Work

Four Urgent Actions for the Rights to Culturally Safe Breastfeeding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mothers and Babies to Breastfeed in Neonatal Intensive Care Environments

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Breast milk provides both short-term and long-term health benefits and is critical for infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Presently, there is a large focus on increasing breastfeeding rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women; however, culturally safe breastfeeding support is under-recognised and inadequately addressed in the NICU setting. This perspective highlights cultural and structural barriers and calls for urgent action to include the following four proposed strategies: strengthening the Aboriginal lactation workforce, embedding culturally inclusive education, partnering with community-controlled services, and developing a culturally specific NICU breastfeeding policy to improve outcomes.

Source: The Medical Journal of Australia

DOI: 10.5694/mja2.70237

Authors: Jessica Bennett, Jamie Bryant, Kade Booth, Michelle Kennedy

Institutions: John Hunter Children's Hospital, University of Newcastle Australia, Hunter Medical Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400