[ozmidwifery] Breastfeeding athlete faces ban

[Helen and Graham]

We really haven't come very far have we..... Helen Breastfeeding athlete faces ban From: By Katie Peart March 01, 2006   A CHAMPION netballer could be banned from the Commonwealth Games village because she wants to express milk for her baby son. Janine Ilitch is under pressure to give up breastfeeding before the Games begin, even though her baby will not be in the village with her. Ilitch wants to feed baby Heath by using a breast pump throughout the 10-day tournament. Team officials have voiced concerns to her. However, the mother of two said it was her right and was prepared to take her own expressed milk into the village. "I'm sure there's a way to do it," she said. "I feel very strongly that I want to continue breastfeeding. It's my right. I'm just an ordinary woman who likes feeding and I want it to be my decision when I stop." Advertisement: But Australian coach Norma Plummer said facilities may not be appropriate. She said she was under the impression the 34-year-old planned to quit breastfeeding before the Games and she did not know if the player's request could now be accommodated. "It's a delicate issue. She told us she wouldn't be breastfeeding and that's the problem," Plummer said. "I can't promise her anything because we haven't seen the layout or what's available. "We don't have our own bedrooms and facilities. It's not that easy. "There are also other people to consider. "There's not a lot of room and the players might need their rest and she is in there expressing (breast milk)." Plummer said Netball Australia supported Ilitch in her Games preparation, paying for her mum Helen to fly to Canberra to help look after Heath during training camps. Plummer said medical staff also were concerned the superfit Ilitch would lose weight if she continued to breastfeed. "The doctor is seriously concerned about her losing weight," Plummer said. "She's just dropped the weight right off and that will impact on the team." A dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Ilitch has been extraordinarily dedicated in her bid to compete for Australia again after Heath's birth in September. She trained throughout her pregnancy and moved her young family to Canberra so she could be close to the Australian Institute of Sport. At last week's training camp in Canberra, Ilitch joined her teammates and stayed in residence at the AIS. Ilitch's mum looked after the baby while the netballer trained.