The Neonatal Service provides a multidisciplinary team approach to breastfeeding and infant feeding.
Infant Feeding Specialist (Clinical Nurse Specialist)
The Clinical Nurse Specialist supports staff and families in breastfeeding education and clinical matters. To contact: Pager 8363.
Associate Clinical Nurse Manager – Breastfeeding Initiative
Monitors Breastfeeding Initiative standards around the 10 steps to successful breastfeeding, the non-breastfeeding mother, the International Code of Marketing and subsequent resolution, and the Treaty of Waitangi.
Feeding Team
Clinical expertise in breastfeeding and supports colleagues in clinical breast feeding skills
Neurodevelopmental Physiotherapist
Assesses complex babies for neurodevelopmental issues related to feeding, sucking amd swallowing.
Speech Language Therapist
Assesses the suck and swallow of complex babies and implements a programme with staff and parents involved.
Discharge Planner
A nurse who works with complex babies and plays an important role in setting up specifically targeted programmes and recourses for discharge into the community e.g. teaching home feeding via pump.
Information on Breastfeeding
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative
The Neonatal Service supports the Baby Friendly Initiative and recognises the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding . For information about the Ten Steps and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.babyfriendly.org.nz
The following outlines your Baby Friendly Hospital education requirements:
Medical Staff – 2 hours' education over the last 2 years
Nursing Staff – 21 hours – comprising 17 hrs of education + 1 hr Breast Feeding for Māori Women over a 5 year period and 3 hrs Clinical Breastfeeding education over the last 2 years.
Ancillary Staff – 3 hrs education over 3 years
All new staff need to have initial education within 6 months of starting.