As a Research Assistant with Deakin University, Shehara supports the INFANT team’s training programs by managing course administration, participant communications and technical support. With a background in health and nutrition, she is passionate about helping practitioners complete training smoothly and supporting positive outcomes for young families.
As healthcare costs continue to rise, families are seeking alternative ways to access support. New research shows that mobile health apps can reduce unnecessary visits for infant feeding and general care in the early months of life, helping ease pressure on health systems while improving outcomes for families, especially those facing disadvantage.
Reaching families equitably in early childhood health is no easy task. Our latest study shows the INFANT Program has scaled statewide, reaching over 11,000 caregivers and nearly all Victorian LGAs. But gaps remain - families in disadvantaged areas, culturally diverse communities, and fathers are less likely to engage. True impact means moving beyond scale to embed equity through tailored delivery, cultural adaptations, and inclusive strategies.
Recognized as an evidence-based program, INFANT is the only NCI-endorsed initiative starting from birth. With 15+ years of research, it helps parents foster healthy habits early, reinforcing its role as a global model for early-life health interventions.
New WHO infant feeding guidelines conflict with Australian advice, sparking confusion. Experts warn against switching to cow’s milk before 12 months due to risks like iron deficiency and obesity.
New in-language resources from the INFANT program are now available to support healthy eating and active play from birth for culturally and linguistically diverse families in Melbourne’s west. Developed by the Western Public Health Unit and Deakin University’s IPAN, the materials are available in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.
The INFANT program was recognized by a CDC-funded review as the strongest global model for community-wide implementation of complementary feeding interventions in early childhood.
The INFANT program was honoured with two Deakin University Faculty of Health awards for its impactful partnerships and evidence-based approach to promoting healthy eating and active play in early childhood.
WPHU is partnering with Deakin University to culturally adapt and implement the evidence-based INFANT program, supporting healthier starts for children in culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
On February 21, 2022, Professor Kylie Hesketh presented a 50-minute seminar highlighting the enduring benefits of the evidence-based INFANT program - from birth to five years - emphasizing the value of randomized controlled trials for early intervention to policy, practice, and research audiences.
INFANT has been named a priority action in the Victorian Government’s five-year plan, recognising its vital role in supporting early childhood health through healthy eating and active play.
Developed by experts at Deakin University and the University of Sydney, the My Baby Now app provides trustworthy, up-to-date advice on feeding and active play to support parents of babies under 18 months.
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