Research
Current Research
"Just in Case" A Qualitative Study of Reasons Why Mothers Request Formula in the Hospital (2008-Present)
In 2008, staff of the UC Davis Human Lactation Center began a study aimed at learning more about why mothers of healthy breastfeeding infants request formula during their hospital stay. This project was initiated by Katie Bowman, MAS, IBCLC during her graduate studies at UC Davis. A series of focus groups were conducted at various WIC sites in Northern California, and we are currently in the process of analyzing and reporting the data. Results of this qualitative research will be used to inform policy and develop messages to support and assist mothers who have made the decision to breastfeed their infants.
Modifying and Extending Fit WIC Materials to Start Obesity Prevention in Infancy (2006-2009)
Starting in the fall of 2006, staff of the UC Davis Human Lactation Center began a 3-year educational intervention project designed to increase WIC participants' knowledge of normal infant behavior in order to 1) promote positive interactions among infants and caregivers and 2) prevent overfeeding in infancy. The project is currently in its final year. This project was funded through a USDA WIC Special Projects Grant. Preliminary results will be shared in Spring 2009 and the final results will be available in late 2009.
Past Research
Cross-Case Comparison of Breastfeeding Support Models throughout California (2005)
In the summer of 2005, staff of the UC Davis Human Lactation Center conducted a cross-case comparison of various models of breastfeeding support currently used in California (including cost information). The objectives of this study were to 1) develop a detailed qualitative, descriptive summary for each program and to 2) identify key factors associated with successful programs. The ultimate goals of this study were 1) to expand the evidence-base related to optimal systems of health care for breastfeeding mothers and infants, 2) share key elements of active, successful programs with interested agencies and community members (which was done in October 2005), and 3) identify factors associated with successful programs for use in development of intervention trials.
Sources of Infant Feeding Information for Low Income Women (2005)
In the summer of 2005, staff of the UC Davis Human Lactation Center conducted a multi-center, qualitative study in Northern California as a follow-up to the original study conducted in 2003 (also funded by WIC), which examined the barriers to compliance with infant feeding recommendations among low-income women. The short-term goal of this study was to (1) obtain, through focus groups, sources of infant feeding information for low-income mothers and (2) how mothers decide what information is "credible' and helpful to them.
For more information, refer to: Heinig et al. Sources and Acceptance of Infant-Feeding Advice Among Low-Income Women. J Hum Lact 2009 May;25(2):163-72.
Examining Barriers to Compliance with Infant Feeding Recommendations among Low-income Women (2003-2004)
In the spring of 2003, staff of the UC Davis Human Lactation Center conducted a multi-center, qualitative study of WIC participants in the Sacramento area. The short-term goal of this study was to better understand why non-optimal infant feeding practices occur among low-income women despite extensive education and counseling provided by WIC agencies. The aim of this project was to conduct pilot focus groups among culturally diverse WIC participants, in order to determine whether or not the elements of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) are relevant to this population and to identify culturally specific factors that affect infant feeding behavior in the first 6 months postpartum.
For more information, refer to: Heinig et al. Barriers to Compliance With Infant-Feeding Recommendations Among Low-income Women. J Hum Lact 2006 Feb;22(1):27-38.
California Statewide Breastfeeding Needs Assessment
From October 2001 to May 2002, center faculty, in cooperation with the UC Davis Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Maternal and Infant Nutrition Workgroup, conducted a needs assessment using the resources of the 37 active breastfeeding coalitions throughout the state of California; all but 2 agreed to participate. A survey was mailed to the designated contact person and the coalition members were asked to discuss and record their responses to the questions during one of their regular meetings. Approximately 320 people participated in the survey, representing a cross-section of providers of breastfeeding support including hospital nurses, public health nurses, lactation consultants, WIC nutritionists, clinical dietitians, social workers, and community health workers. The results represent these providers' views on the state of breastfeeding support services in California.
WHO Multicentre Growth Study (1999)
In 1999, Human Lactation Center faculty and staff conducted a large prospective study of lactation and infant growth sponsored by the World Health Organization and co-funded by the USDA and National Institutes of Health. The City of Davis was the North American site of this worldwide effort to gather data for a new international child growth reference.
More information about this study is available at http://www.who.int/childgrowth/mgrs/en/.
Risk Factors Study (1999)
In this study, a community-based sample of all residents of Davis who gave birth in 1999, was used to examine risk factors for breastfeeding difficulties in the first month postpartum.
For more information, refer to: Dewey et al. Risk Factors for Suboptimal Infant Breastfeeding Behavior, Delayed Onset of Lactation, and Excess Neonatal Weight Loss. Pediatrics Vol. 112 No. 3 September 2003, pp. 607-619.