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

MAINN Conference 2021 - Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood: Bio-Cultural Perspectives will be held at Grange Over Sands in October 2021 (dates TBC).

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
• 10th ‐ 14th June 2019, Volume 16, Issue Supplement S1

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: Reader/Associate Professor in Perinatal Health
• 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

Nutritional Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies (NSAFSS) Group’), 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.