Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

Funding has also been allocated to providing training for health professionals and research
to support breastfeeding, including barriers and enablers to breastfeeding, indicators of
breastfeeding rates and the development of dietary guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding
women. It is recognised that the Taskforce should work with other relevant groups to ensure
the implementation of programs in maternal and child health that are likely to deliver
benefits in relation to obesity prevention.
Action 7.1 Establish and implement a national program to alert and support pregnant
women and those planning pregnancy to the ‘lifestyle’ risks of excessive weight,
insufficient physical activity, poor nutrition, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Action 7.2 Support the development and implementation of a National Breastfeeding
Strategy in collaboration with the state and territory governments.
Pg. 133 Antenatal, maternal and child health Services
Poor nutrition in the first years of life and low birth weight are associated with lifetime higher
rates of overweight and obesity, and increased risk of chronic disease later in life. Wellresourced
and best-practice antenatal, maternal and child health services are a core
component of comprehensive primary healthcare, and should include antenatal care,
encouragement and support of breastfeeding, programs to monitor infant growth and
development, support and advice to parents about child nutrition, and child growth
monitoring and action. All primary healthcare services serving Indigenous communities
should be resourced to deliver such services as a critical investment in future health. There
are numerous examples of health services that have acted on maternal and child health
effectively, including Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, the Townsville Aboriginal
and Islander Health Service, Nganampa Health Council, Maari Ma Health Aboriginal
Corporation and the Northern Territory Government’s Strong Women, Strong Babies,
Strong Culture.
Pg. 248 Guideline 4: Pregnancy and breastfeeding: A.
For women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, not drinking is the safest option. B.
For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.
604