Dear colleagues,
We made it! It is the end of 2020, I have all my fingers and toes crossed that 2021 brings us a productive and ‘lock-down’ free year.
Thank you so much for being part of the ABA family this year as we introduced our new website and our new membership bundles. We are in the process of seeking feedback from our members regarding these new offerings. If you are a member you should have received an email last Wednesday, 16 December, with a link to the survey. Survey will close 15 January 2021.
This year ABA’s Strategic Plan has a renewed focus on Advocacy. We have recently formed an Advocacy Working Group and this month we have created an Advocacy Webpage on our main website. Please check it out and keep an eye on it for updates. The Advocacy Working Group will be striving to increase awareness among members and the wider community of the Priority Action Areas of the Australian National Breastfeeding Strategy 2019 and Beyond.
After surveying a large group of student midwives we are in the process of creating a student level professional membership to be launched at the Health Professional Seminar Series in March. Are you going? Early Bird rates still apply!
ABA’s submission to the ACCC re: Reauthorisation of the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas: Manufacturers and Importers (MAIF) Agreement for 10 years.
The MAIF Agreement, Australia’s response to the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (WHO Code), plays a role in limiting the inappropriate marketing of infant formula.
ABA found 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:
Finally, earlier this month Susan Tawia (Breastfeeding Researcher and Health Professional Educator) and I were invited to attend the VicHealth Early Years Nutrition Roundtable. This Roundtable looked at key priority strategies for the coming 3 years for the 0 to 3 year age group. We are very grateful to have had this opportunity and look forward to further discussions.
Have a wonderful festive season everyone and we will see you in the New Year,
Naomi Hull RN, IBCLC, MPH
Senior Manager Breastfeeding Information and Research
