Milk and Muffins – Dunedin’s Breastfeeding Celebration

World Breastfeeding Week 2017 is coming soon: 1 st – 7 th August .

The Dunedin Breastfeeding Network is aiming to make this year’s celebration the biggest one yet!

“World Breastfeeding Week 2017 marks 25 years of working together in hospitals, the community, and the workplace for the common good – to help mothers’ breastfeed their babies,” said Anne Devereux, network member and La Leche League Leader. There are some exciting events happening to celebrate this!

- Breastfeeding Morning Tea, 31st July 10:30am-12noon at The Plaza Café (next to Forsyth Barr Stadium). Anyone who is involved with breastfeeding is invited, especially pregnant and breastfeeding mums and their whānau, lactation consultants, midwives, early childhood educators, and others from health and social services. This is an opportunity for parents and those involved in breastfeeding work to come together to meet one another. The Plaza Café is delighted to support the event by offering a free scone, muffin, or slice with every standard hot drink purchased. “We really believe that the whole community needs to work together to support our local families” said Denise Ives from The Breast Room, “and this morning tea is a great opportunity to foster the relationships that can help this happen.”

- The Big Latch On is the main event. It will take place at 10am on Friday 4th August at the end of the lower food court in the Meridian Mall. The official count takes place around 10:30am. There will be spot prizes, and a story teller from the Dunedin Public Library to entertain older children whilst mums and bubs are busy with The Big Latch On. This event is being supported by Meridian who are providing the space, Muffin Break who are offering a special coffee & muffin deal, and Veggie Boys who are supplying fresh fruit for mothers and their whānau to enjoy. This year women can also take part in the Big Latch On by posting a breastfeeding selfie to #biglatchonNZ www.facebook.com/biglatchonNZ

- Special Breastfeeding Displays are located around town in libraries and Dunedin Hospital. If you are interested in learning more about breastfeeding visit one – you are sure to learn something new.

The Dunedin Breastfeeding Network has organised these events to promote breastfeeding as a normal part of life. We know that most Southern women are doing well to give their babies just breastmilk and nothing else (exclusively breastfeed) on discharge from maternity facilities, however, between birth and the 6-week check-up there is a drop in the number of babies exclusively breastfed. “As a community we need to support our women to exclusively breastfeed until 6 months. It’s the normal and optimal way to feed a baby” says Brittani Beavis, WellSouth Health Promotion Specialist and Network Member.

The Dunedin Breastfeeding Network is made up from community representatives, academics and health professionals. Its goal is to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in the Dunedin Community, especially amongst the more vulnerable groups in society, through an interagency forum. Christine Quested, Network Member and Southern DHB Health Promotion Advisor says “Our vision is ‘Every mother in Dunedin is supported to breastfeed’ and we work together as a team to reach this goal”. Brylin Highton, network member and La Leche League leader confirms that “support is an important aspect of breastfeeding, it helps women to attain their breastfeeding goals. In Dunedin La Leche League offers support via Facebook, email, phone, and monthly at our mums and babies group.” ENDS

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