Health Promotion

Central Coast Local Health District NSW

Young People

Breastfeeding

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Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2021

Following the success of the inaugural World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) Art Competition last year, the Central Coast Local Health District Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Reference Group has launched another community art competition to celebrate WBW 2021!

Protecting Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility is the theme for WBW 2021. WBW highlights the benefits that breastfeeding can bring to both the health and welfare of babies and their mothers. Breastfeeding supports good nutrition, protection against infection, poverty reduction and food security.

We encourage our Central Coast community to take part and show case their artistic talents.

Artworks must be related to breastfeeding and how it improves the health, development and wellbeing of infants and children as well as mothers, both in the short and long-term.

Entries can be created in one of four categories: painting, drawing, photography and digital art, or mixed media.

Finalists will have their artwork displayed in the exhibition space in the main corridor, level 4 of Gosford Hospital during World Breastfeeding Week (August 2021) and until the end of September 2021. Competition winners will be announced during WBW 2021 and offered the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in health services within Central Coast Local Health District, for community members to appreciate long term.

Artworks must be submitted in hard copy between Monday 5 July and Friday 16 July 2021 via drop off at Gosford Hospital Reception Desk or Ngiyang Aboriginal Pregnancy, Child and Family Health Service, 2/2A Bounty Close, Tuggerah or Gosford Regional Gallery, 36 Webb St, East Gosford, 9.30am – 4pm.

So, download the entry form here, get your camera, paints or pencils out and start today!

The entry form can be completed electronically before printing, or completed by handwriting responses after printing.

The following virtual gallery is a presentation of the selected entries from 2020 along with comments from the artists and judges from.

 
 

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.
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  2. Help with the baby between feeds, and older children in the family, to allow the mother to rest or nap.
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  3. Make nutritious meals and snacks to help increase her energy.
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  4. Help with cleaning and other jobs around the house to decrease these responsibilities.
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  5. Find breastfeeding friendly meeting places.
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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.


References


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


E-cigarettes


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Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are devices that produce a vapour which is breathed in. The process is similar to smoking, except you don’t have to burn the tobacco.


E-cigarettes are often promoted as a healthier option, but this may not be the case. Many e-cigarettes still contain nicotine as well as other potentially harmful chemicals such as ammonia that are breathed into your lungs and very quickly absorbed into your body. Smokers inhale so much and so frequently that we just don’t know what the impacts of these chemicals will be. However, we do know e-cigarettes containing nicotine are addictive, just like tobacco.


Smoking e-cigarettes is not recommended as a means to quit tobacco smoking. If you are trying to quit smoking, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a better choice. NRT is designed to gradually release nicotine into your body to help relieve symptoms you may get when you are trying to quit. However, NRT avoids the surge of nicotine that enhances addiction. It’s that surge of nicotine from a cigarette or an e-cigarette that provides the reward and keeps you addicted. NRT avoids this, while buffering withdrawal symptoms.


Quitting smoking can improve your quality of life by having a positive impact on your physical health. What’s more, research shows that, after the nicotine withdrawal has been overcome, there are substantial long-lasting improvements to your mental health with reduced levels of anxiety and depression. Swapping to e-cigarettes won’t give you the same result.


If you would like help to quit, or you would like to refer someone to get help, call the Quitline on 13 7848, or talk to your health professional.




E-cigarettes – the top 5 issues




1. Availability and take-up is increasing


In countries like the USA where e-cigarettes are very easy to buy, young people have been taking them up at an alarming rate. In 2014, e-cigarette use tripled among high school students compared to the previous year. Even more alarmingly, there was no downward trend in tobacco use.


2. They are a gateway to smoking tobacco and other drugs


Studies around the world (such as these from the USA, Canada and Germany) have found high school students who have never smoked, but start using e-cigarettes, are much more likely to end up smoking tobacco.


3. No one can be sure they’re safe


E-cigarettes have the potential to be addictive, which means people are at risk of exposure to large amounts of nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals. Some of these chemicals are not in tobacco smoke, so it is unknown what long-term health consequences they will have. However, evidence is growing, and some studies have linked them to issues such as blood pressure, heart rate and arterial stiffness. Both the Australian Government and World Health Organization have recently issued warnings on the health implications of inhaling harmful toxics in e-cigarettes.


