University Of Western Australia Researchers To Highlight Findings To Empower Breastfeeding Mothers
Three internationally acclaimed researchers at The University of Western Australia will share their ground-breaking findings at a free public online panel discussion next Monday as part of World Breastfeeding Week, which runs from today until Monday 7 August.
This year’s theme is ‘Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents’ and UWA’s leading researchers will discuss their research and how it contributes to enhancing knowledge and reducing obstacles faced by breastfeeding mothers.
Their evidence-based studies aim to break down barriers and improve the care provided to breastfeeding mothers, infants and families, making a significant impact on the community.
Panel speakers include Professor Valerie Verhasselt, Director of the Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Centre of Research for Immunology and Breastfeeding at UWA’s Medical School and Telethon Kids Institute, leading lactation scientist Professor Donna Geddes, from UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences and Dr Melinda Boss who leads the LactaMap Research Group at UWA’s School of Allied Health.
A globally recognised expert in neonatal immunology, Professor Verhasselt has pioneered research in health promotion through breastfeeding. Through collaborations with WA’s ORIGINS Project – a birth cohort study of 10,000 families led by Telethon Kids Institute and Joondalup Health Campus – as well as international cohorts, the Centre aims to provide crucial insights into how breastfeeding practices and milk bioactive factors influence immune development, especially in the context of allergy, malaria and worm infections.
Professor Geddes has been instrumental in unravelling the intricacies of breastfeeding physiology through cutting-edge research, including evidence-based practices to support breastfeeding. Her research focuses on identifying and addressing the causes of low milk production, a common concern among breastfeeding women. During the panel discussion, she will delve into prevailing myths and realities surrounding breastfeeding and milk production.
Dr Boss is committed to delivering evidence-based lactation knowledge to the community, including the development of popular UWA short courses to enhance health professionals’ expertise in lactation and improve clinical care.
Dr Boss’ collaboration with Pharmacy777 has been pioneering a pharmacy-based breastfeeding screening and support service. Her recent study on understanding breastfeeding experiences in the community sheds light on the importance of knowledge and education in this area.
The panel discussion will showcase the outcomes of real-life case studies, highlighting the significance of knowledge and education in fostering positive breastfeeding experiences.