Papers in refereed journals

Amir LH, Donath SM, Garland SM, Tabrizi SN, Bennett CM, Cullinane M, et al. Does Candida and/or Staphylococcus play a role in nipple and breast pain in lactation? A cohort study in Melbourne, Australia. BMJ Open 2013; 3(3): e002351. Available from: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/3/e002351.full.

de Jager E, Skouteris H, Broadbent J, Amir L, Mellor K. Psychosocial correlates of exclusive breastfeeding: a systematic review. Midwifery 2012 (in press). Epub 2012, Oct 23. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2012.04.009.

Amir LH, Donath SM. Maternal diet and breastfeeding: A case for rethinking physiological explanations for breastfeeding determinants. Early Hum Dev 2012;88(7):467-71. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378378211003409.

Amir L, Ryan K, Jordan S. Avoiding risk at what cost? Putting use of medicines for breastfeeding women into perspective [Commentary]. Int Breastfeed J 2012; 7: 14. Available from: http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/7/1/14.

Taft AJ, Hobbs MK, Hussainy SY, Amir LH, Stewart K, Smith AM, et al. Unintended pregnancy in Australia: what more can we do? Med J Aust [Editorial]. 2011;195(4):166-7. Available from: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/195_04_150811/taf10270_fm.html.

Moorhead AM, Amir LH, O'Brien PW, Wong S. A prospective study of fluconazole treatment for breast and nipple thrush. Breastfeed Rev 2011;19(3):25-9. Available from: http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=880757213362081;res=IELHEA.

McDonald K, Amir LH, Davey M-A. Maternal bodies and medicines: a commentary on risk and decision-making of pregnant and breastfeeding women and health professionals. BMC Public Health 2011; 11(Suppl 5): S5. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/S5/S5.

Hussainy SY, Stewart K, Chapman CB, Taft AJ, Amir LH, Hobbs MK, et al. Provision of the emergency contraceptive pill without prescription: attitudes and practices of pharmacists in Australia. Contraception 2011;83(2):159-66. Epub 2010 Aug 12. Available from: http://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(10)00398-7/abstract.

Hobbs MK, Taft AJ, Amir LH, Stewart K, Shelley JM, Smith AM, et al. Pharmacy access to the emergency contraceptive pill: a national survey of a random sample of Australian women. Contraception 2011;83(2):151-8. Epub 2010 Jul 20. Available from: http://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(10)00356-2/abstract.

Forster DA, Moorhead A, Jacobs S, Amir LH, Walker S, McEgan K, et al. Is not testing a major change in clinical practice an ethical dilemma? Midwifery [Invited Letter]. 2011;27(6):e301-e2. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.03.003.

Amir LH, Pirotta MV, Raval M. Breastfeeding--evidence based guidelines for the use of medicines. Aust Fam Physician 2011;40(9):684-90. Epub 2011 Sep 7. Available from: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/201109/44172.

Amir LH, James JP, Kelso G, Moorhead AM. Accreditation of midwife lactation consultants to perform infant tongue-tie release. Int J Nurs Pract 2011;17(6):541-7. Epub 2011 Nov 22. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-172X.2011.01969.x/full.

Amir LH, Cullinane M, Garland SM, Tabrizi SN, Donath SM, Bennett CM, et al. The role of micro-organisms (Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans) in the pathogenesis of breast pain and infection in lactating women: study protocol. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2011; 11: 54. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/11/54.

Amir LH. Social theory and infant feeding [Editorial]. Int Breastfeed J 2011; 6: 7. Available from: http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/6/1/7.

Amir L. Health promotion in medical education: from rhetoric to action [Book Review]. Aust N Z J Public Health 2011;35(1):96-7. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2010.00676.x/full.

Jayawickrama H, Amir L, Pirotta M. GPs' decision-making when prescribing medicines for breastfeeding women: Content analysis of a survey. BMC Research Notes 2010; 3(1): 82. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/3/82.

Clemons SN, Amir LH. Breastfeeding Women's Experience of Expressing: A Descriptive Study. J Hum Lact 2010;26(3):258-65. Available from: http://jhl.sagepub.com/content/26/3/258.abstract.

Chapters in books / reports

Sulaiman Z, Amir LH, Liamputtong P. Infant feeding practices: Rates, risks of not breastfeeding and factors influencing breastfeeding. In: Narvaez D, Panksepp J, Schore AN, Gleason TR, editors. Evolution, early experience and human development - from research to practice and policy. New York: Oxford University Press; 2013.

Cooklin AR, Donath SM, Amir LH. Breastfeeding and maternal employment: Current Australian evidence and future interventions. In: Nueland W, editor. Breastfeeding: Methods, Benefits to the Infant and Mother and Difficulties. Hauppauga, NY: Nova Publishers; 2010. p. 143-53.

