Dr. Miriam Stoppard
First research findings from the UK’s largest ever breastfeeding research project are to be shared at a special event for policy makers and practitioners.
The ISER event is taking place in October and will include a keynote address from Health Select Committee member Daniel Poulter MP, and a round table discussion chaired by the well-known author and broadcaster Dr Miriam Stoppard. Panellists include National Childbirth Trust CEO Belinda Phipps, Royal College of Midwives Policy Advisor Janet Fyle and Alison Baum, the CEO of the charity Best Beginnings.
As well as sharing findings from the project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, the aim of the event is to discuss the evidence for and against pro-breastfeeding policies with a selection of practitioners, policy makers and charities and look at the long term social, economic and health outcomes of breastfeeding practices.
Event organiser and principal investigator on the research project,The effects of breastfeeding on children, mothers and employers, Dr Emilia Del Bono said:
“The many advantages of breastfeeding babies are widely documented and accepted. Yet in the UK less than one in three babies are exclusively breastfed for the first four months of life. Of these, the majority already begin life with the advantages of better-educated and wealthier parents.
“But what is the social, economic and health returns – if any – from supporting and encouraging breastfeeding mothers? Is it a policy this Government can afford not to pursue, or is it a distraction from the more pressing issues of social injustice and inequality? These are some of the questions we will be addressing at what should be a fantastic event.”
Early intervention and social mobility: Are pro-breastfeeding policies worth it? takes place on Wednesday October 12 2011 at the British Academy. This is an invitation-only event, however there may be a few spare places available and you can register your interest via the special event web page.