Yarning about breastfeeding

About this book
Yarning About Breastfeeding: Celebrating Our Stories
features stories from Aboriginal mothers, fathers,
Aunties, Uncles, grandparents and health professionals
about breastfeeding. These personal stories reflect
the importance of kinship and culturally safe maternity
services to enable success in breastfeeding.
We hope that by sharing people’s experiences and
advice in this book, more families will be encouraged and
supported to breastfeed their boorai.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
statement on breastfeeding:
“Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing young
infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth
and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed,
provided they have accurate information, and the support
of their family, the health care system and society at large.
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6
months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with
appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age
or beyond.”
Traditionally breastfeeding was common practice for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The traditional
way was to breastfeed for up to four years, sometimes
longer, gradually introducing nutritious bush foods.
Today the good news is that most Aboriginal women
(83%) begin breastfeeding. 1 However, at around 1 month
only 59% of Aboriginal women are still breastfeeding and
at 6 months 7% are exclusively breastfeeding. 2
There are many factors that support and encourage
breastfeeding, these include role models (especially mums
and Aunties), supportive environments, knowledge, selfconfidence,
and that breastfeeding is free and convenient.
Through beautiful stories and photographs, Yarning
About Breastfeeding: Celebrating Our Stories celebrates
breastfeeding in Aboriginal communities throughout Victoria.
Thank you to everyone who generously contributed their
time, knowledge and information for this book.
Kind Regards,
Mikaela Egan, Keith Morgan, Shakara Montalto, Simone
Andy, Catherine MacDonald, Robyn Delbridge, Jennifer
Browne, Cassandra Fletcher and Greta Duke
VACCHO’s Koori Maternity Services & Nutrition
Teams
1. Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (2015), Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework 2014 Report,
retrieved 7/7/16, https://www.dpmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/
publications/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_HPF_2014%20
-%20edited%2016%20June2015.pdf.
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011), 2010 Australian
National Infant Feeding Survey Indicator results, retrieved
7/7/16, http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.
aspx?id=10737420925
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