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Research

A peer support intervention for first-time mothers: Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the mummy buddy program

The transition to motherhood, although joyous, can be highly stressful, and the availability of professional postpartum support for mothers is often limited. Peer volunteer support programs may offer a viable and cost-effective method to provide community-based support for new mothers. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of a peer volunteer support program-The Mummy Buddy Program-in which experienced volunteer mothers are paired with, and trained to offer social support to, first-time mothers.

Research

Protection against neonatal respiratory viral infection via maternal treatment during pregnancy with the benign immune training agent OM-85

Incomplete maturation of immune regulatory functions at birth is antecedent to the heightened risk for severe respiratory infections during infancy. Our forerunner animal model studies demonstrated that maternal treatment with the microbial-derived immune training agent OM-85 during pregnancy promotes accelerated postnatal maturation of mechanisms that regulate inflammatory processes in the offspring airways.

Research

Weather and children's time allocation

This paper presents the first causal estimates of the effect of weather on children's time allocation. It exploits exogenous variations in local weather observed during the random diary dates of two nationally representative cohorts of Australian children whose time-use diaries were surveyed biennially over 10 years.

Research

Birth outcomes and academic achievement in childhood: A population record linkage study

This study used population-based record linkage to examine the association between early life risk factors and academic achievement.

Research

Breastfeeding and early child development: A prospective cohort study

Breastfeeding has been associated with multiple developmental advantages for the infant; however, there have also been a number of studies that find...

Research

Birthweight and the risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes

We investigated whether children who are heavier at birth have an increased risk of type 1 diabetes

Research

The ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Life Course Centre or LCC)

The Life Course Centre is a national centre funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence Scheme and hosted through the University of Queensland with collaborating nodes at the University of Western Australia, Sydney University and University of Melbourne.

News & Events

Bobbie brings baby’s brain to life

A lovable blue creature by the name of Bobbie has won the hearts and minds of Western Australians.

News & Events

First words: identifying risks to language development

Daniel Christensen, The Kids Research Institute Australia Life Course Centre research fellow, explained there was rapid change in a child’s brain in the first few years of life, making their home environment and relationship with carers incredibly important.

News & Events

Grandparent education linked to grandkids’ NAPLAN results

The effects of educational advantage or disadvantage get handed down through the generations according to a new study by researchers at the The Kids.