Muswellbrook and Scone District Health Service midwives with the help of a community representative have developed a breastfeeding program called Healthy Babies, Uninterrupted, Skin to Skin, Hands Off (HUSH).

The unique program endeavours to assist mothers in breastfeeding their babies in the early days from birth.

Midwives are currently at the training stage and hope to implement the program in the near future. Muswellbrook District Health Service nurse unit manager Helen Scott said if breastfeeding is initiated successfully in the first instance, then the chance of mums experiencing problems later on decreases dramatically.

“Midwives in the maternity unit are encouraged to support mothers but not to interfere, in a hands-off approach, when the newborn is feeding,” Ms Scott said.

The program has attracted interest from other regional and interstate health services.