The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is once again proudly supporting mothers to breastfeed in the workplace as part of World Breastfeeding Week, running from August 1–7.

The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2020 focuses on supporting breastfeeding for a healthier planet.

“We want to celebrate the short and long-term benefits breastfeeding has for the environment, mums, babies and families in general,” SDHB health promotion advisor Catherine Thomas said. 

“Breastfeeding not only provides baby with all the right nutrients, but also is a food source with zero waste.”

Providing a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers returning to work remains a priority for the SDHB, which introduced a breastfeeding room for staff in the Dunedin Public Hospital in February this year, and is now planning for a breastfeeding facility at Wakari hospital. Southland Hospital has a breastfeeding room available to both staff and visitors which has been functioning well for the last several years.

“We are really happy our staff have somewhere comfortable and private to breastfeed and pump,” SDHB health promotion advisor Christine Quested said. “Having a purpose-fit lactation room really helps working mums re-settle back into the workplace.”

This week Public Health South has provided cardboard cut-outs of mothers’ breastfeeding to public spaces in Dunedin, Invercargill, Queenstown and Te Anau.

“We want to provide a visual cue to the public that breastfeeding is normal and welcome,” SDHB health promotion advisor Kathleen Eade said. “Having these situated in public places is a fun way of celebrating breastfeeding and making parents feel safe and supported.”

There are several breastfeeding events on throughout the district, giving breastfeeding mothers, their partners, and whānau the chance to meet and share information.

On Saturday (August 1) a social and fundraiser for the Central Lakes Breastfeeding Charitable Trust was held at Edgewater Resort in Wanaka.

More information can be found about World Breastfeeding week here.

PHOTO: Supplied