New NZBA Head to Target NZ’s Low Breastfeeding Rates

MEDIA STATEMENT 11 May 2017

NEW NZBA HEAD TO TARGET NEW ZEALAND’S LOW BREASTFEEDING RATES

New Zealand has the opportunity to lead developed nations in a resurgence in breastfeeding rates and their associated public health outcomes, the newly appointed head of the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance (NZBA) said today.

Jane Cartwright has been appointed Executive Officer of the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance and has substantial governance and operational experience. She has held senior roles in the health sector and local government where she led developments in community, mental and public health.

She was also instrumental in setting up and helping lead the Canterbury Clinical Network.

Firmly in her sights are workplaces and larger retail outlets – two sectors which need to continue to both encourage and consider the needs of breastfeeding mothers.

“We’ve seen facilities set up and comfortable clean places for people to breastfeed. We need executive leadership to support women who have to feed their babies, whether shoppers or workers.

“This also extends to other parts of the community and places public gather. I have specifically asked for data on breastfeeding rates for both tangata whenua and other groups to understand what barriers exist on the numbers of those breastfeeding and on the length of time they are able to do so.”

Recently the World Health Organisation’s called for increased measures to ensure mothers receive correct marketing information regarding infant formula as a breastfeeding substitute.

“I appreciate that not all women are able to breastfeed but for those that do, I would also like to ascertain numbers around the use of milk substitutes and to urge the remaining New Zealand infant formula companies who haven’t signed up to the industry’s voluntary Code of Practice to do so,” she said.

In addition to the NZBA role, Ms Cartwright is Chair of the Brackenridge Estate Ltd Board, as well as holding board positions on the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, Nurse Maude Association, and both the Ara Institute of Canterbury Council and Ara Foundation. She is also a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and an Associate Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management and Leadership.

A registered Dietitian, Ms Cartwright holds a Bachelor of Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Science (Human Nutrition) and an MBA from the University of Otago.

About the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance (NZBA) .

• The NZBA is a coalition of 33 breastfeeding stakeholder organisations whose role is to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in New Zealand. Together they provide education and information for women and their families/whanau to help understanding of the importance of breastfeeding if they able to. This ensures the best health outcomes for mother, baby and the community.

• The New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance (NZBA) implements and manages the UNICEF/WHO Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) with funding from the government.

• This programme was launched in 1991 to ensure that all maternity hospitals become centres of breastfeeding support. Since the BFHI began, more than 15,000 facilities in 134 countries have been awarded Baby-Friendly status

• Making the decision to breastfeed is a woman’s personal choice. Our job is to provide sound, consistent information on breastfeeding through statistics and research. Our mandate is to see breastfeeding become the cultural norm in New Zealand and this involves making sure families get good support and accurate information.

• It is the NZBA’s job to extend a conversation about the benefits of breastfeeding for the child, mother and society. We want New Zealanders to value and support the important role breastfeeding plays in our society.

To find out more visit: www.babyfriendly.org.nz

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