New service to improve Maori breastfeeding rates

A new service hopes to improve Maori breastfeeding rates locally. Photo/File

A new breastfeeding service launched as part of a project to reduce the risk of sudden deaths in babies is also expected to see a significant improvement in Maori breastfeeding rates.

Lakes District Health Board launched the Kia Wana Breastfeeding Service in April and maternal, child and youth health portfolio manager Pip King said the response was better than expected.

About 300 women have used the service in the first five months.

"The number of referrals to the Kia Wana Breastfeeding Service has been considerably higher than expected."

The service operates across the Lakes District including Rotorua, Taupo and Turangi.

Ms King said research had helped determine the reasons for lower breastfeeding rates for Maori and some of these included not being able to get the right support at critical times, especially when establishing breastfeeding, as well as receiving inconsistent or conflicting messages from health professions.

Other reasons included breastfeeding not necessarily being the usual feeding "norm" with a whanau or a lack of whanau support.

She said as well as the obvious benefits of increasing Maori breastfeeding rates, other benefits included helping to protect baby against obesity, improving bonding between mother and baby and helping protect the mother from breast cancer.

"The latest breastfeeding statistics for this area are not yet available, but we are hoping for a significant improvement in breastfeeding rates for Maori."

She said the service was introduced as part of a project to reduce the risks of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) - previously known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or cot death - because breastfeeding helps reduce SUDI.

Ms King said there were many well-known benefits of breastfeeding such as protection against child infections and malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth and jaw), increasing baby's brain development, reducing obesity, and helping bonding.

"For nursing women, breastfeeding provides protection against breast cancer and may also protect against ovarian cancer and type 2 diabetes. Another significant benefit is that breastfeeding is free."

The service is a permanent service. As well as drop-in clinics, staff talk with women pregnant with their first baby about breastfeeding and connect them with the service before their baby is born.

In addition, Kia Wana runs regular workshops for other health professionals to make sure everyone is providing the same information to support breastfeeding.

How to access support:
- The service has established free drop-in breastfeeding clinics in the community (no appointment necessary). In Rotorua, they are on Tuesdays 10am-12pm: Kia Puawai Whare, Tipu Ora, 1 Brookland Rd, Rotorua or Thursdays, 10am-12pm: Ngati Pikiao, 1274 Fenton St.
- There is an 0800 number that women can call for the breastfeeding specialists - 0800 Lakes Baby (0800 525 372)