I slept in this morning. And then I missed the train, and being a Saturday I had to wait a little while for the next train. So, in other words I didn't get to see the morning sessions, but on the plus side I was early for morning tea!
The first concurrent session was an absolute gem, and I am so glad I chose it! Warwick Shanks spoke about Breastfeeding and Men. Warwick is a CE from New South Wales, and he gave us a witty and insightful look into how to really involve men at Breastfeeding Education Classes, and encourage them to support their partner breastfeeding. We've just had a couple of husbands of ABA members in our group volunteer to speak to expectant fathers, so I was very keen to hear Warwick speak and he sure didn't disappoint - he received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end. It was a double whammy of a session, too, because Dale Nigro then spoke about Nipple Shields. Her talk was really useful. There's not much evidence-based information or research about nipple shields, so Dale talked about the shields available on the market, outlined the current ABA policy on nipple shields and urged anyone with direct or indirect information to submit their experience to the Lactation Resource Centre to build up a knowledge base. ABA policy recognises that nipple shields are of great use to many women, and actually talks about how to get the best use out of them - which surprises many people who presume this is not the case.
After lunch I went along to the session with Dr Ted Greiner, about A Family Affair: Getting Dad Involved. Surprisingly, this turned into a really lively debate, particularly over the point Dr Greiner made that women should talk to their partners about where their partners feel it is "okay" to breastfeed in public. Many felt that it was completely up to the mother to feed whenever and wherever she was allowed to be, in line with her legal right to do so. Many others felt that the partners had a right to express their discomfort and talk about it, whether or not it was the "right" way to feel. With all the back and forth discussion, we didn't get to the second part of the session, Breastfeeding Promotion Issues: Questions and Informal Discussion before afternoon tea. A few dozen of us took Dr Greiner's suggestion to stay during afternoon tea to discuss it with him. It was a pleasure to sit in on the discussion in such a small group, with some great ideas. The main message I took from the discussion was that you need both media promotion and the resources in the community to reinforce that media message. I appreciated Dr Greiner's explanation that things like peer-to-peer support and knowledgeable healthcare professionals are the nuts and bolts of breastfeeding promotion, but that media coverage gives the message the "halo".
I really wish that session could have gone on longer, but afternoon tea had finished and the next lectures were starting. I decided to skip the last few afternoon sessions; I had already heard a little about the subjects of these sessions in others I had attended. Before leaving the conference centre for the last time, I did shopping amongst the group projects (something I hadn't had much chance to do yet). I then said goodbye to the lovely people I had met during the conference and made my way into Melbourne city for some Saturday night fun!
Sunday will be spent sightseeing, which I will post before I sign off for good so I can concentrate on collating everything I have learned. I should have some photos tomorrow, too. My camera's memory card seems to be cactus, so I've had to rely on the mobile phone. It takes beautiful photos, as long as it's not dark (no flash) and I stay perfectly still!
Bye for now!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Second day
I think I enjoyed today even more. I was also on time for the first presentation! It's going to be another epic post, so make yourself comfortable if you're going to read on...
It was just as well I was on time today, because I would have been sorry to miss Ros Escott's presentation Breastfeeding Head to Toe: not breastfeeding does make a difference. Hers was a literature review, and a bit of an explanation of why not all breastfeeding studies and articles are equal. For example, what's the author's definition of "breastfed"? For some studies "some" breastmilk is deemed equivalent to exclusively breastfed when collecting and analysing results. When the results from the well-designed studies are gathered together, such as Ros did, it presents an overwhelming body of evidence for the risks of not breastfeeding.
Next up I went to Robin Grille's presentation Fear and loathing of being a parent. I'll admit being somewhat skeptical when he talked about how infants may be emotionally wounded and have barriers to intimacy later in life because of modern parenting practices and family arrangements. He then explained about the amygdala and emotional memories, as opposed to intellectual, conscious memories and that's when it started to click. At the end, Robin presented the "Children's Wellbeing Manifesto"; a prescription for good mental health with which to lobby political parties and health professionals. Interestingly, most items were enthusiastically received by the mostly-ABA crowd - except for the one about banning corporal punishment completely. It seems this issue divides all parents, even within ABA, and I was quite pleased to see that we don't all agree on everything. Mum and Dad if you're reading this: because of the way you reared us, it took me a while to understand the emotional distances Robin and audience members were discussing. Thanks for not listening to the people who told you not to breastfeed, not to cuddle your babies and not to hug and kiss your son!
