Watch this: New DVD encourages more Aboriginal women to breastfeed
Lights, camera, action (left to right): Danny Teece-Johnson with Mandy King and Pat Fiske of Gondwana Productions with mum Larrisa Hart, mid-wife Susie Hoff, mum Ramona Robinson and baby Beau Robinson-McKay.
Communities and Early Years staff in the Northern Region – in partnership with Aboriginal women on the Mid North Coast – have produced a thought-provoking DVD for Aboriginal women on the health benefits of breastfeeding.
Launched at Kempsey’s Durri Aboriginal Medical Centre in April, The Mid North Coast Aboriginal Breastfeeding DVD aims to foster a good start to life for babies by boosting breastfeeding rates in Mid North Coast Aboriginal communities and beyond, as well as increasing social acceptance and support for breastfeeding.
Coordinated by Community Services staff and funded by Families NSW, the project team consulted with Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Strategy teams on the content.
Only nine per cent breastfeed exclusively
“Breastfeeding rates for Aboriginal women on the Mid North Coast are alarmingly below the state average,” explains Kym Langill, Manager Regional Strategy Northern, Community and Early Years Division.
Only nine per cent of Aboriginal women in the area breastfeed exclusively for six months compared to 22 per cent in other parts of NSW.
After conducting research, the team decided to develop a community resource geared towards Aboriginal womens’ needs.
“There’s plenty of DVDs in the marketplace about breastfeeding, but we saw a need for a culturally specific, educational resource for Aboriginal women that they could relate to,” says Kym.
Helpful resource
New DVD for Aboriginal mothers: The Mid North Coast Aboriginal Breastfeeding DVD was produced by Gondwana Productions, a local Aboriginal film company.
The DVD features interviews with female Elders, Aboriginal women who breastfed, and their partners.
The DVD explains that breastfeeding is associated with good baby health, physical growth, mental development and protection against a number of diseases during childhood.
It discusses some of the advantages over bottle feeding and makes much of the bonding and attachment that can develop between mother and child.
The DVD shows local mothers breastfeeding and talking about the benefits as well as the positive and negative experiences they have had.
It also encourages mothers not to give up if they find breastfeeding difficult in the first few days and suggests where they can get help and support.
“We hope this DVD will be of interest to Aboriginal mothers and will help the next generation of children to thrive,” says Kym.
As the message goes beyond the Mid North Coast, the DVD will be made available to caseworkers around the state. To obtain a copy, ring 6659 1414. The DVD will also be available at local Aboriginal health clinics and maternity units soon.