Expertise and subject areas

With a team of multidisciplinary staff and PhD students working internationally, nationally and locally on a range of projects, areas of expertise include:

• Global politics of infant and young child feeding
• Supportive interventions for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding
• Maternal and child nutrition
• Psychosocial perspectives on nutrition and nurture of infants and children
• Parent–child relationships in Neonatal Intensive Care Units across Europe

Impact

Please see individual members websites go to the Members tab.

Events

Conference announcement and call for papers

Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perspectives
Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th of June 2020
Turku, Finland

The three-day international, interdisciplinary MAINN conference will be run in collaboration with:  

• Health in Early Life and Parenthood research group and the Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Finland, in collaboration with:
• Reproductive, Infant and Child Health Centre (RICH), School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Sweden;
• Turku University Hospital, Finland; and the research network SCENE.

Please see attached for call for papers.

The 2021 MAINN Conference will be held at Grange-over-Sands on Mon 7th , Tues 8th  and Wed 9th June 2021.

Proceedings from past conferences published in Maternal & Child Nutrition

• 10-12 June 2013 Volume 9, Issue Supplement S3 Pages 1 - 57
• 10-12 June 2015 Volume 11, Issue Supplement S2 Pages 3-129
• 10th ‐ 14th June 2017 Volume 14, Issue Supplement S2

MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION
© John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Courses and Postgraduate Study

• Professional Doctorate in Health (e-learn & on-campus) – Dr Victoria Hall Moran
• MSc Midwifery (e-learn & on-campus)
• Maternal and Infant Nutrition: Bio-cultural perspectives (MW 4109) – Dr Victoria Hall Moran
• Psycho-social Influences and Impact on Maternal, Child and Family Health (MW4033) – Dr Gill Thomson

Members

• Professor Fiona Dykes: Professor of Maternal and Infant Health
• Dr Victoria Hall Moran: Reader/Associate Professor of Maternal and Child Nutrition
• Dr Gill Thomson: Senior Research Fellow
• Dr Nicola Crossland: Research Associate
• Anna Byrom

Additional information

For further information please contact: Professor Fiona Dykes fcdykes@uclan.ac.uk

Related Research Groups

SCENE Collaboration Group

Research in Childbirth and Health Unit (ReaCH), UCLan

International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies (IINSAFSS), UCLan

List of projects

2013: NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC). Improving Public Health and Reducing Health Inequalities. Theme Leader: Popay J (Lancaster); Co-applicants: Whitehead, Capewell, Barr, Milligan, Hollingsworth, Zucchelli, Hatton, Holland, Limmer, Downe S (UCLAN), Dykes F (UCLAN). Total Grant: £1,499,830.

2011-2013: NIHR Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme. BIBS; Benefits of Incentives for Breastfeeding and Smoking cessation: a platform study for a trial (Stirling, UCLAN, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Glasgow). Hoddinott P (PI - Stirling), Dykes F (PI - UCLAN), Bauld L, Campbell M, Ludbrook A, Sniettahotta F. Total Grant: £322,127 with £64,372 to UCLAN.

2011-2014: The Jirga and its potential for community engagement in research in North West Pakistan – an ethnographic exploration. Lowe N (PI), Lhussier M, Zaman M, Dykes F. Funded by Wellcome Trust: International Engagement Awards WT096707MA, £30,000 to UCLAN.

2013: The International Closeness Survey. Lehtonen L (PI), Hugill K and the SCENE group.

2013: The Emotional Closeness Project. Flacking R (PI Sweden), Thomson G (PI England), Axelin A (PI Finland) and the SCENE group.

2013: Evaluation of Baby Friendly accreditation: peer support and evidence of impact for building social capital. Thomson G (PI) NHS North Lancashire. £21,847 to UCLAN.

2013: Breast milk Demonstration. Thomson G (PI) Breastfeeding Network (BfN), £4,995 to UCLAN.

2012-2017: MAINN: Awarded Strategic Health Authority (Cumbria and Lancashire) Doctoral Studentship - Christopher Smith. ‘Obesity and complementary feeding: beliefs and practices in North West England’.

2010-2015: MAINN: Awarded Strategic Health Authority (Cumbria and Lancashire) Doctoral Studentship - Anna Byrom. ‘Macro-interventions into micro-cultures: WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.

2009-2013: A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices. Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant application number: LP0991564, Schmied V (PI), Fenwick J, Gribble K, McGrath D, Sheehan A, Dykes F. Grant to UWS: Aus $94,000.

2008-2012: Four year commissioned longitudinal evaluation of implementation of WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), NHS North Lancashire. Dykes F (PI), Thomson G, Bilson A. £86,000 to UCLAN.

