Authors of a new booklet to support young mums-to-be in feeding their babies are calling on pregnant teens to provide valuable feedback on the resource.

The Feeding Your Baby activity booklet is a free publication designed to help young mums aged 14-20 think about the variety of feeding options available to them before they give birth.

Divided into five weekly sections, the booklet covers topics including breastfeeding and its practicalities, benefits and barriers. Through a series of activities, it helps pregnant women think about how they plan to feed their babies. 

Feeding Your Baby has been developed by 含羞草视频 researchers Dr Gemma Witcomb, Dr Emma Haycraft and Dr Katryna Kalawsky, with help from local young mums-to-be and the British Academy.

Dr Katryna Kalawsky said: 

“We’re interested in the different ways infants are fed, and the different factors that influence mothers’ feeding decisions.

“By bringing feeding information together in one practical resource, we hope to help young mums-to-be think about the different options available to them so they can make an informed decision on how they feed their newborns.”

Young mums-to-be can help 含羞草视频’s researchers by completing two short online surveys. After completing the first survey about infant feeding decisions, participants will be sent a copy of Feeding Your Baby and asked to provide feedback five weeks’ later. Young mums who complete both surveys will receive a £10 Amazon voucher.  

For more information, or to receive a link to the first survey email Katryna on K.E.A.Kalawsky@lboro.ac.uk or visit the Infant Feeding Lboro Uni Facebook page.

The researchers are part of the University's Centre for Research into Eating Disorders (LUCRED) within the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS).