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Aim To explore the experiences of women from three population groups of immediate skin-to-skin contact ( SSC) with their newborn babies. Method A mixed methods approach was adopted in a phenomenological study to elicit the experiences of English, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women. Audiotaped diaries, semi-structured interviews, photographs and video recordings were employed. Concept mapping was central to data analysis. Results This paper reports novel findings that women contextualized and accepted secretions and bodily fluids from birth. This contradicts the beliefs of midwives that Asian women find bodily secretions abhorrent and culturally unacceptable. All participants reported positive experiences of SSC despite varying degrees of soiling from birth fluids. Limitations The study was conducted in a single setting, and participants may not have been representative of others in their cultural groups. Third-party translation may have added an unsought layer of interpretation. The imposition of cultural expectations by peers in the recruitment process excluded some potential participants. Conclusion Stereotypical assumptions about cultural background often characterize professional responses. When this stereotyping was put aside, women of all three cultures, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, were able to enjoy SSC with their babies. Implications for Nursing and Health Policy The findings suggest that changes will be needed in professional practice to be more open to women's expressed preferences, in local policy to ensure that choices are made clear and are available, and in national strategic direction to ensure widespread adoption of positive practices for opportunities to increase breastfeeding, promote parent-child bonding and support patient choice to be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The birth of a baby is a family experience. However, in the United Kingdom birth often occurs outside the family environment, in hospital. Both home and hospital births have risks and benefits, but research shows that, for most women, it is as safe to give birth at home as it is in hospital. Women report home-birth to be satisfying with lowered risks of intervention and less likelihood of being separated from their family. It is also more cost effective for the National Health Service. Yet, whilst midwives are working hard to promote home birth as an option, it remains controversial. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of the safety of home birth and the needs of women and midwives when a home birth is chosen. It provides an overview of care required and the role of the midwife in the ensuring care is woman-centred and personalised.

Obesity is on the rise and at epidemic levels in many countries, including the UK. The costs of managing the health of a public with large body mass index (BMI) is spiralling out of control and, without a call for action, will continue to escalate. In this paper Valerie Finigan discusses the impact of increased maternal BMI in pregnancy, and breastfeeding. She highlights the associated risks of obesity for the infant if breastfeeding fails, the challenges the mother may face in breastfeeding, and identifies ways that the challenges can be minimised. Finigan considers the reasons why breastfeeding is successful in reducing obesity in the infant. The aims of the paper are to introduce ideas that improve outcomes and reduce the likelihood of obesity for both the mother and infant

In 2007 the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) made clear recommendations about the care that mothers with diabetes and their infants should receive in line with UNICEF's (2009) evidence based standards and as a response to concerns about the care of the newborn baby (CEMACH 2007). The report demonstrated suboptimal management with regards to neonatal hypoglycaemia, early feeding, lower breastfeeding rates and a higher than expected number of admissions to neonatal units for infants of diabetic mothers. This second paper shares ideas of targeted interventions that support diabetic mothers to breastfeed.

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).

To encourage more mothers to breastfed a breastfeeding reassurance and guidance group was set up to provide professional and peer support and advice for new mothers. Few mothers from ethnic minorities attended, which prompted research into women's views of local services. Problems in accessing services by public transport and safety issues were raised.

Current Department of Health advice for mothers who are HIV positive is not to breastfeed. The aim of this paper is to encourage debate on this subject among health-care professionals who care for such mothers. Both formula feeding and breastfeeding could be considered a risk in such circumstances, but information and options can be make this choice safer.

The UKCC code of practice stipulates the importance of professional competence. The ENB framework offers a means of developing competence in a way that is structured and focused. In this paper, the author describes how she used the framework as a basis for developing her practice and improving the quality of care she gives.