Amir LH, Pirotta M. Medicines for breastfeeding women: a postal survey of knowledge, attitudes and practices of general practitioners in Victoria, Australia. Melbourne: Mother & Child Health Research, La Trobe University 2010.

Amir LH, Livingstone V. Management of common lactation and breastfeeding problems. In: Jatoi I, Kaufmann M, editors. Management of Breast Diseases. Heidelberg: Springer; 2010. p. 77-103.

Amir LH, Forster DA, McLachlan HL, Moorhead AM, Chamberlain CR, McKay HJ. Breastfeeding in Victoria: A Report Melbourne: Mother & Child Health Research, La Trobe University 2010.

Amir LH. Medicines for breastfeeding women: risky business? In: Nueland W, editor. Breastfeeding: Methods, Benefits to the Infant and Mother and Difficulties. Hauppauga, NY: Nova Publishers; 2010. p. 129-41.

Papers in refereed journals

Hobbs M, Taft AJ, Amir LH. The emergency contraceptive pill rescheduled: A focus group study of women's knowledge, attitudes and experiences. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2009;35(2):87-91. Available from: http://jfprhc.bmj.com/content/35/2/87.short.

Amir LH, Pirotta MV. Medicines for breastfeeding women: A postal survey of general practitioners in Victoria. Med J Aust [Letter] 2009;191(2):126. Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-70349321208&partnerID=40&md5=3c7df669f775c73877b8c5ab376f6f40.

Panjaitan M, Lisa H. Amir, Costa A-M, Rudland E, Tabrizi S. Polymerase chain reaction in detection of Candida albicans for confirmation of clinical diagnosis of nipple thrush. Breastfeed Med [Letter]. 2008;3(3):185-7. Available from: http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/bfm.2008.0106.

Donath SM, Amir LH. Effect of gestation on initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2008 November 1, 2008;93(6):F448-F50. Available from: http://fn.bmj.com/content/93/6/F448.abstract.

Donath SM, Amir LH. Maternal obesity and initiation and duration of breastfeeding: data from the longitudinal study of Australian children. Matern Child Nutr 2008;4(3):163-70. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8709.2008.00134.x.

Cooklin AR, Donath SM, Amir LH. Maternal employment and breastfeeding: results from the longitudinal study of Australian children. Acta Paediatr 2008;97(5):620-3. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00740.x.

Chin L, Amir L. Survey of patient satisfaction with the Breastfeeding Education and Support Services of The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. BMC Health Serv Res 2008; 8(1): 83. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/8/83.

Amir LH, Donath SM. Socioeconomic status and rates of breastfeeding in Australia: Evidence from three recent national health surveys. Med J Aust 2008;189(5):254-6. Available from: https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2008/189/5/socioeconomic-status-and-rates-breastfeeding-australia-evidence-three-recent.

Amir L, Ingram J. Health professionals' advice for breastfeeding problems: Not good enough! Int Breastfeed J [Editorial]. 2008;3(1):22. Available from: http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/3/1/22.

Jordan HL, Bruinsma FJ, Thomson RJ, Amir LH, Werther GA, Venn AJ. Adolescent exposure to high-dose estrogen and subsequent effects on lactation. Reprod Toxicol 2007;24:397-402. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S089062380700072X.

Hobbs M, Taft A, Amir LH. Emergency contraception. Aust Fam Physician [Letter]. 2007;36(12):982. Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-38449107997&partnerID=40&md5=8dd601cb858663446ab5b9c7d0a51999.

Beasley A, Amir L. Policy on infant formula industry funding, support or sponsorship of articles submitted for publication [Editorial]. Int Breastfeed J 2007; 2(1): 5. Available from: http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/2/1/5.

Beasley A, Amir L. Infant feeding, poverty and human development. Int Breastfeed J [Editorial]. 2007;2(1):14. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-4358/2/14.

Amir LH. Medicines and breastfeeding: information is available on safe use. Med J Aust [Letter; Correction published 2007, 186 (11): 606]. 2007;186(9):485. Available from: https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2007/186/11/medicines-and-breastfeeding-information-available-safe-use.

Amir L, Forster D, Lumley J, McLachlan H. A descriptive study of mastitis in Australian breastfeeding women: incidence and determinants. BMC Public Health 2007; 7(1): 62. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/7/62.

Amir L, Donath S. A systematic review of maternal obesity and breastfeeding intention, initiation and duration. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2007; 7: 9. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/7/9.

Amir LH, Lumley J. Women's experience of lactational mastitis - ‘I have never felt worse’. Aust Fam Physician 2006;35(9):745-7. Available from: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200609/11037.

