Member of the Australian Breastfeeding Association and mother of Charlotte, 23 months, and Lachlan, two months
I became involved in the Australian Breastfeeding Association to find some support from other breastfeeding mothers near Mernda when my daughter, Charlotte, was born almost two years ago.
At the moment I have nearly finished my certificate in breastfeeding education to become a qualified breastfeeding counsellor and help other mums.
Whittlesea City Council is one of the councils around Victoria trialling a breastfeeding drop-in centre as a part of a Victorian government research project to improve breastfeeding rates.
The government is spending more
than $1 million on the three-year trial, which involves 10 councils, including three that will set up the drop-in breastfeeding centres.
The World Health Organisation recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed from immediately after birth until six months of age, then for breastfeeding to continue, with the addition of complementary foods, for two years or more. A mother and baby can continue to breastfeed for as long as both mother and baby are happy to do so.
The Diamond Valley group of the Australian Breastfeeding Association is working closely with Whittlesea council’s maternal and child health nurses to implement the breastfeeding drop-in centre at the Mernda Village Community Activity Centre.
Peer support is paramount to a mother achieving her breastfeeding goals. The government project is about finding the best ways to provide breastfeeding mothers with this support. Volunteers from the ABA will form an important part of providing this peer support for the mothers attending the drop-in centre.
In addition to the breastfeeding drop-in centre, the Diamond Valley group offers local support get-togethers at the Laurimar Community Centre on the third Wednesday of the month, from 10am–noon.
