Breastfeeding help and support
Breastfeeding help and support
Breastfeeding is something that mums and babies need to learn together, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you are finding it difficult.
13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- A phone helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the cost of a local call.
- Qualified child health nurses and lactation consultants are available to provide you with breastfeeding advice and support.
- You can also text ‘BREASTFEEDING’ to 13 43 25 84.
Child health centres
- Your local community nurse can help you with every aspect of caring for your new baby, including breastfeeding.
- To find your local Child Health Centre you can
- call the Health and Community Services information line on (07) 3837 5986
- call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
- browse community health centres by location
- ask at your local maternity hospital.
Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline
- Trained, volunteer mums are available to help you with your breastfeeding issues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can offer valuable information from personal experience.
- Phone 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268).
Lactation Consultants of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ)
- A lactation consultant is like a breastfeeding personal trainer. These health professionals are trained to help you with every aspect of breastfeeding and will help you solve any problem you might have.
- They work out of private clinics, maternity hospitals, health centres and they make home visits. You can see them for free in some public hospitals and child health clinics, otherwise a private consultation is around $80 to $100 (rebates may apply).
- To find an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) near you:
- visit the LCANZ website and look under ‘Find a lactation consultant’.
- 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) can also help find a lactation consultant in your area.
Breastfeeding courses and information sessions
- Before you give birth, you can do an Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) course that will teach you breastfeeding techniques and how to care for your newborn. You can contact the ABA on:
- (07) 3324 0577
- 1800 686 268
- or by visiting www.breastfeeding.asn.au
- Many maternity hospitals also offer antenatal classes, which cover breastfeeding. Check with your local antenatal clinic.
Other sources of support
- Your doctor—some doctors will have more experience than others when it comes to managing breastfeeding, but all will be able to refer you to the best person if they are unable to help.
- Mother’s groups and playgroups—your fellow mums can be a great support network.
- Having a baby is a life-changing event and coping with the day-to-day stress of a newborn can lead to depression in some mums during this time. Postnatal depression affects almost 16% of Australian women. If you are feeling unable to cope with everyday tasks, you may need to seek help. Visit beyondblue or call 1300 224 636.
- Books and brochures—for more information on different aspects of breastfeeding, check out the pamphlets at your local antenatal clinic and the Child Health Information booklet, which all new parents are given in their baby’s personal health record (red book). You can also buy helpful books online at www.mothersdirect.com.au, which also sells other useful breastfeeding items including breast pumps.
- Online—get information and advice:
