SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING IN THE ACT

August is World Breastfeeding Month and ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher has welcomed it as a chance to highlight the many initiatives underway in ACT Health to promote and support the practice of breastfeeding.

"There is a wealth of research that demonstrates that nutrition in infancy has a significant influence on health outcomes throughout life, and that breastfeeding is acknowledged as the best nutrition for young babies."

"It has been shown that breastfeeding babies helps make them more immune to colds and flu, less prone to develop obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and asthma," Ms Gallagher said.

"The ACT Government is a great supporter of breastfeeding, and believes it is vital for a healthier population. Human breast milk has exactly the right amount and quality of nutrients to suit a baby's dietary needs."

"Last year, I was pleased to announce that both the ACT Legislative Assembly and ACT Health were accredited as breast-feeding friendly workplaces," she said.

"The aim of a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace is to support and encourage women who want to breastfeed their babies on their return to work," Ms Gallagher said.

"Breastfeeding friendly work conditions such as lactation breaks, supportive workplace policies and practices, and facilities provided for women to express breast-milk or breastfeed their babies are vitally important in ensuring ongoing breastfeeding."

In addition to enabling breastfeeding friendly workplaces, ACT Health's Maternal and Child Health nurses offer a number of services to nursing mothers including universal contact and home visits to mothers following the birth of a new baby and follow up home visits to support early breastfeeding problems. There are also clinics to provide assessment, support, information and referral.

"ACT Health is also actively involved with the Early Childhood Active Play and Eating Well Project, which aims to create supportive environments that promote active play and healthy eating for children from birth to five years," Ms Gallagher said.

"The project promotes five key messages one of which is‘breastfeeding - best for baby, best for you' and the team is busily developing a background paper, resources and training to promote this message to the ACT community."

During breastfeeding month a celebratory luncheon will be held between Maternal and Child Health nursing staff and local Australian Breastfeeding Association members to acknowledge theimportance of continuing to promote and protect breastfeeding in our community.