Amir LH. Breastfeeding: managing 'supply' difficulties. Aust Fam Physician 2006;35(9):686-89. Available from: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200609/11012.

Amir L, James J, Donath S. Reliability of the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function. Int Breastfeed J. 2006;1(1):3. Available from: http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/3.

Amir L, Garland S, Lumley J. A case-control study of mastitis: nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. BMC Fam Pract 2006; 7: 57. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/7/57.

Amir L. International Breastfeeding Journal: Introducing a new journal. Int Breastfeed J [Editorial]. 2006;1(1):1. Available from: http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/1.

Syahlul D, Amir L. Do Indonesian medical practitioners approve the availability of emergency contraception over-the-counter? A survey of general practitioners and obstetricians in Jakarta. BMC Womens Health 2005; 5(1): 3. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6874/5/3.

Donath SM, Amir LH. Breastfeeding and the introduction of solids in Australian infants: data from the 2001 National Health Survey. Aust N Z J Public Health 2005;29(2):171-5. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2005.tb00069.x.

Amir LH, James JP, Beatty J. Review of tongue-tie release at a tertiary maternity hospital. J Paediatr Child Health [Review]. 2005;41(5-6):243-5. Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-22244453042&partnerID=40&md5=ee8fb77876cd4771fa20f684bb7de8b3.

Amir LH, Cwikel J. Why do women stop breastfeeding? A closer look at 'not enough milk' among Israeli women in the Negev Region. Breastfeed Rev 2005;13(3):7-13. Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33644616880&partnerID=40&md5=e847ef297a971740d30c8262e5bda9c2.

Forster D, McLachlan H, Lumley J, Beanland C, Waldenström U, Amir L. Two mid-pregnancy interventions to increase the initiation and duration of breastfeeding: A randomized controlled trial. Birth 2004;31(3):176-82. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0730-7659.2004.00302.x.

Donath SM, Amir LH, the AST. The relationship between maternal smoking and breastfeeding duration after adjustment for maternal infant feeding intention. Acta Paediatr 2004;93(11):1514-8. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2004.tb02639.x.

Amir LH, Forster D, McLachlan H, Lumley J. Incidence of breast abscess in lactating women: report from an Australian cohort. BJOG 2004;111(12):1378-81. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00272.x.

Amir L, Lumley J, Garland S. A failed RCT to determine if antibiotics prevent mastitis: Cracked nipples colonized with Staphylococcus aureus: A randomized treatment trial [ISRCTN65289389]. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2004; 4(1): 19. Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2393/4/19.

Amir L. Test your knowledge. Nipple pain in breastfeeding. Aust Fam Physician 2004;33(1-2):44-5. Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-1842841194&partnerID=40&md5=afe24186441e21050d7454624f600b73.

Donath SM, Amir LH, The Alspac Study Team. Relationship between prenatal infant feeding intention and initiation and duration of breastfeeding: a cohort study. Acta Paediatr 2003;92(3):352-6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2003.tb00558.x.

Amir LH, Donath SM. Does maternal smoking have a negative physiological effect on breastfeeding? The epidemiological evidence. Breastfeed Rev 2003;11(2):19-29.

Amir LH. Breast pain in lactating women – mastitis or something else? Aust Fam Physician [Invited article]. 2003;32(3):141-5. Available from: http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200303/28966.

Amir L, Garland S. Painful nipples in nursing mothers. Aust Fam Physician 2003;32(10). Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0642273183&partnerID=40&md5=14320f391a784b333a25ed7fa993afe4.

Sneddon M, Fisher J, Amir L, Feekery C. Health and social circumstances of women admitted to a private mother baby unit. A descriptive cohort study. Aust Fam Physician 2002 2002 Oct;31(10):966-70, 73. Available from: http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=380100648500177;res=IELHEA.

Donath SM, Amir LH. The introduction of breast milk substitutes and solid foods: evidence from the 1995 National Health Survey. Aust N Z J Public Health 2002;26(5):481-4. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842X.2002.tb00352.x.

Bergman R, Amir L, Watson L. A descriptive survey of data collection in breastfeeding services at Victorian maternity hospitals. Breastfeed Rev 2002;10(3):25-9. Available from: http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=441403123939655;res=IELHEA.

Amir LH, Donath SM. Does Maternal Smoking Have a Negative Physiological Effect on Breastfeeding? The Epidemiological Evidence. Birth 2002;29(2):112-23. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536X.2002.00152.x.

Amir L. Breastfeeding and Staphylococcus aureus: three case reports. Breastfeed Rev 2002;10(1):15-8. Available from: http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=441570820680978;res=IELHEA.

Amir LH, Lumley J. The treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infected sore nipples: a randomized comparative study. J Hum Lact [Letter]. 2001;17(2):115-7. Available from: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0035353011&partnerID=40&md5=43da21a698680cd3831506c5ed8d23d8.

