As part of World Breastfeeding Week 2022, we wanted to celebrate by recognising and honouring all the people involved in the breastfeeding journey – because breastfeeding is never achieved alone. Drawing on the global theme from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) – “Step Up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support” – we’ve designed 8 posters for you to send to the people in your life who supported you with breastfeeding; to acknowledge them and in celebration of the journey you shared.

About the e-card designs

Watch our video from the artist, Lou Kelly, to learn about the message behind each image.

Breastfeeding is a public health issue

Increasing breastfeeding is a key determinant of public health. It is one of the most significant and cost-effective ways to improve equity and increase the health and wellbeing of a population. Navigating ‘optimal infant feeding’ is a complex and multidimensional challenge that requires strong government leadership and coordination, and a holistic, whole-of-system approach.

Check out our poster images below

A note on the te reo Māori that accompanies the e-cards

Ko te aroha anō he wai
E pupū ake ana
He awa e māpuna mai ana
I roto i te whatu-manawa (x2)

Ko tōna mātāpuna he hōhonu
Ā inā ia ka rere anō (x2)

He tai timu
He tai pari
He tai ope
He tai roa
He tai nui

My love is like water
continually bubbling up
a spring that will keep flowing
from within your soul.

Its source is deep within
it has a soothing effect

an ebb tide
an incoming tide
a forceful tide
a long-lasting tide
a full tide.

This waiata (song), Te Tai Aroha, was composed by Anaru Kupenga and his brother Jay Kupenga of Ruatōria when they came across a spring flowing from Maunga Hikurangi in 1981. It speaks of being connected to a spring, the essence of Papatūāanuku (Earth, Earth mother) where actual fizzing bubbles come from the springs of life.  Back in the day, whare (houses, dwellings) were built close to springs as the place to be able to sustain households. When we take notice of the natural world around us instead of the things we are provided through the media to look at then we can see whats really in front of our face. The Natural World is full of great things we need to watch out for.

For more information about transgender and non-binary parents

See the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Aotearoa (PADA) resource here