Breastfeeding Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 1 Issue 7

World Breastfeeding Week 1-7 August 2009

Source: Welcome to World Breastfeeding Week 2009

For full text follow this link

Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Website

In a nutshell: Looks at the actions and activites set for World Breast Feeding Week 2009. Introduces the theme of this years week (Breastfeeding in Emergencies), the rationale behind it as well as promotional materials that can be downloaded. From the front page letters of support from both Unicef and WHO can be viewed.

Baby Friendly Initiative response to recent media coverage of breastfeeding

Source: Unicef / The Baby Friendly Initiative

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: Press release

In a nutshell: The Baby Friendly Initiative responds to negative press coverage on breastfeeding which suggests that research does not support the advantages of  breastfeeding over formula feeding.  The Initiative cites several articles in support of the advantages of breastfeeding and also affirms its role is to support informed decision making by giving “pregnant women and new parents the full facts … on the best available evidence in an objective and non-judgmeental manner”.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Bottle-feeding support ‘lacking’

Source: BBC

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Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: News story

In a nutshell: Report on research which suggests that Midwives may not be providing enough information to mothers who bottle-feed to enable them to do so confidently and hygienically.

Length of publication: 1 page news bulletin

New Breastfeeding Study Begins

Source:  Royal College of Midwives

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Publication type: Press Release, News Story

In a nutshell: An article looking into a new study by the Institute for Social and Economic Research. This study will be examining the effects that breastfeeding has on children as well as mothers and employers among other areas. Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, it will be using 2 data sets involving approximately 30,000 children and hopes to be of considerable interest to health professionals, policy makers, employers and the public alike.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Breastfeeding course for mothers gains university accreditation

Source: www.rcm.org.uk

 

Follow this link for fulltext. You will need to be a RCM member to access the page

Date of publication:  June, 2009

 Publication type: Press Release

In a nutshell: This story looks at a course run by Surestart that has been accredited by the School of Health and Social Care at University of Greenwich. The course covers such areas as the anatomy of breastfeeding, benefits of breastfeeding, solving related problems as well as how to become an effective supporter. It is run by midwife Karen James and is part of the ‘Breast Buddies’ initative.

 

Length of publication: 1 Internet Page

 

Breastfeeding ‘cafes’ for mothers

Source:  www.bbc.co.uk

Follow this link for for the full text

Date of publication: July 2009

Publication type: News Item

In a nutshell: Looks at the introduction of 4 cafes in Wirral specifically designed to encourage breastfeeding. These cafes will be located within children’s centre’s and are a joint venture between Wirral Council, Sure Start and Wirral NHS Primary Care Trust

Length of publication:  Internet Page