Hi everyone, 

Well, this has been another hectic month.  

To support the professional development of health professionals and promote ABA services and resources, BIR team members submit abstracts to external conferences and, if the abstracts are accepted, speak at the conferences or make poster presentations. Naomi Hull and Susan Tawia attended two health professional conferences in September. 

In the first week in September, Susan presented at the Maternal Child and Family Health Nurses Association (MCaFHNA) Conference in Canberra. She spoke about Online breastfeeding support that works: the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s LiveChat service and had a poster presentation on Infant sleep location: effect on breastfeeding exclusivity and breastfeeding duration. 

Later in September, Susan presented at the Australian College of Midwives National Conference in Cairns. She spoke about 1) LiveChat: the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s web-based service providing information and support and 2) What modifiable factors improve breastfeeding exclusivity and duration in Australian women? 

At both conferences, Susan and Naomi staffed busy exhibition tables promoting ABA professional development opportunities for health professionals, Helpline and LiveChat services, the mum2mum app and the new ABA website. Many health professionals had already visited the ABA website and we received lovely feedback about the new look and accessibility. 

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to speak with so many of you.  

I really hope that by now you have had the chance to explore our beautiful new main website. We have received so much positive feedback.  

You will notice the following features that we are thrilled with: 

  • Breastfeeding information structured by age and stage so you can easily find the resources you need, when you need them 
  • A powerful new search function – to quickly connect you to the information you’re looking for 
  • An interactive map of your local community, connecting you to local group events, available breast pumps for hire, baby care rooms and much more. 

Check it out www.breastfeeding.asn.au.  

The Community Protection for Infants and Young Children in Bushfire Emergencies Project  continues. The priority now is to recruit participants for the survey. This is important – the more experiences we can collect the better we will be able to prepare resources for the community. You can help us to make this project a success, by sharing the survey with families you support and maybe even completing it yourself. If you live in area that was affected by the 2019-20 bushfires and would like a pack of flyers to help share the word, then please get in touch with kate.turtiainen@breastfeeding.asn.au.  

ABA’s WHO Code Taskforce continues to collect WHO Code breaches. Thank you to those of you have already contributed WHO Code breach reports; we have been very happy with the response. Keep them coming in!  

If you spot any unethical advertising of formula and milk drinks for babies up to 36 months of age, bottles/teats, or foods for under 6 months of age, you can help by reporting it via our survey. To read more about the project and report a breach, click here. 

Thank you for all your ongoing support,  

Naomi Hull

Senior Manager Breastfeeding Information and Research