Yarning about breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is encouraged and support
is offered to families. The team aims to
normalise and promote breastfeeding as
much as possible.
Albury Wodonga
Aboriginal Health
Service
The maternity services team at Albury Wodonga Aboriginal
Health Service (AWAHS) (comprising of a Maternal and Child
Health Nurse, Midwife and Aboriginal Health Worker) work
closely together.
AWAHS offers a full clinical team, making it easier for expectant
mothers to attend appointments in the one place. As well as
providing antenatal education, which includes breastfeeding,
the team also offers family support, one-on-one education
sessions and assistance in attending appointments.
The team takes a relaxed approach to infant feeding and
discusses all feeding options with families.
Posters on the walls show beautiful photos of breastfeeding,
helping families feel good about breastfeeding their children.
Mothers can visit the midwife from the beginning of their
pregnancy. Once baby is born, the team visits families at hospital
and at home to help support breastfeeding in a culturally
appropriate way. Families who need the extra support during
pregnancy and breastfeeding are visited more frequently.
The Maternal and Child Health room is a colorful and welcoming
space for mothers to breastfeed and also provides a weigh/
change station. Families from Victoria and New South Wales
visit AWAHS and resources developed in both states are
available at the service. The team has found that the locally
developed resources are the best, as they are colorful and
easier for young mothers to use when learning about pregnancy
and breastfeeding.
34