Boorai Bundle Breastfeeding Booklet

B Breastfeeding is best

R Reduces health risks for boorai and mum

E Encouragement and support are essential for successful breastfeeding

A Ancestors practiced breastfeeding since creation

S Safest option for your boorai

T Time saving and no preparation needed

F Free and always available

E Exclusive feeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life

E Express – breast milk can be expressed and stored

D Digesting breast milk is easy for boorai

I Infections and illness can be prevented by antibodies in breastmilk

N Natural – breastfeeding is the normal and a natural way to feed your boorai

G Gets mum back into shape

Boorai Bundle Breastfeeding Booklet is a guide to assist Koori women in breastfeeding.

Cover Art

Photographer: Anna Hartley of Lakes Entrance

Baby is Warren Hood

Tracey Fenton is from Lake Tyers and is a Gunai Kurnai woman.

Artwork and illustrations

Designed by Shakara Montalto, Gunditjmara.

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. © 2015

Compiled and written by: VACCHO Koori Maternity Strategy

Acknowledgment and special thanks to the Koori Maternity Services Steering Committee and the VACCHO Nutrition and Physical Activity Team.

The reprint of this handbook was funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Victoria.

• Breast milk is natural, nutritious and nourishing.• Strengthens the bond between mum and boorai. • Breast milk has all the right nutrients and right balance of

proteins, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and fats to help boorai grow up strong.

• Breast milk supports growth and body/mind development in boorais.

• Breast milk reduces the risk of allergies, asthma and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

• Breastfeeding also has advantages for mum. Breastfeeding reduces her risk of breast and ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis.

• Breastfeeding promotes overall wellbeing for boorai and mum.

B RBreastfeeding is best Reduces health risks for boorai and mum

• Encouragement and support from your partner, family, friends, community, hospitals and health services is essential for a woman to breastfeed successfully.

• Partners can help by:• Finding out more about breastfeeding• Supporting the mother’s descision to breastfeed • Being actively involved in the day-to-day care of boorai,

including: bathing, cuddling, changing nappies or taking boorai out for a walk.

• It is OK to ask for help with breastfeeding: contact your Midwife, Aboriginal Health Worker, Lactation Consultant, Maternal and Child Health Nurse or local health service.

Tips• Start the conversation – ask other family members if they

were breastfed.• Express milk and encourage other family members to feed

your boorai too.

• It is the traditional way aunties, grandmothers, sisters and mothers fed boorais for generations and generations.

• Breastfeeding is acknowledged as the best way to feed boorais and was supported by the whole community.

Cultural fact • Traditionally mothers would feed other mothers’ boorai if the

need arose.

E AEncouragement and support is essential for successful breastfeeding

Ancestors practiced breastfeeding since creation

• Breast milk is always at the right temperature and is germ-free.• Breastfeeding does not involve preparation risks linked

to formula feeding, such as measuring errors or poor sterilisation practices that could harm boorai.

• Skin to skin contact while breastfeeding is a calming, bonding experience for mum and boorai. Women who breastfeed their babies are less likely to develop postnatal depression.

• Breastfeeding does not involve sterilising bottles or making up formula.

• Breastfeeding does not need to be measured or mixed, unlike formula, and there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night.

• Breastfeed anywhere, anytime; breast milk is always perfect and ready to go.

S TSafest option for your boorai Time saving

• Breastfeeding your boorai will save you money as it is free, unlike formula, which can be quite expensive.

• Breast milk is available whenever and wherever boorai may need it.

• Breastfeeding helps boorai stay healthy and can help prevent disease and sickness, reducing the need for expensive medication.

• You can use the money you save to buy other things you need for your boorai.

• Boorai needs only breast milk for the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding gives the best nutritional start for your boorai.

• Breast milk is unique as it is perfectly suited to the needs of boorai and provides all the nutrients required for the first 6 months of life.

• Breast milk is recommended as the only food and drink for boorai for the first six months, however a mother can breastfeed for as long as she and her boorai wishes. E.g. for two years or more.

F EFree Exclusive feeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life

• Breast milk can be expressed by hand, electric breast pump or a handheld breast pump.

• It is important to collect and store breast milk correctly to avoid the risk of bacteria developing.

• Expressed breast milk may be used for the following reasons:• Expressing can maintain or increase milk production • Boorai may not be able to suckle well at the breast• Mum is going back to work• Mum and boorai may prefer to feed with a bottle• Boorai can be fed by your partner, family or friends

Tip• Establishing breastfeeding prior to introducing an artificial

teat is recommended, where possible, as it is important for boorai’s attachment to the mother’s breast.

• Breast milk satisfies your boorai’s hunger and thirst. No additional food, water or other liquid is needed for the first 6 months.

• It is normal for your boorai to feed regularly with roughly between 8 to 12 feeds over a 24 hour period. Boorai will feed overnight as well, which helps to regulate and maintain mum’s supply of breast milk.

• Breast milk contains nutrients which are easy for your boorai to digest.

E DExpress- breast milk can be expressed and stored

Digesting breast milk is easy for boorai

• Breast milk contains antibodies which can protect your boorai against ear, chest and gastro infections etc.

• Breastfed boorais are less likely to develop health problems in childhood such as:

• allergies• eczema• asthma• type 1 diabetes• some childhood cancers.

• Boorai is born with the strong instinct to suckle at mum’s breast. The positioning and attachment come naturally to both mum and boorai. Like any new skill, time, patience and practice may be needed to get it right.

• Boorais also have the natural instinct to know when they are hungry and when they have had enough.

I NImportant – fights infections with antibodies Natural

• Breastfeeding releases a hormone called oxytocin which causes the uterus to contract, helping mum to return to her pre-pregnancy size more quickly.

• Breastfeeding, combined with healthy eating and moderate exercise is the best way for mum to lose any weight gained during pregnancy.

G Gets mum back into shape For more information on breastfeeding contact:• your local Aboriginal

Community Controlled Health Organisation

• Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline: 1800 686 268

• Maternal and Child health 24 hour helpline: 13 22 29

• VACCHO - 03 9411 9411

Notes

Boorai Bundle Breastfeeding Booklet

Shakara Montalto

(Gunditjmara)

I used the coolamon in the centre of my artwork. Traditionally coolamons were used by Aboriginal women to carry water, fruits, nuts, as well as to cradle babies. I chose the symbol of circles on the outer artworks to represent a boorai. The arched symbols around the circles represent the family, doctors, midwives, nurses, etc. Everyone that supports the nurturing, growth and development of a boorai from conception, through the pregnancy journey and beyond.

2014