Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding helps give babies the best start for a healthy life and gives mothers the best chance for health and wellbeing. Breastfeeding has benefits for the whole family and the community.

Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until babies are six months of age, with the introduction of appropriate solid food at this age, in addition to continued breastfeeding to 12 months and beyond.

Breastfeeding is a natural process. But for some it is a learnt skill that mothers and babies need to practice, and sometimes get help with. Successful breastfeeding requires the support of partners, families and health carers.  Breastfeeding mothers returning to work also need support from their employers.

What is ‘exclusive breastfeeding’?

Exclusive breastfeeding is when baby is only given breast milk (even if this is expressed breast milk). Breastmilk is all the food and drink that a baby needs for the first six months.

The recommendation to give only breastmilk in the first six months is to maximise the benefits of breastfeeding for families (less illness, cost saving), and to increase the chance of successful breastfeeding.

Information for:

• Mothers and families
• Health professionals
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

More information on:

• planning to breastfeed
• how to breastfeed
• breastfeeding problems
• the importance of breastfeeding
• work and breastfeeding
• 12+ months on the breast resources

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