Southern DHB Supporting Breastfeeding at Work

Monday 1 August 2016

World Breastfeeding Week - Southern DHB Supporting Breastfeeding at Work

It’s World Breastfeeding Week this week and the theme this year is ‘A Key to Sustainable Development.’

The theme is about how breastfeeding is a key element in getting us to think about how to value our wellbeing from the start of life, how to respect each other and care for the world we share.

Southern DHB supports breastfeeding through its breastfeeding friendly policies and the work of its lactation consultants, maternity staff and health promoters.

Southern DHB Clinical Nurse Specialist Signe Stanbridge works in the Dunedin Hospital Emergency Department, and through the support of the DHB has been able to continue to breast her baby Emma since her return to work from maternity leave six months ago.

The theme of this year’s World Breastfeeding Week is very relevant to Signe as one of the new Sustainable Development goals being promoted is ‘Women’s Productivity and Employment.’

“Being able to continue to breastfeed Emma after returning to work is very important to me as I want to give Emma the best start in life I can,” says Signe.

“Emma is cared for in the Dunedin Hospital Early Childhood Centre adjacent to the hospital and I’ve been able to pop out to feed her when she’s needed it, which is fabulous.

“With this support I was able to return to work earlier than I had originally planned to take up a seconded position to Clinical Nurse Specialist which is great for both myself and Emma.”

Signe still pops over to the Early Childhood Centre to feed Emma while at work.

“I can’t promote the convenience of being able to breastfeed enough - it’s on tap, the right temperature, portable, I don’t need to sterilise bottles, and Emma gets all the nutrients she needs”.

“I love breastfeeding Emma and will keep it up until she’s two if she’s still enjoying it,” said Signe.

As part of World Breastfeeding Week celebrations, ‘Milk Movie’ screenings and ‘Big Latch On’ events are being held around the Southern district:

‘Milk’ movie

The award winning ‘Milk’ movie brings a perspective on the politics, commercialization and controversies surrounding birth and infant feeding. Inspiring, informative, provocative and sensitive, ‘Milk’ celebrates bringing a new life into this world with a strong call to action and reflection.

Movie screenings are taking place at the following locations:

Invercargill

When: 7pm, Monday 1 August

Where: Southland Museum and Art Gallery Theatre

Entry by Koha, light refreshments provided

Dunedin

When: 12 -1:30 pm, Thursday 4 August

Where: Dunningham Suite, Level 4, Dunedin City Library

$5 entry, bring your own lunch, light refreshments provided

‘Big Latch On’

‘Big Latch On’ events, giving breastfeeding mothers, their partners, and whānau the chance to meet and share information, will be happening at the following locations around the Southern district:

Friday 5 August 2016

Alexandra

Where: Church House Lounge, next to Community House, Centennial Ave
Registration: 10am

Gifts, morning tea provided

Cromwell

Where: Cromwell Plunket Rooms, 5 Murray Terrace
Registration: 10am

Morning tea provided

Dunedin
Where: Lower Ground Floor Food Court, Meridian Mall
Registration: 10am

Gifts and spot prizes, fresh fruit snacks, coffee and muffin deal and entertainment by Damian & Sonja from The Breeze.Breastfeeding assistance and information available to those that need it and of course you can chat with other mums and bubs.

Gore

Where: Public Library, 8 Norfolk St

Registration: 10am

Morning tea, spot prizes, music and movement for preschoolers

Invercargill

Where: Public Library – Children’s Department, 50 Dee St

Registration: 10am

Free gifts and spot prizes, morning tea and information on support services. Come along and meet other mums and bubs

Oamaru

Where: North Otago Plunket Rooms, Severn St (opposite Police Station)

Registration: 10am

First 20 registrations on the day receive a goodie bag and all registrations are placed also in the draw for spot prizes. Morning tea provided.

Queenstown

Where: The Sherwood, 554 Frankton Rd
Registration: 10 am
Goodie bags provided

Wanaka
Where: Alchemy Café, 151-153 Ardmore Street

Registration: 10 am
Spot prizes and raffle hamper

Saturday 6 August

Balclutha

Where: Balclutha Parents Centre, 1 John Street Unit A Upstairs
Registration: 10am

Morning tea provided, Goodie bags and spot prizes will be given away

Dunedin - North East Valley

Where: Valley Project Community Rooms, 262 North Road

Registration: 10am

Snacks and beverages provided

Can’t make it to the ‘Big Latch On,’ but still want to take part? Take a ‘selfie’- check it out on http://www.womens-health.org.nz/participant-selfies/

For more information about breastfeeding: www.southerndhb.govt.nz/phsbreastfeeding.

*Photograph of Southern DHB nurse Signe Stanbridge feeding her 15 month old baby Emma

ENDS

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