Association between breastfeeding and anthropometry and cardiovascular disease risk factor status in adolescence and young adulthood: the Young Hearts Project, Northern Ireland.

Objective: To examine the association between breastfeeding and blood pressure, anthropometry, and plasma lipid profile in both adolescence and young adulthood. Design: Longitudinal study of biological and behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Setting: The Young Hearts Project, Northern Ireland Subjects: School children aged 12 years and 15 years who participated in a cross-sectional study of lifestyle and health, and who were followed up as young adults aged 20 – 25 years. Results: There was no significant difference in height, weight, BMI, skin-fold thickness measurements, blood pressure or plasma lipid profile in adolescents who had been breastfed when compared to those who had not been breastfed. However, by the time these adolescents had reached adulthood, those who had been breastfed were significantly taller when compared to those who had not been breastfed (standing height, P=0.013; leg length (P=0.035)). Specifically, the breastfed group were on average taller by 1.7cm (95% CI 0.4, 3.0) and had longer legs by 1cm (95% CI 0.1, 1.9). There was no significant difference in other anthropometric measures, blood pressure or plasma lipid profile in adults who had been breastfed when compared to those who had not been breastfed. Conclusions: Compared with those who had not been breastfed, individuals who had been breastfed were taller in adulthood. Given the known association of increased adult height with improved life expectancy the results from this study support a beneficial effect of breastfeeding.

Determinants of breastfeeding initiation in Ireland

BACKGROUND: Ireland continues to rank among countries with the lowest breastfeeding initiation rates. National and regional studies also show that few women in Ireland who initiate exclusive breastfeeding continue to breastfeed for the recommended 6 months.

AIM: To assess the rate of exclusive and partial breastfeeding in Ireland at three time periods: birth to 48 h, 3-4 months following birth, and when the infant was 6-7 months old.

METHODS: A longitudinal national cohort survey of 2527 mothers.

RESULTS: Findings show that just 56 % (n = 1002) of mothers initiated breastfeeding at birth and, at 48 h, 42 % (n = 1064) of women were exclusively breastfeeding their babies. At 6-7 months, only 2.4 % of the 2527 mothers who took part, reported exclusive breastfeeding. Irish women were less likely to initiate breastfeeding (52.6 %) compared with Polish (82.2 %), British (64.5 %), and other nationalities (74.6 %). Multivariate analysis also revealed significant relationships between initiation and socio-economic variables, with mothers' health insurance status being of particular importance.

CONCLUSION: The results highlight the necessity to support the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding in Ireland, in order to reduce rates of infant morbidity.

Breastfeeding: let's normalise it!

Breastfeeding rates in Northern Ireland are substantially lower in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the United Kingdom (McAndrew et al, 2012). Midwives carry a responsibility within their health promotion activities to reiterate the benefits of breastfeeding and support women to make empowered decisions with regard to feeding their baby. This poster explores some of the challenges faced by midwives in relation to supporting women to make empowered choices and explores how midwives can help normalise breastfeeding within the clinical practice setting

The neonatal nurse: advocating for breastfeeding mothers

Accurate information and support from healthcare professionals as well as respect for parental choice are all factors which contribute to effective breastfeeding in the neonatal unit; with this in mind, Colm Darby and Sharon Nurse discuss the potential problems in expressing breast milk and the interventions which might be effective in avoiding them. Advocacy is an inherent part of neonatal nurses' role whilst caring for sick, vulnerable babies. Colm Darby is a male neonatal nurse working in a predominantly female environment and passionately believes in supporting and advocating for mothers who want to provide breast milk for their babies. In this article, CoIm uses Borton's model of reflection to discuss how he acted as an effective advocate for such a mother.