Health Promotion

Central Coast Local Health District NSW

Professionals

Breastfeeding

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Why breastfeed?

Breastfeeding is important for mother and baby health. Any amount of breast milk offered to your baby is good.

In Australia, it is recommended that infants are exclusively* breastfed until around six months of age when solid foods are introduced, and that breastfeeding is continued until 12 months of age and beyond, for as long as the mother and child desire.1

*Infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given, not even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medicines.



Breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. It is safe, clean and contains antibodies which help protect against many common childhood illnesses. Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that infants need for around the first six months of life. From six to 12 months breastmilk continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs and up to one third of a child’s nutritional needs between 12 months and two years.


Breastfed children are less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life. Women who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.


Need help with breastfeeding?


Breastfeeding is a learned skill, which needs practice. The more you feed your baby, the easier it will get. More information and support is available from the following:


Breastfeeding Education Live – online sessions




Interactive breastfeeding education webinar sessions for expectant parents. Learn and practice how breastfeeding works. Click here for more information


CCLHD breastfeeding support clinics


These breastfeeding support sessions for Central Coast residents are run by child and family health nurses to support, protect and promote breastfeeding. Click here for community health centre locations and times.


Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)


Call the Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268. This helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and staffed by trained, volunteer counsellors.


The ABA website provides a range of resources to support, educate and advocate for a breastfeeding inclusive society. You can hire a breast pump through ABA.


The mum2mum app provides breastfeeding information and support based on your baby or child’s age.


Raising Children Network


An Australian parenting website that provides articles, videos and interactive resources tailored to different ages and stages. Breastfeeding information can be found in the ‘newborn’ and ‘babies’ tabs.


MotherSafe


For women and healthcare providers concerned about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. more information, click here or call 1800 647 848.


Other support for breastfeeding




Five ways family and friends can support a mother to breastfeed


    

  1. Offer encouragement.
    2. 

  2. Help with the baby between feeds, and older children in the family, to allow the mother to rest or nap.
    3. 

  3. Make nutritious meals and snacks to help increase her energy.
    4. 

  4. Help with cleaning and other jobs around the house to decrease these responsibilities.
    5. 

  5. Find breastfeeding friendly meeting places.
    6. 



Dads can sign up to SMS4dads and receive free text messages sent straight to their phone containing tips, information and links to other services to help fathers understand and connect with their baby and support their partner.


Grandparents play an important part in the encouragement and support of breastfeeding. More information for grandparents can be found here.


There are no benefits to starting solid foods before around six months. Starting too early can contribute to a decrease in breast milk production. Starting Family Foods provides current advice on introducing your baby to solid foods.


Support for breastfeeding in public


We are breastfeeding friendlyLook for the ‘We Are Breastfeeding Friendly’ sticker in Central Coast businesses and facilities that are supportive of mothers’ breastfeeding on their premises. There are more than 300 on the Central Coast helping to promote a positive attitude towards breastfeeding in the community.


If you have a business or know of a business that is breastfeeding friendly and would like to participate, contact Nutrition Services, Central Coast Local Health District for free breastfeeding friendly stickers and kit. Call 4320 2251.


Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2020


In 2020, the Central Coast Local Health District Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Reference Group offered a community art competition. There were some wonderful entries!


The following virtual gallery is a presentation of the selected entries along with comments from the artists and judges.


 


References


1National health and Medical Research Council 2012, Infant Feeding Guidelines, Canberra. National Health and Medical Research Council.


School Gardens


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School Gardens
Having a garden can help your school to promote environmental and sustainable learning as well as encourage healthy eating and physical activity. It is a fun way to learn outside and provides students with a hands-on opportunity to prepare, eat and share the food they have grown.
Participation in a school garden program has been shown to help improve knowledge and confidence in relation to growing, preparing, cooking and eating a diverse range of fresh foods among Australian children.1
Can my school have a kitchen garden?
Any school can have some sort of garden or kitchen, regardless of their site, size, resources, gardening experience or classroom space.
How to start a kitchen garden

Kitchen gardening for sustainability
 

 
 
Patch to Plate is a free recipe book developed by the Central Coast Health Promotion Service that includes healthy and simple recipes that local teachers have made with their students using fresh ingredients from their own school gardens. Check out and download below to try these tasty recipes at school or at home.
You can also watch and share how to prepare four of our delicious recipes from the Patch to Plate book in the videos below!
Watch the videos below and download the recipes and methods.
Tell us what you think of these videos here!


Beetroot Hummus 

Rice Paper Rolls 

Fritters 

Gozleme 
Central Coast School Garden Interest Group
The Central Coast School Garden Interest Group (CCSGIG) aims to share ideas and connect Central Coast schools with an interest in school gardens and cooking. Healthy eating, encouraging physical activity and providing an interest for students rather than using small screen technology underpins the group’s philosophy.
The group meets twice each year, with a different school hosting the meeting and sharing its experiences. This year, we are considering new ways to connect as a group – if you have any suggestions, get in touch!
Next workshop – Term 1, 2021
Primary schools can now register for our Term 1, 2021 workshop. Check out the workshop program, including details on how to register, here.
Join the School Garden Interest Group for information on workshops, events and new resources.










 








You can also join our Facebook group.
If you have a question for our team or would like information on the next workshop, please complete the form below. 







References
1Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
























Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder


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What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ?

(FASD)


FASD is a diagnostic term for severe neurodevelopmental impairments (you may see these as difficulties with physical activities, language, memory, learning and behaviour) that result from brain damage caused by alcohol exposure before birth.




Read More



Find more about FASD






Infographics


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We have a library of infographics available for download to use in newsletters or social media. Topics include healthy eating, being active, choosing water and screen time. A small selection of infographics are included below.  To download just click on the image and then right click and choose ‘save as’.



If you would like to request other infographics please ring our team on 4320 9700 and ask for Jane, Justine, Chad or Jeff who will tailor a set for your needs or complete form below.


Read More



Munch & Move Workshops


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Munch & Move offers training and resources to educators working in NSW early childhood education and care services. The training aims to assist educators to implement a fun, play-based approach to supporting healthy eating and physical activity habits in young children.


If you have a question or would like information on the next workshop contact Jeff on 4320 9765 or send in form below.









Preventing Falls


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Health Promotion provides older people, their families, carers and health professionals with information and actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of falls and the injury from falls, enabling people to love independently in the Community.


Want to find out how to arrange a FREE Falls Prevention talk to your seniors group?


Meet Helen Kale


You can reduce your personal risk of a fall-related injury by answering these 11 simple questions.


11 Simple Questions 


After completing the questionnaire go to each of the falls risk factors to find out how to make the changes you need to stay on your feet.


Pharmacist
Manage your Medicines




Preventing Falls in Public Places
Preventing Falls in Public Places


Mature Woman with glasses
Make the most of your eyesight


Be Physically Active
Be physically active


Manage Chronic Conditions
Manage Chronic Conditions


Balance and Footwear pic
Balance and Footwear


Over 50s exercise active and healthy
Active & Healthy


Older couple eating breakfast
Eating Well


Home-SafetySpot the Difference
Home Safety


Falls are preventable DVD
Falls are preventable DVD


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Stepping On – free falls prevention program