UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund)

4 August 2015

World Breastfeeding Week 2015: Breastfeeding and work – let’s make it work!

To mark World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August), UNICEF New Zealand is joining the global call for governments, employers and families to support women to breastfeed their infants through paid parental leave, flexible and supportive employment practices, and a national culture of encouragement and acceptance of breastfeeding.

“In line with a wealth of well-established evidence, UNICEF strongly believes giving children the best start in life begins with breastfeeding,” said UNICEF NZ Executive Director, Vivien Maidaborn. “Breastfeeding remains one of the smartest and most cost-effective ways we have of supporting healthy, well-nourished children who thrive.

“The World Health Organisation recommends that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. However, according to Plunket, this was only the case for 17 percent of New Zealand babies in 2014.

“By providing mothers with a supportive environment, we are helping to break down the barriers that many new mothers face when choosing to breastfeed – and we are creating an environment that puts children’s interests first,” said Ms Maidaborn.

Breastfeeding is a skill that requires learning for both mother and baby. Therefore, the provision of lactation consultants and sustained support through the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), is paramount to support mothers from the very earliest stages.

Launched in 1991, the BFHI is a joint effort by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation to ensure that all maternity services become centres of breastfeeding support.

Ms Maidaborn added, "This year, World Breastfeeding Week is focused on breastfeeding and working mothers. Right now, a baby's right to be breastfed is dependent entirely on a supportive employer and an equally supportive workplace.

“For example, nursing mothers often do not have the necessary maternity leave or do not have access to the time, space and support that would allow them to breastfeed or express (pump) milk once they have resumed work. Governments, employers, co-workers and communities can all play a role in making that possible.

“With the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Six Months' Paid Leave and Work Contact Hours) Amendment Bill recently drawn from the members’ ballot, the NZ Government has the opportunity to legislate for mothers to take more time off work to focus on their baby’s needs, including breastfeeding.”

Empowering and supporting all women who work in formal and informal sectors to combine breastfeeding while they continue their paid work benefits children, mothers, employers and nations.

Ms Maidaborn concluded, “While there is increased emphasis on breastfeeding in the first week of August, it is essential to place breastfeeding at the top of agendas all year long so that we can provide all children with a better and fairer chance to survive and thrive.”
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