Breastfeeding is awesome in New Zealand

Check out a super new public breastfeeding campaign in New Zealand.

"Although New Zealand has breastfeeding rates that are consistent with other OECD countries, rates are low at six weeks, especially among Māori and Pacific women,” said Ministry of Health Deputy Director Margie Apa. She went on to say that barriers to breastfeeding, including “lack of breastfeeding support and information, mothers returning to paid work and finding it hard to continue breastfeeding, and negative attitudes to breastfeeding from the general public and family members” tend to more adversely affect minorities, teenage parents and low-income moms.

Small country, so progressive.

World Breastfeeding Week

Today marks the start of World Breastfeeding Week (1 - 7 August) . Working mothers are twice as likely to stop breastfeeding their babies by the time they are six months old. This week is more than just a reminder that breastfeeding is important; it is a way for mothers in Australia and the US, especially, to speak out in favour of a national scheme for paid maternity leave and more flexible working environments in which mothers can take their babies to work.

For more info about breastfeeding and La Leche League:

http://www.babiesatwork.org/

www.breastfeeding123.com

http://dev.lllusa.org/wbw/

In New Zealand, mums and their bubs are taking part in the Big Latch On in an attempt to break the world record for simultaneous breastfeeding.

See: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/4629398a6497.html

Wellington maternity line Womama is launching a saucy new lingerie collection "Mother in Nature" to coincide with the world's celebration of breastfeeding.

Check them out: http://www.womama.co.nz/

Go forth and feed!

Drinking during pregnancy: a criminal offense?

New Zealand police found a pregnant woman, due to give birth this week, heavily intoxicated after what police think was allegedly an 8 hour drinking 'binge'. One detective says:

"It's gravely concerning that anyone would consume large amounts of alcohol while pregnant, placing the welfare of their own unborn child at risk. We will certainly be investigating the circumstances and if there is any criminality involved, we will consider whether charges should be laid against her."

This story comes hot on the heels of a recent push to change labelling on alcohol bottles to indicate that women should not drink at all during pregnancy.

What do you think?



Source: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23981494-23109,00.html