About our group
is the new name for Nursing Mothers' Association of Australia
Southern Cross Group
Australian Capital Territory
Covering the suburbs of
Aranda, Cook, Macquarie, Weetangera, Hawker,
Higgins,
Holt, Bruce,
Emu Ridge, Belconnen, Page, Scullin, Florey,
Latham
and Macgregor.
About
our group
We are located in Belconnen, on the north side
of the Australian Capital Territory. 
Our
group incorporates the suburbs of Aranda, Cook, Macquarie,
Weetangera,
Hawker, Higgins, Holt, Bruce, Emu Ridge, Belconnen, Page, Scullin,
Florey,
Latham and Macgregor.
We are a group of mothers, partners, health
professionals
and other community members who believe that breastmilk is a wonderful
start for all children. We promote and support breastfeeding and
provide
support and friendship to our members. We usually have about four
meetings a month. We have coffee mornings, lunch discussions and
evening discussions, which are usually held at members' homes. We
also host the Belconnen Australian Breastfeeding Association Playgroup
on alternate Monday mornings during school term at the Westminster
Presbyterian Church hall in Cook.
We have six qualified breastfeeding counsellors, one trainee counsellor, two community educators and one trainee community educator.
We are active in our local community by contributing to breastfeeding education classes, visiting the local hospital maternity ward, presenting breastfeeidng talks at local schools and participating in regional and branch events.
Services
we provide
We sell items from the Mothers Direct range of products. These are quality products that are useful for mothers and families with small children. Products are available from the Mothers Direct website, or from our Group Salesperson, Ange. Proceeds from the sale of these products helps to fund ABA projects.
To find out more about breast pump hire within the Southern Cross group, please call Gill on 6255 2214 or Lisa on 6254 8448. For breast pump hire outside of the Southern Cross group please call the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 2 686
Our group has a library consisting of books about breastfeeding and other parenting issues, which members are welcome to borrow. The library is available at most meetings. If you can't make it to a meeting, you might like to arrange a time to peruse the library at librarian's home.
We offer support to mothers and families whether or not they are breastfeeding. Our group has six qualified breastfeeding counsellors who can help to answer breastfeeding or parenting questions. Playgroup, coffee mornings and lunch and evening discussions are a wonderful opportunity to get out with your baby and meet with other mothers to discuss topics of interest. Discussions are open to pregnant mums as well as mums with babies and small children. Our program of discussions, and a description of what our meetings are like are below.
Our program
What
are meetings like?
Our meetings are quite informal. Some meetings are for fun and
others
are to share information and thoughts about breastfeeding and
parenting.
If you have any
questions or concerns about breastfeeding you may like to talk to one
of our trained breastfeeding counsellors at a meeting or phone the Breastfeeding
Helpline.
We usually have a cup of something hot (or cold if you prefer) and a
bite to eat. A small plate of nutritious food (or not so nutritious if
you prefer) to share is
welcomed but not expected.
The group library and Mothers Direct sales box are available at meetings.
Coming along
when you are pregnant is a great idea. Learning about breastfeeding
before
you have your baby helps you to be more confident when starting to
feed.
If you can meet the counsellors and some of the other mums before your
baby is born, you may find that you feel more comfortable coming back
to
our meetings after your baby is born.
Your babies and toddlers and older children are welcome at meetings.
You may like to bring some favourite toys for your baby/child to play
with. 
If you or your children are sick, we ask that you consider the other families and pregnant women in the group.
You may like to bring along a friend or family member. They will be as welcome as you are.
Don't worry if you are running late, be proud you made it!
Group News
Welcome to all the new babies in our group, and congratulations to your families!
For news and information regarding our group have a look at the Southern Cross ABA Bulletin.
7
day National Breastfeeding Helpline
Email
counselling is also available.
Subscribe
to Australian Breastfeeding Associationw
Details of the benefits of subscription are available online, or by contacting our group leader, Karen.
Australian
Breastfeeding Association Website
Copyright Australian Breastfeeding Association PO Box 4000, Glen Iris, Vic 3146, Australia. ACN 005 081 523