4. They don’t help people quit


When e-cigarettes were first available, it was thought they could be used to help smokers cut down and eventually quit smoking tobacco. Since then, more evidence has come to light. E-cigarettes aren’t any more effective at helping people quit. Worse, they often result in smokers using both e-cigarettes and tobacco.


5. They are not regulated in many countries


Even though restrictions on tobacco advertising and product placement have been in place for many years, e-cigarettes are not as tightly governed… yet. Like tobacco companies before them, e-cigarettes have snuck their way into Hollywood movies because it’s a tried and tested way of getting people to smoke.


NSW Health has been careful in regulating the use of e-cigarettes. Click here to read more about the regulations in place.


Refresh @ Home


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Welcome to Refresh @ Home




The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has changed the daily lives and routines of people living and working on the Central Coast.


To help you during this time, our Refresh – Kids & Families page has become Refresh @ Home. Here you’ll find a collection of our resources, as well as information and advice on a number of topics, from exercising at home, to cooking healthy meals, mental health support, activities and games.


Please continue to check this page for further updates. New updates are marked *NEW* so you can quickly spot them. You can also subscribe to our new Refresh newsletter to stay updated on new resources and programs from the Central Coast Health Promotion team.


Last updated: 24 March 2021


Activities and Games

Exercise

Healthy Eating

Older Adults

Alcohol Reduction


Activities and Games


Looking for games and activities to keep the kids occupied? Fear not, we’ve got you covered with a number of resources and programs to help keep you and your family both active and entertained.


    

  • *NEW* Go4Fun face-to-face programs are back! Yes, after a COVID-enforced hiatus, our 10-week healthy lifestyle program returns in term 2 when we will be at Killarney Vale Public School on Wednesdays from 4–6pm and Green Point Community Centre every Saturday, 10am–12pm. Go4Fun is a free program for families with children between 7–13 years old. The program focuses on making lifestyle changes as a family, encourages healthy eating habits and fitness and improves self-esteem in kids. Click on the image below to visit the Go4Fun website to register, or call 1800 780 900.
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  • Our Magic Lunchbox storybook has been brought to life through animated storytelling. The story, written by Central Coast author Angela Barrett, supports children aged 4–6 years to understand everyday healthy food choices and “the magic made, when you put good food inside.” Watch a reading of the story below. You can also download more Magic Lunchbox resources and a copy of the book here.
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  • *NEW* We’ve created a series of videos of our Family ACTIVation games. Family ACTIVation is a fun-packed resource to help parents and carers of 5–12-year-olds get active with their children. It’s full of quick and easy games to play at home, in the park, or wherever. Games that reinforce the fundamental movement skills like throwing, catching, hopping and skipping… the same movement skills being learnt at school. Why not try Home Circuit by watching the video below? You can download the Family ACTIVation resource pack and watch the full set of videos here.
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  • Keep your kids entertained with Jack’s FUNtastic Day. Written by Central Coast author Angela Barrett, Jack’s FUNtastic Day is a story for 3–6-year-olds about a boy named Jack who leaves his screen behind for a day to embark on a fun-finding expedition. Click the image below to take you directly to the story or here to a page with related activity books for pre-school and primary school aged-children.
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Jacks-Funtastic-Day-Cover


    

  • Our 
Get Active Today tool has some ideas on simple games and activities you can play to support the development of children ages 4–8.
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  • Kids Health has compiled a helpful page with a number of play ideas for children, including indoor and outdoor games and educational and sensory activities.
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  • Reducing screen time can be a challenge. Watch this video full of handy tips to help your family sit less and move more. Check out NSW Health’s screen time page for more guidance and tips.
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Exercise


Exercise is more important now than ever before – both to support our physical health and mental health. Here are some great ways to exercise, covering all ages and abilities, to ensure we continue to give our body and mind the work out it needs.


