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USC research to help breastfeeding mums
A University of the Sunshine Coast academic is leading a collaborative project to encourage more new mothers on the Sunshine Coast to breastfeed their babies for six months, before introducing other foods.
USC Associate Professor Margaret Barnes’ research project will recruit 120 women who give birth at Nambour General Hospital from September.
The project, called Staying Connected, is highlighted by USC’s research partners the Sunshine Coast Health Service District and the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) during World Breastfeeding Week next week (1-7 August).
Associate Professor Barnes, a past president of the Australian College of Midwives (Qld), said the theme of the week, Breastfeeding – It’s Time to Talk, matched the intent of the University project.
“My research, in conjunction with USC Senior Lecturer in Nursing Dr Jennifer Rowe, will use positive phone calls, text messages and email communication to support women in the first six months of breastfeeding,” she said.
“The percentage of women in Australia who start breastfeeding their newborns is quite high – about 80 to 90 percent – but the drop-off is rapid in the first few weeks or months.
“We want to develop a cheap, sustainable way of encouraging more women to maintain breastfeeding for longer, rather than giving their babies food prior to the recommended time of six months.
“It’s exciting because if the project proves successful, it could be implemented for all women in the longer term.”
The project is funded by the Wishlist (the Sunshine Coast Health Foundation).
– Julie Gatehouse