Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces UPDATE

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Issue Three UPDATE Breaseeding Friendly Spaces The Big Latch On is a community event held every August to celebrate World Breaseeding Week, with the aim of protecng, promong, and supporng breaseeding women. The Big Latch On involves groups of breaseeding women coming together at registered locaons around the world to all ‘latch on’ (breaseed) their child at the same me. In New Zealand, last year’s event saw 1628 latches across 114 venues. Let’s see if we can beat this in 2015! You can support the Big Latch On 2015 by hosng your own Big Latch On event or by offering your venue for use. This is also a great opportunity to help breaseeding mothers in your community easily idenfy your business as a breaseeding friendly space when they are out and about. Communies may choose to hold events on either Friday 31st July or Saturday 1st August 2015. To see what events are already planned in your area or to learn more about hosng an event, please visit www.womens-health.org.nz/ programmes/breaseeding-acvies/big-latch-on The Big Latch On Breaseeding Friendly Project Making a Difference The Breaseeding Friendly Team at Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service (Toi Te Ora) would like to say a big, hearelt thank you to all the Breaseeding Friendly Spaces who contribute to the ongoing success of our Breaseeding Friendly project, and also to those who contributed to the recent project evaluaon. The evaluaon found that the Breaseeding Friendly project is well suited, and is viewed posively by accredited spaces and the wider Bay of Plenty and Lakes communies. It also found that the project has successfully brought together a wide range of stakeholders to raise the visibility of breaseeding in public. Accredited spaces, including private businesses, have embraced the project which has resulted in an annual increase in the number of accredited spaces. Useful areas for improvement were idenfied and updated to ensure the Breaseeding Friendly project connues to meet the needs of the various parcipang groups and the wider community. Your feedback confirmed the success we’re having with helping mothers feel supported and comfortable to breaseed in public. Thank you for your help! When approached about being part of the Breaseeding Friendly spaces project, Linton Park Community Centre in Rotorua jumped at the chance to support such a worthy cause. The concept of breaseeding friendly aligned well with the centre’s philosophy of service to the community and becoming a Breaseeding Friendly Space had the full support of the centre’s board, which includes a general praconer. “Breaseeding is one of the best ways to invest in the future of our community. Our centre takes pride in providing a supporve environment to breaseeding mothers who form a significant part of the community ulising our facilies,” says Rick Mansell, Coordinator at Linton Park Community Centre. Since becoming Linton Park Community Centre Gives Breaseeding the Thumbs Up breaseeding friendly accredited, the centre has received a number of posive comments from community members who have seen the breaseeding signage being proudly displayed. Rick Mansell, Coordinator at Linton Park Community Centre proudly displays their Breaseeding Friendly signage

Transcript of Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces UPDATE

Page 1: Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces UPDATE

Issue Three

UPDATE

Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces

The Big Latch On is a community event held every August to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week, with the aim of protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding women. The Big Latch On involves groups of breastfeeding women coming together at registered locations around the world to all ‘latch on’ (breastfeed) their child at the same time. In New Zealand, last year’s event saw 1628 latches across 114 venues. Let’s see if we can beat this in 2015!

You can support the Big Latch On 2015 by hosting your own Big Latch On event or by offering your venue for use. This is also a great opportunity to help breastfeeding mothers in your community easily identify your business as a breastfeeding friendly space when they are out and about. Communities may choose to hold events on either Friday 31st July or Saturday 1st August 2015. To see what events are already planned in your area or to learn more about hosting an event, please visit www.womens-health.org.nz/programmes/breastfeeding-activities/big-latch-on

The Big Latch OnBreastfeeding Friendly Project Making a DifferenceThe Breastfeeding Friendly Team at Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service (Toi Te Ora) would like to say a big, heartfelt thank you to all the Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces who contribute to the ongoing success of our Breastfeeding Friendly project, and also to those who contributed to the recent project evaluation. The evaluation found that the Breastfeeding Friendly project is well suited, and is viewed positively by accredited spaces and the wider Bay of Plenty and Lakes communities. It also found that the project has successfully brought together a wide range of stakeholders to raise the visibility of breastfeeding in public. Accredited spaces, including private businesses, have embraced the project which has resulted in an annual increase in the number of accredited spaces. Useful areas for improvement were identified and updated to ensure the Breastfeeding Friendly project continues to meet the needs of the various participating groups and the wider community.

Your feedback confirmed the success we’re having with helping mothers feel supported and comfortable to breastfeed in public. Thank you for your help!

When approached about being part of the Breastfeeding Friendly spaces project, Linton Park Community Centre in Rotorua jumped at the chance to support such a worthy cause. The concept of breastfeeding friendly aligned well with the centre’s philosophy of service to the community and becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Space had the full support of the centre’s board, which includes a general practitioner. “Breastfeeding is one of the best ways to invest in the future of our community. Our centre takes pride in providing a supportive environment to breastfeeding mothers who form a significant part of the community utilising our facilities,” says Rick Mansell, Coordinator at Linton Park Community Centre. Since becoming

Linton Park Community Centre Gives Breastfeeding the Thumbs Up

breastfeeding friendly accredited, the centre has received a number of positive comments from community members who have seen the breastfeeding signage being proudly displayed.