    

  • NSW Health’s Get Healthy at Work program has developed a Being Healthy While Working From Home guide with lots of information – from physical activity, to healthy eating and mental health advice.
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  • On the subject of mental health, NSW Government has produced a factsheet with advice on how to look after your mental health during COVID-19.
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  • The Department of Education School Sport Unit and The Arts Unit have produced a range of videos called [email protected] to teach kids a range of fundamental and sport-specific skills using items found at home in their living rooms, in a fun and engaging way. Watch the video on hopping below, aimed at children ages 3–6, and check out the rest of the episodes here.
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  • NSW Health’s new Healthy Eating Active Living website has some simple exercises to do from home or outdoors. You can view and download a range of workouts, from beginner, low-intensity and high-intensity workouts.
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  • The NSW Institute of Sport has put together a High Performance at Home page containing a selection of videos by some of Australia’s top athletes to help us exercise at home, including improving your running technique and full body 30-minute workouts. Check out its 15-minute full body workout for beginners or daily flexibility routine for working from home.
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  • As many of us begin to think about returning to our places of work as restrictions lift, why not consider active transport to work? Central Coast Health Promotion runs a Go Active 2 Work Day every third Wednesday of the month, with monthly gatherings in William Street, Gosford. To join the Go Active 2 Work community, receive a welcome pack and updates, visit our Go Active 2 Work page.
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Healthy Eating


Spending more time at home is a great opportunity to cook fresh and healthy meals every day. Avoid the temptation to snack and starting experimenting in the kitchen. And if you’re not sure what to prepare, don’t worry, we’ve listed a number of resources with helpful recipes and advice to ensure you eat healthily at home.




    

  • *NEW* Changing your routine and getting the whole family on board can seem like a challenge. But there are small steps you can take that will have a big impact on you and your family’s health and wellbeing. NSW Health’s new Healthy Eating Active Living website is full of great resources, tips and helpful information on how you can live a healthy lifestyle. Check out its ‘Getting started’ page for some simple changes that could become part of your day-to-day routine. And if you’ve ever wondered just how healthy your lifestyle is, you can also take the healthy habits quiz. The quiz will identify where you might be able to make changes to lead a healthier lifestyle, as well as signpost you to any further help and support that’s out there. Click the image below to take the quiz.
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  • Patch to Plate is a recipe book boasting a collection of tasty and healthy recipes from primary schools on the Central Coast, curated by our Central Coast School Garden Interest Group. Now, not only can you download the recipe book, but you can also watch a series of videos showing how to prepare and cook the meals. Check out the video below demonstrating how to make spinach and feta gozleme.
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  • Check out our series of recipe videos based on our Quick Meals for Kooris cooking program. Quick Meals for Kooris assists Aboriginal people to prepare easy, low-cost family meals using available ingredients. You can find out more about the program here, and below watch a video on how to prepare and cook vegetable slice.
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  • *NEW* Our Make Their Meals Count resource aims to help parents and carers prepare healthy meals for children aged 4–8 years. The recipes are basic everyday meals, and are easy to make with ingredients that are inexpensive and readily available. To further support you, we’ve developed a number of the recipes from Make Their Meals Count into a video series. Below you can watch a video to make homemade pizza with grape salad, and you can check out the full set of recipes and videos here.
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  • We’ve launched a new Thirsty? Choose Water! website that has loads of great resources and tips to help you and your family drink more water. Download factsheets, check out mythbusters, use our sugary drink calculator and download our awesome new Aqua Sprint game, available for free on the App and Google Play stores. Click on the image below, which features our new Thirsty character, to visit the new site, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.
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  • Want to help improve your diet and stay active during the COVID-19 pandemic? NSW Health’s Get Healthy program is a free telephone-based information and coaching service that sets personalised healthy lifestyle goals on health eating, becoming more activity, achieving a healthy weight, reducing alcohol intake and achieving healthy weight gain in pregnancy. Watch the video below for more information.
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  • NSW Health’s guide to healthy eating while working from home contains recipes, advice on grocery shopping and other tips ans tricks to eat healthier.
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  • Nutrition and dietetics experts at the University of Newcastle have launched the website No Money No Time. It aims to improve the eating habits of young Australians and includes quick, cheap, easy and healthy recipes. You can even take its Healthy Eating Quiz and get a personalised report on your eating habits along with recipe suggestions and ideas based on the information you provide.
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Older Adults


There are a number of tailored resources for older adults that can help them stay active, healthy, connected and safe at home.


