This section contains links to my research over the years. Organised by topic, it includes research into pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding, starting solids, mental health and parenting. Lots of papers are published with my former MSc and PhD students so be sure to check out their pages on social media too and follow what they are up to.
I hope this section is useful for looking at research on these topics (particularly for students looking to learn more), but for more detailed discussion head on over to the blogs section where I explore what the research means and how it fits into the bigger picture.
More papers to follow soon!
Interviews with health professionals and mothers as their perceived influences on breastfeeding duration
Research exploring link between duration of breastfeeding, reasons for stopping and postnatal depression.
Research exploring the link between different complications and interventions during birth and breastfeeding initiation and continuation
The link between personality, confidence, social support and breastfeeding experience
Interviews with fathers whose partner had breastfed into their needs, challenges and ideas for further support
Research that found that breastfed babies were rated as better able to control their appetite as toddlers
Exploring women's perceptions of breastfeeding education and promotion
The Importance of a responsive parenting approach for breastfeeding success
Research that found no relationship between milk feeding, amount of solid foods eaten and how often babies aged 6 - 12 months woke up at night
A qualitative study exploring experiences, barriers and enablers to breastfeeding older babies and children
Women's experiences of breastfeeding support in online groups - benefits and barriers
A quantitative paper linking the deprivation index of an area to breastfeeding duration
The importance of a responsive feeding style for breastfeeding continuation
A qualitative study exploring women's experiences of exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months
A study examining peer support provision in the UK
Feasibility and acceptability of motivational interviewing for breastfeeding peer support
Pilot of motivational interviewing trial for breastfeeding peer support
A position piece exploring the importance of breastfeeding experience to women who want to breastfeed
A quantitative paper linking third stage labour management to breastfeeding complications - active third stage (no injection) linked to fewer complications
A review paper for NCT Perspectives magazine exploring influences on feeding experiences and how these can affect milk supply
A review paper exploring the issue of attitudes towards breastfeeding in public
A review paper exploring public health measures needed to support breastfeeding
A review paper exploring priorities in breastfeeding research
Experiences of breastfeeding during the pandemic
Tactics used by formula companies to promote products during the pandemic
How Facebook groups provide important breastfeeding support
A systematic review exploring the experiences of parents breastfeeding a sick child in hospital
A review paper exploring the research around baby-led weaning: what it is, why parents choose it and the impact it might have
A qualitative study exploring why mothers chose to follow a baby-led weaning approach
Our very first study back in 2010 exploring baby-led weaning as a method of introducing solid foods
This paper explored what foods babies were offered when they were spoon-fed or baby-led weaned. Baby-led babies were offered more vegetables and protein rich foods.
This study weighed and measured babies aged 6 - 12 months and found that babies who were spoon-fed and bottle fed were heavier than babies who self fed / breastfed, self fed / bottle-fed or spoon-fed / breastfed.
This study compared parent reported weight and eating behaviours of toddlers who had followed a baby-led or spoon-fed approach. It found baby-led babies were less likely to be overweight.
The association between trying to follow strict routines and mental health and parenting confidence
What impact do baby care books that promote strict routines have on breastfeeding and baby care?
A qualitative study exploring perceptions of birth professionals as to how birth affects baby behaviour