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Australian families are being encouraged to celebrate magic moments in breastfeeding by submitting photographs to the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s (ABA) tenth annual calendar.
Calendar project manager Barb Glare says, “With so much emphasis placed on issues like sleepless nights and sore nipples, we don’t often see the beautiful moments breastfeeding offers a mother and her new baby. The first time your baby looks up at you and gives you a milky smile; those special night feeds when it’s just the two of you together; or those times when you’re out and about and feel a huge sense of accomplishment when you calm an upset child with ‘mummy milk’. We want everyone to know that that’s what breastfeeding’s all about.”
The breastfeeding calendar seeks to present breastfeeding as the normal way of feeding a baby by promoting images of breastfeeding to the wider community. All profits from sales of the calendar support the work of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Breastfeeding Association www.abavic.asn.au
“Breastfeeding won’t be fully accepted as the normal way to feed babies and young children until it is something that is seen and talked about, rather than being hidden away,” said Ms Glare.
Australia’s breastfeeding rates fall well below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Around 90% of Australian mothers initiate breastfeeding in hospital, but by 6 months, fewer than half of babies are still breastfeed.
The World Health Organization recommends that for optimal brain development mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first 6 months (no other foods or drinks are necessary) and gradually introduce solid foods from around 6 months.
WHO also recommends mothers continue breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond, for as long as the mother and child desire.
Photo submissions showing babies of any age, stage and setting being breastfed can be sent to calendars@breastfeeding.asn.au by 20 May 2009. Low-resolution jpegs only please.