Food for Thought: 'Breastfeeding and Early Childhood Education Services'

In developing Ministry of Health guidelines for early childhood education (ECE) services to support breastfeeding, the authors of this article consulted widely with the health and ECE sectors early in 2009. The article discusses the main themes and issues raised by the parents, educators, advocates and health representatives who participated. Although ECE centres have a mandate to be responsive and reciprocal with children and their families and whanau, the stories shared demonstrate that current infant feeding patterns and practices in ECE settings provide food for thought.