I mentioned a few days ago, that 'Nursing Matters' was about to widen 
its brief, to advocate on behalf of all breastfeeding babies and infants.

Since we started up, as a tiny org to help mothers caught in the asylum 
system in the UK, with providing breast pads and sanitary wear (hence 
the pun 'Nursing Matters') we've ended up meeting case after case of 
breastfeeding baby being separated, usually illegally, from their 
mothers.  And no one willing to take the lead in an official capacity, 
for having the babies returned as quickly as possible.

As part of work going on around such issues, in the global sense, not 
just in the UK, we've realised there is a need to collect documentation 
on the effects on the infant, and the mother, of an abrupt cessation of 
breastfeeding.  Ignorance of the breastfeeding baby's needs is so 
widespread, we've even had to explain out that feeding from a bottle, is 
a different skill from feeding at the breast - and we've sometimes had 
to explain this to mothers who had breastfeeding babies of their own.

Therefore, we're seeking to find all research based and peer reviewed 
literature, that deals with the various effects of abrupt removal of the 
baby/toddler from the mother's breast.  From the danger of mastitis and 
the need for maintaining supply, through to how to then feed the baby in 
order to maximise chances of a return to the breast, to the traumatic 
effects of the loss of comfort and mother's skin etc.  There is a real 
need to be able to provide evidence of the immense psychological 
impact/trauma on both infant and mother, in these horrendous situations, 
specifically related to breastfeeding.

We will seek to build all evidence forthcoming, into a document that can 
be used to support those battling to prevent such things occurring.

There are two elements to this request for aid:

(1)  If you know of any such papers, articles, chapters etc, or have 
written them yourself, please let us know where they are.  We will try 
and track them all down.  URLs for online stuff most welcome, as well as 
specific cites of hard copy publications.

(2)  If this is an area you have an interest in, and you'd like to 
either produce a detailed overview of the work available, or even expand 
it by writing up stuff you've been meaning to get to - now is the time 
to raise your hand.  We cannot offer financial reward, but we can 
'publish' your work on the 'Nursing Matters' website, and you will 
retain full copyright.

Many thanks in advance!

Morgan Gallagher

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