Breastfeeding Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 2 Issue 1

Giving new life to the role of the father

Source: BBC

Click here for full story.

Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: News story

In a nutshell: Fathers-to-be are to be the target audience for new guidance information as the Government looks to NGOs  and the RCM for advice and guidance on how to involve fathers into the process of pregnancy and birth.

In relation to breastfeeding it is hoped that by dispelling fears such as how mothers’ perceive what the father really thinks about breastfeeding and the “toll it may take on the body” through more information for the father may help mother’s continue breastfeeding for longer, and that if “armed with the facts then he can provide the real encouragement she needs to keep going.”

Length of publication: 1 page

Starting spoonfeeding later may trim obesity risk

Source: Reuters / American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

(American Journal of Clinical Medicine, published online 24 December 2009. pp.1-9.  DOI:10.3945/ajcn.2008.27078)

Click here to read full story.

Click here for abstract of journal article.

Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: News story / Journal article

In a nutshell:

Research suggests that waiting longer to start an infant on solid food could lead to the infant growing into a “slimmer” adult.   The lead research said that “there is no reason to be too rigid about the age. Some infants will need complementary foods before the age of 6 months, but they should not get them before four months of age.”

Length of publication: 1 page

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Lactation and maternal measures of subclinical cardiovascular disease

Source:  Obstetrics & Gynecology

Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 115, issue 1, January 2010, pp.41-48

Click here to read abstract.

Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This research looked into a possible relationship between breastfeeding and subclinical cardiovascular disease in a population which did not exhibit symptoms of the disease.  The research concluded that mothers who do not breastfeed seemed to be of greater risk of the vascular changes which are associated with future cardiovascular disease.

Length of publication: 8 pages

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Effects of breastfeeding on pain relief in full-term newborns

Source: Clinical Journal of Pain

Clinical Journal of Pain. November/December 2009, Volume 25, Issue 9, pp.827-832

Click here for abstract.

Date of publication: November/December 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This research examined whether breastfeeding may help in alleviating pain experienced by newly born infants undergoing routine blood collection procedures.  The research concluded that breastfeeding was effective in reducing pain.

Length of publication: 6 pages

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‘I only give advice if I am asked’: Examining the grandmother’s potential to influence infant feeding decisions and parenting practices of new mothers – an Australian perspective

Source: Women and Birth

Women and Birth, article in press, publication details to be announced. Published online 6 January 2010.

Click here for abstract.

Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This Australian research, centred on an area of Sydney with low on-going breastfeeding rates, examined how grandmothers’ see their role in supporting new families and the potential for them to influence new mothers’ infant feeding decisions. It found that grandmothers were faced by dilemmas in balancing the “potential risks and rewards in their interactions with the new family”.

Length of publication: 7 pages

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Community / local projects supporting breastfeeding

Source: Various

Breastfeeding Welcome scheme in Anglesey

Peer Supporter scheme in Loughborough

Peer / specialised support in Essex and BBC report on support in Essex

Date of publication: 2009 / 2010

Publication type: News stories

In a nutshell: Local news reportage across the UK have reported positively on recent initiatives supporting breastfeeding.

Length of publication: 1 page

Hormones ‘govern ability to breastfeed’

Source: BBC

Click here to read full story.

See also RCN News story: Mothers’ ability to breastfeed down to hormones.

Date of publication: January 2010

Publication type: New story

In a nutshell: Recent Norweigan research suggests that difficulties in breastfeeding may be due to higher levels of the male hormone testosterone during pregnancy. This research also suggests that the health benefits of breast milk are no better than those of formula feeding.

This story is also discussed in the following 3 posts.

Length of publication: 1 page

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Breast milk has few benefits, study finds

Source: Irish Times

Click here to read full story.

Date of publication: 2010

Publication type: News story

In a nutshell: Research in Norway (discussed in the above post) also suggested that “breast is not necessarily best” and that “baby formula is as good as breast milk” as the health of an infant is affected by the balance or hormones in the womb prior to birth.  This research has provoked a strong reaction.

See below for posts on controversial Norweigan research and on the UNICEF / NHS Choices response.

Length of publication: 1 page

Mid-pregnancy androgen levels are negatively associated with breastfeeding – Norweigan research

Source: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, January 2010, Volume 89, Issue 1, Pages 87-94

Click here to read abstract.

Date of publication: 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This research looked into a possible connection between hormone levels in the second trimester and breastfeeding.  It concluded that levels of particular hormones had a negative affect on breastfeeding.

This research has been the basis of several news reports relating to both the health benefits of and the affect of hormones on breastfeeding.

Length of publication: 8 pages

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