• Thomson G, Bilson A, Dykes F (2012) Implementing the WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative in the community: a 'hearts and minds' approach. Midwifery 28, 258–264.
• Thomson, G and Dykes F (2011) Women’s Sense of Coherence of Infant Feeding. Maternal and Child Nutrition 7, 160-174.
• Thomson G, Dykes F, Bilson A, Putsey J & Whitmore M. (2010). Tackling the Infant Formula Industries. Public Health Nutrition, 13 (1), 149–150.

2009-2011: Commissioned longitudinal evaluation of breastfeeding peer support project (as part of WHO/UNICEF BFI) in NHS Blackpool. Dykes F (PI), Thomson G, (Year 1 funded by NHS Blackpool, Year 2/3 by BfN). £43,000 to UCLAN.

• Thomson G and Dykes F (2012) ‘Giving me hope’: an evaluation of a breastfeeding peer support project in North West England. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 8, 340-53
• Thomson G, Dykes F, Hurley P, Hoddinott P (2012) Incentives as Connectors: Perceptions of women and peer supporters participating in a breastfeeding incentive intervention in a disadvantaged area of North West England. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 12, 22 .
• Aiken A, Thomson G (2012) Professionalization of a Breastfeeding Peer Support Service: Views and Experiences of Peer Supporters. Midwifery (in press)

2009-2010: Perceptions of vulnerable groups re: Maternal and Child Health Services in NHS Central Lancs. Commissioned by NHS Central Lancs. Dykes F (PI), Thomson G. Income: £14,000 to UCLAN.

• Thomson G, Dykes F, Singh G, Cawley L, Dey P (2013) A public health perspective of women’s experience of antenatal care: an exploration of insights from a community consultation. Midwifery. 29, 211-216.

2010-2011: Socio-cultural influences upon women’s perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding and associated maternity service provision. NHS Ashton, Wigan and Leigh, Dykes F (PI) £20,000 to UCLAN.

2010-2011: DH commissioned evaluation of the Information Feeding Information Team (IFIT) set up in North West England (to establish a national model). Thomson G (PI), Dykes F, DH £45,000 to UCLAN.

• Dykes F, Richardson-Foster H, Crossland N, Thomson G (2012) ‘Dancing on a thin line’: Evaluation of an Infant Feeding Information Team to implement the WHO Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Midwifery 28, 765-771.

2010: Self Efficacy Evaluation of DH Antenatal packs. Thomson and Dykes DH £4,700 (Consultancy)

2010-2011: Expert Testimony – National Social Marketing Centre/NICE: Social marketing of breastfeeding: impact on breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks. Dykes F (PI) £5,000 to UCLAN (Consultancy).

2011: Commissioned Evaluation of the National Breastfeeding Helpline. Thomson G (PI), Dykes F. DH (National Breastfeeding Network) £40,000 to UCLAN.

• Thomson G, Crossland N, Dykes F, Sutton C (2012) UK Breastfeeding Helpline support: an investigation of influences upon satisfaction. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 12, 150.
• Thomson G, Crossland N (2013). Callers' attitudes and experiences of UK breastfeeding helpline support. International Breastfeeding Journal, 8, 3.

2009-2011: Postdoctoral Research Fellow appt. Dr Renee Flacking. Comparative Neonatal Unit ethnography with focus on infant feeding practices (Sweden and England). RF received Visiting Fellowship from UCLAN. Dykes F (PI), Flacking R. Funding from Åkerham & Engström Foundation, Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University £50,000.

• Flacking R, Dykes F (2013) ‘Being in a womb’ or ‘playing musical chairs’: the impact of place and space on infant feeding in NICUs. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 13:179.

2008-2010: University Western Sydney (UWS) Research Committee Competitive Grants. WHO/UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative: Exploring the implementation and dissemination of a global policy. Schmied V, Sheehan A, Dykes F (joint PIs). Grant: Aus $23,967

• Taylor C, Gribble A, Sheehan V, Schmied V, Dykes F (2011) Staff Perceptions and Experiences of Implementing the Baby Friendly Initiative in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Australia. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing 40, 25-34.
• Schmied V, Gribble A, Sheehan V, Taylor C, Dykes F (2011) ‘Ten Steps or climbing a mountain’: A study of Australian health professionals’ perceptions of implementing the Baby Friendly Health Initiative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. Health Services Research 11, 208.

