While further investigation of the validity of these tools is needed, preliminary testing indicates that the SE-EBP and OE-EBP scales are valid and reliable instruments for measuring health professionals' confidence in the process and the outcomes of basing their practice on evidence.

Instruments for assessing readiness to commence suck feeds in preterm infants: effects on time to establish full oral feeding and duration of hospitalisation.

BackgroundDespite the health benefits of breastfeeding, initiation and duration rates continue to fall short of international guidelines. Many factors influence a woman's decision to wean; the main reason cited for weaning is associated with lactation complications, such as mastitis. ObjectivesTo assess the effects of preventive strategies for mastitis and the subsequent effect on breastfeeding duration. Search methodsWe searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Selection criteriaWe included randomised controlled trials of interventions for preventing mastitis in postpartum breastfeeding women. Data collection and analysisWe independently identified relevant studies and assessed the trial quality. We contacted trial authors for missing data and information as appropriate. Main resultsWe included five trials (involving 960 women). In three trials of 471 women, we found no significant differences in the incidence of mastitis between use of antibiotics and no antibiotics (risk ratio (RR) 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11 to 1.61; or in one trial of 99 women comparing two doses (RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.02 to 9.18). We found no significant differences for mastitis in three trials of specialist breastfeeding education with usual care (one trial); anti-secretory factor cereal (one trial); and mupirocin, fusidic acid ointment or breastfeeding advice (one trial).Generally we found no differences in any of the trials for breastfeeding initiation or duration; or symptoms of mastitis. Livingstone 1999 {published data only}Livingstone V, Stringer LJ. The treatment of staphylococcus aureus infected sore nipples: a randomised comparative study. Sebitloane 2008 {published data only}Sebitloane HM, Moodley J, Esterhuizen TM. Prophylactic antibiotics for the prevention of postpartum infectious morbidity in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus: a randomized controlled trial.