DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines - Eat For Health

Executive summary
The World Health Organization states that “breastfeeding is an unequalled way of
providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants”.
Breastmilk contains many unique compounds, including live cells, which provide all the
nutritional requirements to support growth and development of infants to around six
months of age.
Breastfeeding provides health benefits to infants including reduced risk of infection,
asthma and atopic disease and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It contributes to
improved cognitive development while protecting against obesity, hypertension and
some chronic diseases in later life.
Benefits to mothers from breastfeeding include improved bonding with their infant,
accelerated recovery from childbirth and progress to a healthy body weight.
Breastfeeding is also associated with reduced risk of some cancers and of postmenopausal
hip fracture in mothers.
As many infants as possible should be exclusively breastfed until around six months of
age when solid foods are introduced. Breastfeeding should be continued until 12
months of age and beyond, for as long as the mother and child desire.
Breastfeeding prevalence, including initiation rates and duration, are improved where
the mother has support and encouragement from the infant’s father, other family
members, the health system and the community.
This chapter provides information on why breastfeeding is beneficial to the health of
the infant and the mother, plus practical considerations for encouraging and
supporting breastfeeding.
DRAFT Australian Dietary Guidelines- December 2011 132