World Breastfeeding Week is from 1-7 August and the midwives at Bass Coast Health (BCH) love their role in supporting new mums to breastfeed.
“Midwives provide breastfeeding support to hundreds of mums and bubs each year,” BCH Midwife Sarah Long said.
“We assist women with breastfeeding support throughout the antenatal period, on the maternity ward and in their home.”
The midwives help to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth, usually within the first hour after delivery.
“We provide practical support to enable women to initiate and establish breastfeeding and manage common breastfeeding difficulties,” Sarah said.
“We also assist women with expressing breastmilk, creating breastfeeding plans and we have hospital-grade pumps available for use on the ward.
“The focus of World Breastfeeding Week this year is on education and support, so that we can all step up and support breastfeeding.
“Governments, healthcare and community representatives, and society at large, must advocate to normalise breastfeeding and create breastfeeding-friendly environments."
New mother Emily Stull said she felt supported by Midwives at Wonthaggi Hospital, learning to breastfeed during ante-natal classes before the birth of her son Benjamin and then following his birth.
“The Midwives helped me learn how to breastfeed with the opportunity for skin-to-skin feeding straight away,” Emily said.