Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

Legislation
It is important that mothers breastfeed where and whenever their baby needs it. In WA, for
instance, legislation has now been passed to rule out discrimination on the basis of
breastfeeding. The legislation needs to apply nationally. From the WA Act:
10A. (1) Discrimination on the ground of breastfeeding
For the purposes of this Act a person (in this subsection referred to as the discriminator)
discriminates against another person (in this subsection referred to as the aggrieved person) on
the ground of breastfeeding if on the ground of —
(a) aggrieved person breastfeeding or bottle feeding an infant or proposing to do so;
(b) a characteristic that appertains generally to persons who are breastfeeding or bottle feeding;
or
(c) a characteristic that is generally imputed to persons who are breastfeeding or bottle feeding,
the discriminator treats the aggrieved person less favourably than, in circumstances that are the
same or not materially different, the discriminator treats or would treat a person who was not
breastfeeding or bottle feeding; and
(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person (in this subsection referred to as the discriminator)
discriminates against another person (in this subsection referred to as the aggrieved person) on
the ground of breastfeeding or bottle feeding if the discriminator requires the aggrieved person
to comply with a requirement or condition –
(a) with which a substantially higher proportion of persons who are not breastfeeding or bottle
feeding comply or are able to comply;
(b) which is not reasonable having regard to the circumstances of the case; and
(c) with which the aggrieved person does not or is not able to comply.
3. Ed
Education for Parenthood
To improve the health and wellbeing of infants, UNICEF recommends improving the health
and wellbeing of future mothers and their education. This includes care of the infant and
infant feeding. There is, of course, equal justification to extend the education to future
fathers.
Antenatal Education, including Fathers
The decision to breastfeed and to continue to breastfeed are influenced by numerous factors
including maternal age, ethnicity, social class, marital status, education, family and partner
support, alcohol consumption, early return to work, smoking and deciding to breastfeed prior
to pregnancy. (Giglia, Binns et al. 2006; Scott, Binns et al. 2006; Giglia, Binns et al. 2008).
Some of these can be potentially influenced by education programs, while others such as
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