Influencing national and international breastfeeding care through the generation of high quality evidence

Description of impact

University of Aberdeen research has directly influenced worldwide guidance for breastfeeding. A programme of research led by University researchers set out to develop, design and evaluate interventions to improve breastfeeding rates. Findings from the research directly led to a change to UNICEF guidance on how to promote breastfeeding care. Hospitals can apply to be UNICEF "Baby Friendly" accredited if they can demonstrate implementation of the UNICEF guidance. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has also indicated that all UK hospitals must follow the UNICEF guidance. The research has also directly impacted on the work of the Baby Café Charitable Trust -a charity which runs accredited drop-in centres to promote breastfeeding across in the UK and internationally - with the findings from the Aberdeen research programme directly influencing the Baby Café "toolkit": the "rule-book" by which all Baby Café drop-in centres worldwide are run.

The claimed impact, as defined by REF guidance, is therefore on policy and services; practitioners and professional services; society and economically.

Impact status	Impact Completed (Open)