Hello everyone
I hope this finds you well.
This year is really shaping up as one for having a say on issues that really matter to us at ABA and to health professionals who work with breastfeeding mums.
So far this year we have responded to a consultation about restrictions of marketing of infant formula, and a proposal (P1066) by FSANZ to revise food standards code provisions to regulation, labelling and composition of young child formulas (1 to 3 years).
Our Free to feed campaign is still live (follow the link). More than 200 people have already emailed their local MP about the critical need for stronger laws to restrict infant formula marketing in Australia. You can join them.
You may also be aware that in August, the government established something called a Senate Select Committee on Women's Health. This means that a temporary committee of senators will investigate a number of issues around women's health in Australia.
This inquiry will have a strong focus on postpartum care and infant feeding. Take a look how ABA welcomed the inquiry in this media release.
ABA will make a submission, but this is also a great opportunity for women and others to share their own postpartum experiences and for you to have a say about the way care for new mums operates and what could make it better.
There is a clear list of topics (terms of reference) that your submission can address. This includes best-practice postpartum healthcare (1); the cost and accessibility of postpartum healthcare including infant feeding supports (4); research, education and training for health professionals working in maternal care (6); government policies, programs and healthcare initiatives addressing postpartum care (7); and data collection, reporting and monitoring processes, and research relating to postpartum healthcare (8).
So, there is plenty to choose from! And the good news is that you can write a lot or not very much and submit it and know that you are participating in an important democratic mechanism that seeks to improve the experiences of new mums at the start of their journey.
Some info about making your submission:
You will need to create your own 'My Parliament' account but it's not too tricky. You've got this. Then scroll down and click on 'Select Committee on Women's Health'. Follow the prompts and input your details and then you will be asked to attach a file to the page (DOC, DOCX, PDF and TXT files are all accepted). Click on submit. DONE.
Sometimes we get a bit cynical about the systems we work in, but then we see an opportunity to put our worries and our dreams into positive action.
You have until 9 October to make a submission. Please make your voice heard.
I hope you have a great few weeks before we talk again.
Jen Hocking
Lactation and Breastfeeding Information Expert Adviser
