A Breastfeeding Welcome campaign, designed to raise awareness of breastfeeding-friendly public spaces, will launch during National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, Sunday 1 August to Saturday 7 August.
Hobsons Bay businesses are invited to display a 'Breastfeeding Welcome Here' sticker which in turn will demonstrate that staff and management have a welcoming attitude to parents who may need to breastfeed their baby.
As part of the campaign, Council's Maternal and Child Health Nurses will also hold a Facebook Live Q&A for parents in Hobsons Bay on breastfeeding on Tuesday 3 August from 10am to 11am.
The panel will include Maternal Child Health Nurse Jane Howard, local physiotherapist Alex Lopes from Melbourne Pelvic Health (Circle) and local breastfeeding counsellor Melanie Frodsham from the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
In addition to routine Maternal and Child Health appointments, breastfeeding support services are available at:
- Altona Early Years Hub on Mondays from 1pm to 4pm, 103B Grieve Parade Altona (please ring 9932 1300 to book or talk to your local nurse)
- Russell Court MCH Centre on Wednesdays from 1.30pm to 4pm, 10 Russell Court, Altona Meadows (call 9932 1300 to book)
- Australian Breastfeeding Association on 1800 686 268
Council has also recently produced a breastfeeding video starring five local mums and one dad.
While acknowledging the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother and baby, the Maternal and Child Health service also provides support for parents who are unable to breastfeed or decide to use formula.
