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Spotlight on... awareness weeks

Awareness weeks guide

World Breastfeeding Week

World Breastfeeding Week

1-7 August 2023

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) aims to inform, anchor, engage and galvanise action on breastfeeding and related issues. This year’s theme will focus on breastfeeding and employment/work. It will showcase the impact of paid leave, workplace support and emerging parenting norms on breastfeeding through the lens of parents themselves. World Breastfeeding Week

UpToDate

Education and support

General

Medications

Preterm infants

Cochrane Library

Articles

Breast milk

Research

Support

Working mothers

E-books

E-journals

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Articles

Breast milk

Comparison of bacterial profiles in human milk from mothers of term and preterm infants
This study revealed that human milk (HM) from preterm mothers had a higher total bacterial count and different types of bacteria than HM from term mothers. Additionally, preterm infants can receive nosocomial-infection-causing bacteria in the NICU through their mother’s milk. Enhanced hygiene instructions for preterm mothers may reduce the disposal of valuable preterm human milk, along with the risk of HM pathogen transmission to infants in NICUs. International breastfeeding journal 8 June 2023

Calcium, zinc, and vitamin D in breast milk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This review provides global estimates of calcium, zinc and vitamin D content in breast milk, as well as indications on changes over time and depending on influencing factors. International breastfeeding journal 1 June 2023

The impact of the 2019/2020 Australian landscape fires on infant feeding and contaminants in breast milk in women with asthma
Few women had concerns about the impact of fire events on infant feeding. Detection of fluoranthene and pyrene in breast milk samples was more likely during the 2019/2020 Australian fire period; however, levels detected were much lower than levels expected to be related to adverse health outcomes. International breastfeeding journal 23 February 2023 __________________________________________________________________________________

Research

Women’s experiences with using domperidone as a galactagogue to increase breast milk supply: an Australian cross-sectional survey
The authors identified widespread variation in domperidone utilisation patterns, with domperidone broadly perceived to be effective in increasing breast milk supply. Side effects associated with domperidone treatment were common, appeared to be dose-related, and were frequently associated with treatment cessation. These findings highlight the importance of improved clinical practice recommendations and generation of evidence from additional high-quality clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of domperidone. More conclusive clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy, as well as optimal dose and duration, of domperidone use. International breastfeeding journal 7 February 2023

The prevalence of breastfeeding aversion response in Australia: A national cross-sectional survey
Some women who breastfeed will experience complex ongoing difficulties, such as breastfeeding aversion response (BAR). This recently named breastfeeding challenge is defined as feelings of aversion while breastfeeding for the entire time that the child is latched. This study provides the first prevalence data for the experience of BAR in Australian breastfeeding women. Maternal and child nutrition 25 May 2023

Modifiable predictors of breastfeeding status and duration at 6 and 12 months postpartum
Support for women to meet the breastfeeding recommendations should commence during pregnancy and focus on breastfeeding education and enabling environments. Birth 18 July 2021

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer: A call for action in high-income countries with low rates of breastfeeding
The risk of breast cancer is reduced by 4.3% for every 12 months of breastfeeding, this is in addition to the 7.0% decrease in risk observed for each birth. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (20%) and in carriers of BRCA1 mutations (22–55%). Cancer medicine 26 September 2022

Experiences of young Australian mothers with infant feeding
The barriers and enablers to infant feeding experienced by young mothers are similar to those experienced by mothers of all ages. Young mothers experience significant breastfeeding challenges and need support from partner, family, peers, and professionals to continue breastfeeding in line with recommendations. Breastfeeding campaigns to support young mothers should be aimed at the wider community to increase awareness of breastfeeding challenges, reduce stigma associated with breastfeeding in public, and to support mothers in their infant feeding decisions. BMC pregnancy and childbirth 15 June 2022

