Innovative program provides country mothers with breastfeeding support
An innovative service is providing new mothers in country WA with breastfeeding advice and support from expert lactation consultants, using virtual care technology to reach families where they live.
WA Country Health Service’s (WACHS) certified lactation consultants are utilising technology-enabled care to help new mothers build confidence and self-determination with breastfeeding, providing expert advice and support assess specific concerns such as ways to increase milk supply, finding the best nursing position and management of breastfeeding pain.
The service not only supports families with newborns at this critical stage of development, it is also expected to improve both short and long-term health outcomes for rural and remote families, in line with WACHS’s Maternal and Newborn Care Strategy 2019–24.
The new service follows successful recent developments by WACHS in maternal care including; the deployment of the innovative K-2 foetal monitoring system, the My Baby WA app which provides birth and newborn information at the touch of a button, and the establishment of Midwifery Group Practices that provide 24/7 maternity and newborn care by midwives who work alongside obstetric doctors.
WACHS Maternal Health Improvement Project Lead Tarryn Sharp said providing women with access to specialist staff to promote and support breastfeeding in country WA is essential.
“Breastfeeding can be difficult and sometimes distressing for some mums. This new service aims to reduce the stress and provide support to rural and remote mums who may be struggling with latching, milk production or experiencing pain.”
Ms Sharp said breastfeeding provides an important bonding opportunity for mother and baby.
“The benefits of breastfeeding for babies are well known. Breast milk provides nutrition and antibodies to support growth, cognitive development and immune system support,” she said.
But there are also significant benefits for mums as well, promoting faster recovery from childbirth, reducing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in later life, and reducing maternal depression.”
Australia’s infant feeding guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding of infants to around six months of age, however only 15–25 per cent of Australian women meet this guideline, with women in the country breastfeeding at a lower rate than both the state and national averages.
“Over 90 per cent of women set out to breastfeed, however because of obstacles they face the reality is that by three four months in, there is a big drop in exclusive breastfeeding rates to under 40 per cent. With programs such as this, we’re looking to significantly increase that number”, Sharp said.
The service is available Monday to Thursday (excluding public holidays) for both inpatients and outpatients via eReferral and is designed for mothers of newborns up to seven weeks.
For more information talk to your GP, Midwife or Child Health Nurse or email wachssw.lacconstele@health.wa.gov.au
Further support is also available from Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) National Breastfeeding Helpline 1800 686 268 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.