Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

high-quality early childhood programs compared to those who did not. Taken as a whole, the
extensive research on early childhood gives Australia an excellent platform from which to
reform and further develop its service systems for children and their families. P128-9
Breastfeeding and early growth patterns provide the only period in which there is clear
evidence to support the concept of a critical period of development associated with long-term
consequences. Other stages of childhood, however, may offer good opportunities to modify
behaviour. For example, there is limited evidence that behaviours such as liking fruit and
vegetables can be established in early childhood. Breastfed babies show slower growth rates
than formula-fed babies, and this may contribute to the reduced risk of obesity later in life
shown by breastfed babies. Observational studies suggest a longer duration of breastfeeding
to be associated with a decrease in the risk of overweight in later life. As a result, in Europe
and the United States high priority has been placed on research strategies investigating the
effects of breastfeeding to prevent the development of obesity.
In addition to the protective role breastfeeding may have in several chronic diseases,
breastfeeding (including delaying the introduction of solids until babies are six months old)
plays an important role in helping to prevent obesity in children. This has been attributed to
physiological factors in human milk as well as feeding and parenting patterns associated with
breastfeeding. Weaning practices are also thought to be important, given the association
between the characteristic weight gain seen in early childhood at approximately five years of
age (early adiposity rebound) and later obesity.
The proportion of children receiving breast milk declines steadily with age. While the
proportion of Australian infants ever breastfed was around 86–88% between 1995 and 2005,
in 2001 less than half (48%) of all infants were receiving any breastmilk at the age of six
months, and none were being exclusively breastfed. In 2001, the proportion of Australian
children receiving breastmilk was higher among more highly educated and older mothers
(aged over 30 years). Indigenous mothers in non-remote areas appear to be less likely to
initiate and continue breastfeeding than other Australian mothers. There is a need to ensure
the development of targeted interventions to improve maternal and child health among low
SES and Indigenous women, as well as for younger and less educated mothers, particularly
in regard to increasing levels and duration of breastfeeding.
The national toll-free breastfeeding helpline was recently upgraded (March 2009) to provide
24-hour support and breastfeeding information through Australian Government funding.
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