Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces UPDATE Issue Eight
Big Latch on Celebrates Breastfeeding in Public To help promote breastfeeding as a normal part of everyday life, an impressive turnout of local Mums joined thousands of other women around the world recently to simultaneously breastfeed their pepi in public. Across the Bay of Plenty and Lakes region, a total of 221 breastfeeding mothers ‘latched on’ in a show of support for breastfeeding and for each other at various ‘Big Latch On’ events. The Big Latch on is a global event which is organised as part of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7), and this year a total of 20,864 women breastfed across the world at the same time. Toi Te Ora Public Health (Toi Te Ora) supports the Big Latch On and recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and then continue to breastfeed until a baby is at least one year old with the addition of solid food from six months. Dr Phil Shoemack, Medical Officer of Health at Toi Te Ora, says breastfeeding is important for the health and wellbeing of both a mother and her baby. “The Big Latch On is a good way to promote breastfeeding as a normal part of everyday life and show support for women who breastfeed.” Dr Shoemack adds, “Breastfeeding has health benefits for both mothers and their babies, and lays the foundation for a healthy life through adulthood.”
Papamoa Plaza was recently accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Space and hosted the Tauranga Big Latch On event. One mum in attendance said, “For me, breastfeeding is a very natural thing, but I know it's not for everyone.” She added, “Breastfeeding in public is something some mums don’t have the confidence to do, so it’s important to help all mums feel more comfortable to breastfeed.” If you would like to become breastfeeding friendly accredited, or if you know a space which may be interested, email breastfeeding.friendly@bopdhb.govt.nz
The Big Latch On: Local mums pack out Papamoa Plaza and show their support for breastfeeding by simultaneously latching on.
Breastfeeding is our Collective Responsibility Creating a supportive environment where mums feel comfortable to breastfeed is our collective responsibility. A 2016 study¹ asked 1,130 mothers with a baby aged between 0–2 years old, who planned to breastfeed at birth, about their attitudes to breastfeeding promotion and support. The study found a mother’s ability or enjoyment of breastfeeding was affected by the attitudes and knowledge of those around them (their partners, wider family, and peers). Those surveyed recognised they had the primary responsibility for breastfeeding, but acknowledged that without a network that encourages, supports and recognises the importance of breastfeeding, "Creating a supportive the journey was environment that enables women or would be more to breastfeed is our collective difficult. responsibility and only by working together will we help new mums The first few and babies" months after birth can be both exciting and overwhelming, and new families need lots of support.
There are a number of ways you can support a breastfeeding mum: • Learn about breastfeeding (why it is important, health benefits, how to breastfeed, common questions and challenges etc) • Help her get expert support if she needs it (ask a midwife or Well Child nurse) • Don’t suggest formula as a first solution, as this can reduce her milk supply • Help to look after her so she can look after her baby (bring her a drink, make sure she eats, do the housework, drive her to appointments or support groups etc) • Bond with the baby in other ways rather than with a bottle (a bath, a walk, or sit with her while she feeds baby) • Speak up if someone criticises her • Be comfortable around her when she is feeding. • Encourage her, tell her you are proud of her and she is doing a great job • If you see someone breastfeeding in public smile! A hungry baby is being fed. ¹ www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/bfm.2015.0175