The first Maori Mum4Mum breastfeeding peer counselling course to be held in Greymouth has finished, and four women graduated at a ceremony at the West Coast PHO on Tuesday 21st July.
Mum4mum is a breastfeeding peer support programme that is a joint initiative supported by the West Coast District Health Board and the West Coast Primary Health Organisation.
This initiative is intended to increase breastfeeding rates for Maori on the West Coast, by offering targeted and culturally appropriate support to Maori women and their whanau. Mum4Mum courses have been have offered in Greymouth, Hokitika and Westport.
Initial consultation was carried out with a variety of Maori, health, social and education staff and organisations. Attendees have included kuia, taua, health, social and education workers as well as mothers and their tamariki.
Assistance has been provided by a Maori cultural advisor, who has contributed a Maori perspective to the La Leche League NZ programme on which the course is based.
Alison Wallace, Lactation Consultant and Mum4Mum Coordinator said, "There are a lot of things that can make it hard for mums to breastfeed. At the waanaka women share their knowledge of their breastfeeding experience and find out how to get past the hard times. Some of the learning is about practical ways of dealing with problems, some is about listening and communication, some is about what interferes with breastfeeding, all of it is based on women's experience and the latest research"
Some of these new 'Mum4Mums' are already supporting other women, some are planning action around protecting breastfeeding, and those who are already working with mothers continue to do so with an enhanced knowledge base.
For more information please contact
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email: