Health Promotion

Central Coast Local Health District NSW

OSHC Educators

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. 



SMS4dads Receive free text messages sent straight to your phone – with 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.


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.









Bite & Bounce @ OSHC


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Bite&[email protected] encourages healthy eating and active living for Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Services on the Central Coast. OSHC includes before, after school and vacation care typically for children aged 5-12 years.


Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Services are valuable in promoting healthy eating and physical activity to children and their families by:


    

  • Providing healthy food and drinks
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  • Providing planned and spontaneous active play
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  • Teaching about healthy eating, physical activity and health
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  • Providing food activities e.g. food preparation and games
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  • Role modelling by educators
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  • Providing a supportive environment to encourage healthy behaviours
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  • Policies to support healthy eating and physical activity
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  • Providing information to families
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The  Bite & Bounce initiative supports local OSHC Services to meet the National Quality Standards for healthy eating and physical activity


(Quality Area 2 & 3) through the provision of the:



Healthy Kids Guidelines for Physical Activity and Nutrition in Outside of School Hours Care Centres



In May 2018, the Health Promotion Service partnered with our local OSHC Services to create additional resources to support delivery of the National Quality Standards in the OSHC setting.


Check them out


OSHC Bites Recipe Book: practical nutrition information and a collection of tasty recipes for breakfast, afternoon tea and special occasions in OSHC.


Bounce Cards:  Grab and go cards on a lanyard that can be worn around the neck. The cards contain practical strategies for inclusive active play and a range of games suitable for OSHC.


The Health Promotion Service would like to thank the Central Coast OSHC Services who contributed to the above resources. They showcase the knowledge and dedication of our local community in promoting good health for children and families.


Central Coast Healthy Canteens


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Working in partnership with the Central Coast Local Health District Nutrition Services, the Health Promotion Service provides support and professional development for Canteen Managers. Assisting them to provide healthy food and drinks to school students on the Central Coast.


Do you manage a Central Coast School Canteen? Join our Central Coast Canteen Managers Facebook group


Find out more about our next Canteen Network meeting


NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy – 4th Edition


The Healthy School Canteen Strategy increases the availability of healthy food and drink options in school canteens to help make the healthy choice, the easy choice.




Menu Check Application Form


Use this form to submit your canteen’s menu to the NSW School Canteen Menu Check Service, who reviews your menu against the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy.




Healthy Food Finder


Register and sign in to find foods and drinks suitable for NSW school canteens and health facilities.




Drinking Water


Drinking water is the best way to quench thirst. Even better, it doesn’t come with all the sugar and energy (kilojoules) found in fruit juice drinks, soft drinks, sports drinks and flavoured mineral waters.




How Green is your Canteen?


The Central Coast Green Canteen Challenge organised by Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre is about reducing the single-use plastic footprint in our schools and championing plastic free canteens. The aim is to help school canteens reduce and remove single-use plastic items, and replacing them with reusable or sustainable items.


Take up the challenge and find out how green your canteen can be.




Have a question?


If you have a question for our team or would like information on the next workshop please complete form below.