By NICOLE VALICEK
Front: Melissa Bruce, breastfeeds her four-month-old daughter Ellie. Back: Cherie Wallace, with six-month-old daughter Isla. 103193 Picture: NICOLE SULTANA
IN recognition of World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) a local support group has called on the Hobsons Bay community to back new mothers as they embark on their first breastfeeding journey.
The Hobsons Bay Group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association celebrated WBW from 1-7 August with an awareness campaign to support new mothers to help improve breastfeeding rates.
Group leader and breastfeeding counsellor, Hobsons Bay Group, ABA Lauren Lesser said research shows nine out of 10 women want to breastfeed.
But sadly after one month, 30 per cent have weaned and the rates of exclusive breastfeeding at the recommended six months of age are alarmingly low.
“A mother is 10 times more likely to succeed at breastfeeding with the support of her partner. Other critical touchstones for success include family and social networks and health professionals,” she said.
Ms Lesser said early support is critical to longer-tern breastfeeding success and support for new mothers comes in a range of guises.
“(These include) simple words of encouragement to offers of practical help such as cooked meals and housework and referring a new mother to the local ABA mums’ group for information, reassurance and ongoing contact through its national support network.”
Ms Lesser said ABA offers peer counselling or mother-to-mother support from its trained breastfeeding counsellors who have undergone a national accredited course.
“Health professionals are highly trusted in the community, playing a crucial role in helping a mother reach her breastfeeding goals,” she said.
“New mothers need ongoing breastfeeding support and have loads of unanswered questions, so during this WBW we encourage health professionals to send new mums our way for ongoing breastfeeding support.”