Amir LH. Maternal smoking and reduced duration of breastfeeding: a review of possible mechanisms. Early Hum Dev 2001;64(1):45-67. Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378378201001700.

Donath S, Amir LH. Rates of breastfeeding in Australia by State and socio-economic status: Evidence from the 1995 National Health Survey. J Paediatr Child Health 2000;36(2):164-8. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1754.2000.00486.x.

Donath S, Amir L. Does maternal obesity adversely affect breastfeeding initiation and duration? Breastfeed Rev 2000;8(3):29-33. Available from: http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=440527374290519;res=IELHEA.

Donath S, Amir L. Rates of breastfeeding in Australia by state and socioeconomic status: evidence from the 1995 National Health Survey. Breastfeed Rev 2000;8(3):23-7. Available from: http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=440564640233036;res=IELHEA.

Donath S, Amir L. Does maternal obesity adversely affect breastfeeding initiation and duration? J Paediatr Child Health 2000;36(5):482-6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1754.2000.00562.x.

Amir LH, Donath SM. Rate of vasectomy rises with increasing income. Aust NZJ Obstet Gynaecol [Short Report]. 2000;40(1):92-. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1479-828X.2000.tb03176.x.

Amir LH. Active and passive cigarette smoking and breast cancer: Is a real risk emerging? [3]. Med J Aust [multiple letters]. 2000;173(7):391.

Amir L. Mastitis: are we overprescribing antibiotics? Current Therapeutics 2000;41(4):24-6, 8-9. Available from: http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=531977997225765;res=IELHEA.

Chapters in books / reports

Jayawickrama H, Amir L, Moorhead A. Bacteria in powdered infant formula: New guidelines for preparation and use to reduce risk of infection: Hot Topic, Lactation Resource Centre 2009.

Amir LH, Clements F, Walsh A. Breastfeeding: Check program 2007.

Amir L. Lactation and feeding. In: O'Connor V, Kovacs G, editors. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2003. p. 302-5.

Amir L. Breastfeeding difficulties. In: O'Connor V, Kovacs G, editors. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2003. p. 379-81.

Find more information about the following projects on the MCHR webpages.

Diabetes and antenatal milk expressing (DAME): a randomised controlled trial

Team: Della Forster, Lisa Amir, Anita Moorhead; in collaboration with Susan Jacobs and Peter Davis, Royal Women’s Hospital; Susan Walker, Kerri McEgan and Gillian Opie, Mercy Hospital for Women; Susan Donath, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Rachael Ford, Royal Women’s Hospital; Catherine McNamara, Mercy Hospital for Women; Amanda Aylward, Royal Women’s Hospital; Christine East, Monash Medical Centre

Funding: NHMRC project grant 2011–2014

MILC (Mothers’ and Infants’ Lactation Cohort): a multi-site study

Team: Della Forster, Lisa Amir, Helen McLachlan, Anita Moorhead, Helene Johns; in collaboration with Rachael Ford, Royal Women’s Hospital; Kerri McEgan, Mercy Hospital for Women; Chris Scott, Frances Perry House; Kinga Pemo, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University

Funding: La Trobe University Faculty Grant, La Trobe University PhD scholarship

Ringing Up about Breastfeeding – a randomised controlled trial exploring early telephone peer support for breastfeeding (RUBY)

Team: Della Forster, Helen McLachlan, Mary-Ann Davey, Lisa Amir, Rhonda Small; in collaboration with Lisa Gold, Deakin University; Anita Moorhead, Royal Women’s Hospital; Chris East, Monash Medical Centre; Patrice Hickey, Sunshine Hospital; Nanette Shone and Kate Mortensen, Australian Breastfeeding Association; Cindy-Lee Dennis, University of Toronto, Canada; Heather Grimes, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University

Funding: Felton Bequest; PhD Scholarship

The role of micro-organisms (S. aureus & C. albicans) in the pathogenesis of breast pain and infection in lactating women (CASTLE Study)

Team: Lisa Amir, Méabh Cullinane; in collaboration with Suzanne Garland and Sepehr Tabrizi, Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology, University of Melbourne; Susan Donath, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Catherine Bennett, Deakin University

Funding: NHMRC Health Professional Research Fellowship 2006-2010 (LA); NHMRC project grant 2009-2010; NHMRC equipment grant (2009/2010)

Supporting breastfeeding In Local Communities (SILC)

Team: Helen McLachlan, Della Forster, Lisa Amir, Rhonda Small, Méabh Cullinane, Heather McKay, Touran Shafiei; in collaboration with Lael Ridgway, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University

Funding: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, 2011 – 2014