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Mary Paton Research Award 2011 – Ms Marie McLaughlin
In her winning paper, Ms McLaughlin examines breastfeeding knowledge, knowledge related to breastfeeding the hospitalised infant, policy and guideline awareness, and attitudes to breastfeeding in the paediatric nursing community. Participants responded to an extensive questionnaire in which they demonstrated excellent breastfeeding attitudes and general knowledge. Nonetheless, deficits in breastfeeding knowledge related to specific outcomes were identified (including attachment, maintenance of milk supply, expressing, impact of supplements, protective benefits and supportive advice and strategies). Access Marie's paper here
Mary Paton Research Award 2009 – Dr Wendy Brodribb
In her winning paper, Dr Brodribb acknowledges that breastfeeding is an important public health issue, and considers that whilst medical practitioners can have a significant impact on breastfeeding initiation and duration, there are few studies investigating their views regarding women's infant feeding decisions. Dr Brodribb's mixed-methods study employed qualitative (focus groups and interviews) and quantitative (questionnaire) data collection techniques to investigate the attitudes and views of Australian medical students and GP registrars about infant feeding decision-making. Access Dr Brodribb's paper here
Mary Paton Research Award 2007 – Dr Karleen Gribble
Dr Gribble's paper explores the experiences of 107 Australian women who were breastfeeding a child two years or older, 87% of whom had not originally intended to breastfeed long-term, with many who had initially felt disgust for breastfeeding beyond infancy. Mothers changed their opinion about long-term breastfeeding as they saw their child enjoy breastfeeding, as their knowledge about breastfeeding increased and as they were exposed to long-term breastfeeding role models. Access Dr Gribble's paper here
Mary Paton Research Award 2005 – Dr Linda Sweet
Linda's paper explores the objectification (or in other words externalising) of breastmilk, which results from long-term breast expression by parents of hospitalised very low birth weight preterm infants. Whilst there is a range of reasons women have given for ceasing breastfeeding for preterm infants, this study aimed to increase knowledge and understanding of how parents experience breastfeeding, to assist nurses and other health care professionals to improve the clinical care received by families, and to improve the preterm breastfeeding experience. Access Dr Sweet's paper here
