The ECA position statement review process

As part of this work, the ECA National Council has commissioned a working party to review the current range of ECA policies. The working party, made up of members from all state/territory branches, will assess each policy according to their relevance, their usefulness to members, and their capacity to assist in effective advocacy for young children.

The position statements will be reflective of the vision of the organisation and our mandate to be a voice for children.

ECA position statement: Breastfeeding

Principles

• Breastfeeding establishes the basis for optimal physical, psychological, social and emotional health.
• Breastfeeding enhances the health of babies as they are less susceptible to infectious diseases.

• personal satisfaction and positive health benefits.
• breastfeeding has economic advantages for the family.

• the return of an experienced staff member.
• less absenteeism of female staff with infants.

• involvement and participation of parents.
• sharing and modeling of breastfeeding with staff, other parents, and children.

Aims

1. To support community based networks whose goal is to promote breastfeeding.
2. To update public knowledge and research on the range of infant feeding choices
3. To incorporate knowledge about feeding options for infants into the curricula of medical, nursing, teaching, public health and social service worker programs
4. To create supportive environments for women to facilitate continued breastfeeding as an optimal feeding choice for infants at home, in the workplace and in early childhood settings

Strategies for Implementation

1. To support families, organisations and networking across services to promote breastfeeding and the understanding of its place within families.
2. To advocate for public health research in the area of childhood infectious diseases and the protective effects of breastfeeding.
3. To advocate for improved workplace friendly policies, including spaces and time for mothers to express milk at work or to breastfeed their infants.
4. To provide more information in education programs on breastfeeding and work, including:
   
   • workplaces, community health centres and other community groups;
   • early childhood care and education services for staff and parents;
   • early childhood tertiary courses (preservice and inservice);
   • tertiary courses for health professionals (preservice and inservice);
   • hospitals and birthing centres; and
   • indigenous and diverse ethnic programs.