Mama Aroha breastfeeding reference cards launched

The initiative has been a collaboration between the Safe Sleep/Pepi Haumaru Coordinator, Jess Sandbrook; Maternity Quality and Safety Programme Coordinator, Amanda Rouse; and Associate Charge Midwife of the Palmerston North Hospital Maternity ward, Fiona McConnon.

Together they have adapted the Mama Aroha talk cards designed by midwife and lactation consultant, Amy Wray, into a reference card for parents to take home. The cards are designed to support and promote breastfeeding, safe sleeping and being both smoke, and alcohol free and have been approved by the Ministry of Health.

The cards will be distributed by all Lead Maternity Carers, hospital nursing and midwifery staff and Well Child Tamariki Ora nurses, who all have copies available.  They will be able to discuss these cards with families and help them familiarise themselves with what is important to help their babies thrive.

All women admitted to the maternity unit following their birth will receive cards on admission, as well as women in the MDHB rural primary birthing units, and those having home births.

Amanda Rouse said: “It is a great tool to help new parents remember how to keep baby safe while sleeping, the importance of being alcohol, and smokefree, as well as a reference for breastfeeding. We hope that by providing this, families will have easily accessible information that is consistent. We think that this will be valuable to parents, and we look forward to seeing the benefit of this initiative.”