Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

Give one new food at a time so that reactions can be more clearly identified.
The Australian College of Midwives (ACM) and the Baby Friendly Health Initiative
(BFHI) Position Statement
The ACM/BFHI protect, promote and support breastfeeding as unequalled in providing
optimal food and nurturing to ensure the healthy physiological and psychological growth and
development of infants. The ACM/BFHI recommend infants receive breastmilk for the first 6
months of life which requires no supplementation. Thereafter the ACM/BFHI recommend
infants receive appropriate complementary foods with continued breastfeeding for up to two
years and beyond. The ACM / BFHI fully support the importance of informed decision
making. ACM / BFHI support the World Health Organisation (WHO) & United Nations
International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) belief that donor mothers milk is the first alternative
where the baby’s’ own mother’s milk is not available.
The Public Health Association of Australia
The association notes that breastfeeding is a normal process that requires social and structural
support for mothers to ensure supportive environments for optimal breastfeeding benefit. In
accordance with the WHO recommends that all babies are exclusively breastfed for at least
the first six months of life and together with complementary food, breastfeed ideally for up to
two years. While exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is optimal, breastfeeding for even a
few weeks, or partially, is beneficial and has definite advantages over not breastfeeding at all.
The risks of not breastfeeding may be long term
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA). Position statement (2004)
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) supports the WHO Code. Pharmacists should
not promote breastmilk substitute products to the general public in such a manner that would
discourage breastfeeding. The PSA supports the Dietary Guidelines for Children and
Adolescents in Australia incorporating the Infant Feeding Guidelines for Health Workers.
The PSA recognises that a proportion of women are unable to breastfeed for various reasons.
These women should also be given support and advice. Pharmacists must respect the right of
parents to make informed choices on the method of infant feeding.
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