Hello everyone!
Yes, the year is still speeding past and here is more news about the main goings-on at ABA.
Planning is well under way for ABA’s annual Health Professional Seminar series in March 2025: Breastfeeding: Supporting the Journey.
Details of dates for Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, general program information including registration costs and a summary of speakers are available on the HP Seminar Webpage now but stay tuned for full program details and for registration opening towards the end of November. Look forward to seeing you at our premium event for health professionals. Each year there is plenty of variety in the Seminar programs and presenters and you can always be reassured that the content will be very relevant to your clinical practice, wherever your work with mothers and babies takes place.
World Diabetes Day is on 14 November and the theme carries over to 2026: Diabetes and Well-being. We know that diabetes in pregnancy – whether pre-existing or diagnosed during pregnancy – affects around 1 in 10 mums and that breastfeeding can play an important role in protecting the health of mothers and their babies’ health too.
Did you know that ABA runs online Breastfeeding Preparation Workshops specifically for these mums or mums-to-be whose pregnancies are affected by diabetes? We are celebrating World Diabetes Day this year with a workshop on 14 November at 7 to 9 pm AEDT. The 2-hour workshop includes all the essentials of breastfeeding as covered in ABA’s general Breastfeeding Preparation Session as well as information specific to experiences of diabetes while pregnant and breastfeeding. A great feature of these workshops is the opportunity for participants to hear about lived experiences from mothers on video and from a breastfeeding mum in the workshop who is happy to answer questions from participants.
While this is a special date for a workshop, these sessions are scheduled throughout the year. Please share this link with mothers you are supporting who are impacted by diabetes during pregnancy: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/products/diabetes-breastfeeding-preparation-session-4
One last shout-out to you all: ABA’s 2024 Festive Appeal is ready to launch. I know that you are going to find the story of Lara who is featured with her baby on the webpage very interesting. We appreciate the generous support that so many of you have given to ABA that make extraordinary stories like Lara’s possible. Find out more here about helping us to continue our mission: Festive Appeal 2024 | Australian Breastfeeding Association
Warm regards
Jen Hocking
Professional Engagement Lead
