An organisation-wide approach to training community practitioners in breastfeeding.

A new self-study training programme was delivered to community practitioners as part of an organisation-wide breastfeeding training programme. Knowledge outcomes were measured before and after the training using the Coventry University Breastfeeding Assessment. Interviews with participants found the programme was well received and seen as a key way to ensure consistent evidence-based practice.

Meeting the challenge of delivering high-quality breastfeeding training for all.

Staff training is an essential element of achieving the prestigious UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) global standard for organisations seeking to provide services that support breastfeeding. A breastfeeding self-study training programme (workbook and DVD) was developed by Health Behaviour Research Limited and delivered to healthcare staff in primary care trusts (PCTs), children's centres and their maternity units. As part of this training knowledge outcomes are measured before and after the training using the CUBA (Coventry University Breastfeeding Assessment).

Breastfeeding Best Start study: training midwives in a 'hands off' positioning and attachment intervention.

The most common reasons cited by women for giving up breastfeeding early can be attributed to ineffective positioning and attachment and are therefore preventable. This study aimed to determine whether a 4-h training programme in 'hands off' positioning and attachment support increases midwives' knowledge and problem-solving skills. Using an unrelated comparison group and a pre- and post-intervention design, 108 midwives (experimental group) completed a 4-h standard breastfeeding training workshop focusing on effective positioning and attachment and the use of hands-off teaching methods.

A randomised-controlled trial in England of a postnatal midwifery intervention on breast-feeding duration.

Objective: To determine whether postnatal 'hands off' care by midwives on positioning and attachment of the newborn baby improves breast-feeding duration.

Design: Mothers were randomised at the first postnatal feed to receive either care by a midwife trained in the experimental protocol or by a control midwife undertaking routine care.

Setting: Eight wards in four English Midlands hospitals.