Hello everyone
We welcome an early career researcher for this month’s ‘Focus on breastfeeding’ article. Samira has researched women’s experiences of breastfeeding their babies after bariatric surgery. She found that mothers experienced many challenges and has included recommendations for how we can improve care for these mothers and their breastfeeding babies.
As the government moves forward in developing a new framework for the regulation of marketing of breastmilk substitutes in Australia, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is now seeking views from a range of stakeholders about the best ways to mandate marketing controls in Australia.
ABA is currently planning our response to this consultation, and there will be an opportunity for health professionals to complete a survey about what you think are the most important ways to protect parents’ and families’ critical infant-feeding choices from commercial influence. Watch out for information about how you can participate.
Health professionals are critical in this process of ensuring that Australia has an effective and enforceable regulatory framework. Many of you will understand how weak regulation allows industry to market directly to women and families online, and to influence the professional education and practice of health professionals.
There is also a discussion paper available on the department’s website here.
There is certainly still time to register for the 2026 ABA Health Professional Seminar series this month. Register for an in-person event in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne with our CUthere discount voucher, and also get access to the full online program AND recordings of the live program until May 2026. There is a great line-up of presenters for both programs and a great time to meet and catch up with others who are serious about supporting breastfeeding mums and families.
And, appropriately, in Multiple Birth Awareness Week (16 to 23 March), ABA is running a Multiples Breastfeeding Preparation Session. The webinar is scheduled for Saturday, 21 March, 12:00 pm (AEDT). Please share the link below with women and families you are supporting who are expecting multiples, and it would also be fantastic if you could mention it to your colleagues who are working in multiples clinics. Book here.
In celebration of World Down Syndrome Day in March, ABA is hosting a free webinar for expectant and new parents who have a baby with Down syndrome. Health professionals are also welcome to attend. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, 25 March, 7:00 to 8:30 pm (AEDT). Book here.
And I hope you have a great International Women’s Day this Sunday. At ABA we celebrate the strength, care and connection shared across generations. 💛 From daughters to mothers to grandmothers, every woman’s journey matters. Supporting mums means supporting families, communities and the future. ABA walks alongside mothers, offering trusted support whenever it’s needed.
That’s all from me. See you next month!
Jen Hocking