After morning tea, everyone joined together to listen to ABA president Margaret Grove talk about changes in ABA, particularly our new status as a Registered Training Organisation, and changes to the helpline. Next up, Prof Helen Ball gave a riveting talk about Breastfeeding and Bedsharing, where she showed that bedsharing is actually not such a weird and "hippy" practice in the UK (where her studies have been conducted), where two-thirds of breastfeeding parents and one quarter of formula-feeding parents practice it in some fashion. She also showed comparable results for Australia, outlined how it is so beneficial for continued breastfeeding and showed how the position breastfeeding mothers adopt (arm crooked above baby's head, knees drawn up below baby's legs) is also the safer position for bedsharing. Following Prof Ball, Steve Biddulph took the stage, and from the start his talk was affectionate and hilarious. Steve Biddulph is a magnetic speaker, and if you ever get the chance to hear him speak - do it! His talk Why Men Are Like They Are was a little bit history and a little bit anthropology and a lot about understanding childrearing from the father's perspective.
Dr Wendy Brodribb presented the results of her study into how much medical students actually learn about breastfeeding during their studies. For me, this was the most frightening talk so far. The average amount of time spent learning about breastfeeding over a 4-year postgraduate or 6-year undergraduate medical degree in Southeast Queensland is only 2 hours! 40% of interviewees reported that they learned much of their breastfeeding information from family and friends, which explains why it is such a "mixed-bag" of information and advice where I live (also in SE Queensland). Then Maree Crepinsek presented one of the papers I had been really looking forward to, which was her retrospective study of women who succeeded at breastfeeding despite extraordinary difficulties. One of the women in the study had mastitis 12 times, and her comment that it "never occurred to me to stop breastfeeding" (meaning she'd just accepted mastitis as part and parcel of breastfeeding for her) agreed with that part of Maree's findings on the importance of the woman's confidence and faith in herself to keep breastfeeding.
Pinky McKay's talk on Promoting Breastfeeding, Promoting Guilt was another I had been keenly anticipating. Pinky talked about some things that I and other ABA members had been mulling over for a while now. She talked about how in no other area of preventative health is guilt a barrier to promotion, such as it is with breastfeeding; in fact it's often a tool for issues such as smoking. She also discussed whether it is really guilt or actually a mixture of grief, regret, anger and unfulfilment that mothers feel when their breastfeeding relationship didn't go as planned. She also mentioned, "No-one can make you feel guilty without your permission", which is something that I have observed in my own life. After I had run the gauntlet of postnatal depression following my first son's birth I decided to work on reducing my guilt. Either I feel like I did my utmost, in which case I tell myself I have nothing to feel guilty for, or I recognise I could have done more and resolve to do differently next time or make amends. My guilt-free life is still a work-in-progress, though!
Lastly, I was privileged to hear Dr Ted Greiner speak again, this time about Breastfeeding as the Right of the Working Woman. He contrasted maternal leave and working conditions in Sweden with those in the US. Dr Greiner is a dual citizen of both countries and, worringly, he says that in Australia we're closer to the US situation, where they have a dramatically lower rate of breastfeeding mothers in the workplace than Sweden. Sweden has paid maternity and paternity leave, and this can be taken in a very flexible way up to years after the baby has been born (my memory is hazy on the exact age).
Last day tomorrow!
It was just as well I was on time today, because I would have been sorry to miss Ros Escott's presentation Breastfeeding Head to Toe: not breastfeeding does make a difference. Hers was a literature review, and a bit of an explanation of why not all breastfeeding studies and articles are equal. For example, what's the author's definition of "breastfed"? For some studies "some" breastmilk is deemed equivalent to exclusively breastfed when collecting and analysing results. When the results from the well-designed studies are gathered together, such as Ros did, it presents an overwhelming body of evidence for the risks of not breastfeeding.
Next up I went to Robin Grille's presentation Fear and loathing of being a parent. I'll admit being somewhat skeptical when he talked about how infants may be emotionally wounded and have barriers to intimacy later in life because of modern parenting practices and family arrangements. He then explained about the amygdala and emotional memories, as opposed to intellectual, conscious memories and that's when it started to click. At the end, Robin presented the "Children's Wellbeing Manifesto"; a prescription for good mental health with which to lobby political parties and health professionals. Interestingly, most items were enthusiastically received by the mostly-ABA crowd - except for the one about banning corporal punishment completely. It seems this issue divides all parents, even within ABA, and I was quite pleased to see that we don't all agree on everything. Mum and Dad if you're reading this: because of the way you reared us, it took me a while to understand the emotional distances Robin and audience members were discussing. Thanks for not listening to the people who told you not to breastfeed, not to cuddle your babies and not to hug and kiss your son!
