BREASTFEEDING

Question 1

why is breastfeeding important for the child?

Answer 1

• there is a lower risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy
• reduces the risk of many illnesses, infections that can later develop as they get older
• improved cognitive development

Question 2

why is breastfeeding important for the mother?

Answer 2

• improved recovery from childbirth
• lower rates of post natal depression
• protective effect for breast and ovarian cancer
• lower rates of osteoporosis

Question 3

why is breastfeeding important for the family?

Answer 3

it is convenient, no special equipment is needed

there is income savings

Question 4

why is breastfeeding important for the environment?

Answer 4

there is a renewable source

• no water use
• no packaging

Question 5

why is breastfeeding important for the economy?

Answer 5

reduced healthcare costs

- reudced commercial influence

Question 6

is breastfeeding protected and by what?

Answer 6

breastfeeding is protected for anywhere at anytime as children have the right to good quality health care., it is protected under the commonwealth and state sex discrimination legislation

Question 7

what are breastfeeding recommendations in australia?

Answer 7

should be encouraged to around the first 6 to 12 months and beyond as any breastfeeding is beneficial to the infant and mother.

Question 8

what are the most common factors that decrease breastfeeding rates?

Answer 8

returning to work is a commonly cited reason for stopping breastfeeding, and generous maternity leave policies, are linked to high breastfeeding rates.

Question 9

what are some factors that can prevemt breastfeeding to occur between a baby and mother?

Answer 9

• breast surgery, multiple births, premature births, hospitalisation, history of child sexual abuse, foster care and adoption, incarcerated mothers

Question 10

how to support breastfeeding mothers from early on:

Answer 10

• have a written breastfeeding polcy that is routinely communicated
• inform all pregnant woman about the benefits and management of breastfeeding
• help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth
• give infants no food or drink or pacifiers other than breast milk
• practice rooming in - allowing mothers and infants to remain together 24 hrs a day

Question 11

how can work places support breastfeeding for women?

Answer 11

• provide space and time to express breastmilk
• provide maternity leave
• offer on-site child care
• offer flexible work schedules
• support working from home
  0 enable part time work
• let mothers bring their babies to work

e.g. australian breastfeeding association has a formal accreditation program for employers, ‘the breastfeeding friendly workplace’

Question 12

what are some issues in the workforce that can decrease breastfeeding levels for women employees? in ECEC

Answer 12

• the workforce is becoming increasingly casualised, meaning teachers and educators may have limited access to paid maternity leave and lactation breaks
  and thus improving working conditions for teachers and educators may have a positive effect on infant feeding attitudes and practices.