Breastfeeding takes a village

During the first week of August, World Breastfeeding week is celebrated by the Australian Breastfeeding Association. The theme for World Breastfeeding Week in 2021 is ‘Protect breastfeeding: a shared responsibility’.

Successfully breastfeeding your infant often takes a village of support. Breastfeeding week brings with it the opportunity to highlight how important the commitment and support from partners, extended families, healthcare professionals, and the wider community is to the breastfeeding journey and ensuring optimal health outcomes for mother and baby.

Yarrawonga Health (YH) offers a breastfeeding support service run by international board-certified lactation consultants. This investment into YH staff and in supporting mothers and babies in our community recognises that breastfeeding is a public health issue that continues to be addressed worldwide.

New mum Rona and baby Tehkoah utilised the breastfeeding service at Yarrawonga Health. Rona said “Amy, our lactation consultant provided a safe space and excellent breastfeeding support during a time where COVID-19 restrictions prevented me from being around my loved ones. I’m so thankful for the ongoing professional support I received so close to home.”

The pandemic, has made it difficult for women to have their ‘village’ of support around them during this important time, and the YH Breastfeeding Support Service has ensured that the service continues to be available every week for local families. Whether it be face-to-face contact, over the phone or even via email contact, the lactation consultants at the YH Breastfeeding Support Service are committed to sharing responsibility playing their part in the village and supporting new families within our community during their breastfeeding journey.

The YH Breastfeeding Support Service offers warm, individualised consultations, acknowledging that every breastfeeding journey is unique. The service is free and available to any breastfeeding families in our community, every Wednesday. Appointments can be made by contacting Yarrawonga Health on (03) 5743 8111.