After morning tea, everyone joined together to listen to ABA president Margaret Grove talk about changes in ABA, particularly our new status as a Registered Training Organisation, and changes to the helpline. Next up, Prof Helen Ball gave a riveting talk about Breastfeeding and Bedsharing, where she showed that bedsharing is actually not such a weird and "hippy" practice in the UK (where her studies have been conducted), where two-thirds of breastfeeding parents and one quarter of formula-feeding parents practice it in some fashion. She also showed comparable results for Australia, outlined how it is so beneficial for continued breastfeeding and showed how the position breastfeeding mothers adopt (arm crooked above baby's head, knees drawn up below baby's legs) is also the safer position for bedsharing. Following Prof Ball, Steve Biddulph took the stage, and from the start his talk was affectionate and hilarious. Steve Biddulph is a magnetic speaker, and if you ever get the chance to hear him speak - do it! His talk Why Men Are Like They Are was a little bit history and a little bit anthropology and a lot about understanding childrearing from the father's perspective.
Dr Wendy Brodribb presented the results of her study into how much medical students actually learn about breastfeeding during their studies. For me, this was the most frightening talk so far. The average amount of time spent learning about breastfeeding over a 4-year postgraduate or 6-year undergraduate medical degree in Southeast Queensland is only 2 hours! 40% of interviewees reported that they learned much of their breastfeeding information from family and friends, which explains why it is such a "mixed-bag" of information and advice where I live (also in SE Queensland). Then Maree Crepinsek presented one of the papers I had been really looking forward to, which was her retrospective study of women who succeeded at breastfeeding despite extraordinary difficulties. One of the women in the study had mastitis 12 times, and her comment that it "never occurred to me to stop breastfeeding" (meaning she'd just accepted mastitis as part and parcel of breastfeeding for her) agreed with that part of Maree's findings on the importance of the woman's confidence and faith in herself to keep breastfeeding.
Pinky McKay's talk on Promoting Breastfeeding, Promoting Guilt was another I had been keenly anticipating. Pinky talked about some things that I and other ABA members had been mulling over for a while now. She talked about how in no other area of preventative health is guilt a barrier to promotion, such as it is with breastfeeding; in fact it's often a tool for issues such as smoking. She also discussed whether it is really guilt or actually a mixture of grief, regret, anger and unfulfilment that mothers feel when their breastfeeding relationship didn't go as planned. She also mentioned, "No-one can make you feel guilty without your permission", which is something that I have observed in my own life. After I had run the gauntlet of postnatal depression following my first son's birth I decided to work on reducing my guilt. Either I feel like I did my utmost, in which case I tell myself I have nothing to feel guilty for, or I recognise I could have done more and resolve to do differently next time or make amends. My guilt-free life is still a work-in-progress, though!
Lastly, I was privileged to hear Dr Ted Greiner speak again, this time about Breastfeeding as the Right of the Working Woman. He contrasted maternal leave and working conditions in Sweden with those in the US. Dr Greiner is a dual citizen of both countries and, worringly, he says that in Australia we're closer to the US situation, where they have a dramatically lower rate of breastfeeding mothers in the workplace than Sweden. Sweden has paid maternity and paternity leave, and this can be taken in a very flexible way up to years after the baby has been born (my memory is hazy on the exact age).
Last day tomorrow!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
First day
First day of the Hot Milk conference and I have had such a great day! I am also utterly exhausted. After getting off at the wrong stop I had a lovely walk along the river until I found the Convention Centre, by which time I was late for the welcome.
Luckily, though, I still made it in time for Mary Paton's address. For those who don't know, Mary Paton was the founder of the Association back in 1964. Her address was really entertaining, warm and funny. She showed original copies of Association documents, such as the first financial statements for the Association from 1970 and the first ever catalogue. At the end she received a standing ovation, which was a teary moment for many of us. Straight after Mary's address Dr Ted Greiner presented on HIV and breastfeeding. He talked about comparing the risk of HIV transmission through breastmilk and the risk of death from not breastfeeding, and examining at what age the risk to the baby of HIV transmission becomes greater than the risk of death or severe sickness due to diarrhoea from mixing infant formula with tainted water. I was also surprised to find that even in industrialised countries like Australia with reliable clean water, the risk of HIV transmission through breastmilk is roughly equivalent to the risk of babies getting ill from formula tainted with the E. sakazakii bacteria.
