Centre challenges breasts/breastfeeding attitudes

Parents Centre challenges attitudes on breasts and breastfeeding

"World Breastfeeding week (Aug 1-7) provides a good opportunity to reflect on current attitudes toward breastfeeding," said Parents Centre CEO, Viv Gurrey. "It is also a good opportunity to revisit the Government's strategy on breastfeeding and ask, what actions have been implemented?"

"Statistical reporting on breastfeeding remains a hit and miss operation. Consistent information gathering needs to be underway as soon as possible, so that gaps can be identified and actions implemented, said Mrs Gurrey.

"As well as promoting breastfeeding amongst new parents, it is also important that other sectors of the community are educated about the long-term health benefits. The ability of mothers to breastfeed should be encouraged and facilitated within the wider community, including employers who are implementing paid parental leave provisions."

"As a society, it is time to move beyond the primary association of breasts and sex, and allow ourselves the freedom to express our mothering instincts without social inhibition influencing the decision."

"A public education campaign is as much part of the solution, as antenatal education," said Mrs Gurrey. We need to move forward and promote breastfeeding as the healthiest and most sustainable option for mothers and babies."

"The Government's action plan is a good start lets keep the ball rolling, or rather, the breast lactating," Mrs Gurrey mused.

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