Breastfeeding Lullaby A Hit With The Kids

Kids around the country will be humming away to a new lullaby on breastfeeding released by Whakawhetu to coincide with World Breastfeeding Week 1-7 August. The special lullaby draws attention to the role breastfeeding (alongside other things such as sleeping baby flat on their back and smoke free environments) plays in protecting baby from the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy, or SUDI. A recent international study reveals that breastfeeding to any extent and of any duration is protective against SUDI. Furthermore, the protective effect is stronger for exclusive breastfeeding. 

“We are so thrilled to bring you this lullaby and do hope it becomes a part of every family’s repertoire at bed time” says Kodi Hapi, Whakawhetu, General Manager. And so far, the song seems to be a hit not only with parents, but kids as well. One mother remarks “I played the lullaby to my baby and four year old son and now he runs around the house singing it to me and baby and asks to hear it again and again”.

Whānau are in the best position to protect baby from SUDI by:

• always placing baby for sleep flat on their back (not propped)
• always close to a sleeping parent (in the same room but in own baby bed such as wahakura, pepi-pod, cot or bassinette)
• always ensuring  smokefree air for baby
• always breastfeeding baby

He Waiora Te Wai U

Tēnei au tō māmā e
Awhiawhi mai
Ki a koe taku pepe
Whāngai i te wai
He waiora te wai ū
Rere atu rā
Ki a koe taku pepe
Kaingia kia ora ai

This is your mother
Embracing you
My precious baby
Nurturing you with nourishment
Sharing the benefits of breast feeding
Flowing to you
My beloved baby
So latch on and always be well