Can I just add....if you are in Australia (and we have 70 listed as from
Australia) we need YOU to put in a a submission...this sort of opportunity
does not come by regularly and it is a fabulous opportunity with real
potential to result in change but ONLY if they receive a good picture of the
situation. They need to hear things like:
* Many HCPs have very poor knowledge of breastfeeding and harm rather than
assist when it comes to breastfeeding, we need better education in the
system.
* Everyone says they support breastfeeding in Australia but only under very
narrow terms....a mother cannot bf too frequently, she cannot bf in public,
she cannot bf once her baby is past a few months of age otherwise she will
receive social sanctioning and pressure to wean her baby. This is a culture
that is hostile to breastfeeding continuance. We need a public health
campaign targeted at other than mothers (friends, relatives, employers) to
change these attitudes.
*We need adequate funding for breastfeeding support (more than the current
$100 000pa to support ABA's 2000 volunteer community health workers), more
funding for research so we really can understand what is happening in our
communities and we need good stats! Did you all know that the national
health survey is not considering breastfeeding in it's next survey or the
one after?? We measure what we value.
* We need funding for human milk banks so that a large proportion of our
babies are not exposed to foreign food in hospitals
* We need legislative protection for the unethical marketing of infant
formulas (including retailers, not just manufacturers)
I'm sure others have more ideas but I figure this might help for
starters...the success of this is up to us all!

Karleen Gribble
Australia




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nina Berry" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 5:52 PM
Subject: Parliamentary Inquiry in Breastfeeding - LONG


> Hi
> The Australian Government has just announced that it will hold an inquiry
> into breastfeeding.  Included in the terms of reference are
recommendations
> for breastfeeding promotion strategies.  It would be really helpful if
> someone who was involved with the recent USHHS breastfeeding promotion
> campaign could submit some evidence about what was done in the US, why
that
> strategy was used and how it went. It will also examine effects of
> advertising on bf rates.  It would be great if someone who is familiar
with
> the situation in the Philippines could write to tell them of what is going
> on there at the moment.  If you have a research interest in epidemiology
and
> breastfeeding your evidence would be appreciated too.
> The closing date for submissions in 28th Feb.
> If you are in Australia, please make a submission and encourage mothers
you
> know to make submissions about their experiences of the health system
while
> learning to breastfeed.
>
> For a copy of the terms of reference and further information on making a
> submission: contact the Committee secretariat on
>
> +61 2 6277 4145 or email [log in to unmask] or visit the website at
> www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa
> Or I Can send you a copy of the Terms
>
> Nina Berry BA/Bed(Hons) Dip Arts(Phil)
> Breastfeeding Counsellor
> PhD Candidate - "Ethical Issues in the marketing of 'Toddler Milks'"
>
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