The Baby Whisperer

A World Breastfeeding Week Promotion

World Breastfeeding Week is an initiative of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) that aims to draw attention to and educate parents in the importance of breastfeeding to ensure optimal health for infants and mothers.

Lactation Consultants, Katrina Peters and Colleen Limpitlaw say that many women underestimate the importance of breastfeeding and as a result are risking the health of their newborns.

"There's nothing like breastmilk when it comes to feeding your baby, especially during the early stages of development. Breastfeeding is often the first challenge faced by a mother and it can be a daunting one."

"Breastmilk is energy and nutrient rich, and contains the anti-infective factors that provide protection against illnesses such as gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Breastfeeding also provides emotional nurturing for mother and baby. Women that have not breastfed have increased risk of developing cancer of the breast and ovaries, heart disease and osteoporosis, than women who have breastfed their babies."

"In my experience new mothers want to do what is right for their babies but they often receive advice from so many sources that they end up confused and unsure about something that should be a very normal process. Some mothers perceive breastfeeding as the cause of challenges they are experiencing. However when provided with professional support, mothers are able to gain a wider understanding of their baby and of their parenting role." Katrina said.

According to the Australian Breastfeeding Association more than eight out of ten Australian babies are being put at risk due to incorrect feeding by the time they are six months old.

"The majority of mothers can breastfeed their babies. Parents just need to be correctly informed of the facts and have the right support and assistance available to them to ensure they apply breastfeeding best practices to optimise the whole mothering experience." Katrina said.