A new $415,000 State Government education program aims to boost breastfeeding rates across the state and increase local expertise available to mums. The Breastfeeding Education Program will provide online breastfeeding education for 800 maternal and child health nurses across Victoria. This new program will also provide an opportunity for a maternal and child health nurse in each local government area to apply to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
Currently in Victoria 85.8 per cent of mothers are either fully or partially breastfeeding when discharged from hospital after giving birth. This rate drops to 60.5 per cent at three months, and further reduces to 45.6 per cent by six months. This education package, which is part of the Victorian Breastfeeding Project, will ensure maternal and child health nurses have the skills to support mothers to breastfeed.
This is the first stage of the Victorian Breastfeeding Project. Stage two is a research project focusing on improving the maintenance of breastfeeding rates in the community. The National Health and Medical Research Council advise the total value of breastfeeding to the community makes it one of the most cost-effective primary prevention measures available and well worth the support of the entire community.
For more information on this project call Toni Ormston on 9637 2405 or email ormston.toni@edumail.vic.gov.au.