Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding helps lay the foundations of a healthy life for a baby and also makes a positive contribution to the health and wider wellbeing of mothers and whānau/families. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are around six months.
Although breastfeeding is natural it sometimes doesn't come naturally so it's important that mothers know what to expect and have support from their partners, whānau/families and health practitioners in the early days. Once breastfeeding is established mothers also need support from their employers and the community.
http://www.moh.govt.nz/breastfeeding
The ministry of Health have produced a DVD which is available free of charge from your midwife or check out the following
http://www.youtube.com/breastfeedingnz
Information for Supporters
There's nothing more natural or healthier than breastfeeding. While it helps build a beautiful bond, it also gives baby a great start in life. It's not always easy, and that's why breastfeeding mums need our support, no matter where they are – at work, at home or in the community.
Good support from fathers/partners, whānau/family and friends helps a mother to get breastfeeding off to a good start and continue for as long as she can. Often breastfeeding mothers are too tired to search for solutions to the problems they are facing and this is when fathers/partners can really help.
For more information on what fathers/partners whānau/family and friends can do to support mothers to breastfeed check out:
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/breastfeeding-supporters
La Leche League
Our Mission
Our mission is to help mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, education, information, and encouragement and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
What We Offer
La Leche League offers you support, encouragement & information through the following:
- Groups in centres throughout New Zealand
- Monthly meetings to discuss:
- The Advantages of Breastfeeding
- Birth and the Early Days
- Overcoming Difficulties
- Starting Solids & Weaning
- Telephone help
- Parenting toddlers and older children
- Working and breastfeeding
- Lending library
- Mother-to-mother support
- Workshops and conferences
- Membership in the world's leading breastfeeding support group
- Additional meetings in some areas