Rick Mansell, Coordinator at Linton Park Community Centre proudly displays their Breastfeeding Friendly signage

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World Breastfeeding WeekWorld Breastfeeding Week is just around the corner! This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding and work – let’s make it work!” The 2015 campaign aims to empower and support all working mothers, regardless of their type of work, to adequately combine work with child-rearing, in particular, breastfeeding. World Breastfeeding Week organisers have defined ‘work’ as paid employment, self-employment, seasonal and contract work, including unpaid home and care work.

There are many things you can do to support breastfeeding in your workplace and wider community. Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week in your workplace by promoting positive messages around breastfeeding, and get involved in, and promote events for the Big Latch On (Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August). You can also support breastfeeding by helping your workplace and others to become a Breastfeeding Friendly accredited space (www.ttophs.govt.nz/breastfeeding_friendly).

Visit www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org for further ideas on how to support mothers to continue breastfeeding while at work.

Topkids Goes the Extra MileTopkids Waihi Road in Tauranga have raised the breastfeeding friendly bar! Their breastfeeding friendly environment provides that bit extra for mothers and whānau/families of their centre. In the Koru Room, which cares for children aged three months to two years, the breastfeeding area has new pillows for mothers to use when breastfeeding, as well as a basket of goodies such as bibs, a notepad, wipes, and flannels. “We want to make parents feel comfortable and welcome. Doing that bit extra by providing pillows for feeding is something we can do to create a welcoming environment,” says Koru Room head teacher, Letitia Peacocke. “It is commendable to see such passion and commitment in support of breastfeeding mothers. This goes a long way in making them feel comfortable and welcome when they wish to breastfeed their babies,” says Bridget Chiwawa, Breastfeeding Friendly spaces advisor.

Breastfeeding Friendly tipDisplaying signage in your entry area or window lets mothers easily know you are breastfeeding friendly accredited. If you need more or new signage or stickers, please contact your Breastfeeding Friendly spaces advisor.

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Signed breastfeeding policy or signed policy that includes breastfeeding with review date.Staff are aware of key breastfeeding messages.Comfortable space is available.Support in place for breastfeeding staff (eg: flexible break times, private area for breastfeeding or expressing).Milk storage and heating methods are in place.Information is included in ECE service enrolment/starter packs.Signage is displayed.Reaccredited every two years.

Checklist

Key Messages For Staff For new staff on induction, those returning to work, or as an ongoing refresher, refer to these key messages about the benefits of breastfeeding.

Why is being breastfeeding friendly important?The Ministry of Health recommends that mothers exclusively breastfeed until their babies are around six months old, and then continue breastfeeding with the introduction of solid foods. Mothers may require support from their family, health services, workplace, childcare centres, and the wider community to feel encouraged and supported to breastfeed.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding? Breast milk is the best first food for babies to help ensure

optimal growth, development and health. Breast milk is easily digested, immediately available and

always fresh. Breastfeeding promotes health in both mother and baby. Breast milk provides babies with a perfect blend of

nutrients and protective antibodies, which play an important role in protecting against illnesses like colds, tummy bugs, allergies, asthma and infections.

Why should we support mothers to breastfeed in public? Babies need to be fed anywhere and at any time. It can be daunting to breastfeed in public. Some mothers have had negative experiences when

breastfeeding in public. We need to help to mothers feel comfortable about

breastfeeding in public.

Did you know? Breastfeeding is an international human right. Mothers are permitted to breastfeed in public and at work under the Human Rights Act (1993) and international law.

This means:Mothers have the right to breastfeed their baby anywhere, anytime.

So what can we do to be breastfeeding friendly? Include a workplace policy in your training manual that

states you support mothers to breastfeed. Be supportive of mothers who breastfeed. Here are some practical options you can consider:

– Have a suitable space available for breastfeeding (not the toilet!)

– Offer them a glass of water

What is Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces Accreditation?

Research has highlighted several reasons for mothers not breastfeeding at all, or for stopping breastfeeding early. These include mothers returning to work, the social perception of breastfeeding, and the lack of knowledge around expressing and storing breast milk.

Breastfeeding Friendly spaces accreditation creates and sustains breastfeeding friendly environments with the goal of increasing breastfeeding rates and duration. Normalising breastfeeding in public helps mothers to feel more comfortable and supported to breastfeed.

Toi Te Ora’s Breastfeeding Friendly Project launched the accreditation process in July 2011. Since then over 180 early childhood education services (ECE’s), businesses, cafes, restaurants, retailers and libraries in Rotorua, Taupo, Western Bay of Plenty and Eastern Bay of Plenty have created Breastfeeding Friendly environments, and achieved Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces accreditation. Overall, feedback shows the project is sustaining supportive environments for mothers and their families.