Active and Healthy


    

  • If you’re 60 or older, or Aboriginal and 45 or over, you can get Healthy and Active for Life thanks to a FREE new 10-week online program from NSW Health. You will receive weekly online exercise videos to do at your own pace, healthy eating and lifestyle tips, as well as telephone support from a trained coach at a time that suits you. And all from the comfort of your own home. The next program starts on Monday 19 April 2021, although registrations close on Friday 2 April. To register or for more information, visit the website or call Health Promotion on 4320 9700.
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  • NSW Government has produced factsheets to support seniors in staying healthy and staying connected at home that include some handy and practical tips.
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  • Over 70? Do the 7! Click the thumbnail below to download and print a poster with advice on how to stay COVID safe.
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  • Our nutrition booklet for older adults and their carers, Eating Well, includes heaps of advice from nutritionists to help you eat the foods you need to maintain weight, muscle strength, bone strength and independence.
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  • NSW Health’s Active and Healthy at Home booklet includes practical tips and information for older adults to stay active, healthy, and connected at home, and includes available services for the elderly. You may also wish to download and print this Active and Healthy at Home flyer, which has some handy tips you can keep close by.
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  • Developed by physiotherapists across Australia, Safe Exercise at Home is a simple-to-navigate website with helpful information and exercises.
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  • The Exercise at Home section on NSW Health’s Active and Healthy website has heaps of simple exercises to improve balance and strength, along with images and videos to demonstrate.
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Falls Prevention


The month of April marks April Falls, a campaign that aims to raise awareness of falls prevention to help those at risk of falling stay on their feet. This year’s theme is ‘Safe Activity for Everyone’. The following resources contain advice and information on how you can exercise safely, along with some fun games too.



Alcohol Reduction


As we all come to terms with the challenges presented by COVID-19, it’s important we avoid potentially harmful coping strategies such as excess alcohol consumption.


There are a number of health impacts caused by drinking too much alcohol, which you can read more about in the Alcohol section of this website.


There are some helpful resources out there to support you if you’re struggling during the COVID-19 situation.


    

  • Want to drink less? Changing your drinking habits is easier with someone in your corner. Did you know you can get support over the phone from your own FREE health coach through NSW Health’s Get Healthy Service? Coaches are friendly and trained to help you change your drinking habits. They will give you practical tools and support you, without judgement, helping you to set achievable goals, make a plan (starting with small steps), and overcome barriers that stand in your way. They will work as a team with you and celebrate your successes with you. To sign up, call 1300 806 258 or click on the image below and complete the simple online form. And if you want to find out more about the dedicated service for pregnant women, click here.
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  • Want to know more about how alcohol impacts your health? Check out Get Healthy at Work’s Alcohol and your Health factsheet. It includes tips on low-risk drinking, information for women pregnant or breastfeeding, advice for men, as well as a number of support and treatment services.
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  • NSW Health has produced a handy document with tips to reduce your alcohol consumption while working from home. There’s also a version for employers too.
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  • Check out this page on Your Room – a joint initiative by NSW Health and St Vincent’s Alcohol and Drug Information Service – which has information, advice, a risk assessment tool and helplines to support you.
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  • The Alcohol and Drug Foundation has a Coping with Coronavirus page that contains a range of helpful links with advice on a number of topics, from relapse and withdrawal, to resources and support services.
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  • The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) has created an online resource with tips, strategies and information on how to limit alcohol use, and groups you can turn to if you need support.
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 [Read more…] about Refresh @ Home




Refresh – Kids & Families 4


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Refresh – Kids & Families


Making it easier for healthy choices to be easier choices


Parents and carers are pivotal, but who supports the families? We do!


In the modern environment, where processed foods are plentiful and screens are surplus, families are faced with many challenges when reinforcing healthy habits for life. Nurturing children’s health is a community effort.


Our Service works within different community settings to make it easier for  healthy choices to be easier choices.


Please click on images below for more information . . .






Blow bubbles outside










































Hosting a teenage party? Make your party safe.






Have you ever wondered how much sugar and energy you consume from drinks?


 


The number of teaspoons of sugar consume from sugary drinks a week?


Litres consumed in a year?


Your potential weight gain?


Try this Sugary drink calculator


 






Jacks-Funtastic-Day-Cover




Refresh 3


Refresh 2


Refresh 1


 


 


Tobacco Sales to Minors


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Central Coast Health Promotion Service conducts compliance testing of tobacco retailers as a means of enforcing the ban on sales of cigarettes to under eighteen year olds.


Teen volunteers were first engaged in testing retailer-selling behaviour in 1994. A unique feature of the Central Coast where big reductions in teen smoking occurred between 1996 and 1999 was the emphasis on direct intervention in supply. through conducting sales to minors operations.


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