunteer as breastfeeding counsellors with the Australian Breastfeeding Association may reasonably be supposed to have achieved a satisfying breastfeeding relationship. Many have had difficulties with breastfeeding, but they have breastfed for at least 6 months and had enough positives in the experience that they want to help other women to experience rewarding breastfeeding too. They are sufficiently motivated to commit time and effort over months of study, to train as breastfeeding counsellors. In general, then, they are women who have enjoyed breastfeeding. The following case study reports the experience of one such woman who after many months of enjoying breastfeeding her daughter found that breastfeeding changed from enjoyable to distressing; from enhancing her relationship with her daughter to apparently threatening it. While tandem feeding her toddler and newborn daughters, Amy experienced breastfeeding aversion.
Abstract: Mirzaian, Christine B; Vanderbilt, Douglas L; Mamey, Mary Rose; Chmait, Ramen H; Schrager, Sheree M Introduction: Survivors of twin gestations that are complicated by twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) are at high risk for neurodevelopmental morbidities and there is little known about the benefits of breastmilk in this population.
Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effects of breastfeeding on neurodevelopmental outcomes among twins treated with laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).
Design, setting and participants: This was a retrospective cohort study based at a large urban children's hospital in Los Angeles, California. Participants were twins with TTTS treated with laser surgery. Sample size was 99 subjects. Neurodevelopment at 24 months (+/- 6 weeks) was assessed using the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2). Independent variables including duration of breastfeeding or providing pumped breastmilk, use of formula, educational level of mother, additional demographic factors and birth weight were collected. Multilevel linear regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with BDI-2 Total Score.
Key findings: In multivariate analysis, longer length of time spent breastfeeding or providing pumped breastmilk (beta=0.37, p=0.013), higher birth weight (beta=0.34, p=0.001) and higher levels of maternal education (beta=0.54, p=0.001) were significantly associated with higher BDI-2 Total Score at 2 years of age.
Conclusions and future implications: Infants with TTTS who breastfed or received pumped breastmilk for a longer duration of time demonstrated significantly higher neurodevelopmental scores. Breastfeeding interventions may help offset neurodevelopmental risks for this vulnerable population.
Abstract: Alianmoghaddam, Narges; Phibbs, Suzanne; Benn, Cheryl Aim: Support from family members has been found to influence intention, initiation and prolonged duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Drawing upon the narratives of women interviewed for this research, this paper aims to evaluate the impact of family culture on exclusive breastfeeding practice.
Methods: A generic qualitative methodology was employed, and social constructionism was selected as the epistemological framework underpinning the research. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 new mothers during the postpartum period and each participant was followed via short monthly audio-recorded telephone interviews. The participants were recruited from the lower North Island of New Zealand, and had identified that they were highly motivated to practise 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding in a short antenatal questionnaire administered at the time of recruitment. After thematic analysis of the data, the theory of stress, coping strategies and social support proposed by Peggy Thoits (1995) was applied to illuminate the findings related to the importance of social support fmm significant others.
Key findings: Most participants in this study received extensive breastfeeding support from their families, particularly from their own mothers. The key findings of this study included: 1) the importance of the breastfeeding culture in a family; 2) experienced maternal grandmother as a positive role model; and 3) emotional and informational support are more important than instrumental support.
Conclusion: This qualitative study highlights the importance of the inter-generational breastfeeding culture in a family. The key conclusion of this research is that six months exclusive breastfeeding practice is not limited to the intentions or actions of the mother-infant dyad; it is a relational behaviour not only influenced by the familial networks around the mother, but also by the cultural, historical and social contexts of the mother's life.
Abstract: Thorley, Virginia The practice of feeding expressed breastmilk by bottle, in place of the breast, has become common in affluent countries and is perceived as a mainstream mode of infant feeding (Mclnnes, Arbuckle, and Hoddinott, 2015; Ryan, Team, and Alexander, 2013). Advertisements for increasingly sophisticated breast pumps and stonge systems in professional journals as well as in publications addressed to mothers imply equivalence in feeding breastmilk to a baby by bottle, either exclusively or predominantly, with feeding a baby at the breast, by using the term 'breastfeeding' for both modes of feeding (Sheehan and Dowcher, 2017). It is well-known that breastfeeding provides first-class nutrition, protection from pathogens even beyond weaning, and appropriate development of the infant gut biome (Gertosio et al, 2016; Turfkruyer and Verhasselt, 2015). However, many published papers on breastfeeding fail to differentiate between at- breast breastfeeding and substantial breastmilk-feeding (DMF), that is, feeding expressed breastmilk to an infant by bottle or other implement. Consequently, the lack of rigorous definitions that allow a distinction to be made has rendered it difficult for those advising and supporting mothers to provide them with the best evidence-based guidance.
