Here we are in March 2021 already and still living in a pandemic. I hope there are not too many disruptions for you and that you are healthy and safe.
Did you hear that our new podcast series Breastfeeding … with ABA has made it to the charts in the past month. Our Series has been in the top 50 Kids and Family chart, and Episode 7 The Feed Play Sleep Furphy made it to number 26. podcast. We are well into planning our next series. Please check it out and share with the mums and families that you work with. Search for Breastfeeding … with ABA wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Introducing Student Memberships — coming very soon — launching at this year’s Health Professional Seminars. More information here Memberships Australian Breastfeeding Association for Health Professionals (abaprofessional.asn.au)
Were you there on Wednesday 3 February when we held a Live Panel via Zoom? The free Covid-19 public forum brought together experts in the field of infant and young child feeding, with the aim to provide updated information to health professionals who care for women, families, and their babies, regarding breastfeeding in the context of COVID-19 and considerations around the vaccination for women who are breastfeeding.
Our expert panel guests were Dr Karleen Gribble, Western Sydney University, Dr Nina Chad, World Health Organization, and Prof Lisa Amir, La Trobe University and Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne. The event was chaired by Melbourne-based obstetrician, Dr Nisha Khot.
The panel discussion includes topics such as Breastfeeding in the context of COVID-19, latest information on the COVID-19 vaccination, behaviour change communication, considerations when weighing up risks/benefits of COVID-19 vaccination for breastfeeding mothers, importance of keeping mothers and babies together.
The event was recorded and can be found via the Professional Development tab at: www.abaprofessional.asn.au
In late 2020 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) invited submissions from interested parties in relation to an application by the Infant Nutrition Council that represents the major infant formula manufacturers, for an extension of the MAIF agreement in its current form for another 10 years.
The MAIF Agreement is Australia’s response to the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (WHO Code) and plays a role in limiting the inappropriate marketing of infant formula.
ABA and other organisations and individuals made submissions to the ACCC regarding this extension of the MAIF agreement.
In ABA’s submission, we noted the limited scope of the MAIF Agreement to be of concern but considered that, in the absence of an alternative broader and stronger regulatory instrument, it should remain in place and recommended a limited reauthorisation period of only 2 years.
ABA provided evidence for its concern that the limited scope of the MAIF Agreement is not effectively protecting and promoting breastfeeding in Australia, particularly in relation to the advertising of toddler milk drink which the ACCC acknowledges has the effect of promoting infant formula.
The Department of Health also acknowledged that toddler milk drinks are problematic and, in its submission, stated that ‘we consider the issue of toddler milks requires further consideration and should be explored in detail as part of the planned review of the MAIF Agreement in 2021’.
More information and all submissions can be found here:
Australian Dietary Guidelines: stakeholder scoping survey now open
Please go to the NHMRC website to complete the survey and submit feedback: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/nutrition/australian-dietary-guidelines-review
Mary Paton Research Award 2021
The Mary Paton Research Award recognises and celebrates outstanding breastfeeding research. An invitation to submit an entry for the 2021 Mary Paton Research Award is now open. The Australian Breastfeeding Association Information and Research team is very pleased to announce that, in 2019, the prize is $5000. The award is sponsored by Ardo breast pumps.
The aim of the award is to support and encourage research into all aspects of human lactation and breastfeeding. Topics covered in winning papers in past years include:
Reducing sleep-related infant mortality through understanding factors associated with breastfeeding duration.
A better alternative: Why women use peer-to-peer shared milk
Attitudes to infant feeding decision-making — a mixed-methods study of Australian medical students and GP registrars
Breastfeeding a preterm infant and the objectification of breastfeeding
Mastitis in lactation women: Physiology or pathology.
Previous year’s winners include Roni Cole, Nicole Bridges, Dr Karleen Gribble, Marie McLaughlin and Dr Wendy Brodribb.
For guidelines on submitting papers for the Mary Paton Research Award go to: https://abaprofessional.asn.au/events-media/mary-paton-research-award/mary-paton-research-award-submission-guidelines/
For queries, please contact Breastfeeding Information and Research on (03) 9690 4620 or bir@breastfeeding.asn.au.
2021 Health Professional Seminar Series
Sydney Venue Change!
We have been advised that our previously advertised Sydney Live Seminar venue, Sydney Sofitel Wentworth is a COVID-19 quarantine hotel and no longer holding events, therefore we are moving the Sydney seminar to be held on Monday 8 March 2021 to the fabulous HYATT REGENCY SYDNEY.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you have been advised by the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth that our Sydney Seminar has been a cancelled, again ABA apologises for any confusion and inconvenience. Please be assured that the Sydney Seminar is still going ahead at the new COVID-Safe venue.
The 2021 Health Professional Seminar Series Breastfeeding: Cues for Success is your opportunity to hear from Australian experts, brought to you by Australia’s peak body for breastfeeding information.
Secure your place at ABA’s 2021 Health Professional Seminar Series today: https://aba.asn.au/jZHBj
As usual if you have any feedback about this newsletter or any of our services, we are more than happy to hear it, send to: info@breastfeeding.asn.au.
Take care,
Naomi Hull
Senior Manager Breastfeeding Information and Research