Recommended Storage Times For Breast Milk• 4 hours at room temperature

• 4 months (approximately) in freezer

• 2 days in fridge

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Rotorua and [email protected]

Bridget Chiwawa07 349 7269

Local Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces AdvisorsFor more on the breastfeeding friendly spaces accreditation visit our website www.ttophs.govt.nz/breastfeeding or contact one of your local breastfeeding friendly spaces advisors at Toi Te Ora:

Briar Macken07 577 3783

Western and Eastern Bay of [email protected]

Check out a Breastfeeding Friendly Accredited Space Near YouEarly Childhood Education ServicesEastern Bay of PlentyAnglican Homebased ChildcareAwakeri PlaycentreMananui PlaycentrePort Ohope PlaycentreSt Georges Education and Childcare CentreTe Aria Toka Ki Te WhakatoheaWairaka Playcentre

Western Bay of Plenty4woods Early Learning CentreABC BayfairABC PapamoaActive Kids Early Learning CentreArataki KindergartenArk Early Childhood CentreGreenpark PlaycentreFirst Steps Mount MaunganuiFirst Steps PapamoaFriends on FraserLittle Sweethearts MontessoriMatua Plunket KindergartenMerivale Whanau Aroha CentreMontessori at BethlehemMontessori at OtumoetaiMount Community KindyOPEYS Education and Care CentreQuality KidzSt Mary’s Mount MaunganuiThe Children’s GardenTopKids Mount MaunganuiTopKids Ngatai RoadTopKids Waihi RoadTutu Maori Home-Based Early Childhood EducationUrbanKids Early Learning Centre

RotoruaABC Central ABC HillcrestABC Kawaha PointABC Monokia ABC Rotorua EastCentral City Quality Educare, Pukaki StCentral City Quality Educare, Pukuatua StKidz World Rutland Street

Kidz World Brent RoadKidz World Maisey PlaceKiwi Educare LtdKoutu PlaycentreKreative KidzMountain View PreschoolNgakuru PlaycentreNgongotaha Early Learning CentreRotorua Childcare IncRotorua Girls High School Childcare TrustRotorua SFYP Childcare CentreQuality KidzThe Ole House Childcare CentreTiny Tots EducareTopkids LynmoreTopkids Pukuatua

TaupoAbacus Childcare CentreCentral Kids Himonea TaupoCommunity Kindy Heuheu Street HeuHeu Community KindyMy Treehut Early Learning CentreTaupo Children’s Corner Lakewood DriveTaupo Chidren’s Corner Duncan StreetTaupo Children’s Corner Wheretia StreetTaupo Family PlaycentreTaupo Kids Community CentreTaupo Family PlaycentreTaupo PreschoolTopkids MotutaikoTopkids Totara Street Wairakei Playcentre

Businesses, Health Providers, Cafes and RestaurantsWestern Bay of PlentyArena Cafe (ASB Baypark Mount Maunganui)Cameo CafeDry Dock CafeDeli on TopGreerton LibraryGrindz CafeMount Maunganui LibraryMudan Teahouse and EateryPacific Coast Technical InstitutePak N Save Papamoa

Papamoa LibraryPirirakau HauoraRobert Harris Coffee Roasters (Tauranga)Royal New Zealand Plunket Bay of PlentySober CamelSpring St CafeTauranga LibraryToi Te Ora – Public Health ServiceVagabond Café

Eastern Bay of PlentyBaxters CafeCafe CocoColumbus Cafe - The HubEastBay REAPEastern Bay Primary Health AllianceJJ’s CafeJulians Berry FarmKapai Kai Cafe, OpotikiMcDonalds Family RestaurantPak N Save WhakatanePoppys CafeRobert Harris Coffee Roasters (Whakatane)Royal New Zealand Plunket Bay of PlentyRuth’s KitchenThe Village BakeryToi Te Ora – Public Health ServiceTuwharetoa Ki Kawerau Health Education and Social Services Trust Whakatohea Iwi Social and Health Services

Rotorua Aunty Annie’sKentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)Le Cafe De ParisLinton Park Community CentreMcDonalds Fenton StreetMcDonalds Fairy SpringsMcDonalds Te NgaeMr. RentalNando’sRotorua District LibraryRotorua Plunket ClinicThe Bakehouse CaféToi Te Ora – Public Health ServiceThe Bakehouse CafeWendy’s

TaupoCinnamon Fine Indian Cusine and BarFast and Fresh Bakery CafeFriends CafeKissa-Kai Japanese Cafe Modern Midwifery

This directory of Breastfeeding Friendly spaces can also be found online at www.ttophs.govt.nz/breastfeeding

Want to become Breastfeeding Friendly?Do any of your neighbouring businesses want to become breastfeeding friendly accredited?Contact one of your local breastfeeding friendly spaces advisors on 0800 221 555, or for more information please visit our website www.ttophs.govt.nz/breastfeeding

© Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service, 2015