Dr Michael Abou-Dakn, from Berlin, is in Warrnambool for the South West Healthcare Lactation Mysteries Revealed conference and said it was wrong for people to think there was little difference between formula and breast milk.

“In every part of the world I’m asked about the pressure on women to breast feed,” he said.

“If I was a specialist in diabetes or heart disease no one would ask me if it’s good to tell people to eat less chocolate.

“People think that there is not such a big difference between formula and breast feeding.

“We have to be clear in our message as health professionals that breast milk is the optimal choice.”

Dr Abou-Dakn is the head of the department of gynaecology and obstetrics at St Joseph Hospital in Berlin.

He said there was a belief that a lot of women had difficulty breast feeding but it wasn’t necessarily true.

“There are studies which link mastitis to high stress levels and low self esteem,” he said.

He said it was important that midwives, doctors and health professionals provide a consistent message on breast feeding to mothers. “

It’s important staff don’t provide conflicting advice,” he said.

South West Healthcare maternity unit manager Peter Logan said the biennial conference attracted 250 health professionals from around Victoria.

“We’re very fortunate to attract eminent people from overseas,” he said.

The sold-out conference is on Fridayand Saturday at the Sebel Deep Blue.