BF Support - LPT: HCP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Breastfeeding support for mothers of late preterm infants: The role of healthcare professionals
IRAS ID
301898
Contact name
Elaine Boyle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
This doctoral research seeks to understand breastfeeding support roles of healthcare professionals who provide support to mothers of late preterm infants (infants) born at 34+0 weeks to 36+6 weeks of gestation. Breastmilk is recognised as nutritionally the best feed for infants and has extended long-term benefits. However, in the UK breastfeeding rates remain very low. Infants are disadvantaged by often being perceived and managed like 'small term babies' despite factors related to immaturity that deter desired breastfeeding behaviour, including organ immaturity, inability to coordinate suck-swallow-breathe reflex, difficulty latching onto the breast, weaker muscles and sleepiness, all making breastfeeding difficult. Maternal and infant illness, mother and baby separation, maternal medication not compatible with breastfeeding, further hinder breastfeeding initiation. Also important are experiences of healthcare professionals' roles when offering breastfeeding support to these mothers. This study has 3 work streams: 1. A document analysis to help understand breastfeeding support policies and settings i which healthcare professionals work; 2. A survey of healthcare professionals; 3. Interviews with healthcare professionals, using case study to help understand their experiences of providing breastfeeding support. l. The survey will recruit participants via healthcare professionals' associations and the UHL. Only individuals recruited via UHL will be given opportunity to participate in the interviews. A diverse population (experience, gender, profession, ethnicity) of healthcare professionals will opt to participate following completion of the survey or through snowballing. Documents for analysis will be identified that are likely to influence breastfeeding support for infants. These include the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative, BLISS charter and NICE guidelines. Data from the healthcare professionals (neonatal nurses, midwives, nursery nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives) who offer breastfeeding support to enable infants to initiate and maintain breastfeeding during initial hospitalisation (neonatal unit, transitional and postnatal wards)will be analysed and reported in a PhD thesis.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A