Support vital for breastfeeding mothers

31 July 2013

World Breastfeeding Week’s (WBW) 2013 theme, 'BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT: CLOSE TO MOTHERS', highlights how important the support of friends, family, health professionals, and even the wider community, are when it comes to breastfeeding.

To spread the message of support for breastfeeding mums, the Taranaki District Health Board and Tui Ora Ltd are launching a series of breastfeeding promotional posters during World Breastfeeding Week.

Health promoter, Hinenui Bryant says, “We know that even when mothers start off well with breastfeeding, in the weeks or months to follow difficulties can arise. This is when it is vital that partners, the wider family, friends and health professionals offer support to mothers.”

The poster series focus on four central messages around family support, friend support, partner support and health professional support. They feature mothers from New Plymouth, Pungarehu and Hawera mother, Kimiora Te Wiki who is currently breastfeeding her sixth child. Mrs Te Wiki reiterates the importance of support, “I couldn't feed my first born 20 years ago as I didn’t have enough awhi (support). When I had my other babies, I made sure that I asked anyone wanting to help each time I fed to ensure I was ok with getting the ’knack’, she said.

The posters also highlight the Tui Ora Ltd Peer Counsellor programme that supports mothers wanting to breastfeed. Volunteer mothers train in varying issues around breastfeeding and sit alongside mothers who may be experiencing difficulties. “The project is unique in that it is by mothers and for mothers,” says Julie Foley, Tui Ora Breastfeeding Coordinator. 

The posters are available free from the TDHB Public Health Unit and can be ordered by calling the resource coordinator Queenie McKay on (06) 753 7799.

World Breastfeeding Week runs from 1-7 August.
Local World Breastfeeding Week events:

The Big Latch On will be held in the following locations at 10am on Friday, 2 August. Official count will take place at 10.30am. 

New Plymouth – Puke Ariki foyer
Bell Block – White Pear Café, Parklands shopping complex
Waitara – Tui Ora Limited Office
Opunake – Opunake Library Plus
Manaia – Manaia Library Plus
Hawera – Hawera Library Plus
Oakura - Kaitake Kindergarten
Stratford – Elizabeth R Maternity Unit

Check out our Breastfeeding pages on our website here: http://www.tdhb.org.nz/services/maternity/breast_feeding.shtml

For more information please call
Gemma Gibson
Communications Advisor
Ph 753 7777 ext 8486

Last updated: Wednesday, January 28, 2015