Aberdeen research provides worldwide advice
Recognising the importance of this significant health need, researchers at the University of Aberdeen developed an extensive programme of research. They investigated the barriers and facilitators to breastfeeding. They also designed and evaluated interventions to improve breastfeeding rates.
One of the key findings was the effectiveness of group support for breastfeeding and the need to move towards a mother, baby, and family-centred approach. This finding in turn led to a change to UNICEF guidance on how to promote breastfeeding care. As part of this UNICEF and the World Health Organisation introduced a Baby Friendly Initiative which had been adopted in the UK as the standard of care for all mothers and babies.
University of Aberdeen research has directly influenced worldwide guidance for breastfeeding
Dr Pat Hoddinott
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Key publications
- Hoddinott P, Chalmers M, Pill R. One-to-one or group based peer support for breastfeeding? Women’s perceptions of a breastfeeding peer coaching intervention. Birth. 2006;33(2):139-146.
- Hoddinott P, Lee AJ, Pill R. Effectiveness of a breastfeeding peer coaching intervention on breastfeeding rates in rural Scotland. Birth. 2006; 33(1):27-36.
- Hoddinott P, Britten J, Prescott G, Tappin D, Ludbrook A, Godden D. Effectiveness of a policy to provide breastfeeding groups (BIG) for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in primary care. Brit Med J 2009; 338:a3026.
- Hoddinott P, Britten J, Pill R. Why do interventions work in some places and not others: a breastfeeding support group trial. Social Science and Medicine. 2010; 70(5):769-778.
- Hoddinott P, Craig L, Britten J, McInnes R. A serial qualitative study of infant feeding experiences: idealism meets realism. BMJ Open 2012 ;2:e000504.