Introducing ABA-feed

We want to find out whether extra support helps a new parent to feed their baby in a way that works for them.

New parents often have questions about feeding their baby and welcome extra support and advice. We want to compare two different ways of providing support for infant feeding. Those taking part in the study will be divided, at random, into two groups.

One group will receive the usual information and support provided for feeding their baby from their midwife, health visitor and other available voluntary groups (‘usual care’). The other group will receive the same usual care but also be offered additional support before and after their babies are born from a specially trained ABA-feed Infant Feeding Helper.

What is involved?

The study involves a telephone or video call with one of our research team, then completing an on-line or postal questionnaire which will take no more than 20 minutes.

You will then be allocated randomly to one of the two groups – usual care or ABA-feed.

After your baby is born, we will ask you some more questions about how you are getting on with feeding your baby by text, email, phone or post when your baby is a few days old, and when they are 2, 4 and 6 months old.

As a thank you for taking part in the study, we will send you shopping vouchers after you have completed the questions when your baby is 2 and 4 months old.

Who is running the ABA-feed study?

ABA-feed is led by Professor Kate Jolly at the University of Birmingham with a team of researchers from across the UK.

What is the ABA-feed study about?

Meet our team

We have researchers across the United Kingdom.

  • Dr Nicola Crossland

    North West (University of Central Lancashire)

    Nicola is the lead contact if you are from Blackburn and Darwen, Sefton or Cheshire East.

  • Jennifer McKell

    Scotland (University of Stirling)

    Jennifer is the lead contact if you are from the Scottish Borders.

  • Debbie Johnson

    South West (University of Bristol)

    Debbie is the lead contact if you are from Bristol, Cornwall, North Somerset and Torbay.

  • Dr Nicola Savory

    Wales (Cardiff University)

    Nicola is the lead contact if you are from Cwm Taf Morgannwg, Powys or Swansea Bay.

  • Dr Joanne Clarke

    West Midlands (University of Birmingham)

    Jo is the lead contact if you are from Wolverhampton and Dudley and also Plymouth.