05/08/2024
Congratulations to our shining Research Midwife Maria Oliveri, who has successfully obtained a Living Stipend Scholarship from the Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland to complete her Masters of Philosophy entitled “Barriers to the continuation of exclusive breastfeeding, from mothers identified as motivated to exclusively breastfeed Antenatally”. Maria has worked with the QFC team since 2019 and it is a pleasure to watch Maria to continue to grow in her research pursuits.
Maria wears many hats. One she wears well is as a Lactation Consultant at Mater Health. Since it is breastfeeding awareness week and Maria’s research interests are focussed on breastfeeding, we asked Maria if she has any advice for new families about breastfeeding. Maria mentioned she opens her education session with the question “How many of you have heard from others the statement “I tried to breastfeed, but I just couldn’t” Most of her families admit they have heard this more than once.
Maria likes to challenge her families to think about breastfeeding as a spectrum and not an all or nothing approach, which is how sometimes societal norms and our culture perceive it to be. Any amount of breastmilk regardless of how this comes to the baby (pumped, direct from breast, as a part of mixed feeding with formula) provides benefits to the baby. Thanks, Maria, for that great piece of advice!
If you or someone you know in Australia requires breastfeeding support or someone to listen, judgement free, please call 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 268). The hotline is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