After a break for morning tea, it was off to see Pinky McKay talk about Milk, Sleep and Love. Pinky's talk had the audience giggling, but one of the toddlers stole the show when she approached Pinky for an autograph, only to turn to the audience and start taking notes! It was a relaxed talk about how milk, sleep and love are inextricably linked, and the importance of hormones on the whole mix. After Pinky's talk it was over to hear Paula Meier talk about the Rush University in Ohio, and their program to translate the evidence that exclusive breastfeeding of premature of babies is absolutely crucial into best practice. Their program was so inspiring; including 24-hour visitation for parents with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a free taxi to bring mothers to and from the hospital, including the mothers in the science of human milk and keeping accurate expressing records. Most importantly I think, they are teaching parents that breastfeeding is medication for premature babies, not just a nice thing to do.
Next up after lunch I listened to some of our ABA counsellors talk about low supply, weaning off the breastpump and increasing motivation to breastfeed. Dale Nigro and Louise Duursma gave a very useful talk about how we should use the term “inadequate intake” instead of “low supply”. They talked about how true low supply is less common than underlying infant illness, malabsorption of breastmilk, perception of insufficient milk (despite actual adequate supply) and not enough stimulation in inadequate intake. Ruth Berkowitz talked about weaning off a breastpump, and how and what amounts to use to decrease complements. Finally, Dr Megan Elliott-Rudder talked about the words we use to motivate women to breastfeed, her experiences working as a GP/Obstetrician in regional Australia and pros and cons of the Motivation Interview technique.
Finally, my last session of the day was one I was really looking forward to – Dr Karleen Gribble's presentation on infant feeding in emergencies. An unexpected bonus was a short explanation of the Breastfeeding Friendly Accreditation for workplaces - I wish this had been around when I was working in state government years ago! There was an air of anticipation when Karleen took the microphone; I think others had been as eager as I to hear her talk. It was a very moving, motivating and emotional talk for me. It's hard to see babies and children in distress and appalling conditions, but essential to see what needs to be done. I had no idea that infant formula donations could have such a devastating effect after emergencies. What I really liked about Karleen's talk was the way she gave us an opportunity to get involved in what she and others are doing.
Anyhow, well done if you made it to the end of this. Once I get a new card reader for my camera I shall post more photos!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
En route to Melbourne
I'm writing this as I sit on the flight to Melbourne, travelling with two other CEs and their gorgeous boys. I'm also remembering the last time I flew with my boys – mine certainly weren't as relaxed and calm! Arriving at the airport we found CEs and counsellors from the Gold Coast group in the south to Pine Rivers/Caboolture group at the north, and from Redlands Group in the east through to Centenary/Forest Lake (my group) in the west. All up about a dozen of us will be spread throughout the flight! Walking through the airport I was trying to spot others who might be going to Hot Milk. Some were obvious (the name badges made it easier!), others not so. After 4 years with the Association, I still experience moments when I am reminded of what a diverse group of people we are.
Just a short post for now, next post I should have photos of the venue and of Melbourne!
Just a short post for now, next post I should have photos of the venue and of Melbourne!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Hello and welcome from the Milkmaid
The countdown to Hot Milk! has started and I am so excited! What's Hot Milk? It's Australia's national breastfeeding conference, which is being held in Melbourne Australia from August 2nd to 4th 2007. It's being hosted by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA), previously known us as the Nursing Mothers Association, or the Nursing Mothers Association of Australia. Guest speakers from all over Australia and the world will be talking and holding workshops on breastfeeding and parenting. I'm particularly looking forward to Against all odds: a retrospective study of women who succeeded at breastfeeding despite extraordinary difficulties by Maree Crepinsek and Promoting Breastfeeding, Promoting Guilt by Pinky McKay
I'm Nicky. I'm a Community Educator with the ABA, and my job in this role is to
create an awareness of the importance of breastfeeding in my community in the western suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. I have two small boys, a wonderful and long-suffering husband, a dog and two fish. When I add up all the time I have spent breastfeeding my sons, it comes to 40 months - excluding the break of 6 months or so while pregnant with my second son! Like many women, my start to breastfeeding was rocky, and I remember all too well the frustration, pain and anguish that tempted me to stop. With the gentle encouragement of family and the unwavering inspiration and free assistance from the ABA I made it through. I then joined the ABA and trained as a community educator to give back to the Association that gave so much to me. I am now a certified "Milkmaid"!That's about enough for an introduction. Visit the ABA website for more information; I've included links to our breastfeeding counselling services, breastfeeding information and our friendly online forum for permanent display on this blog.
Stay tuned!
Nicky.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
