Breastfeeding: Talking about Breastfeeding

Maureen Minchin is a medical historian and pioneer lactation consultant who has been involved globally at the highest levels with infant feeding issues since the 1970s. Her books Food for Thought (1982-1992) and Breastfeeding Matters (1985-1998) have been influential world-wide. Her latest book is Milk Matters: infant feeding and immune disorder. This multi-disciplinary text argues that a milk hypothesis encompasses the hygiene hypothesis, and documents the many risks and harms of artificial feeding, while also providing practical strategies for parents struggling with the unhappy food-hypersensitive babies common in communities where formula feeding is entrenched.

Professor Hartmann completed his PhD at the University of Sydney in 1967. After postdoctoral positions at NIRD in the UK, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Sydney, he was appointed to a lectureship in biochemistry at The University of Western Australia in 1972. He has been Head of Department of Biochemistry and Dean of the Faculty of Science at The University of Western Australia. His initial research interest was in lactation in dairy animals, and in 1973 commenced studies on the biochemistry and physiology of lactation in women. He has published extensively on the synthesis and secretion of milk over the entire lactation cycle of women – from conception to weaning. Over the last 48 years he has published 180 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 21 book chapters, and 62 review papers.

Dr Susan Tawia holds a PhD in Reproductive Physiology, a Diploma in Breastfeeding Management and a Diploma in Education and, before joining the Australian Breastfeeding Association, worked as a research scientist and science teacher. In 2008, Susan was appointed a Scientific Information Officer with ABA, and in that role she provided up-to-date scientific information to breastfeeding mothers, ABA counsellors and community educators, health professionals and other stakeholders. Susan also writes review articles for ABA’s peer-reviewed journal, Breastfeeding Review. In 2013, Susan was appointed the ABA Manager of Breastfeeding Information and Research and while continuing to write articles and ensuring that ABA provides evidence-based information, she has also been identifying research opportunities within ABA and promoting research collaborations between ABA and university-based researchers.

Rachel Fuller has been supporting families with breastfeeding and early parenting for almost 15 years, initially as a volunteer breastfeeding counsellor with the ABA, prior to certifying as an IBCLC in 2008. Rachel has also undertaken training in infant sleep, child development and nutrition and is also an accredited provider of primary care Triple P (positive parenting program). Rachel is also a certified infant massage instructor. Rachel has worked in a variety of settings that support new parents through the challenges of early parenting, including as facilitator of maternal and child health new parent groups and a playgroup for families affected by post natal depression. Rachel has been an active volunteer for the Australian Breastfeeding Association since 1999 is currently the national President and Chair of the Board, a role she has held since 2011.

Jen is currently a PhD candidate jointly with the University of Tasmania school of Sociology and Menzies Institute of Research, a senior clinical lecture with the school of health sciences and researcher. Jen has a broad clinical background in midwifery and health sciences and her principal interests are breast and infant feeding, motherhood and fatherhood and social theory. She has achieved success in gaining the Tasmanian Early Years Scholarship to peruse her PhD, a number of competitive grants and peer-reviewed papers.