Services
The ABA has groups across Australia which hold regular discussion meetings for mothers. Breastfeeding education seminars are run for expectant parents; community education continues through all levels of education from pre-school to tertiary and members visits mothers in hospital to introduce the association and its services. ABA also holds regular seminars and conferences for health professionals. Many groups hire out electric breast pumps. All meetings are run by trained volunteer breastfeeding counsellors, all of whom have successfully breastfed and have successfully completed an extensive training program.
On March 20th, 2009, a national breastfeeding helpline was launched to improve on the previous state-level helplines. This is a free service available to everyone. The helpline operates seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day on a roster system. Trained volunteers have undertaken the ABA breastfeeding counsellor training course to qualify, and have each breastfed at least one baby for at least nine months.
Email counselling is also available through their website. Subscribers receive a bi-monthly magazine, Essence, discounts on breast pump hire and through their retail arm "Mothers Direct" (www.mothersdirect.com.au) and many other benefits. The association publishes a variety of literature on breastfeeding, backed by a panel of distinguished advisers, and has a comprehensive website.
All ABA counsellors and volunteers must abide by the ABA's Code of Ethics which is available to view here https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/aboutaba/coe
Read more about this topic: Australian Breastfeeding Association
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