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31 July 2009
Breast is best for bub
During Breastfeeding Awareness Week (1 – 7 August), Midwives at St George
and Sutherland Hospitals are highlighting the importance of breastfeeding.
Statistics show that a greater number of women are breastfeeding their babies,
and hospitals and child and family health centres across South Eastern Sydney
Illawarra Health (SESIH) are continually finding better ways to support women to
breastfeed.
Midwives and nurses offer continuing support for mothers to achieve the
recommended standard of infant feeding: breastfeeding exclusively for six months,
and providing appropriate complementary foods with continued breastfeeding for up
to two years, and beyond.
Nursing and Midwifery Co-director, Women’s and Children’s Health Deb Matha said
that staff promote, support and encourage breastfeeding of all newborn babies.
“Evidence shows that there is a greater success of breastfeeding when at birth
all women are encouraged to have ‘skin to skin’ contact with their newborn within
the first half hour following birth,” Ms Matha said.
“This helps to keep the newborn warm, less stressed and calmer which assists to
achieve an optimal breastfeeding experience.
“For those mothers who have had a planned caesarean birth, a midwife attends the
Recovery Room to allow the mother to have this initial skin to skin time with her
baby, thus assisting with bonding as well as breastfeeding,” she said.
“All women receive education and support for successful breastfeeding for the
health and well being of the mother, baby and family.
“As well as our parenting classes, we now offer a free breastfeeding class to
all pregnant women and their support people,” Ms Matha said.
To provide follow-up breastfeeding support upon discharge, all women are made
aware of their local Early Childhood Centres and the Australian Breastfeeding
Association support number and local group.
As part of SESIH’s ongoing support for breastfeeding, a new set of leaflets
has been developed which will be available at Hospital stands and poster displays
during Breastfeeding Awareness Week.
A stall will be voluntarily manned by staff at Southgate Shopping Centre along
with the Cronulla-Sutherland group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association
on Monday 3 August and Thursday 6 August from 10.30am - 2.30pm.
Media/photo opportunity: A mother and baby, supported by a midwife breastfeeding
specialist, will be available for photo/interview at St George Hospital.
Media enquiries: Maxine Brennan, 9113 2601, 0422 003 764
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