Breastfeeding has positive physical and mental health implications for both mums and little ones, and helps lay the foundations of a healthy life for a baby. Breastmilk is the perfect food for infants and exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are around six months.

We know that although breastfeeding is natural it sometimes doesn't come naturally so it's important that mothers know what to expect and have support from their partners, families and whanau in the early days. Successful breastfeeding makes a positive contribution to the health and wider wellbeing of mothers and families/whanau.

In Otago we have our very own Breastfeeding Action Plan, which outlines how we are going to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in our region. See the attached document for more details:

2009-10 Otago Breastfeeding Action Plan

Much of the work done to promote breastfeeding in Otago is driven by the Dunedin Breastfeeding Network, which meets four times a year on Wednesday evenings at the Plunket Family Centre on Macandrew Rd. For more information on the Breastfeeding Network contact the Otago HEHA manager on (03) 474 7939.

Places to contact for breastfeeding support in Otago

La Leche League
Breastfeeding Support Groups Regular meetings run by accredited La Leche League leaders where a wide range of breastfeeding and parenting topics are discussed to provide encouragement, support and information to all pregnant and breastfeeding mothers There are six La Leche League groups that meet across Otago, and contact details for these groups are available online at:
http://www.lalecheleague.org.nz/local-groups/south-island
You can also receive assistance by emailing to help@lalecheleague.org.nz

Plunket Society Parent groups, antenatal classes, parenting education classes, wellchild assessments and family centres Otago Area Office
(03) 474 0940
otago@plunket.org.nz
Contact details for all Plunket services in Otago are available online at:
http://www.plunket.org.nz/plunket-you/plunket-in-your-area/otago/

Ministry of Health A range of resources to support breastfeeding are available, as well as tips and information for key support people such as partners/spouses, parents, siblings and friends.
Call-free 0800 611 116

http://www.breastfeeding.org.nz

Arai te Uru Whare Hauora Breastfeeding advice and support for mothers and families/whanau (03) 471 9960

Otago Pacific Peoples Health Trust Breastfeeding advice and support for mothers and families/whanau 220 King Edward St
South Dunedin
(03) 455 1722

Otago Parents Centres Pregnancy and parenting support Parents centres are available in Dunedin, Alexandra, Balclutha, Oamaru and Taieri. Contact details for all five centres are available online at:
http://www.parentscentre.org.nz/find.asp

Otago Breastfeeding Workforce Development

HEHA is committed to finding ways to improve the support available for breastfeeding. One way of doing this is to ensure that health and community workers in Otago who are involved with breastfeeding are provided with professional development opportunities.

In late January 2009 two very successful workshops were held in Dunedin and Cromwell with Lauren Porter from the New Zealand-based Centre for Attachment. Summaries of Lauren's presentations are available here:

Part One - Part Two - Part Three

We are organising more workshops on issues around breastfeeding in early 2010, again to be held in Dunedin and Central Otago. Details have not yet been finalised but will be posted on here when they are available!

Applying to the HEHA Breastfeeding Fund

The purpose of this fund is to help promote, protect and support breastfeeding in the Otago community. Any individual, community or not-for-profit group that is situated in and servicing Otago may apply for funding.

What could be funded?

Breastfeeding education resources (e.g. books and DVDs)
Study or conference attendance
Furniture or resources to create a "breastfeeding space" in a community organisation for staff and visitors to use
A project or initiative which will encourage and support Otago mums to breastfeed

Applications for Round 2 of the Otago HEHA Breastfeeding Fund close at 5pm on Monday 22 March. Please download an application pack (application form and information on applying) by clicking below:

Application Pack

Further funding rounds will be held in:

Round three: May/June 2010 (date TBA)