Re: [ozmidwifery] Breast feeding facilities for staff

[Barbara Glare & Chris Bright]

Title: Message

Hi,   the Australian Breastfeeding Association has excellent guidelines on Breastfeeding and wrok and have an excellent accreditation program see details at http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/mfwp.html   This works on so many levels.  With midwives being an aging population, it's important to be supportive and flexible to encourage midwives with children/breastfeeding back into the workforce.    Your facility may also like the accreditation plaque to hang on the wall, and the associated positive PR that comes with being gaining a breastfeeding friendly workplace award.   Where I work, my Infant feeding support service room doubles as a room where mothers can feed or pump.  We have a couch, changetable, fridge, electric breastpump, and a book to log the use of the room.   staff are given a pack when they go on Maternity leave.  "Comeback packs" are available from the Australian Breastfeeding Association as well.   Andrea, in relation to recent discussions on ozmid, thanks for your indulgence in allowing me to draw attention to the fabulous service of the Australian Breastfeeding Association.  We really appreciate it.   Barb Director, Australian Breastfeeding Association [EMAIL PROTECTED]   ----- Original Message ----- From: B & G To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 11:35 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Breast feeding facilities for staff Hi wise people on this list, this must be the day for people asking for proposal assistance. I am horrified at the lack of breast feeding facilities were I work. It seems we have lactation breaks written into our industrial awards but there has been no consideration to facilities. I want to change that to create a quiet, accessible facility that staff can go to. This would enable them to breast feed their child if the child is present or express if they want to. If anyone has a facility where they work that fits this idea could they tell me how they created the environment, what facilities were essential, not so essential and what didn't work? I hope to contact local community groups for funding of breast pumps and whatever else is needed.   Another sad fact is that we are all aging. a midwife who is at end stage renal failure has just started Peritoneal Dialysis. When she is on a late shift she is forced into the small toilet ante room with a chair and IV pole to run in her fluid. takes half hour when she is sitting there. No comforts like TV and good chairs to sit in. There are no 'sick bays' in hospitals so I was sort of thinking incorporating her needs into this area would also be a consideration. If screened appropriately do you think that would cause discomfort to mothers who are nurses or midwives when expressing or breast feeding? Thanks for any assistance people can give me. Cheers Barb