Hobsons Bay’s Maternal and Child Health team have developed a range of Breastfeeding information and support materials for families which was launched during National Breastfeeding Week in 2022. These included a Live Facebook Q&A session with breastfeeding experts, an Understanding Breastfeeding video and a Breastfeeding Welcome Here sticker to be displayed across council venues and participating businesses in Hobsons Bay, with the aim of making it easier for parents to find a safe and welcoming space to breastfeed their baby in public. Click on the links for information on how to register your business and resources for breastfeeding families.
What are the benefits for businesses who participate?
All parents should feel safe and comfortable feeding their babies in public. By joining the Breastfeeding Welcome campaign, you can effortlessly show parents they are welcome to feed their baby in your premises by displaying a ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ sticker.
Families who feel welcome will spread the word, come back to your business, become regular customers, leading to a boost in sales. It’s a win-win.
Proudly displaying a Breastfeeding Welcome Here sticker shows that your business, your staff, and your management support parents who breastfeed. All cafes, restaurants, retail shops, entertainment venues, sporting and council facilities can register to be part of the initiative and be listed on the campaign webpage.
Criteria for participating businesses
- breastfeeding is acceptable in all areas of your business premises open to the general public
- anyone who is breastfeeding in an area of your business premises open to the general public will not be asked to move to another area or stop breastfeeding
- all staff members are aware that your business is a member of the campaign and support the needs of breastfeeding families
- your business displays the Breastfeeding Welcome Here window sticker
The stickers come in two sizes A4 and A5, pictured below:
A4 sticker
A5 sticker
I’m a business, how do I order a sticker?
Email mchinbox@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or complete the form below:
Thank you to the following businesses and sporting clubs who are part of the Breastfeeding Welcome Here campaign:
Cafes
- Birdcage Café, 7 Harrington Square, Altona
- Smashed Lavo, 73B Railway Avenue Laverton
- The Sweet Kitchen Co, 11 Ginibi Dr, Altona North
Education
- Home Rd Kindergarten
- The Music Playground
Healthcare
- Altona Pines Dental
- Altona Early Years Hub
- Brightside Medical
- Williamstown MCH
- Williamstown Physiotherapy
Sporting clubs
- Altona Badminton Centre
- Altona City Soccer Club
- Altona Hockey Club
- Altona North Cricket Club
- Newport Baseball Club
- Newport Ladies Lacrosse Club
- Williamstown CYMS Football Club
- Williamstown Juniors Football Club
- Williamstown Women's Lacrosse Club
Breastfeeding has many rewards but can be challenging especially in public places. A ‘Breastfeeding Welcome Here’ sticker reassures parents they are in a safe and non-judgmental space when breastfeeding.
Where can parents breastfeed?
Anywhere.
Under Australian Federal Law, you can breastfeed in public and it’s illegal to discriminate against a mother by asking her to coverup or go elsewhere.
Keep an eye out for Breastfeeding Welcome Here stickers in libraries, community centres, meeting rooms and sporting facilities and participating Hobsons Bay businesses.
Understanding breastfeeding video
Maternal and Child Health Nurse Jane Howard simplifies breastfeeding information for you and your baby and speaks with local mums about their experience breastfeeding and a local dad about his support role.
Translations
The above video was translated into the following languages
Breastfeeding Confidence booklet
The Breastfeeding Confidence booklet has been developed by the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) as a quick guide on the essentials of breastfeeding. It has helpful hints and is easy-to-read.
Breastfeeding support services
In addition to routine Maternal and Child Health appointments, breastfeeding support services in Hobsons Bay also includes:
- Altona Early Years Hub- Monday 1.00pm to 4pm, 103B Grieve Parade Altona (please ring 9932 1300 to book or talk to your local nurse)
- Russell Court MCH Centre - Wednesday 1.30pm-4pm, 10 Russell Crt, Altona Meadows (call 9932 1300 to book)
- Australian Breastfeeding Association PH: 1800 686 268
Live Facebook Q&A
As part of the Breastfeeding Welcome campaign and National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, Council’s Maternal and Child Health Nurses hosted a Facebook Live Q&A for parents in Hobsons Bay on breastfeeding on Tuesday 3 August, 10am to 11am. Watch the recorded video on Facebook.
The panel included Maternal Child Health Nurse Jane Howard, local physiotherapist Alex Lopes from Melbourne Pelvic Health (Circle) and local breastfeeding counsellor Melanie Frodsham from Australian Breastfeeding Association.
About the panel
Jane has been a Maternal and Child Health Nurse for nearly 13 years and is an experienced Lactation Consultant. She has a long history of working with families prior to this in the areas of community-based midwifery, continence, women’s health, family violence, mental health and postnatal depression. Jane has a passion for supporting parents to breastfeed and feed their babies in a way that suits them and their family situation.
Alex is a senior physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. Alex has taught in both the undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy courses at the University of Melbourne. Alex is passionate about improving information and services to all Australian pregnant and postnatal women.
Melanie is a Breastfeeding Counsellor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association Western Melbourne group. In this role, Melanie provides breastfeeding information and support for mums and families by facilitating local group meetings, answering calls on the National Breastfeeding Helpline, running Breastfeeding Education Classes for expectant parents and providing a breast pump hire service.