Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

The Paediatrics & Child Health Division of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians in its
revised 2007 statement on breastfeeding:
“Healthy breastfed babies do not need other fluids. The NHMRC recommends exclusive
breastfeeding to 6 months based upon WHO and Cochrane reviews that demonstrated no
disadvantage to growth associated with exclusive breastfeeding and evidence demonstrating some
protection from gastrointestinal infection in exclusively breastfed infants. However the introduction
of complementary foods between 4 and 6 months, for healthy infants who are developmentally ready
has not proven deleterious.”
http://www.racp.edu.au/page/policy-and-advocacy/paediatrics-and-child-health
Canada
Health Canada; Encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, as breastmilk is the
best food for optimal growth. Breastfeeding may continue for up to 2 years and beyond.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/infant-nourrisson/nut_infant_nourrisson_term_3-eng.php
Accessed 8 Oct 2010
The Canadian Paediatric Society recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life
for healthy, term infants. Breastmilk is the optimal food for infants, and breastfeeding may continue
for up to two years and beyond. Sept 2009
http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/n/breastfeedingmar05.htm Accessed 7 Oct 2010
China
The Ministry of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age (Wang, Binns et
al. 2009)
India
Exclusive breastfeeding to six months (Gupta, Dadhich et al. 2010)
New Zealand
Infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and thereafter receive safe and
adequate complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.
(National Breastfeeding Advisory Committee of New Zealand 2009)
United Kingdom
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