Aboriginal - breastfeeding
Aboriginal; breastfeeding; breast; feeding; smoking; formula; alcohol; petrol; coke; coffee; tea; indigenous;
Anangu and Yapa have always breastfed
This is the way that Anangu and Yapa have always fed their babies.
When a woman becomes a mother for the first time, their mothers, aunties and grandmothers can show and help them to breastfeed.
Formula milk
Formula milk is only given to a baby if the mother is having trouble breastfeeding or if the baby has to stay in hospital for a long time.
Dangers while breastfeeding
Alcohol or petrol sniffing
- Drinking alcohol or petrol sniffing while breastfeeding can cause damage to the baby's brain.
Smoking
- Smoking next to the baby while breastfeeding can increase the risk of SIDS, and the baby might get worse coughs, colds, ear infections and asthma.
Coke, coffee or tea
- If you drink more than 4 cups of coke, coffee or tea a day this can make the baby shaky.
The information in this topic is reproduced (Copyright) with permission, Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation
Acknowledgements
The 'Pipirri Palya - kids are good' project was funded under the 'Child Abuse Prevention and Parenting Support Program, Family Relationships Branch' of the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services, Canberra.
This project was designed by Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation located in Alice Springs and working across the Central Australian Remote Area Communities. Background images from Waltja's Walungurru's Mural Project.
Special Thanks
Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi's Management Committee, Executive, Staff and Publications Unit, the remote area Communities of Central Australia and the project worker, Teresa Butler-Bowdon.
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.