Abstract: Bellinger, Victoria; Solari, Donna; Hogan, Monica; Rodda, Kathryn; Shadbolt, Bruce; Todd, David There is currently very little data available that describe the medium-term breastfeeding outcomes of mother/baby dyads who have previously had tongue-tie (TT) division in the neonatal period. As well the effects seen on introducing solids, speech development and dental health post TT division is described poorly. This study aims to review these outcomes in children up to 3 years of age.
We undertook a cohort follow-up study on all mother/baby dyads who had a TT divided at Canberra Hospital between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2014. The mothers were contacted by telephone at 9 and 38 months and we asked them specific questions, focusing on breastfeeding, solids intake and speech and dental outcomes.
We followed up 109/185 (58.9%) and 112/185 (60.5%) mother/baby dyads and breastfeeding rates were 68/108 (63.0%) and 5/112 (4.5%) at 9 and 38 months respectively. The prevalence of perceived speech and dental problems attributed to the TT was found to be 2/112 (1.8%) and 8/112 (7.1%) respectively.
This follow-up study has shown an increased rate of breastfeeding compared to the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) average. There was no difference in the timeline for introducing solid foods. The prevalence of both speech and dental problems as perceived by mothers in this cohort appeared to be lower than the corresponding national data.
Abstract: McGuire, Elizabeth Depending on the definition, from 1.4% to 10% of Australian infants are macrosomic. In the current environment of health concerns over high rates of overweight and obesity in the community, it is relevant to consider aspects of breastfeeding macrosomic infants. It has been established that foetal and early life environmental influences have long-term effects on adult health. It could be expected that the foetal environment that leads to macrosomia might permanently influence the infant and adult metabolism. In particular, the lactation community must be concerned with problems that may arise in breastfeeding macrosomic infants and the outcomes for breastfed macrosomic infants.
Abstract: Naik, Shilpa N; Verma, Akanksha; Dhumal, Gauri G Breastfeeding is important to both the mother and child. World Breastfeeding Week oh sewed as a public health campaign in India, has played an important role in increasing knowledge and awareness about breastfeeding.
This study aimed to find out the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices of breastfeeding (KAP) among the postpartum mothers in our tertiary care institute and the impact of age, parity and mode of delivery, educational and socioeconomic status on KAP.
A structured questionnaire was administered to 100 postpartum mothers in the age group 18-45 years during their institute stay after delivery, based on simple random sampling. The maximum correct KAP responses were obtained from those aged between 30-40 years (86.7%). Similarly, those who delivered vaginally had a higher (86.7%) KAP score compared to caesarean-delivered patients (60%).
More than 60% of delivered women were aware of infant feeding options immediately after delivery. Overall, 65% women were aware of continuing breastfeeding despite of maternal or neonatal illness.
This study revealed high scores for knowledge and practice-based questions as compared to the attitude-based questions, which needs to be addressed.
Though this was a part of the World Breastfeeding Week celebration where breastfeeding awareness is focused on and widely communicated, it should be an ongoing activity to maintain the impact of this awareness program.
Abstract: McGuire, Elizabeth; Miller, Heather Breastfeeding is the normal way of feeding human infants and the World Health Organization recommends infants be breastfed exclusively to 6 months with ongoing breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond. Sometimes young children must be hospitalised and hospital staff or mothers may have concerns about whether ongoing breastfeeding is appropriate or possible in those difficult circumstances. This case study reports how one dyad maintained breastfeeding throughout the young child's hospitalisation and treatment for leukaemia and the apparent advantages to the child of their continuing breastfeeding relationship.
Abstract: Spagnoletti, Belinda RM; Bennett, Linda R; Kermode, Michelle; Wilopo, Siswanto A This qualitative study explored in depth the lived experiences of middle class women in Yogyakarta, Indonesia as they attempted to juggle their unpaid reproductive work with paid work in the formal sector or with university study. Our analysis reveals the challenges encountered by middle class women when they decide to exclusively breastfeed whilst also participating in work and tertiary study. We explicate the legal framework underpinning exclusive breastfeeding and maternity leave, and identify significant gaps between labour and exclusive breastfeeding legislation and the implementation of these laws in workplaces and universities. The tensions between the gendered expectations of women's contributions to reproductive and productive work are also exposed. Drawing on our findings, we assert the importance of social support and the collective nature of reproductive agency exercised by Indonesian women who seek to exclusively breastfeed while working or studying.
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