Making meaningful contributions to research, programs and policy

Targeted Research, Service Evaluation and Policy Development

Translational and applied research are needed to address gaps and obstacles for every audience, e.g., policy makers, mothers, social organizations, etc. that optimal infant and young child feeding benefits all of us.  Translational research includes service evaluation and recommendation for program and policy change.

Our goal: Through development of the evidence-base, through cross-disciplinary analyses, through interaction with governmental and non-governmental agencies supportive of MCH, nutrition and maternal reproductive health interventions, and by publication and targeted dissemination of these analyses, we hope to enable social and policy change to further enable women, everywhere, to choose and succeed in optimal infant and young child feeding.
 
To achieve our goals, a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach is needed.  Comprehensive work in support of social and behavioral change must include multiple sectors and must address the issue at mega- (global), macro- (national), meso- (state or community) and micro- (family and individual) levels. 

Programs

EBF6

LAM

Policy

APHA Breastfeeding Policy

Breastfeeding-friendly Hospital 

NC State Breastfeeding Task Force

ABM Breastfeeding Position Paper (available in 2008)

Publications

Labbok M. Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative: Status and Updates. (Abstract) J Hum Lact, 2007, 23(1):91.

Labbok M, Echerd L, and Nakaji E. Infant Feeding Area Graphs: Insight for Program Planning Inputs (abstract), J Hum Lact, 2007, 23(1):91.

Labbok, M. Breastfeeding and baby-friendly hospital initiative: more important and with more evidence than ever. Jornal de Pediatria.  2007;83(2): 99-101.

Labbok M, ABM News: International update. Breastfeeding Medicine 2006, 1(4):278-279.

Labbok M. Breastfeeding: A woman’s reproductive right. In Keith L (ed), FIGO (International Federation of Gyn/OB) Annual Report, 2006, Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2006;94(3):277-86.

Labbok M, Echerd L, Nakaji E. Infant feeding area graphs: Insight for program inputs (Poster), 13^th International Conference, Breast Milk: Physiology, Biochemistry & Outcomes.  ISRHML. Niagara-on-the-Lake, September 2006.

Labbok M, Wardlaw T, Blanc A, Clark D, Terreri N. Trends in exclusive breastfeeding: findings from the 1990s. J Hum Lact. 2006;22(3):272-6.

Labbok M, Nichols-Johnson V, Valdes-Anderson V. ABM Clinical Protocol #13: Contraception during breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Medicine 2006;1(1):43-51.

Gedal A. Breastfeeding in China: Analysis of Five Provinces.  

McNeil M. Risks of Not Breastfeeding: Data presentation to create an exclusive breastfeeding norm.

Bioxiones C. Early breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding in indigenous communities, Guatemala, 2006.

Roberts E. NC Obstetricians' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to breastfeeding: Results of an online survey.

Michaud-Letourneau I. The potential of the new WHO growth charts as a tool to support exclusive breastfeeding.  Received the award for best research poster at the Maternal and Child Health Departmental Research Exhibit, April 2007.