The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA), Castlemaine and District Group and Castlemaine Health are proud to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) in 2021 (1-7 August).
The World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) 2021 theme Protect breastfeeding: a shared responsibility is about how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health and wellbeing of all. The theme also acknowledges that although support at the individual level is very important, breastfeeding must be considered a public health issue that requires investment at all levels. The concept of ‘building back better’ after the COVID-19 pandemic will provide an opportunity to create a warm chain of support for breastfeeding that includes health systems, workplaces and communities at all levels of society.
For ABA, WBW 2021 is a valuable opportunity to highlight how essential a village of support, plus the long-term effects of this such as improved health outcomes for mother and baby. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness among decision-makers, workplaces and the wider community that it is the responsibility of all to help increase breastfeeding rates and ensure more mothers have breastfeeding success.
Sue Race, Castlemaine Health CEO said: “Castlemaine Health is excited to celebrate WBW with our local ABA group in 2021. The ABA Castlemaine and District Group has volunteered time and resources to run breastfeeding education classes at Castlemaine Health for around 20 years, which is an impressive achievement. With the return to birthing at Castlemaine Health under the Midwifery Collaborative Shared Care model of practice, we are excited to have the continued support of ABA now and into the future to provide families with positive breastfeeding outcomes,” commented Sue Race, Chief Executive Officer, Castlemaine Health.
Dr Deanne Greenwood Group Leader of the Castlemaine Group said, “The Australian Breastfeeding Association Castlemaine and District group is thrilled to see birthing continue at our local hospital. We are really pleased to be once again working closely with Castlemaine Health to support breastfeeding in Castlemaine and surrounding areas especially during World Breastfeeding Week. We are delighted to be able to donate locally designed cot cards, infant tape measures, printed resources and other up to date, research based breastfeeding information.”
“Since the re-opening of the maternity unit at Castlemaine Health we have been able to offer Breastfeeding Education Classes at the cost of $20 subsidised by our group for expectant parents residing within our group area and include a 12-month Australian Breastfeeding Membership valued at $70. They are jam packed with up-to-date information and plenty of mother-to-mother support including plenty of tips and tricks for new parents,” said Dr Greenwood.
The Castlemaine and District ABA group also holds bi-monthly meetings in the Castlemaine and Maryborough area hosted by trained breastfeeding counsellors and community educators, provides a local breastpump hire service and advocates locally for breastfeeding in our community.
To find out more about the group, learn more about Breastfeeding Education Classes or hire a breastpump, contact the group via their Facebook page.
To find out more about Castlemaine Health’s maternity services call the midwifery team on 5471 3526.
