Latest news from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ

8 May 2014

Resource helps young mums feed their babies

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 º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ 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 º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ’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).

Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 14/85

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year title in 2008-09 and has been named Sports University of the Year 2013-14 by The Times and Sunday Times. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

In 2015 the University will open an additional academic campus in London’s new innovation quarter. º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ in London, based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will offer postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities.

Contact for all media enquiries

Amanda Overend
Public Relations Officer
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
T: 01509 223491
E: A.J.Overend@lboro.ac.uk