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'Infant feeding' is the 12th series of 'Midwifery basics' targeted at practising midwives. The aim of these articles is to inform and encourage readers to seek further information through a series of activities relating to the topic. In this fifth article Joyce Marshall considers a range of baby related issues that pose challenges for both mothers and midwives in relation to infant feeding.

Diabetes is an increasingly common disease (Narayan et al 2003; Cowie et al 2006). The financial impact of managing this condition is rising (Hogan et al 2003). Diabetes is a syndrome with genetic and environmental influences that results in both insulin resistance and insufficient insulin production (Weyer et al 1999). Increasing evidence suggests that exclusive breastfeeding may have a significant impact on the prevention of diabetes in adult life (Young et al 2002). This paper looks at why it is important to motivate mothers with diabetes to exclusively breastfeed their babies as directed by the Department of Health (DH) (2003). Breastfeeding will have a positive impact in halting the rising diabetic trend. In addition to the physiological benefits of breastfeeding, women with diabetes report that breastfeeding helps them to fulfil their need to feel 'normal' (Riordan 2005).

The evidence base showing the huge importance of breast milk for preterm babies is growing all the time. Human milk can help save the lives of vulnerable babies as well as help prevent some of the long-term complications. Breast milk is being seen as one of the most potent medicines for these babies. Yet practice in many neonatal wards is lagging behind the evidence. In this article, Sarah Vincent interviews Dr Paul Meier, one of the high profile speakers coming to the 2011 UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Conference later this year, who has carried out pioneering work into caring for preterm babies at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. In her unit, where breastfeeding initiation rates are now 98 per cent, much of the care is carried out by well trained peer supporters who have been through the experience themselves and whom mothers can easily relate to. Dr Meier has also carried out research into the importance of the first two weeks for establishing a milk supply for mothers using a milk pump.

The dramatically new UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative website will launch on 9 January 2011, having been successfully piloted at the recent Baby Friendly Conference in Harrogate. One new feature will be Care Pathways, so that whether you are a parent, a health worker, or an infant feeding lead, you will be able to see and understand what good care should look like at each stage of the mother's journey. Other features of the new site will be discussion forums for health professionals to share their experiences, and video and audio-clips of mothers and health professionals sharing their stories, as well as much-improved navigation and research library.