Professor Welma Lubbe from the North-West University’s (NWU) Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) Research Focus Area has been appointed Associate Editor of the International Breastfeeding Journal, a leading open-access, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in breastfeeding.

The journal, published by Springer Nature, addresses the full spectrum of breastfeeding research and practice. Its scope includes identifying women at risk of not breastfeeding, exploring barriers to breastfeeding, examining the health implications for mothers and infants, and evaluating interventions to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration. It also covers the management of breastfeeding challenges. With an Impact Factor of 2.8 and indexing in prestigious bibliographic services such as PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, the International Breastfeeding Journal is recognised globally for its academic rigor and impact.

“This position as Associate Editor at the International Breastfeeding Journal provides me with both a learning opportunity and a chance to give back. It will be invaluable to learn how to work at an editorial level, rather than solely as a reviewer or an author. It is an experience that I believe will contribute to my personal growth,” says Prof Lubbe.

“Equally, it will be rewarding to bring back insights gained from reviewing article submissions and share these with our students and staff. This will enable them to prepare stronger manuscripts before submission, thereby improving quality and increasing their chances of acceptance. Journal acceptance rates can be as low as 10%, so to make an impact and ensure our work is read, it is essential to conduct robust research and publish it in a manner that meets both the journal’s standards and the expectations of its readership. Producing high-quality work is key.”

As Associate Editor, Prof Lubbe will play a pivotal role in the journal’s editorial process. She will oversee the assessment of manuscripts, guiding them through the peer-review process, selecting expert reviewers, and making recommendations to the Editor-in-Chief based on peer feedback and her own scholarly judgment. This position reflects both her expertise in neonatal and maternal health and her commitment to promoting breastfeeding as a vital public health priority.

Prof Lubbe’s appointment is a testament to her standing in the international academic community and her long-standing contributions to evidence-based practices in maternal and child health. Her work aligns seamlessly with the journal’s mission of fostering research that leads to better health outcomes for mothers and infants worldwide.

Professor Welma Lubbe