b"Working with a marketing specialist, we developed some key messages and ideas for media articles to promote breastfeeding. From this we produced printed drink bottles and muslin wraps to gift to breastfeeding mothers at Key Age and Stage visits with their maternal and child health nurse. The wraps were handed out over a 12-month period and the drink bottles continue to this day. During World Breastfeeding Week in 2015, 2016 and 2017 we hosted a Big Latch On event, where mothers latch on and breastfeed at the same time. We also provide support to the Greater Shepparton Maternal and Child Health Service by assisting and supportingThe local Council should include supporting with their programsBreastfeeding Drop In (fortnightly),Breastfeeding in their Municipal Early Years Plan and Breastfeeding Outreach, Breast Pump Hire.Municipal Health Plan where possible.The workgroup has been consulted about renovationsThank you Kristie for sharing the developments happening in the to, and new developments of, parents rooms within theGreater Shepparton area. We wish you and your project all the best municipality. We are advocating for our local hospital to become Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative accredited. OPPOSITE PAGE Editor's Note: In 2014 I met with local mothers to discuss BreastfeedingTop left: Participants atWhat is the Baby Friendly Health Initiative? in Public. This was a fantastic opportunity to hear fromthe Big Latch On 2017Top Right One of ourThe Baby Friendly Health Initiative (BFHI) is a joint mothers about both positive and negative experienceslocal SheppartonUNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) within our community and what would make them feel moretown buses with comfortable feeding in public. the Breastfeedingproject that aims to give every baby the best Promotion messagestart in life by creating health care environments displayed where breastfeeding is the norm and practices WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER REGIONS LOOKINGBottom left:Bridget Ingle presenting at ourknown to promote the health and wellbeing of all TO SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING FAMILIES AND INCREASEBreastfeeding Clinicalwomen and babies are followed. Baby Friendly BREASTFEEDING RATES?Skills Day in 2014 accreditation is a quality assurance measure that Its important to have a driver behind any initiative, whetherABOVE: Local Paediatrician Peterdemonstrates a commitment by the facility to this is your local Council or another organisation. There needsEastaugh talking aboutoffer the highest standard of maternity care. For to be someone who brings everything together. Establishthe importance of a workgroup of professionals who can provide advice andbreastfeeding at themore information, see the Is your hospital baby Breastfeeding Drop Infriendly? article on the Australian Breastfeeding direction on how they support families during a breastfeedingService Association website. journey. Why not approach your employer about becoming accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace?www.breastfeeding.asn.au/workplacePhoto courtesy of Susan DArcyDecember 2019 A ustralian Breastfeeding Association | Essence |23"