Promoting Breastfeeding v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Promoting breastfeeding: co-creating women-centred care
IRAS ID
169173
Contact name
Tara French
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Glasgow School of Art
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 16 days
Research summary
Breastfeeding rates in Scotland are among the lowest in the UK, despite evidence that increased breastfeeding has the potential to improve the health of both mother and baby (UNICEF, 2012).
The Baby Friendly Initiative operated by UNICEF provides an overview of research which supports benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby, however extensive campaigns to promote breastfeeding have had limited success (in the UK the rates remain low). It is important that healthcare professionals provide new mothers with support that is accessible, meets their needs and is timely. This can prove particularly difficult when engaging hard to reach groups.
This study aims to develop new ways of using digital technology, social media or gaming to enable mothers to make more informed choices about breast feeding and to facilitate a better understanding by health professionals about the delivery of information and support.
This study will focus on the experiences of young mothers, health professionals and academics with a baby feeding focus. Young mothers have been identified as a particularly hard to reach group and whose breastfeeding rates are particularly low.
The study will involve:
Workshops with health professionals/health academics to understand the current landscape of baby feeding support and information.
Focus group/Interviews with young mums aiming to gain insight into current experiences of baby feeding decision-making
Workshops with secondary school pupils to explore the perceptions breast feeding among young people.
Workshops with young mothers and health professionals/health academics to explore opportunities for developing and delivering a new model of delivery.REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0056
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion