What factors influence couple’s decisions about infant feeding
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What factors influence couple’s decisions about their method of infant feeding?
IRAS ID
147831
Contact name
Anna Maria Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Research summary
The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2011) recommends that babies are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months
of life to ensure optimum health, growth and development. There are many benefits for the baby from breast milk
including gaining antibodies and the reduction of the risks of childhood disease such as pneumonia and diarrhoea
(WHO, 2012). Benefits for the mother include the reduction of the risk of developing ovarian or breast cancer in later life
(WHO, 2012). Given the importance of the health visitor role in supporting women in their choice of feeding (GB. DH,
2011) this phenomenological study will explore the factors that influence a couple in their decision about how to feed
their baby. By gaining a greater understanding of these factors, it will hopefully identify how the health visitor can strive
to best encourage and support breast feeding in practice. The aim of this study is to explore what influences couple's
decisions about how to feed their baby.REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0478
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion