Breastfeeding, child care hot topics at networking breakfast

HEALTH: Yass Valley Child Care operators came out in strength this week at a celebratory breakfast to support breast feeding families and share their professional journey in the workplace.

Discussions included mother’s rooms, where mums can drop in and breastfeed their child throughout the day if working close by, the provision of priority parking bays, storage on site and handling and preparation of expressed milk.

The group also shared a few settling techniques for children who normally feed to sleep when they are with mum, such as the “sleep dance” with baby in arms.

The celebration breakfast was held at Kaffeine earlier this week and hosted by the Health department and councillor Jasmin Jones, with Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellors and child care workers attending.

“This was a celebration of Yass Valley child care workers’ successes and a chance to learn from each other,” Cr Jones said.

“To receive insight from breastfeeding mums and counsellors about the anxieties and challenges breastfeeding mums face, was also an important part of today. As a breastfeeding mother myself, I have to say I am so impressed with Yass Valley childcare operators in their knowledge, down-to-earth acceptance and support,” she said.

“Whether it be centre-based childcare or childcare in the home or on site at your workplace, childcare operators can assist families keep this special and important link strong for the supply of nutrition, immunity and bonding. The long-term benefits for child and mother are well known but the benefits to our community are not so immediately tangible; such as proven lower rates of long term health conditions which burden the health system and cost the tax payer.”

She said ABA counsellor Libby Salmon recounted challenges some centres in the ACT had faced with limited acceptance of breastfeeding, and a terrific experience of acceptance and support of a mother within the Australian Defence Force.

“Which really shows us that if an organisation such as that can embrace and support breastfeeding, then any organisation can.”

“Southern Health LHD is to be commended in recognising and being proactive on supporting breastfeeding as the number one “first step” to good nutrition and good health during their healthy eating initiative week. Health Promotion coordinators Emma Woolley and Julia Kuorence also hosted an information session in Yass for school canteens.”

Cr Jones highlighted the economic importance of ensuring Yass Valley was reaching best practice standards in child care.

“There are currently 1180 children in Yass Valley aged between 0-4, with this figure expected to rise to an impressive 1482 by 2031, so child care services will continue to be a high economic growth area for Yass Valley.

“Supporting best practice in this sector will ensure strong support of quality local services by our parents and create jobs here, not over the border.”

The networking breakfast was attended by YECCA, Montessori, Murrumbateman “Fairley’s” proposed child care centre, ABA, Southern Health and Yass Valley Council.

– Jasmin Jones

Breastfeeding and child care were hot topics at a recent networking breakfast. PHOTO: Supplied.