Southern DHB proudly promotes World Breastfeeding Week

Southern DHB is once again proudly supporting mothers to breastfeed in the workplace as part of World Breastfeeding Week, running from 1 – 7 August 2020.

Providing a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers returning to work remains a priority for the organisation, which introduced a breastfeeding room for staff in the Dunedin Public Hospital in February this year, and is now planning for a breastfeeding facility at Wakari hospital. Southland Hospital has a breastfeeding room available to both staff and visitors which has been functioning well for the last several years.

“We are really happy our staff have somewhere comfortable and private to breastfeed and pump,” says Southern DHB Health Promotion Advisor, Christine Quested. “Having a purpose-fit lactation room really helps working mums re-settle back into the workplace.”

Charlotte Beaton-Rose, a House Officer at Dunedin Public Hospital and mum to one-year old Ted, returned to work in June this year. She is able to take regular breaks to breastfeed Ted, who attends the on-site Hospital Early Childhood Centre. She also uses the lactation room to express milk on the days Ted is not in Centre.

“Being able to feed Ted and express milk at work has made me feel less guilty about working, especially as I’m still able to provide for him despite not being with him all the time,” says Charlotte. “It’s also been a big reassurance to provide him immune-protection during his introduction to day care.”

To help with World Breastfeeding Week celebrations, Public Health South has provided cardboard cut-outs of mothers’ breastfeeding to public spaces in Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown and Te Anau.

“We want to provide a visual cue to the public that breastfeeding is normal and welcome,” says Southern DHB Health Promotion Advisor, Kathleen Eade. “Having these situated in public places is a fun way of celebrating breastfeeding and making parents feel safe and supported.”

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2020 focuses on supporting breastfeeding for a healthier planet.

“We want to celebrate the short and long-term benefits breastfeeding has for the environment, mums, babies and families in general,” says Southern DHB Health Promotion Advisor, Catherine Thomas. “Breastfeeding not only provides baby with all the right nutrients, but also is a food source with zero waste!”

Breastfeeding events being held around the Southern district
There are several breastfeeding events on throughout the district, giving breastfeeding mothers, their partners, and whānau the chance to meet and share information.

Queenstown

3 August, 10am-12pm
Monday Playgroup, Arrowtown Plunket

4 August, 11am – 1pm
Mums4Mums Morning Tea, Queenstown Plunket

6 August, 10.30am – 12pm
Arrowtown Coffee Group, Arrowtown Plunket

7 August, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Friday Playgroup, Queenstown Plunket

Wanaka

1 August, 2pm
Central Lakes Breastfeeding Charitable Trust Social and Fundraiser, Edgewater Resort Wanaka, raffle will be drawn at 4pm

Alexandra

5 August, 10.30am – 12pm
Mums4Mums Morning Tea, Baptist Church Lounge, Gregg Street

Clyde

31 July
Ladies Night Out, Dunstan House, Tickets available on the Mums 4 Mums Alexandra Facebook page

Dunedin

31 July, 10.30am – 11.15am
Dunedin Virtual Big Latch On
Facebook event - Dunedin Virtual Big Latch On 2020 and
https://womens-health.org.nz/biglatchonevent/dunedin-virtual-big-latch-on/

1-7 August, All day
Breastfeeding displays in all the libraries in the Dunedin area and in the Dunedin and Wakari Hospital foyers

Balclutha

6 August, 10am – 12pm
Morning tea with Plunket Groups, South Otago Plunket rooms

Invercargill

4 August, 10 am
Supporting You! Birth and Baby Support, South Centre, 9 Jenkin Street

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week we are hosting a showcase of who can support you on your pregnancy, birth and baby journey. Come along to hear from and meet those who are there to help mums, babies and families.  Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1351200451743552

6 August, 6.30 pm

The Early Years Last Forever - a Brainwave Trust Seminar delivered by Tabitha Leuker, Awarua Whānau Services, 190 Forth St

Covering brain development from conception through the early years. A period of time that a child develops emotionally, physically, socially and intellectually.   Community Breastfeeding Support will be covered at the beginning of this evening.

More information can be found about World Breastfeeding week at https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Pauline Chin, Southern DHB Communications Advisor
pauline.chin@southerndhb.govt.nz