Australia’s first breastfeeding friendly university

The University of Queensland is officially Australia’s first breastfeeding friendly university.

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) accredited UQ as a breastfeeding friendly organisation after reviewing its breastfeeding facilities and policies.

It coincides with World Breastfeeding Week from August 1-8 and an Australian-wide attempt on the world record for simultaneous breastfeeding during Breastfest 2004, in Brisbane at Chermside and Garden City Shopping Centre.

UQ’s accreditation was driven by senior research fellow Dr Haida Luke from the Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine.

“We are the only and the first university in Australia to have this,” Dr Luke said.

“I’m delighted and honoured and pleased and I think it’s going to be a great benefit to the staff and students of The University of Queensland.”

Dr Luke had won $5000 from the Vice-Chancellor’s inaugural Equity and Diversity Awards for setting up a university support network for breastfeeding mothers called the Breastfeeding Networking Group, UQBfNG

The money has paid for ABA accreditation, breastfeeding posters and books sent to most UQ libraries and family rooms and “Come Back Packs” of breastfeeding brochures for staff going on parental leave.

ABA representative Lydia Isokangas, a former UQ student, reviewed work policies and inspected buildings and family and parent rooms at most campuses.

Family rooms had to be clean, private, lockable and have equipment to express or breast feed, change nappies and a refrigerator for breast milk.

Special parking for breastfeeding mothers was also introduced to allow a carer easy access to bring babies to work for feeding.

An annual UQ breastfeeding prize will also be presented for any staff or student who promotes breastfeeding and work/study.

Julie Mackie, a scientist with the Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Plant Protection, will be the new UQBfNG coordinator when Dr Luke leaves to work in Canada next month.