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Breastfeeding – the best start to you baby’s life
27 November 2008
A seminar focusing on breastfeeding education and support will be held in Inverell this week to help Hunter New England Health staff learn more about the practice.
Clinical Midwife Consultant Robin Skewes said Hunter New England Health is committed to ensuring staff are equipped to provide the best possible support and assistance to help women continue breastfeeding for at least six months or longer, after the birth of their baby.
“Research has confirmed the importance of breastfeeding and breast milk for the optimal health of infants, children, mothers and society. Exclusive breastfeeding to at least six months of age is recommended by health authorities in Australia and around the world,” Ms Skewes said.
“In NSW we know that most mothers – more than 90 per cent - begin to breastfeed after giving birth, but about half of these stop by the time the baby is six months old.”
Ms Skewes said breastfeeding could reduce the likelihood of respiratory infections, reduce hospital admissions during infancy and childhood, reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases in later life.
“The absence of breastfeeding not only adversely affects short and long term health, but also has a financial and environmental cost – both to the family, the community and society as a whole,” Ms Skewes said.
“Breastfeeding is not only the most appropriate nourishment for a baby, it also has many other important benefits - and it’s free! So it’s important to keep breastfeeding your child for as long as possible.”
Ms Skewes said that any families needing help or advice with breastfeeding can contact their closest maternity unit and speak with a midwife, their local child and family health nurse through their closest community health centre or the Australian Breastfeeding Association Help line (02) 8853 4999. For on line advice log on to www.breastfeeding.asn.au and follow the prompts.
Special guest at the seminar will be lactation consultant Sue Cox AM. Ms Cox is the author of the books Breastfeeding I Can Do That and Breastfeeding with Confidence.
Ms Cox has also received an Order of Australian Medial (OAM) for pioneering the lactation consultant profession in Australia and for service to community health, particularly as a lactation consultant, educator and counsellor for the care of breastfeeding mothers and their babies.
Media are invited to attend the seminar for interviews with Robin Skewes and Sue Cox on Friday 28 November at the Riverside Function Centre, Inverell.
Contact: Emma Gibbs
Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767
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