2007-2012: Eurreca Network of Excellence. Harmonising nutrient recommendations across Europe with special focus on vulnerable groups and consumer understanding. FP6036196-2(FOOD). Funded under the EC Framework 6. 13.2 million Euros for consortium over 5 years. Aggett P, Dykes F, Hall Moran V, Lowe N: £160,000 to UCLAN.

• Lowe N, Dykes F, Skinner A-L, Patel S, Warthon-Medina M, Decsi T, Fekete K, Souverein O, Dullemeijer C, Cavelaars A, Serra-Majem L, Nissensohn M, Bel S, Moreno L, Hermoso M, Vollhardt C, Berti C, Cetin I, Gurinovic M, Novakovic R, Harvey L, Collings R, Hall Moran V (2013) Estimating zinc requirements for deriving dietary reference values. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 53, 1110-23.
• Hall Moran V, Skinner A, Warthon-Medina M, Patel S, Dykes, F, Souverein O, Dullemeijer C, Prez Rodrigo C, Lowe N (2012) The relationship between zinc intake and serum/plasma zinc concentration in children: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Nutrients 4, 841-858; doi:10.3390/nu4080841 (open access)
• Hall Moran V, Skinner A, Warthon-Medina M, Patel S, Dykes, F, Souverein O, Dullemeijer C, Lowe, N (2012) The relationship between zinc intake and serum/plasma zinc concentration in pregnant and lactating women: A systematic review with dose-response meta-analyses. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 26, 74-79 (IF 2.176).
• Hall Moran V, Lowe N, Crossland N, Berti C, Cetin I, Hermoso M, Koletzko B, Dykes F (2010) Nutritional requirements during lactation. Towards European alignment of reference values: the EURRECA network. Maternal and Child Nutrition 6, 39-54.
• Berti C, Desci T, Dykes F, Hermoso M, Koletzko B, Massari M, Moreno L, Serra-Majem L, Cetin I (2010) Critical issues in setting nutritional micronutrient recommendations for pregnant women: an insight. Maternal and Child Nutrition 6, 5-22.
• Hermoso M, Tabacchi G, Iglesia-Altaba I, Sanchez-Villegas A, Brito N, Bel-Serrat S, Moreno-Aznar L, García-Santos Y, García-Luzardo M del R, Santana-Salguero B, Peña-Quintana L, Serrá-Majem L, Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Decsi T, Benetou V, Plada M, Trichopoulou A, Raats M, Doets EM, Berti C, Cetin I and Koletzko B (2010) The nutritional requirements of infants. Towards EU alignment of reference values: the EURRECA network. Maternal and Child Nutrition 6, 55-83.

2007: Dykes commissioned by DH (North West Public Health) – to co-ordinate team in writing Addressing Health Inequalities: A North West Breastfeeding Framework for Action. £5,000.

2007-2008: Consultant on TrustTECH Service Innovation Project, East Lancs NHS Trust. Evaluation of Community Breastfeeding Peer support ‘Little Angels’ £1,200.

2006: Weight monitoring in infants and young children. Review for NICE - DH (Sachs M and Dykes F), DH. £4,363.

2005: Consultancy contract for Public Health Collaborating Centre for Maternal & Child Nutrition (funded by NICE), University of York. Project: Practitioner review and ratification of NICE Breastfeeding guidelines: £4,500.

2003: Synthesis of ~80 DH funded infant feeding projects. DH funded Competitive tender. Dykes F (PI) £20,000.

• Dykes F (2005) Government funded breastfeeding peer support projects: Implications for practice. Maternal & Child Nutrition 1, 21-31.
• Dykes F (2003) Infant Feeding Initiative: A Report Evaluating the Breastfeeding Practice Projects 1999-2002. DH, London, UK.

2001: Breastfeeding support: targeting adolescents. Competitive DH funded research grant. Dykes F and Hall Moran V. £20,000 (£5,000 additional funding from UCLAN).

• Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Burt S, Shuck C (2006) Breastfeeding support for adolescents: similarities and differences in the approach of midwives and qualified breastfeeding supporters. International Breastfeeding Journal 1, 23.
• Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Edwards J, Burt S, Whitmore M (2005) An evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and voluntary breastfeeding supporters using the Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST). Maternal & Child Nutrition 1, 241-249.
• Hall Moran V, Dykes F, Edwards J, Burt S, Whitmore M (2005) An evaluation of the breastfeeding support skills of midwives and voluntary breastfeeding supporters using the Breastfeeding Support Skills Tool (BeSST). Maternal & Child Nutrition 1, 241-249.
• Dykes F, Hall Moran V, Burt S, Edwards J, Whitmore M (2003) Adolescent mothers and breastfeeding – experiences and support needs: an exploratory study. Journal of Human Lactation 19, 391-401.