Self-efficacy, support and sustainability – a qualitative study of the experience of establishing breastfeeding for first-time Australian mothers following early discharge
This study found accessible people-based breastfeeding services in the community are valued following early discharge. Furthermore, there is demand for more evidence-based breastfeeding educational resources, potentially in the form of interactive applications or websites. Additionally, a focus on holistic and individualised breastfeeding assessment and care plans prior to discharge that link women with ongoing breastfeeding services is paramount. International breastfeeding journal 23 November 2022

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Support

Improving breastfeeding support through the implementation of the Baby-Friendly Hospital and Community Initiatives: a scoping review
At a national level, political support for BFHI implementation supports expansion of Baby-Friendly Hospitals. Ongoing quality assurance is essential, as is systematic (re)assessment of BFHI designated hospitals. Baby Friendly Hospitals should provide breastfeeding support that favours long-term healthcare relationships across the perinatal period. These results can help to support and further enable the effective implementation of BFHI and BFCI globally. International breastfeeding journal 15 April 2023

Feasibility and effectiveness of WhatsApp online group on breastfeeding by peer counsellors: a single-blinded, open-label pilot randomized controlled study
This study shows that online messaging peer support group is feasible and acceptable. A full-scale study should be conducted to understand the effect of the online instant messaging peer support group on breastfeeding outcomes. International breastfeeding journal 22 December 2022

Designing a model of breastfeeding support in Australia: An appreciative inquiry approach
This qualitative study used an appreciative inquiry approach to co-design a model of peer and professional breastfeeding support, in a metropolitan area of New South Wales (NSW) Australia, in collaboration with women who have had previous negative experiences of breastfeeding. Health and social care in the community 15 April 2020

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Working mothers

Breastfeeding after return to work: An Australian national workplace survey
Breastfeeding initiation rates in Australia are high but duration rates fall well below the World Health Organization targets. Return to work is a known factor impacting 6 months exclusive breastfeeding and continuation into the infants second year of life. Work related factors can influence a woman's confidence in maintaining breastmilk supply after return to employment and determine whether she meets her personal breastfeeding goals. This cross-sectional online survey is the first Australian study to explore women's experience of maintaining breastfeeding after return to work, in all work sectors. Maternal and child nutrition 4 April 2023

Using citizen science to engage the public in monitoring workplace breastfeeding support in Australia
While some employers have taken important steps towards supporting mothers to combine breastfeeding and work, there is room for improvement. Through this pilot study, the authors have demonstrated the feasibility and value of using a citizen science approach to obtain data from a range of workplaces along with perceptions of workplace characteristics that support or hinder breastfeeding and expressing at work.  Health promotion journal of Australia 10 March 2021

Breastfeeding after returning to work: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Breastfeeding after RTW is widely heterogeneous across the world. Despite economic status playing a role in breastfeeding after RTW, cultural aspects seem influential. The lack of data regarding breastfeeding after RTW in most countries demonstrates the strong need of data to inform effective preventive strategies. International journal of environmental research and public health 15 August 2021

Breastfeeding at the workplace: a systematic review of interventions to improve workplace environments to facilitate breastfeeding among working women
The systematic review revealed that interventions at the workplace are important in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding among working mothers. To achieve equitable work environments and fair nutritional opportunities for infants of working mothers, interventions should focus at the three ecological layers – individual, interpersonal, and organizational. The quality of studies can be improved. There is a need for studies assessing impacts of workplace interventions on infant feeding practices, mothers’ self-esteem and outcomes such productivity and abstentionism. International journal for equity in health 29 April 2021

Working mothers’ breastfeeding experience: a phenomenology qualitative approach
Maintaining breastfeeding after return to work is challenging for working mothers and majority of them need support to continue breastfeeding practice. Support from their spouses and families’ influences working mothers’ decision to breastfeed. Employers play a role in providing a support system and facilities in the workplace for mothers to express and store breast milk. Both internal and external support are essential for mothers to overcome challenges in order to achieve success in breastfeeding.  BMC pregnancy and childbirth 31 January 2021

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E-books

This is just a sample of the e-books the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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E-Journals

This is just a sample of the journals the library subscribes to – you will need your library login

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